MICHELLE GRATTAN, HOST: The date for the election isn't announced yet, but the contestants have been running at full tilt for months. Many voters, however, hard pressed by the cost of living, are just starting to tune in, and their mood is often sour and certainly impatient. The polls at present are showing the election battle is finally balanced, with observers speculating on a hung parliament. But there's a lot to play out in coming weeks before the result is decided.

JOURNALIST: What about, in 2025, the China-Australia relationship?

Xin nian kuai le.

Gong hei fat choy!

I’m delighted to be with you all again, back at this magnificent festival for another year.

Here in Box Hill this weekend – and at so many Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year celebrations around our country, families, friends and communities are coming together to share in centuries of tradition.

We gather to welcome the Year of the Snake in a spirit of joy, surrounded by vibrant colour and energy.

We look forward together with optimism for the new opportunities that a new year brings.

MATT GREGG, LABOR CANDIDATE FOR DEAKIN: Good morning, everyone. My name is Matt Gregg and I'm the candidate here in Deakin. Pleasure to be joined by the Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles, the candidate for Menzies, Gabriel, and of course the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese.

The Albanese Labor Government is building Australia’s future by investing in training and apprenticeships, with new data released today showing in Victoria there have been close to 110,000 enrolments in Free TAFE since the program began in January 2023.

We are continuing to deliver cost of living relief while encouraging more Australians into trades.

That’s why we’re making Free TAFE permanent.

It’s also why we’ve announced a $10,000 incentive payment for Australians in construction apprenticeships.

MARY DOYLE, MEMBER FOR ASTON: Well hello everyone, and welcome here to Boronia Heights Primary School and where Matt is the, I was about to say Premier. Where Matt is the boss of the school, that's right. So thank you, and what a warm welcome Matt's given us here this morning. And I'd like to also welcome Premier Jacinta Allan, Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, Federal Education Minister, Jason Clare, and also the State Education Minister, Ben Carroll. Thank you guys for coming here on this very auspicious occasion too, the signing of the agreement that just happened.

MARK BOURIS, HOST: Prime Minister, welcome to Straight Talk.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Great to be with you, Mark.

BOURIS: Well, it's been a long time getting together. By the way, when I was walking up to the studio just now, I got a photo of something which I've got to show it to you, because you’ll probably have a laugh.

PRIME MINISTER: You know, fun fact, while you're getting that together -

BOURIS: Is that your car?

KYLE SANDILANDS, HOST: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Good morning, sir. Long time no chat.

JACKIE ‘O’ HENDERSON, HOST: Good morning.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good to be with you. I'm glad I'm the entree for Cher.

JACKIE O: Oh, you are. Look, listen, can I ask you, what does the Prime Minister do on Christmas Day and where is he?

CRAIG REUCASSEL, HOST: Morning, Prime Minister.

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

REUCASSEL: So when were you told about this Dural discovery?

PATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: Let's bring in the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, to get his reaction to these pretty significant inflation figures. Prime Minister, welcome to Afternoon Briefing for the first time in 2025.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good afternoon, PK.

KARVELAS: Do people with mortgages deserve an interest rate cut in February?