SALLY SARA, HOST: The Foreign Affairs Minister, Penny Wong, heads to the Middle East this week as Australia plays a supporting role in the US-UK airstrikes in Yemen. US President Joe Biden confirmed the operation on Friday in response to the Houthis escalating attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis say its actions are in support of Palestinians under siege by Israel in Gaza and a warning of retaliation. The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese joins me now. Prime Minister, welcome, your first interview of 2024 back on RN Breakfast.

The Australian Government congratulates Crown Prince Frederik on His Highness’s  imminent succession to the Danish throne.

On behalf of the people of Australia, the Commonwealth Government will provide a gift of a national contribution to Wildcare Tasmania to support its work towards the conservation of the Tasmanian devil.

The Tasmanian devil, the largest surviving carnivorous marsupial, is now endangered and found only in the wild on our island state of Tasmania.

Recognising the broad consensus as expressed by 44 countries around the world on December 19, 2023, as well as the statement by the UN Security Council on December 1, 2023, condemning Houthi attacks against merchant and commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea, our governments issued a joint statement on January 3, 2024, which called for the immediate end of illegal attacks and warned that malign actors would be held accountable should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and the free flow of commerce in the region’s critical waterways.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, it's wonderful to be here at Frankston Bowling Club on such an absolutely wonderful glorious day here in Frankston. And it is good to be here for what is a very significant announcement. But first, I do want to acknowledge the contribution that my dear friend Peta Murphy made to this community, and to acknowledge Rod Glover, her husband of more than two decades, and this community for what has been a very significant loss.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: This is an opportunity to say thank you to the extraordinary personnel who are helping their fellow Victorians here. This wonderful facility is able to make sure that the coordination occurs across agencies. And you'll see increased Federal involvement here as well. Today, we've signed off on a commitment to provide further support to Victorians as a result of this flood event that continues to unfold.

MARK OLSEN, CEO OF TOURISM TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND: Good morning everybody and welcome. We gather here on the lands of the Djabugay people with some of the most important decision makers in the country. On behalf of the tourism industry here in tropical North Queensland we’re breathing a sigh of relief for many businesses have been cut off for as many as 28 days. Today we're announcing, the Prime Minister, the Premier, and this incredible raft of decision makers, including the Treasurer, are here to support the tourism industry in their time of need.

The Albanese Government has appointed Dr Craig Emerson to lead the 2023-24 review of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct (the Code) to ensure that the supermarket sector is working as it should.

The Food and Grocery code is prescribed under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. Aldi, Coles, Woolworths and Metcash are signatories to the Code and are bound by it.

The Code was introduced to improve standards of business behaviour in the food and grocery sector.

The Code regulates the conduct of these retailers and wholesalers towards suppliers.

The Albanese and Miles Governments are delivering further disaster assistance to help Far North Queensland continue its recovery following ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

The exceptional circumstances assistance is jointly-funded by the Albanese and Miles Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Today’s announcement will further support local tourism, clean-up efforts and invest in specialised recovery staff:

MONIQUE WRIGHT, HOST: Good morning to you, Prime Minister. Thanks so much for being with us. Gosh, it's been a difficult time with the weather for lots of people. I know that you toured the area there yesterday. You've announced a $50 million support package to Queenslanders impacted by the recent wild weather - that's great. We know you're off to Victoria today to visit some of the areas there who have also been ravaged. Will you announce a similar package for Victorians?

MICHAEL ROWLAND, HOST: Somebody else who has seen firsthand the results of the floods and the cyclones in various parts of Queensland is the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. He joins us now from Cairns. PM, very good morning to you.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Michael.

ROWLAND: You have seen the devastation that Michael Rennie just referred to in and around the Gold Coast, similarly in Cairns. What help is the Federal Government providing with Queenslanders so hard-hit by these natural disasters?