CHARLES MAXWELL, HOST: Well, the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is coming to the Shoalhaven today, in Callala in fact, and our newsreader, Peter Andrea, caught up with the Prime Minister earlier on, and the subject got onto the roads around the Shoalhaven, and the new bridge.
ALISON BYRNES, MEMBER FOR CUNNINGHAM: Welcome to Wollongong. Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the Dharawal country the land on which we meet today and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging. I would like to acknowledge my federal colleague Stephen Jones and also Ryan Park and Paul Scully from New South Wales. I would also like to say a very big thank you to our host here today, the University of Wollongong.
FIONA PHILLIPS, MEMBER FOR GILMORE: Hello everyone and welcome to beautiful stunning Callala Bay here on Jerrinja Land. I'm delighted to be here today. Of course, we have Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia. Chris Minns, the New South Wales Labor Leader, Liza Butler, our wonderful Labor candidate for South Coast. And Katelin McInerney, our fantastic Labor candidate for Kiama. Look, this is a beautiful spot. It's actually a spot where I've held many picnics with my own children as they've grown up over the years.
I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet. I pay my respect to their elders past, present and emerging.
And I'm very happy to be here at the launch of the football season.
What we've seen in recent times is a 20 per cent increase in the number of football players in this country. This is a code that is exploding.
JOURNALIST: How are you feeling about Mardi Gras tonight?
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: It will be a fun occasion but we need to remember as well, that after 45 years that began with a campaign for law reform, it’s about equality and it's about respecting people for who they are - no matter who they love, no matter where they live, no matter what their identity is. It's about respect.
JOURNALIST: And what does it mean to you to be the first sitting Prime Minister to march in the parade?
LAURA TINGLE, NATIONAL PRESS CLUB PRESIDENT: Thank you for such a comprehensive speech, Prime Minister. If I could pick up on a couple of the themes of your speech, one of them is about AUKUS and national security, and the other one is about building things right here in Australia. To what extent are your conversations with the United States and the UK based on industry issues? That is, we know that there is a big interest in the UK in the potential of AUKUS for their defence industries. There are issues in the US about their capacity with supply.
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.