ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: Well, thanks for joining us. I'm absolutely delighted to host my friend, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, on his first official visit to Australia as Prime Minister of Singapore. Although this is our first official meeting in Canberra, this is our fourth in-person meeting since May last year. Singapore and Australia are close partners, but we are even closer friends.
The 7th of October 2023 was a day of pain and terror for Jewish people around the world, and we must never forget the atrocities that were inflicted by Hamas.
The attack on innocent people at a music festival that promoted ‘friends, love and infinite freedom’ underlined a core truth, that Hamas stands in opposition to all humanity, and all that we value as human beings.
Two years on, we remember all those who were lost on that day, the largest loss of Jewish life on any single day since the Holocaust. Over 1,200 innocent lives ruthlessly taken without mercy.
JAYNE AZZOPARDI, HOST: We are going to get some more on Australia's landmark defence deal with Papua New Guinea.
KARL STEFANOVIC, HOST: To discuss we’re joined by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra, who can make K-Pop. Good morning to you, PM. Nice to see you this morning. Look, you finally got there with PNG.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Morning. Great to be with you.
STEFANOVIC: Are you worried about how China might react?
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome the Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, Lawrence Wong, to Australia from 6 to 9 October 2025.
This will be Prime Minister Wong’s first official visit to Australia since taking office, and coincides with 60 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Singapore.
Australia and Singapore have a deep and longstanding relationship, underpinned by strong economic ties, strategic trust and a close defence partnership.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: Good afternoon, on what is a very historic day for Papua New Guinea and for Australia. Last month I had the enormous privilege and the absolute pleasure of representing the people of Australia in Port Moresby at what were quite spectacular celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s independence. I'm delighted to be able to return that hospitality and welcome my friend, Prime Minister Marape, back to Australia once again. We both enjoyed the football game last night, the NRL Grand Final.
Australia and Papua New Guinea have elevated our relationship to an Alliance, with the signing of the Papua New Guinea – Australia Mutual Defence Treaty.
The Alliance will be Australia’s first in more than 70 years, and Papua New Guinea’s first with any country.
Signed today in Canberra by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Hon James Marape MP, the Treaty reflects a shared commitment to peace and stability in the Pacific.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Fantastic to be in my electorate of Grayndler, here in Annandale with Clare O’Neil, the Housing Minister. And this morning we had the opportunity to meet with Maria. Maria’s a young woman who’s got into her first unit here in Annandale. And she couldn't have done that without taking up the opportunity to have mortgage insurance taken by the Commonwealth Government and paying a smaller deposit. What we are doing as of today is bringing forward our plan for 5 per cent deposits.
From today, first home buyers can realise their dream of home ownership sooner with the launch of 5 per cent deposits for all first home buyers, delivered months ahead of schedule.
The Albanese Government’s expanded 5 per cent deposit scheme guarantees a portion of a buyer’s home loan, cutting years off the time it takes to save for a deposit and saving on Lenders Mortgage Insurance.
Already more than 185,000 Australians have been supported into home ownership through this scheme. Today’s expansion means more Australians will get the keys to their first home sooner.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Australia welcomes President Trump's plan to bring peace to Gaza after two years of conflict and a devastating loss of life. Australia has long called for a ceasefire. We have called for the hostages to be released and for Hamas to give up its arms. I certainly have welcomed the opportunity to discuss the plans for a ceasefire moving forward over the past week with a range of leaders.