Doorstop Interview – Osborne | Prime Minister of Australia
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: It is terrific to be back in Adelaide with the South Australian Premier, Peter Malinauskas, the Deputy Premier, Susan Close, and Tony Zappia, one of the local Federal representatives whose constituents are going to get good, secure work as a result of our AUKUS commitments and the $2 billion that will be invested here in South Australia just across the forward estimates. But of course, over the years to come many billions of dollars creating jobs, creating innovation, making the best of Australian science, technology, innovation, here in defence industries.
This is an exciting project. AUKUS is the biggest single investment in Australia’s defence capability in our history. And Osborne will be at the centre of all that we do. South Australians building the most complex machinery known to mankind, right here at Osborne in South Australia. It is a transformational moment for Australia, for South Australia, and for our Defence Force, as well as, of course, for our economy.
One of the things that we say is that we are investing in our defence capability and also investing in our relationships in the region as well. But this isn’t just about our defence. One of the things that advanced manufacturing does is it produces a multiplier. Just as a car industry had ramifications and benefits for Australia over many decades in the post-war period, the vision of an advanced defence capability will have spin-off for manufacturing, spin-off for jobs right across the Australian economy, but particularly here in South Australia. This will create some 20,000 jobs directly over the next 30 years. It will strengthen Australia’s national security and contribute to regional stability in response to the unprecedented regional challenges which we are facing. It is about building a Future Made in Australia, by Australians, with record investments in defence, and jobs, and infrastructure. And it’s about delivering a superior capability after a decade of inaction and mismanagement.
At its peak, up to 4,000 Australian workers will be employed to design and build the infrastructure for the new submarine construction yard here. A further 4,000-5,500 jobs will be created to build the nuclear-powered submarines in South Australia when the program reaches its peak. I think this is a most exciting proposal.
We have worked in the 11 months since we’ve been in Government to make sure that the benefit comes here in South Australia. And I want to thank my friend, the South Australian Premier, for the constructive approach to the relationship that we have. We have signed a memorandum of understanding to make sure that we maximise the benefit here in South Australia but also, of course, the benefit to the nation.
And this afternoon, we’ve had the opportunity to talk first-hand to the workforce here. Skilled workforce. Fitters and turners. Electrical engineers, machinist, who are all in secure, well-paid jobs. And this is what this is about, taking sure that those jobs stay here in South Australia. We need that certainty. What we’ve done is provide certainty not just for a year, not just for a term of government, but that certainty for decades going ahead. It will give confidence to the South Australian economy. And I want to thank the South Australian Government for working with us on what is such an exciting project in the national interest.
PETER MALINAUSKAS, PREMIER OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Thank you very much, Prime Minister. It’s great to have you here in South Australia again, especially here at Osborne. And it’s great to be here with of course the Deputy Premier Susan as well as Tony, the Member for Makin. They can be no doubt about the fact that the AUKUS opportunity of building nuclear submarines here in South Australia represents the greatest opportunity we’ve had in our state of the biggest step change in economic complexity that we have really seen in the nation’s history, let alone South Australia’s. Up to 5,500 people employed directly, right here in Osborne, to build the most complex machines that have ever been built in human history. The size and the scale of this enterprise cannot possibly be overstated. And South Australia is not just excited about that task, we are already gearing up for it.
We understand, Prime Minister, the opportunity that the Federal Government has provided South Australians actually also imposes a degree of responsibility on our state as a whole, including the State Government, especially around the development of workforce and skills. We had the opportunity today to be able to chat to people working on the full-cycle docking project of the Collins-class, to be able to speak to those traders, men and women, electrical trades, sheet, metal fabrication trades, engineering trades, all of these, we are going to require a lot more of in South Australia, but even at a greater level of skill with even higher level qualifications to be able to work on the nuclear project.
We are committed to delivering that workforce. And that’s why we have a program in South Australia for everything from three-year-old preschool to building brand new technical colleges at our schools but also, university amalgamation. All of this is a comprehensive program to make sure that we have the skills and the workforce that this massive undertaking is going to require. But Prime Minister, we are grateful for your leadership. South Australians appreciate the size and the scale of the commitment that the Federal Government has made. It’s a necessary commitment to our nation’s defence. But it is an exciting opportunity for industrial advancement here in South Australia and the improved standard of living that can be realised from literally thousands upon thousands of workers on the back of that. It’s going to be a big journey. There are going to be challenges, of course, across the next decade. But we are up for every single one of those challenges. And we are excited about it and we are getting on with the task.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks. Happy to take questions.
JOURNALIST: The fact that you are here today, is that a vote of confidence for workers that the work will definitely go ahead in Adelaide when it’s so far out into the never-never?
PRIME MINISTER: You can see the work beginning right now. What’s happening now is the preparations for it. People up-skilling. We are in discussions about how we make that happen. Brendan O’Connor is the Skills Minister. Jason Clare is the Education Minister. This is an enormous opportunity for South Australia in particular. And we have confidence in South Australians. The former Government had a Defence Minister who derided South Australians working at this facility, who had contempt for the workers here. I honour the workers here. They are making a difference to their state, their nation, but also, of course, to their families. Because one of the discussions that Peter and I had with the workers who are working on the maintenance of the Collins-class subs, there were a couple of people who were trained elsewhere and they’ve come here because the work is secure. They know that that’s the case. So, this is a big vote of confidence in South Australia. And just as at the height of World War II, under the Curtin Government, Ben Chifley was appointed the Minister for Post-War Reconstruction, how do we come out of it with a big project. A part of it was the automotive industry which South Australia played a critical role. We know that coming out of the pandemic, we need to look towards how does the nation build itself? And that’s why this visionary project is so important as well and South Australia is front and centre.
JOURNALIST: We know that recently, there was a land swap between the State and Federal Government. Has there been any progression regarding the construction of the new shipyard?
PRIME MINISTER: We are working all those details and issues through. We will make announcements. Some things are worked through. We obviously, when it comes to our defence and our national security issues, we make announcements at appropriate times. But I’m very confident that one of the things that isn’t happening here is argy-bargy. What is happening here is that the national Government is talking with the South Australian Government on our common interest.
JOURNALIST: The Premier has often said the biggest risk to the submarine construction is developing the skill and educated workforce. Do you agree? And what more can be done?
PRIME MINISTER: We are doing it. And already what you’re seeing is expansion of expertise in things like nuclear engineering and courses. Of course, we are looking at it as well, with Peter’s vision of bringing together the South Australian tertiary sector. We will have real spin-offs, I think, as well, because what that will do is to increase the capacity to make sure that we get people in the right place at the right time. The other thing that’s happening already is that we are stepping up with our AUKUS partners, the presence of Australian submariners and experts, engineers and others, are working right now today in the United States and in the United Kingdom so that they get that experience as well. This is a well thought out plan. The visit, as well, that will step up particularly after 2027. But between now and then, we will have an increase in visitation here in Australia but after then as well. We will have a cycle through, where US and UK submarines are present here for a considerably longer period of time than has happened in the past. And that is also about how you skill up the workforce. And then, of course, the purchase of Virginia-class submarines that will make a difference as well from the early 2030s, before we see the SSN-AUKUS being produced. The first ones will roll off the assembly line in the UK, but very soon after, roll off here as well. I pay tribute to Richard Marles, the job that he has done, and Pat Conroy. But also, our alliance partners in the United States and United Kingdom for the work that has been done at the defence level.
JOURNALIST: Can I ask you how you would reflect on Yunupingu’s passing?
PRIME MINISTER: Yunupingu is one of the greatest of Australians. Not just an extraordinary leader of the Yolŋu people and Indigenous Australians, but all Australians. He is a former Australian of the Year, he is someone who was a confidant and spoke with every Prime Minister from Billy McMahon all the way through to myself. When I met with him at the Garma Festival in July last year, when I committed the Government to holding a referendum, he asked me at that point in time, ‘Are you serious?’ Because he had been let down so many times in the past. And I regarded it as a great honour when his family reached out for me to have a conversation with him on the day that we announced the wording with the Referendum Working Group that will go forward in legislation now and after a committee, that’s the words that will be considered before the Parliament, for a referendum at the end of this year. I had the opportunity and great honour of speaking to him that afternoon. He was surrounded by his loved ones and by his community. And he said to me on that afternoon, and I will never forget it, he said to me, ‘You spoke truth’. And that was one of the most heart-warming things that anyone could possibly have ever said to me in my life. He was an extraordinary leader. We mourn with his people today. And we pay tribute to a lifetime of advocating for the rights of Aboriginal people in this country. He was a key focal point of the development of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. A wonderful, gracious request to advance reconciliation in this country. And when that happened in 2017, he spoke about lighting a fire. I think that today is a day that I certainly recommit myself to do everything we can to make sure that that referendum is carried at the end of this year. I pay tribute to the Malinauskas Government for being the first state to have a Voice to their Parliament here in South Australia.
JOURNALIST: On the Voice, Julian Leeser has today said, ‘Why would you want to risk the social and racial harmony of the country with a reconciliation processes by putting a referendum when it is not guaranteed’. What do you make of those comments?
PRIME MINISTER: I say that you are guaranteed to not to advance it if you don’t put it. He was part of a Government that went to an election in 2019, saying they would advance these issues. They established a joint committee chaired by Senator Patrick Dodson and Julian Leeser himself in the lead-up to that process. We then had a committee established by them, Tom Calma and Marcia Langton being the leaders of that committee process which was tabled and dealt with by the Morrison Cabinet, not once but twice, but nothing happened. Nearly a decade ago, Julian Leeser was involved in a process that spoke about representations being made to Parliament and executive government. Julian Leeser has been part of the writing of the words in the legislation which was moved by our Attorney-General last Thursday. I say this – if not now, when? If not now, when? Indigenous people expect this to be advanced. This will be important to show respect to them but also be an important moment for non-Indigenous Australia to recognise the richness and fullness of our history, of sharing this concert with the oldest continuing culture on earth, and the we show the world that Australia is a mature country that is coming to terms with all of our past and that is advancing reconciliation. This is a modest request for recognition and for consultation where matters affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. And we know that when consultation occurs you get better outcomes. That is why we need to get this done. And to not put it to the Australian people is to not advance it, is to, by definition, if you don’t run on the field you cannot win, you cannot succeed. We will give Australians that opportunity. And I would urge people like Julian Leeser who has a history of genuine support for reconciliation and advancing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to not just vote yes, but campaign for yes in the referendum that will be held sometime between October and September.
JOURNALIST What will your Government do to address the housing availability in Australia?
PRIME MINISTER: We have a Housing Accord that we have developed with every state and territory in the country as well as with the private sector like the Master Builders Association and Housing Industry Association for a million homes. We have before the Parliament right now our Housing Australia Future Fund, 30,000 additional social and affordable housing dwellings which will double, in the report that is being released today, that will double the amount of homes, new homes, that will be built over the coming few years. That will, four thousand of them are reserved for women and children escaping domestic violence. Part of that funding going to veterans at risk of homelessness. $100 million for emergency housing. Funding in there as well to fix remote housing in Indigenous communities. It is being held up by the Liberals and Nationals and the Greens political parties, saying that they are not supporting it from different perspectives, which is why it wasn’t put to a vote last week. They can get on with doing that. We have the Housing Supply and Affordability Council being established as part of that legislation as well. We want to work with Peter’s Government here in South Australia and state and territory governments around the country to increase supply.
JOURNALIST: What more will your Government to do to fix not only housing stock issue but also sky-rocketing rents?
PRIME MINISTER: We already, of course, have spent considerable funds in supporting private rentals as well. But if that doesn’t pass, the result is pretty clear. There will be 30,000 less social and affordable housing units. We have to deal with the Parliament which is there. I would say to the Liberal Party that, up until Saturday they opposed cheaper electric vehicles, they have opposed our climate targets of emissions net zero by 2050 and 43 per cents by 2030. They opposed the Safeguard Mechanism that was their own policy. They opposed the National Reconstruction Fund that is about manufacturing jobs in outer suburbs and in regions. They have opposed every initiative that has been made. They need to reassess their position and to make a contribution, be constructive. That is what Australians expect of the alternative government.
JOURNALIST: Premiers are making trips to China. Is that a sign of the relationship stabilising and when do you plan to go?
PRIME MINISTER: It is always good to have dialogue. China is our major trading partner. I say that we will co-operate with China where we can, we willdisagree where we must, and engage in our national interests. I have said I would accept an invitation were it to be given by President Xi Jinping. It is a positive thing that I met with President Xi at the G20 meeting. It is positive that my Assistant Trade Minister, Senator Ayres, met his counterpart in the last week at the forum that was held. I expect that my Trade Minister, Don Farrell, a great South Australian, will visit China sometime in the coming weeks or months going forward. Dialogue is always a good thing. The Premier in Victoria has just come back. In WA, I was with Premier McGowan yesterday, who is planning to visit. Obviously, it is a resources state. It is important the relationship for WA. Thank you very much.
JOURNALIST: Newspoll today, does that cement the results seen in Aston? Does Newspoll suggested that’s an endemic situation across the nation?
PRIME MINISTER: I will leave the commentating to the commentators. My Government will continue to pursue a positive agenda. A positive agenda of looking after the short-term of Australia by the challenges we are facing as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and supply chain shortages around the world. We are seeing inflation that peaked, we hope, in December, and is starting to come down. We are constructively dealing with issues are working with state and territory governments and the private sector to deal with that. But we are also planning for the future. This is a plan that isn’t about a year or two, and I will ask Pete to comment on this as well. We are developing plans like fee-free TAFE to deal with the skills shortages which are there, to be a smarter country. We are working on building new things through the National Reconstruction Fund. We are dealing with the challenges which are there on climate change. South Australia was ahead of the game, thanks to former South Australian Labor governments. They know that the cheapest form of new energy happens to be the cleanest form of new energy as well, with renewables. There are exciting prospects. We need to commercialise the opportunity for breakthroughs which are there. One of the things that will happen as a result of our investment in high-value manufacturing in the defence sector is that there will be spin-offs for other sectors as well, growth industries that will be able to benefit. I am really optimistic about Australia’s future. I think we are the best country on earth, but we can be even stronger in the future. And part of securing that, though, is not standing still. If you stand still, the world will go past you. It is developing new industries and opportunities. And that is what we’re trying to do. I might see if Pete wants to add anything to that.
JOURNALIST: Just one more on the Voice. Julian Leeser again today (inaudible). I’m just wondering if you would consider any changes to get bipartisanship?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I see no signs of any bipartisanship. I am yet to see a positive comment from the Leader of the Liberal Party on these issues. What I see is an attempt to undermine the prospects of a successful referendum. And we know that it’s hard. I’ve reached out. I’ve met with Peter Dutton seven times. On not one of those occasions has he brought Julian Leeser, his spokesperson, to those meetings. I understand it was also reported today that the Liberal Party are going to have a Caucus meeting on Wednesday. Well, we haven’t even had the committee process into the legislation that we released and introduced into the Parliament last Thursday yet. I hope there is bipartisanship. And I have not had any suggestions of changed wording. I haven’t seen Julian Leeser’s speech, I was in Perth. I’m yet to see any actual suggestions from the Opposition for changed wordings. I gave the draft wording in July of last year. We’re now in April of 2023. And not a word of suggestion has been made. And the second paragraph of the three changes going forward, the first is pretty simple. There shall be a Voice. The second says they may make representations. That’s what the second says. ‘May’. So, that’s very clear when read together as well with the third, that makes it clear that Parliament will determine the structure and functions of the Voice. So, I think it’s very clear. And what’s important is that former Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, Justice French, Justice Hayne, the leading academics like Anne Twomey, all agree. We consulted very widely. We think that we’ve got the wording right. But if people actually have a suggestion about a change, that would be the first one. But I made it very clear the whole way through that I seek bipartisanship. This should not be a partisan issue. And when it is carried, if the Australian people vote for it later this year, it will be an opportunity for a moment of national unity.
JOURNALIST: Free flu shots, will they be made available this winter?
PREMIER OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Well, last year, for the first time in South Australia’s history, the State Government facilitated free flu shots. And when it comes to the application of that this year, we will do that in conjunction with ATAGI advice given the experience of last year. Never before in South Australia have flu shots been free, except the last year done by a brand new Labor Government. We want to assess the data around that and get ATAGI advice to inform the Government’s decision as part of our winter plan, which we anticipate to be announced in the beginning of May.
JOURNALIST: Would it be likely that it could be for some age groups?
PREMIER OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Well, that is an important question. We will make sure, in conjunction with the Federal Government, that flu shots are free for people over the age of 65 and for children under the age of five, and others with chronic illness. We will make sure of that. In terms of expanding beyond that, we want to make that decision in conjunction with Nicola Spurrier’s advice and ATAGI’s advice and also having a clear look at the experience of last year.
JOURNALIST: Do you know when it is likely we will see the first nuclear-powered submarine built here?
PREMIER OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA: The Commonwealth made clear their plans for the rollout of the nuclear submarine program. The only thing that frustrates me sometimes is when people sort of suggest that the timeline is not ambitious. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Anyone who understands the depth of complexity around this enterprise will understand that the Commonwealth timelines are very ambitious and we have to start acting now. Which is why the Prime Minister has committed $2 billion of expenditure just in the next four years alone for preparing the site.
JOURNALIST: (Inaudible).
PREMIER OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Well, the Skills Academy is something we’re very grateful the Commonwealth has committed to as part of that memorandum of understanding, on top of dramatically increasing Commonwealth Supported University places here in South Australia. We’re in active discussions with the Commonwealth about finalising the detail around both the Skills Academy and that land swap. But as the PM said, we’ve already come a long way in a short space of time by working collaboratively. And that’s what we’ll continue to do in the coming months. Thanks.