I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

It is such a pleasure to be back in Tamworth.

When it comes to bringing Australians together, this city has done some heavy lifting. For more than half a century now, you have been bringing Australians together from all over the continent.

The Tamworth Country Music Festival is recognised as one of the world’s great music festivals – and it’s your enduring gift to all of us.

Australian farmers and regional communities will benefit from a major, long-term investment into drought preparedness, with $38 million in federal innovation grants announced today.

Through the Future Drought Fund, the Albanese Government will invest in six research projects undertaking long-term trials of new and emerging agriculture practices around cropping, grazing and mixed farming, to help farmers be more drought-resilient.

The Albanese Government is delivering on its commitment to Tamworth residents to help strengthen Medicare.

Following an Expression of Interest process, Northwest Health will be established as a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, treating patients from October 2023.

The Tamworth Medicare UCC will deliver on the Australian Government's commitment to make it easier for people in New South Wales to get the urgent treatment they need – from highly qualified doctors and nurses – while taking pressure off Tamworth Hospital.

REBECCA REARDON, GRAINS AUSTRALIA: Thank you very much for coming today, everybody. And thank you very much Kevin Tongue for lending us his barley field today. Kevin's actually away. The barley announcement is absolutely fantastic for growers. It means more money in our pockets with a $20 freight differential advantage that we've got to China. And it means that we're able to get a premium for our quality barley that we actually grow and put out into the world market. So we're really excited. We want to thank the Government.

Harry Clarke, Host: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, it must be a privilege to honour some some legends of Far North Queensland with the Australian Icons awards.

Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister: Absolutely fantastic. All these people, everyone, from the Catholic Priest, the fine Mr Brophy, has been running the fights in places when rodeos happen. I've met him before at the Birdsville Races. To other local heroes as well, it's just fantastic and a great honour to be here to celebrate Mt Isa's 100 years.

Pinky, Host: Now my sidekick Anthony is on holidays at the moment so I’ve found another Anthony to fill in. It's the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, good morning.

Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister: G’day Pinky, I hope I'm a pretty reasonable fill in.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to the United States from 23 to 26 October for an official visit hosted by President Joseph R Biden Jr in Washington DC.

The Australia-United States relationship is unique in scale, scope and significance, reflecting more than 100 years of partnership between our nations. This visit will be an opportunity for the Prime Minister and President to strengthen this important relationship and look ahead to the future.

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we are meeting and I pay my respects to their elders, past, present and emerging.

I am proud to lead a Government that will give every Australian the opportunity to vote for Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, in our founding document, in a referendum later this year.

I welcome Therese and Jess and Marcus and all the members of the Rudd family who are with us today.

KRISTY READING, HOST: Good morning, Prime Minister, and thanks for your time today.

PRIME MINISTER, ANTHONY ALBANESE: Good morning, Christy. Good to have the opportunity to talk with you.

READING: I realise you're heading to a flight now, so we really appreciate you giving us some time before you jump on board this morning. But look, you're coming to town this morning as part of this, you're revealing a $38 million drought relief package at the Bush Summit. Tell us about this. What does it include?

MONTE IRVINE, HOST: I have Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese on the line. Good morning, Prime Minister, how are you this morning?

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Monte. I'm very well, very much looking forward to visiting Tamworth this morning.