I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

This ‘State of the Nation’ Conference is one of the many ways that CEDA helps drive the big ideas and shape the important debates about our nation’s future.

In the big economic conversations of the past six decades, CEDA has always been a participant and a contributor, not just an observer.

Bringing together a wealth of perspectives and experiences and engaging in broad-ranging research.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Earlier tonight, but you probably knew this, Julian Assange was reunited with his family here in Australia. His arrival home ends a long running legal process. A plea agreement between Mr Assange and the United States Department of Justice was accepted by a US court in Saipan earlier today. I do want to express my appreciation to the United States and the United Kingdom for their efforts in making this possible.

Australian citizen, Mr Julian Assange, has tonight been reunited with his family in Australia.

His return to Australia is possible due to the conclusion of a plea arrangement between Mr Assange and the United States Department of Justice, which was accepted by a United States court in Saipan on Wednesday 26 June.

This ends a long-running judicial process.

The Australian Government has been clear in its view that Mr Assange’s case had dragged on for too long.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: Well, Prime Minister Manele, can I welcome you very warmly to Australia and I'm very honoured, and we're honoured as a nation, that you have chosen Australia as your destination for your first official visit after your successful election, as Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands. We've just had a lovely one on one meeting, in which we were discussing the great honour that we have in engaging and leading our respective nations and as members of the Pacific family, this relationship is so important.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: I’m very pleased to welcome the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Prime Minister Manele to Canberra. You are very welcome here with your delegation, Prime Minister. Australia and the Solomon Islands are close friends with connected futures. And I am so pleased that you have chosen Australia as the first place you have visited as Prime Minister, following your election. We share a region, we share an ocean, and we share a history of cooperation.

1. The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia, welcomed the Hon Jeremiah Manele, Prime Minister of Solomon Islands to Canberra on 26 June 2024 on his first international visit as Prime Minister. This was their first meeting as Prime Ministers. The meeting followed recent visits to Honiara by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Marles and Foreign Minister Wong, highlighting the importance of our relationship.
2. Australia and Solomon Islands are family with interconnected futures – we share a region, an ocean and a history of partnership.

The Albanese Labor Government’s Homes for Australia plan will deliver significant new funding across the country to build more homes with a new national housing agreement beginning on 1 July.

As part of the new 5-year National Agreement on Social Housing and Homelessness which starts on 1 July 2024, states and territories will share in $9.3 billion.

The funding will help to combat homelessness, provide crisis support and build and repair social housing.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Thanks very much for joining us. I'm joined by Minister Bowen and Matt Kean, who'd be familiar to many of you. I just firstly want to say that it's seven days until every Australian taxpayer gets a tax cut, not just some. It's seven days until our energy bill relief kicks in of $300 off everyone's energy bills. It's seven days until 2.6 million low paid workers get their third consecutive pay rise backed by this Government.

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, and I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

It is such a pleasure and an honour to join with you all here today.

I particularly want to acknowledge the reason we are all here: His Excellency, the Governor-General, and Her Excellency, Mrs Linda Hurley.

Just as it belongs to an important tradition, the unveiling of this official portrait is also an expression of our respect and gratitude. Something that travels beyond your office or title and goes to your character.

The Albanese Government will appoint The Honourable Matt Kean as Chair of the Climate Change Authority (CCA), following the resignation of current Chair Mr Grant King.

The Authority is an independent statutory body that provides expert advice to the Australian Government on climate change policy.

The CCA’s advice is vital for reaping the full benefits of the energy transition for every household and business and for delivering new, well-paid jobs.

As a former NSW Treasurer and Minister for Energy and Environment, Mr Kean is uniquely qualified to lead the CCA.