The Albanese Government has announced a $2 billion expansion in critical minerals financing, which will solidify Australia's position as a world leading provider, help the transition to net zero, boost the economy and support more jobs and opportunities for Australians.

Critical minerals, including rare earths, are the building-blocks for a clean energy future, and are essential to achieving Australia's energy transition. This significant commitment will double the capacity of the Critical Minerals Facility to finance Australian critical minerals mining and processing projects.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: When I met with President Biden in Hiroshima in May, we signed the Climate, Critical Minerals and Alean Energy Transformation Compact. Yesterday, the Taskforce that was established on critical minerals under that Compact met for the first time with the Minister, Minister King, and Amos Hochstein, who's the Principal Advisor to the President on energy. This follows, as well, the Energy Committee that we established meeting with Minister Bowen just last week with his US counterpart.

The Australian Government, with the support of local defence industry, is providing a further $20 million package of military assistance to Ukraine.

De-mining equipment, portable x-ray machines, a 3D metal printer, and counter drone systems are some of the Australian developed equipment that will contribute to Ukraine’s defence.

The Australian developed equipment is made by four innovative Australian defence industry companies: DroneShield, Micro-X, Minelab and SPEE3D.

MADELEINE KING, MINISTER FOR RESOURCES: Thank you, everyone. I thank the Ambassador for that welcome, and to welcome Ambassador Kennedy. To, of course, our Prime Minister here in our wonderful new Embassy. And also, Secretary Raimondo and Amos Hochstein, the Adviser to the President.

I want to start by doing what we do in Australia, it is customary to acknowledge the traditional owners of land on which we're meeting today, which is the Piscataway and an Anacostan peoples. And I pay my respects to their elders, past, present and emerging.

JAMIE BURNETT, HOST: Prime Minister, good morning to you.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, good to be with you. And it's wonderful to be back in Perth, particularly for the Telethon Weekend, where there's such a focus on helping young kids and their families at their time of need. It's an extraordinary commitment that West Australians give to others during this weekend.

As Prime Minister and Federal Labor Leader, I mourn Bill Hayden’s passing and honour his life.

My first thoughts are with Dallas, his beloved wife of 63 years, their children and all those who knew and loved him best.

If Bill Hayden left no other legacy than as a key architect of universal healthcare, he would still stand for all time as a legend of our labour movement and a great contributor to our nation.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to the People’s Republic of China from 4 to 7 November. 

In Beijing, the Prime Minister will meet with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. In Shanghai, the Prime Minister has accepted Premier Li’s invitation to attend the China International Import Expo.

The Prime Minister’s visit will build on his productive discussions with President Xi and Premier Li over the last twelve months, as well as increased ministerial engagement over that time.

Sunday 22 October 2023 marked the fifth anniversary of the National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse.

The National Apology was delivered in response to a five-year Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse initiated by former Prime Minister, the Honourable Julia Gillard AC.

More than 17,000 victims and survivors bravely came forward in response to the Royal Commission and nearly 8,000 victims and survivors recounted their horrendous abuse in private sessions.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good afternoon. This afternoon, I'll travel to the United States, as a result of President Biden's invitation for an official State Visit. This will be the ninth occasion in which President Biden and I have had meetings since I was elected Prime Minister, some 16 months ago. And it will be an important visit. The alliance between Australia and the United States is central to Australia's foreign policy.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, it's wonderful to be here in the United States for an official visit, after the invitation of President Biden. The United States' relationship with Australia is our most important. It's an alliance that was forged, of course, during World War Two, when under John Curtin, Australia look to America. Ever since then we've worked side by side. And the third pillar of our alliance will be a focus this week.