The Albanese and Malinauskas Governments are working together to fast track more beds at Flinders Medical Centre, as planning for the $400 million jointly funded upgrade commences.

An extra 26 new acute inpatient beds will open at Flinders Medical Centre in the next few weeks helping ease pressure on the hospital’s emergency department.

A further 16 beds – from the 136 that will be added as part of the $400 million upgrade – will be fast tracked to open in the first half of 2024, four years ahead of schedule.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: It’s great to be back here at Flinders Medical Centre with the South Australian Premier, Peter Malinauskas, with Health Minister Mark Butler and with Louise Miller-Frost the federal local member here for Boothby, as well as state local MPs who are here today. During the election campaign I came here with the Premier and made a commitment, a commitment to join with South Australia on the upgrade of this fantastic hospital. A great hospital that looks after people in the southern suburbs of Adelaide, but one that is in need of an upgrade.

Today marks one year since Russia launched its illegal and immoral full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

We mourn the incalculable losses that Ukraine has endured.

We honour the unwavering resolve and strength of the Ukrainian people as they stand up to Russia’s continued aggression.

We are proud to stand with Ukraine as it defends its people, its territory, and its sovereignty.

Today, on this most sombre occasion, the Australian Government is announcing additional military assistance to Ukraine and further costs on Russia, including additional sanctions.

The Albanese Government is delivering on a commitment to build the skills and capabilities to take advantage of Australia’s transition to a clean energy future with a $10 million investment at the University of Wollongong.

The funds will establish an Energy Futures Skills Centre located at the university, with a second investment of $2.5 million to upgrade equipment and teaching aids, creating a Renewable Energy Training facility at the Wollongong TAFE.

CHRISTIAN MCEWAN, HOST: We have a very special guest, as big as it gets in fact, not in stature, he's not the biggest guy in the world, but.

MARTY HAYNES, HOST: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be in Wollongong today, he's visiting the University of Wollongong's Smart Infrastructure Facility at 10:30 today, he'll be here, but he's joining us here at i98 this morning. Prime Minister, welcome.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, great to be with you.

PRIME MINISTER, ANTHONY ALBANESE: It's fantastic to be here at Kalgoorlie School of the Air. This amazing facility has been teaching our youngest Australians here in the Goldfields and throughout this vast region since 1962. And what is happening here is a major upgrade from the National Broadband Network. As part of the 4,800 homes and businesses that will be upgraded with Fibre National Broadband Network here in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, it will make an enormous difference. It will make a difference to people who live here.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: I'm Patrick Gorman, the Federal Member for Perth. And it is wonderful to have not just the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, here in Perth, but also have the Minister Brendan O'Connor, and Minister Simone McGurk. And can I say a huge thank you to Michelle Hoad, the Managing Director of North Metro TAFE, for having us here today.

IVO DA SILVA, HOST: Good morning, Prime Minister and welcome to Kalgoorlie-Boulder and thank you for bringing a bit of rain to us from Sydney because that's something that we desperately needed.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: The Mayor just gave me credit.

CONNOR MALLIS, HOST: I guess, the real big question is what brings you to the Goldfields?

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Welcome to the first ever Federal Cabinet meeting in the Pilbara. It's a commitment that I made during the election campaign along with other commitments I've made here in Western Australia. And my Government is determined to deliver each and everyone of them. I said I'd visit the West 10 times a year. This is my 9th visit in nine months, so I have three month to go to make that one extra visit. I'll be back here, by the way, in March and April. So, we'll exceed that target.