Press Conference – Newcastle | Prime Minister of Australia
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: It is fantastic to be here at the sod turning for the upgrade of the terminal here at Newcastle airport, a $55 million investment committed to by myself when I was the Opposition Leader today becoming a reality. Turning promises into delivery is something that has characterised my Government. And I do want to say it’s such a pleasure to be here with Meryl Swanson, the local member and Minister Pat Conroy, as well. And we’re also joined by Deputy Speaker, Sharon Claydon. This is an exciting project, this region has so much to offer in tourism as well as in economic development. We know that it’s been a powerhouse of the NSW, our national economy, for a long period of time. And it has a bright future. With new energy projects, with new employment prospects, new prospects of advanced manufacturing here in the Hunter, as well as tourism and sustainable economic activity. This region has so much to offer. The beautiful beaches here of Newcastle, the Central Coast, and further to the north. The wonderful asset that is a pristine environment of Port Stephens and the extraordinary Hunter Valley that attracts so many visitors. Now, this airport has the potential to open up as a gateway, not just to other parts of Australia, but to the world. And these upgrades that are taking place are aimed at doing just that, maximising the potential that’s here in this beautiful region. The best asset, of course, of this region is its people. This is an extraordinarily friendly community, one that sticks together, that binds together. You feel that sense of community whenever you are in the Hunter region. And that’s why it’s such a pleasure for me to be here today. Happy to take questions.
REPORTER: The Opposition Leader has talked about, or advised if you like, businesses not to get involved in the Voice referendum and I wonder whether you’ve seen a rather confronting cartoon in the Financial Review today along these lines, are you concerned about the tone of the conversation on the Voice?
PRIME MINISTER: We’ll continue to be positive. And this is a positive initiative that has arisen from Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people themselves, who gathered after years of consultation at Uluru in 2017 and determined that they wanted constitutional recognition, and they wanted to be able to have an advisory group through the Voice to be listened to. And we know that you’ll get better outcomes when you’re listened to. And one of the things that we have seen is business, unions, faith groups, sporting codes all have a common interest, who’ve examined what is being put forward, and said, “Yes, that is consistent with our views and our values.” It’s consistent with the Reconciliation Action Plans that have been put in place by businesses around Australia. They understand that when you listen to people you get better outcomes. And they’ll continue to be strong advocates. Every single sporting code, AFL, National Rugby League, Football Australia, Cricket Australia, Tennis Australia, the Olympics committee, have all combined to say Yes to the referendum that will take place in the last quarter of this year, as have major business organisations. The Business Council of Australia, the Australian Industry Group, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, individual businesses all saying yes. Faith groups, the Catholic Church, the Greek Orthodox Church, Muslim groups, Hindu groups, Jewish organisations, all combining to say yes to the Voice. People who examine it come to the view themselves that this is a positive step forward on reconciliation. It will advance our country. And I sincerely hope that Australians vote yes in the last quarter of this year.
REPORTER: Are people’s mortgages more expensive, this is Peter Dutton’s argument, because you are so “obsessed” with the Voice that you’re taking your eye off the economy?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, if you have a look at last week I think you will, probably in Question Time. It was the Coalition that were asking every question about the Voice. We’ve been talking about the economy and putting things in place, about the economy. The Coalition, under Peter Dutton have nothing to say except no. No to every initiative that’s put forward. And just over a week ago, on July 1, you had new initiatives begin. Cheaper childcare began on July 1. Increased access to support for home ownership to be expanded began on July 1. The initiatives that we have on cheaper medicines have continued through as well. The $3 billion of energy price relief began, of course, to be rolled out in partnership with State and Territory Governments on July 1. This is a Government that’s been concerned with our economy and assisting to take pressure off cost of living whilst not putting pressure on inflation. And we’ve seen inflation falling, record jobs growth of 465,000 jobs in our first year, and an increase in the surplus from the $4 billion that we predicted in the May Budget. So we are very much focused on the economy. What is extraordinary, is that in between the budget, which was handed down in May, and the five weeks of parliamentary sittings, barely a question was asked of the Treasurer of Australia, about the economy or about the budget. Peter Dutton is more interested in culture wars than he is in helping on issues of the economy. He just says no to everything. And that’s a matter for him to explain.
REPORTER: Are you concerned about the low levels of support for the Voice in regional areas? What can you do to address that?
PRIME MINISTER: We’ll continue to put the case, and we’ll encourage people to have a look at what the question is. It’s a very simple proposition being put forward. It is for recognition and for listening to Indigenous people about matters that affect them through an advisory body. And we know that you’ll get better outcomes when you listen to people who are affected by those decisions.
REPORTER: RBA boss Philip Lowe’s term expires in September. Would you support his reappointment?
PRIME MINISTER: We’ll make that decision in the Cabinet at an appropriate time. And when we make a decision, we’ll then make an announcement at that appropriate time. The Reserve Bank, of course, is independent of government, but I certainly welcome the decision this week to pause interest rates.
REPORTER: This region is at the centre of the energy transition. Are you confident with the Liddell Power Station closing and the current gas plants behind that the grid will be able to cope this summer?
PRIME MINISTER: I am very confident about this region playing such a critical role in Australia’s future. It has been critical for a long period of time. This is a proud region that has made such an enormous difference. And I remember going back when BHP changed its operations and people were concerned about the future of this region. This region diversified, it continues to prosper, and I’m sure it will continue to prosper into the future.
REPORTER: Did the government play silly buggers, if I may use that phrase, with Donald Trump Jr’s visa, that delayed his speaking tour and more broadly, is there a potential concern with some of the comments about Trump-like politics we heard from Linda Burney yesterday, might come back and bite Australia should Donald Trump Senior wind up in the White House?
PRIME MINISTER: Donald Trump Jr’s visa was dealt with in the normal way. Like anyone else, he was entitled to come here. The deferral of his travel is a matter for him.
REPORTER: What about the reference to Donald Trump? We’re hearing it from Ministers, we’re hearing it from backbenchers on the Labor side. Let’s say next year, there is a President Trump elected for a second time, do you see that being a problem?
PRIME MINISTER: I’ll tell you the elections that I’m focused on. I’m focused on an election that I’ll be involved in some time in 2025. But what I’m really focused on is just governing in an orderly, good way. Delivering on the commitments that we’ve made, providing Australia with good government. What occurs with other elections in other countries is a matter for them. What I know is, in Australia, in the last, here’s a little stat for you. In the last elections going back to 2004, have produced, in order: John Howard, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull, Scott Morrison, and myself. What I’m saying, is that Australia has an interest in a bit of continuity, in our democratic processes. Because whatever you think about these processes, I think that one of the messages that people say to me is that it is good that we have a government that is delivering on the promises that we gave, and one that is an adult government that’s focused on the needs of the Australian people rather than the sort of internal nonsense we saw from the former government where they occupied the space or 10 years. They got elected in 2013, they brought down a very ideological budget in 2014 and then they just seemed to occupy the space rather than have any reform, or any progress. I’m determined to lead a government that makes a difference each and every day, that understands that many Australians are doing it tough because of global inflation and what we’ve seen, and we’re determined to help them
REPORTER: What is your response to the ACCC report into the childcare crisis?
PRIME MINISTER: We are continuing to, as I’ve said, the ACCC, we want to monitor childcare, we are providing increased support. I’m very proud of that. It was our first major commitment and our largest on budget commitment that we made before the election. Cheaper childcare began on July 1, and we have tasked the ACCC with ensuring that no one takes advantage of the fact that we are putting in increased support.
REPORTER: There’s a push to diversify the Hunter’s economy away from coal, what assurances can you provide upper Hunter communities like Muswellbrook, that they won’t be left behind?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, what we can provide is the assurance of what we’re actually putting in place. And we work closely as well with, to give credit where credit’s due as well with the former New South Wales Government on this, and now we’re working with the Minns Government, making sure that these communities don’t get left behind. But what there’s an opportunity for in communities like Muswellbrook and Singleton and others, is to actually have much more advanced manufacturing to take advantage of the skills base, which is there. Another thing that we’re doing to help with cost of living, that I met some of the young apprentices here today, we put in place in our first year 180,000 fee free TAFE places and guess what? There was a stampede to take up those positions to make sure that people who get access to the secure jobs that come with that. And here in the Hunter, you have an industrial base that’s so strong.
(JET NOISE)
PRIME MINISTER: You think with one of my Defence Ministers here, you could have timed these things a little bit better, Mr Conroy. That is another example that is here. When we look at defence you look at the Defence Strategic Review, it’s not just about defending Australia it’s also about industry policy and how we grow jobs and new industries as well.
(JET NOISE)
PRIME MINISTER: I’m not sure when that footage is shown on Insiders at a couple of minutes to 10 on Sunday morning, people will realise just quite how loud that was. But I am very positive about the opportunities that are here in this region and that is one of the reasons why this investment here is so important. Last one here.
REPORTER: Do you have a message for the Australian men’s cricket team?
PRIME MINISTER: My message is just keep going the way that you are, a magnificent performance in the first two tests. Patrick Cummins showing extraordinary leadership. I think Nathan Lyon being missing but Murph stepping up, will be a real opportunity for him to show what a star he’s going to be in the future, he did so well in India. Steven Smith will play in his 100 test and to Steven Smith and Pat Cummins and the team, we say the whole of Australia is behind you. We understand because I was taught by the nuns at St. Joseph’s Camperdown in about in about kindy or year one, stay in your crease. Australians understand that. And I look forward to some good-natured banter with Rishi Sunak or a catch up at the NATO summit next week in Lithuania. Thanks very much.