Television Interview – Sky News First Edition
PETER STEFANOVIC, HOST: PM, good morning to you. Thank you for your time as always.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Pete.
STEFANOVIC: So, as you know, people are bleeding cash. Are we now at, or close to the peak of financial pain?
PRIME MINISTER: Well people are doing it tough, Pete. We know that and my Government’s working each and every day to make a difference. We welcome yesterday’s decision by the Reserve Bank. We have a two speed economy where some people are doing it really tough at the moment, but there are also some good signs. 465,000 jobs created in our first year. So, record jobs growth, lower inflation and a higher surplus are all good economic indicators. But we know that that’s not reflected in how so many families are feeling today. But they will welcome yesterday’s decision, and we’ll continue to work each and every day to make a difference.
STEFANOVIC: PM, Sky sources have revealed Jenny Wilkinson is the front runner to be the next RBA Governor. Is she your pick?
PRIME MINISTER: I’ll make those decisions around the Cabinet table Pete, with due respect. Jenny Wilkinson is doing a fantastic job as the Secretary of the Department of Finance. She was appointed by my Government, formerly she was the Dep Sec at Treasury. And, of course, her and Stephen Kennedy as Secretary of Treasury, they’re both outstanding public servants. There are a range of people who will be under consideration, including of course, the Governor himself of the Reserve Bank.
STEFANOVIC: But his time is coming to an end, yes?
PRIME MINISTER: We’ll make those decisions at an appropriate time, and we’ll do them properly and in an orderly way. That’s the way my government functions. It’s an adult Government that makes decisions after proper processes are in place, and we’ll make those decisions at an appropriate time.
STEFANOVIC: Linda Burney, who outlined four key areas of the Voice today PM, health, education, jobs and housing. But can the body still advise on areas outside those four points?
PRIME MINISTER: Pete, if you’ve got a life expectancy gap of eight years between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia, when Indigenous Australians are twice as likely to commit suicide as non-Indigenous Australians, when a young Indigenous male is more likely to go to jail than to go to university, that of course, will be the focus of the Voice. And the idea that the Voice, for example, will give advice to the Reserve Bank on interest rates when the Reserve Bank don’t seek advice from the Prime Minister of the day. Some of those arguments are just not right, you know that that’s the case. And I think that people will focus as they approach this referendum on what really matters. And what really matters to Indigenous Australians is closing the gap, and that’s what Linda Burney will be confirming as she has each and every day of this process.
STEFANOVIC: Peter Dutton accused some of Australia’s biggest companies of not having a significant backbone for supporting the Voice. It’s done to appease shareholders and the Twitter sphere, he said. What are your thoughts on those comments?
PRIME MINISTER: Peter Dutton doesn’t like business, does he? He’s always out there prepared to criticise the business community. Business, of course, like Faith leaders, like sporting groups, like non-government organisations, who’ve examined the proposal to recognise Indigenous Australians and listen to them on matters that affect them have come to a pretty common position, which is support for a Yes vote in the referendum.
STEFANOVIC: Will you be announcing more funding for Ukraine at the NATO summit next week?
PRIME MINISTER: We’ll continue to provide whatever support we can, when we can. We took advice about appropriate support, we provided another $110 million of support for Ukraine in the announcement that we made just over a week ago. But we’ll continue to provide support for Ukraine for as long as it’s needed. This is an important struggle for the rule of law, for international order, for the respect of national sovereignty. And we stand with the people of Ukraine, we’ll continue to do so for as long as it takes, as will the rest of the democratic world.
STEFANOVIC: As for an announcement next week?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we’ll continue to stand with the people of Ukraine. I hope to have another meeting with President Zelenskyy next week. Australia supports Ukraine, as does the rest of the democratic world. I’ve been invited to go to NATO along with what’s known as the Asia Pacific Four. Australia, Japan, Korea and New Zealand will be presenting a forum as part of the NATO Summit next week. And I’ll be travelling to Vilnius over the weekend, as well as stopping shortly in Berlin on the way.
STEFANOVIC: Have you spoken to Rishi Sunak on the phone since the second Test wrapped up?
PRIME MINISTER: No, we have engaged with some good banter, we have a good relationship.
STEFANOVIC: What does that mean?
PRIME MINISTER: We have a good relationship, we engage in banter. And Rishi Sunak, I look forward to catching up with him next week. And I’ll remind him next week that the Nuns at St Joseph’s Camperdown when I was at primary school taught me, as they teach every Australian youngster, keep your bat in your crease, stay in your crease. And it’s fantastic that Australia are leading two-nil in both the women’s and, of course, also the men’s. And it was a great victory there at Lords this week.
STEFANOVIC: I have to tell you PM, I heard there was a loud cheer in our newsroom just then when you said, ‘keep the bat in the crease’. Everyone is clapping and agreeing with you on that point.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, it’s not hard, is it? It’s not hard
STEFANOVIC: No, I was told it under nines cricket, under nines. Keep your bat in your crease.
PRIME MINISTER: Exactly, under nines. Jonny Bairstow knew as well because he tried to run out Marnus Labuschagne just a couple of days before, he wandered off away from his crease. Well, the Aussies have done exceptionally well, playing away from home, harsh conditions and to lead two-nil. I think Patrick Cummins is just such an outstanding captain and all Australians are proud of their men’s team and they’re proud of Alyssa Healy and the women’s team as well.
STEFANOVIC: Agreed. Anthony, Albanese, I appreciate your time this morning. We’ll talk to you soon.
PRIME MINISTER: Good on you.