Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel.

The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.

We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of Hamas for the atrocities of October 7 and ongoing acts of terror. Hamas must lay down its arms and release all hostages. We see no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: My government has always been focused on tackling the challenges of the here and now in a way that builds for the long term. Helping people with cost of living pressures while investing in making our future here in Australia as a theme of the last budget, but it's a theme of the last two and a bit years as well. We do this as a united team through cabinet government.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Today President Biden has made the difficult decision to not seek re-election at the Presidential election that will be held in November. As he's done throughout his entire time in public life, he has acted in what he considers to be the best interests of the United States of America. He is someone who, in January, will be able to retire from public life with an extraordinary record. It was one of my first events as Prime Minister, was to travel to the Quad meeting, that was held in Tokyo within days of my election in May of 2022.

The Prime Minister will be on leave for five days from Saturday 20 July 2024.

During this time, the Deputy Prime Minister will be Acting Prime Minister.

SARAH MACDONALD, HOST: The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, joins me now. Good morning.

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

MACDONALD: Yeah, good to have you. Your response to the news from Joe Biden?

PATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: US President Joe Biden has pulled out of the Presidential race and has officially endorsed his Vice President, Kamala Harris, for the Democratic nominee. Whatever happens in November, it's clear now that America will have a new President next year. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joins me now. Prime Minister, welcome to the program.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, PK.

KARVELAS: What are your reflections on the Presidency of Joe Biden and his decision to step down?

MURRAY WATT, MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, FORESTRY & EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Well, what a beautiful day here in Cairns in tropical North Queensland. And it's a pleasure to have our Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese in town for what is Australia's largest regional show, here at the Cairns Regional Show. We've had the opportunity to meet some of the show Queens, the show Kings, rural ambassadors and lots of friendly people here in far north Queensland.

CHARLIE MCKILLOP, HOST: Excitement is reaching a pressure point down here at the Cairns Showgrounds. Not only is it People's Day when we'll see tens of thousands of people flooding through the gates when the gates open in just a few minutes time, but we have a special guest with us in Cairns today. The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese has just stopped by. And Mr Albanese, I've got to say that you get blamed for a lot of things, but on behalf of Far North Queenslanders waking up on their coldest July morning for years, did you have to bring the Canberra weather with you?

MURRAY JONES, HOST: Anthony Albanese. Good morning. Nice to see you.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good to be here, I’ve brought beautiful weather here.

JONES: Oh, look, it is just gorgeous, there's no doubt about it.

PRIME MINISTER: Waking up here this morning, it was just stunning. And it was a nice night last night. I had a good meal here in Cairns.

JONES: Good on you.

PRIME MINISTER: Tribute to the local economy here.

KATE JEBOULT, HOST: Good morning, Albo.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Good to be in Queensland.

JEBOULT: Is it, though? Are you getting a bit of stick?

PRIME MINISTER: It is. No, no, it was a tough game, wasn't it? I mean, 2-nil at halftime and no tries for 60 minutes. But, it was an awesome game of footy.