STEPHANIE FERRIER, HOST: The Government has been under pressure to provide more detail on the Voice but says it wants Australians to agree to the principle before Parliament irons out the finer points. Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, joins me now from Woodford in Queensland. First of all, Anthony Albanese, Merry Christmas and happy new year to you.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Thanks, very much. And to you and all your listeners.
EDWINA BARTHOLOMEW, HOST: The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, joins us live now from the Woodford Folk Festival where he slept in a shipping container overnight, we look forward to hearing more about that. Thank you so much for joining us this morning, Prime Minister.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning.
Residents and businesses in nine South Australian local government areas are now able to apply for a range of assistance to help them clean up, get back to business and back into homes.
The Albanese and Malinauskas Governments today announced $126.25 million in further disaster assistance for communities hit by the devastating flooding that peaked in Renmark on Boxing Day and is subsequently impacting downriver areas.
Australia has lost a shining light in the field of neuroscience and stem cell research with the passing of Professor Emeritus Alan Mackay-Sim AM.
While instantly recognisable in academia and biomedical research, it was Professor Mackay-Sim’s work in the laboratory which set him apart.
Recognised as Australian of the Year in 2017, Professor Mackay-Sim’s expertise and studies led to effective drugs for many neurological diseases, and his work on patient sourced stem cells has improved the lives of many thousands of Australians.
The Albanese and Perrottet Governments today announced a landmark deal to connect New South Wales’ Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) and plug Snowy 2.0 into the grid, to create thousands of new energy jobs, and deliver energy that’s more reliable, more secure and more affordable across the east coast.
The joint $7.8 billion deal will back eight critical transmission and REZ projects, supporting more than 3,900 jobs in the regions.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Can I just begin by saying that the Memorial Service conducted by the Queensland Police, that I attended this morning, was a solemn occasion. And I once again express, on behalf of all Australians, our sense of grief and loss at the loss of Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, two Queensland Police officers who were doing their job. This tragedy has impacted all members of the police force including, I'm sure, here in New South Wales and throughout the country. The tributes were ones that I will never forget this morning.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good afternoon. I did want to wish everyone a very safe and happy festive season going forward over the next few days. I also wanted to wish those people of faith all my best wishes. This is an opportunity where many Christians will renew their faith in the birth of Jesus Christ that we celebrate on 25 December. This era, though, is going to be also very difficult going forward.
Christmas is such a special time of year.
It's a day of giving. It's a day for relaxing together with family and friends.
And for many Australians, it is a day that is so central to their faith.
Of course, not everyone gets to take it easy today. If you're rostered on somewhere, I want to say thank you for your service to others.
BILL CREWS, EXODUS FOUNDATION: Welcome. I hope you all have Christmas lunch with us and you don't just rush off. But as you can see, this is Christmas lunch for the people who have got nowhere else and no one to share Christmas with. And I'm so grateful. I am so grateful for Anthony and Chris Minns to come up here and share it with them. Because that's what we need today. We need people who are in government who care for those who are the poorest and that are struggling. Because if governments care for the battlers, they'll care for everybody else.
SUSIE ELELMAN, HOST: It's always lovely to have your company. And if you are in Sydney and you're anywhere near Ashfield, I really welcome you to come out and see the Christmas spirit that is being portrayed here at the Uniting Church at Ashfield. It is just quite extraordinary. People are tucking into a delicious Christmas meal. The volunteers are going around. The joy that's here, having so many people that are dropping in to say hello.