Doorstop – London | Prime Minister of Australia
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: It was great to be welcomed by Prime Minister Sunak, our third meeting, our first here at Number 10 after successful meetings at the G20 and also for the launch of AUKUS in San Diego, along with President Biden. Here today we discussed the relationship between Australia and the UK that has never been stronger. We discussed AUKUS and our defence co-operation, following upon my visit up to Barrow. We discussed trade and the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement that will come into force on the 31st of May, and the opportunities that presents for Australian businesses to have growth here in the UK, and also, consequentially, UK businesses to have growth in Australia. Also the opportunities for our people to people relations to be expanded, with visits for working holiday visas expanded to three years and up to 35 years of age. So it will not just lead to a longer experience but a better experience across a greater range of industries as well. And we also discussed our cooperation on climate change. Both governments believe there are enormous economic opportunities to be seized through action on climate change and our cooperation in the Indo Pacific. We’ll meet again, of course, over the coming couple of days. But then we’ll see each other and have another meeting the sidelines of the G7 that will be held in Tokyo in just a short period of time. Australia and the UK are great historic friends. And it is terrific that the Free Trade Agreement has been able to be completed in time for the Kings Coronation, which will take place tomorrow, a historic event of such enormous significance, the first transition of power that’s occurred in our lifetimes. And I’m very much looking forward to the events this afternoon where Commonwealth leaders will gather with King Charles at the Palace and the receptions that will take place over this afternoon and tomorrow.
JOURNALIST: Will they be working meetings at Buckingham Palace? Will you be pulling aside other Commonwealth leaders and be using it as a diplomatic opportunity?
PRIME MINISTER: There will certainly be meetings this afternoon, some of which have been organised, some of which, inevitably at events like this, will be informal. You have the convening of the leaders, then there is a larger gathering of Commonwealth countries, and then, later on, A reception for those people attending the coronation which will include people such as President Macron and other non-Commonwealth nations. So it will be a busy day today, but a productive day. And Australia, we don’t share land borders with anyone else so you have to take every opportunity at events such as this to develop relationships.
JOURNALIST: The NSW Government has announced they’re not lighting up the Opera House sails to recognise the Coronation because of the cost. What’s your view?
PRIME MINISTER: I’m not aware, but governments are sovereign in Australia. But I would say that Australians will be celebrating the Coronation tomorrow in a range of ways. Individuals will do it. Governments, I know there will be lighting up of Commonwealth buildings, and that’s an appropriate thing.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, will there be any discussions around Ukraine, Russia, China, when you get with other leaders? Global security is always a concern at the moment.
PRIME MINISTER: We live in an insecure world. And the ongoing illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine is always front and centre when we talk with our allies, those countries such as the United Kingdom who share our democratic values. I will no doubt be continuing to talk on that basis. We had a discussion today with Prime Minister Sunak about the context of our relationship, which is one of strategic competition in our region, is one where we have an increasingly uncertain world. And that’s why democratic countries have to have as much cooperation as possible, across defence, across our economy, across social policy as well such as dealing with climate change. One of the ways that we need to engage in our region and in the world is through diplomacy. And the entry key to get in on into serious meetings of cooperation with our neighbours is serious action on climate change. That’s something my government is committed to. It’s something the UK government is committed to. And I must say: in countries like the UK, climate action is bipartisan. It should be in Australia as well.