Media Releases
Interview with Ray Hadley
13 July 2020
RAY HADLEY: Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, supposed to be on holidays. He's not. He's online. Prime Minister, good morning.
PRIME MINISTER: G’day Ray. Certainly staying very close to everything. Particularly what's happening down there in Victoria. But I'm I'm pleased to see for those businesses up in Queensland where you are today, that they're starting to see an uptick as the border reopens. But it's just important as that happens that everybody continues to, you know, continue following the social distancing. Just because you can come into Queensland doesn't mean all the other rules don't apply. They certainly do.
HADLEY: Well, one of the things I noted on the Gold Coast yesterday, I don't think, and I’ve spent a lot of time here, as you know, I don't think I've seen as many people at Main Beach other than at Christmas. I mean, they've just everywhere. And some of the, some of the cafes and restaurants are adhering to all the rules. Others are not. And we've seen the front page of the Courier Mail, young people queuing up at hotels. We've seen what's happening out there at Crossroads. So I just hope that people think it didn't finish on Friday in terms of Queensland particularly because we've got Victoria hanging over our head and we've got, we’re an inch away from the same thing happening in New South Wales if it goes belly up with Crossroads Hotel.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, you know, I've been on briefings this morning since about just about 8:00 this morning going through both of those scenarios in New South Wales at Crossroads, I mean, the Premier obviously will continue to update, and that's for her to do. But the New South Wales health system is responding extremely well. They've had had some good progress over the weekend and in understanding what's happened there. And so that's very good detective work on their part. But it is a reminder how important it is just to continue to observe the social distancing. There's no vaccine that means all the other distancing rules, one and a half meters, all of those…
HADLEY: Prime Minister, we've just got a very, very significant problem with the line there and you’re starting to break up, I think it might be the phone he’s on back in his office or at home. So we'll just clear that line and come back to the Prime Minister. Obviously he’s supposed to be on leave, by the sounds of it he just keeps working. And one of the things I've said about all of this all the way along, we have to be apolitical because it doesn't matter whether it's the Premier in New South Wales, the Premier in Queensland, I’ll leave Daniel Andrews out of the wrap at the moment, given what he's been doing. But, and the health officers and the health ministers, as you know Stephen Miles included, and Brad Hazzard, it's been quite incredible what they've actually done. I mean, these people in the main have not taken a break since all this all started late February, early March. They have been on duty the entire time and they're not superhuman, they're people with lives. And I know we expect Prime Ministers and Premiers just to absolutely be available at every opportunity during this rather serious pandemic but it doesn't always happen that way. So we'll we'll hope that we can get the Prime Minister back in a moment or two and continue our conversation. He was right in the middle of discussing where we should be. And he'll be back up in the moment or two and as soon as he's back up we’ll get him back online, there he is right now. Sorry about that, Prime Minister. The crook line did you in but you're back with us now.
PRIME MINISTER: Yeah, back with us now, I’m within an hour of the CBD. So, anyway.
HADLEY: There we go. Don’t talk to me about it or you'll get me off on a tangent about the poor coverage in some parts of the metropolitan area in Sydney and in Brisbane. Now, as you were saying, we can't in any way drop our guard?
PRIME MINISTER: No, we can't, I mean what's happened in Victoria and what we've seen more recently in New South Wales I think demonstrates that. And that's why we need to keep up all of those disciplines that have been in place. And, you know, when people are, you know, going round to see friends, which you can do now in obviously New South Wales, Queensland and other places, not in Victoria, then you need to practise that social distancing when you're seeing friends at their houses as well, don’t all cram in together. And no hugs, none of that. You can't do that. Otherwise, there's the very real risk that if something takes off, that it will be very hard to contain. So we've just got to maintain the discipline. That means we can keep businesses open. We can keep life going back to normal as much as it can in a COVID world. And that's where we want to keep going. We don't want to have to go back, but that requires everybody to keep showing that discipline.
HADLEY: Given you are talking to your health officials and those in Victoria on a regular basis. We've seen over the weekend 288 Friday, 216 Saturday, 273 yesterday, new cases. Is there any feeling that it will take another week before these figures come down or start to settle down as opposed to keep going up by that increment?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, Dan Andrews, will be better place to say, but the advice I have is that, well, hopefully we don't see it increase. We have been having very significant testing taking place in Victoria. And so obviously they’re picking up a lot of people. I'm advised that it is still predominantly in those areas that were most affected and linked to those original cases, where the, most cases are, but they are going more broadly across Melbourne now. So the lockdown that they've put in place will take its effect, but it won't obviously happen immediately. So we'd be expecting some continued case numbers at those sort of elevated levels for some time yet. But it's just important then when people are identified as having the virus that they isolate immediately and so a lot of work has been put into, over the weekend, we were working on this. We offered a further ADF support to the Victorian Government, up to 1,000 people, as many as they need, frankly, and that's being rolled across, the Premier accepted that yesterday. I wrote to him on Saturday and we were working through that on Saturday. So everyone's working together. And there's a big logistical effort that's needed to trace down all these cases. And there's hundreds of people in New South Wales helping that task, people up in Queensland are helping that task. So it is a real national effort to get on top of this.
HADLEY: Okay just away from that, I saw the Treasurer announcing this morning that some Australians much needed money will come their way, another $750 into the bank accounts of people that are on various payments, it won’t be extended to all Australians but it comes at a great economic cost, obviously, to the Federal Government?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, there are two things happening largely this week. That is the first of those, those $750 dollar payments. We did those back in April as well. So that’s going to pensioners. That's going to those who haven't been getting the JobKeeper and the payments and the JobSeeker payments, but they've been doing it tough as well. And this will be an important boost to the economy when it's doing it tough. On top of that, there's the tax cuts that we legislated just straight after the election, and that has its second round. And people are getting in on that pretty quickly by getting their tax returns in. And so that's about another 4 and a half million people that would benefit from that. So that's a good cash support into the economy at a time when it's doing it tough. And that'll be good news for small businesses who will be the beneficiaries of that.
HADLEY: Now, if there is not enough to deal with domestically, you've got this juggling act with Hong Kong at the moment and the Chinese, I know it's very difficult, you know, to have diplomacy when you know there's one side trying to be diplomatic, the other side are actually not participating. But you've said Hong Kong nationals living in Australia will get relief in terms of their visas being extended for that five year period and then could seek Australian residency. There's a story in the front page of The Australian today that a couple, it's only a couple, I think have connections very serious connections via family members to the Chinese communist government. I mean, is there a fear that, you know, and it's not about bringing people into Australia from Hong Kong, it's about people who are already here. Is there a fear that we have to really check who we're giving residency to?
PRIME MINISTER: Of course we do. And that won't change. And that will be the same test that we do on those things. And that's very important. What we've done here is that we've, for those who are already in Australia and those coming to Australia, on the student visas and temporary work visas. I mean, temporary work visas have to satisfy the labour market test. So if there are more Australians available to do those jobs, we'd expect that demand to dry up a bit, as you'd expect. But for those who are already here, it means that they can stay longer. So let's say you're a, you're a student and you've got a four year study, you'll be able to stay five years on the other side of that in Australia. So that means you'll be here now hopefully things won't deteriorate in Hong Kong. Hopefully they won't. And that's what everybody wants. And we want to see peace and stability there and and you know liberty for those people who live in Hong Kong and hopefully that's where this goes. But if the situation were to deteriorate, then the government is in a position to have people who are already here. And if you're here in Australia, when something goes terribly wrong in your home country, you can immediately apply for a humanitarian visa. And the Government obviously has the option in a very serious circumstances, like we saw with Tiananmen Square all those years ago, to move to convert to permanent residency immediately. So we have all of those options still available to us and we haven't taken the decision to move to that level at this point. But by keeping here and enabling people to be here safely for longer, then it gives us those options.
HADLEY: There are some that would say that, we’re what 22 years into a 50 year deal and all bets are off to use an old Australian expression in relation to the Chinese. I mean, they made all sorts of promises to secure cooperation from Great Britain, who upheld their part of the deal. And now if you go through what they've done and you go through what they promised, they are poles apart. They are poles apart at the moment.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's the point we've made and that's why we've cancelled the extradition- not cancelled I should say, we've suspended the extradition treaty with Hong Kong because the circumstances have changed. They are now materially different to what was understood with the basic law and those declarations that were made at the time. And so Australia and many other countries, Canada, the United Kingdom, many others have made this observation. We haven't done it on our own. Everyone, like-minded countries saying the same thing. And so we've changed our visa laws and our extradition arrangements to reflect the change that has been made in China.
HADLEY: Okay. Do us a favour, will you? At some stage, take at least one day off. Turn the phone off and just absolutely relax. I know you went to the footy and there are people, a minority of people are blowing up about that. But I just think that, you know, the same message for the Premiers in Queensland and New South Wales and the Ministers. Everyone needs a break. A circuit breaker, a 24 hour period where you just don't have to answer any questions or deal with the nonsense we're dealing with at the moment.
PRIME MINISTER: Well I appreciate that, Ray. But, you know, there's a lot going on at the moment. So we remain very connected and we’ve got great teams. You know, as part of our government, and they're all doing their jobs. I was on the phone with the Health Minister this morning, and the Chief Medical Officer, that will continue and people will see me later on in the week. But just because I'm not in front of a camera doesn't mean I'm not hard on the job.
HADLEY: All right. So in other words, the answer is mind your own business Ray, I’m okay.
PRIME MINISTER: Well the game wasn’t that great to watch, but you know you’ve got to be loyal to your team. Always.
HADLEY: Anyway. You deserve all the best. Thanks for talking to me again this morning. I appreciate it.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks a lot Ray, seeya.
HADLEY: Thanks. Scott Morrison, the Prime Minister.
National Cabinet Statement
10 July 2020
The National Cabinet met today to discuss Australia’s current COVID-19 response, easing restrictions, helping Australians prepare to go back to work in a COVID-safe environment and getting the economy moving again.
The Acting Chief Medical Officer, Paul Kelly, provided an update on the measures underway, the latest data and medical advice in relation to COVID-19.
There have been over 9,000 confirmed cases in Australia and sadly 106 people have died.
The Victorian outbreak has meant that there are now around 1,000 active cases in Australia. Daily infection rates have remained low in all states and territories, other than Victoria. Testing remains high, with more than 2.9 million tests undertaken in Australia.
National Cabinet discussed the Victorian outbreak and the health response underway and recommitted to providing as much support as is necessary.
Localised response plans are part of the Three-Step Framework for easing restrictions agreed by all jurisdictions. Victoria is responding well, including expanding testing and tracing, with the support of Commonwealth and other states and territories.
National Cabinet recommitted to the strategy of suppression of COVID-19 and to the Three-Step Framework to a COVID-safe Australia.
We need to continue to have the right controls in place to test more people, trace those who test positive and respond to local outbreaks when they occur. These are Precedent Conditions to enable Australia to relax baseline restrictions and enable Australians to live and work in a COVID-safe economy.
The National Cabinet noted that there had been a relaxation in community attitudes towards social distancing in some states and territories. Despite the success in suppressing the virus, the Victorian outbreak has shown that social distancing rules must be maintained at least until a vaccine or effective treatment is found. The reduction in adherence to social distancing amongst younger Australians is a particular concern, recognised by the AHPPC.
National Cabinet welcomed Queensland’s decision to reopen borders to all states and territories, apart from Victoria.
Michael Brennan, Chair of the Productivity Commission, provided an overview of deregulation opportunities to deliver economic growth and jobs. National Cabinet referred the matter for consideration by Treasurers through the Council of Federal Financial Relations.
National Cabinet will meet again on 24 July 2020.
Victorian Outbreak
The news from Victoria remains very concerning. The Commonwealth and all states and territories reiterated their support for Victoria, and their offers of support, especially in relation to border crossings with South Australia and New South Wales.
States and territories continue to provide further support to Victoria including through clinical staff and contact tracing. The Commonwealth is providing support and national coordination, with around 265 ADF personnel and additional Commonwealth staff in Victoria assisting the COVID-19 response, in response to Victoria’s request.
Hotel Quarantine
National Cabinet agreed to a national review of hotel quarantine arrangements. The review will be undertaken by the former Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Health, Jane Halton AO, in consultation with states and territories. AHPPC recommends, and National Cabinet has agreed, that a review should address:
Infection prevention and control training (clinical, hotel and security staff)
Compliance with infection prevention and control requirements (clinical, hotel and security staff)
Evidence of community cases attributed to cases in international travellers in hotel quarantine (including cases in hotel and security staff)
Rates of compliance with testing
Legislative or contractual basis for mandatory testing
Management of suspected and confirmed cases
Provision and effectiveness of support services (medical, mental health, social services, financial support)
Management of vulnerable people
Management of cultural diversity
Logistics arrangements
Administrative arrangements
Changing capacity requirements related to changes in border restrictions
States and territories are moving toward a model of charging for hotel quarantine. Further details will be provided by states and territories in the coming days, with National Cabinet agreeing to work toward a uniform model across the country.
Caps on international passengers flows
Since 13 March 2020 more than 357,000 citizens and permanent residents have returned to Australia.
In order to manage and maintain quarantine arrangements across the jurisdictions of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, National Cabinet agreed to implement further caps on international arrivals, and an extension of current international passenger flight restrictions into Victoria.
From Monday 13 July, the following will apply:
Perth - a cap of 525 international arrivals per week will apply.
Brisbane - an overall cap of 500 international arrivals per week will apply.
Sydney - a cap of 450 international arrivals per day will continue, as announced on 4 July with a view to further reductions in subsequent weeks.
Flexibility remains within these caps to as much as possible minimise disruptions to returning Australian citizens and permanent residents.
These arrangements will be subject to a review by the National Cabinet before the end of July.
Restrictions on outbound travel by Australian citizens and permanent residents remain in place, in accordance with the health advice to the Government.
Additional Papers
National Cabinet endorsed a number of papers to enable reopening under a Three-Step Framework for a COVID Safe Australia:
Updated Management and Operational Plan for People with Disability
Management of Health Risk related to COVID-19
Japan-Australia Leaders’ VTC Meeting
9 July 2020
Prime Minister, Prime Minister of Japan
H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan and The Hon Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister of Australia held a Leaders’ Meeting via VTC on 9 July 2020.
The leaders expressed their deepest sympathies for the victims of the COVID‑19 pandemic. They recognised that global solidarity, cooperation and effective multilateralism, including through the G20, the East Asia Summit, APEC, the United Nations, the World Health Organization (WHO), the OECD and international financial institutions were required more than ever to defeat the virus and support economic recovery. They further recognised the importance of cooperating to address challenges to a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific region that have become more acute amid the pandemic, including coercive and unilateral actions and disinformation, and the need to ensure the resilience of critical supply chains while maintaining open and rules-based markets. Based upon the close and strong Special Strategic Partnership between Japan and Australia, the leaders expressed their commitment to leadership in combating COVID-19 and building a prosperous, open and stable post-COVID-19 world, with a focus on the Indo-Pacific region.
The leaders confirmed that both Japan and Australia were sparing no effort to stop the COVID-19 pandemic, protect lives and livelihoods, and mitigate its social and economic consequences. In order to prevent and better respond to future pandemics, the leaders concurred on the importance of the initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and emphasised the need to strengthen national and international preparedness and response capacities, including through relevant international organisations, such as the WHO. The leaders reaffirmed the role of the WHO in coordinating the fight against COVID-19 and other health crises. They expressed their support for swift implementation of the resolution adopted at the 73rd World Health Assembly (WHA) which requests the Director-General of the WHO to initiate, at the earliest appropriate moment, a stepwise process of impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation of the response to COVID-19. They acknowledged the importance of the participation of Taiwan, as an observer, in the WHA. The leaders also concurred on the importance of facilitating discussions and promoting opportunities for their private sectors to cooperate on clinical trials of medicines and other treatments for COVID-19.
The leaders also confirmed the importance of transparent, timely, reliable and fact-based information for an effective global response to the pandemic. Access to quality information constitutes the foundation of good governance and reinforces the resilience of their societies and democracies against coercion. The leaders stressed the value of collaboration in countering disinformation.
The leaders highlighted their determination to support a robust economic recovery and rebuild more sustainable, inclusive and resilient economies. The leaders acknowledged energy transitions, including through the Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain Pilot project in Victoria, and implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation on Carbon Recycling signed by ministers in 2019, will be part of the recovery strategy. They underlined the importance of maintaining free and open markets to promote trade and investment. In this regard, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to sign the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement in 2020, which serves as a clear signal of their unwavering support for the multilateral trading system, and regional integration and economic development. The leaders also confirmed their commitment to expand free markets in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, especially through expansion of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The leaders further underscored the importance of ensuring that any emergency measures designed to tackle COVID-19 remain targeted, proportionate, transparent, temporary and consistent with international law such as WTO rules, and do not create unnecessary barriers to trade or disrupt global supply chains, especially for essential goods and services. Looking forward, they stressed the need to modernise the trade of goods by further digitalising processes, make global supply chains more resilient, and work together to reform and strengthen the WTO, including through rule-making on e-commerce and dispute settlement system reform, in order to enable a stable and predictable international trade system, and support economic recovery. They also welcomed continuing discussions on cross-border business travel to facilitate economic recovery, in accordance with each country’s health advice.
The leaders recognised that accelerated digital transformation and ICT innovation in response to COVID-19 should maximise the benefits of the evolving digital economy. In this regard, the leaders committed to continue promoting international discussions under the Osaka Track, to further elaborate “Data Free Flow with Trust”, and lead international rule-making under the Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce at the WTO. The leaders also welcomed increasing cooperation between the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and the Australian Space Agency, including the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation to further promote space cooperation. The leaders also highlighted the Hayabusa-2 capsule recovery in South Australia planned for the end of this year.
The leaders acknowledged that Japan and Australia’s mutual economic security and prosperity depends on secure and reliable supply chains for critical goods and services. In this context, they emphasised the need to strengthen bilateral cooperation on cyber security, critical technology and energy and natural resources sectors, to ensure secure and resilient critical infrastructure and systems of national significance. Critical minerals and communications such as 5G involving companies from Japan and Australia were a particular focus.
The leaders also discussed the current geopolitical situation and stressed the importance of maintaining a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific. The leaders reaffirmed the centrality of ASEAN-led architecture. They noted efforts by both Japan and Australia to deepen their partnerships with ASEAN. The leaders reaffirmed the role of the East Asia Summit (EAS) as the region’s premier forum for leaders’ discussion of strategic issues and looked forward to the EAS playing a role on COVID-19. The leaders noted the ongoing importance of the principles enshrined in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, including the rule of law, respect for sovereignty, inclusiveness and openness. The leaders committed to continue to work together through various bilateral and plurilateral mechanisms, including the Trilateral Strategic Dialogue with the United States and trilateral meetings with India. They welcomed the inaugural Japan-Australia-India-United States ministerial meeting in September 2019, and reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing quadrilateral consultations. They also welcomed that bilateral engagement has been deepened among these countries, including at leaders’ level. They welcomed further broadening and deepening of the defence and security relationship, and encouraged continued discussion on areas of practical and effective defence cooperation, through engagements such as the Trilateral Defence Ministerial Meeting.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to support the Indo-Pacific, in particular their Pacific and Southeast Asian neighbours, to manage the impacts of the pandemic and support health security, economic recovery and sustainable development. This effort includes providing medical supplies and equipment, strengthening partner country health systems, promoting disaster and emergency preparedness and economic resilience and recovery, and accelerating the development and equitable delivery of new vaccines, diagnostics and treatments for COVID-19. The leaders committed to continue strengthening their cooperation with Pacific Island countries in response to COVID-19, including by providing support for health systems through the Essential Services and Humanitarian Corridor and economic assistance. The leaders reiterated their commitment to support Indo-Pacific infrastructure needs, including through the Papua New Guinea Electrification Partnership and the Trilateral Infrastructure Partnership, in accordance with international standards such as the “G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment”. They welcomed Japan’s COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support Loan of approximately JPY500 billion and JPY53 billion of bilateral Grant Aid for provision of medical equipment to developing countries, as well as Partnerships for Recovery: Australia’s COVID-19 Development Response.
The leaders called on North Korea to make a commitment to dialogue towards complete denuclearisation, including through the resumption of talks with the United States. They reiterated their commitment to achieve the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of all North Korea’s nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction, and ballistic missiles of all ranges, and emphasised the importance of full implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. They also affirmed their commitment to international efforts in addressing maritime activities, including ship-to-ship transfers, particularly of petroleum and coal, which breach UN Security Council resolutions. They called on North Korea to end human rights violations and abuses and to resolve the Japanese abductions issue immediately. The leaders shared grave concern about the imposition of a national security law in Hong Kong, as it eroded Hong Kong’s autonomy under the “One Country Two Systems” framework.
The leaders reconfirmed their strong opposition to any coercive or unilateral actions that could alter the status quo or increase tensions in the East and South China Seas. They expressed serious concern about recent negative developments in the South China Sea, including the continuing militarisation of disputed features, the dangerous and coercive use of coast guard vessels and ‘maritime militia’, and efforts to disrupt other countries’ resource exploitation activities, in particular under the current circumstances where regional cooperation has become more important due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The leaders reaffirmed that freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea must be respected, and that all disputes should be resolved in a peaceful manner in accordance with international law, as reflected in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They also reiterated the importance of full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, noting that where binding legal judgements have been rendered, the parties have an obligation to abide by them avoiding any arbitrary interpretation, in particular the South China Sea Arbitration. They called for any Code of Conduct for the South China Sea to be consistent with international law, as reflected in UNCLOS.
The leaders looked forward to holding a Summit Meeting in Tokyo in the nearest possible future, in order to further enhance cooperation between Japan and Australia.
Extradition Treaty with Hong Kong
9 July 2020
Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Women, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations
The Australian Government remains deeply concerned about China’s imposition of a broad national security law on Hong Kong.
The National Security Law erodes the democratic principles that have underpinned Hong Kong’s society and the One Country, Two Systems framework.
It constitutes a fundamental change of circumstances in respect to our Extradition Agreement with Hong Kong.
As a result, we have today taken steps to suspend our Extradition Agreement.
We will continue to monitor developments in Hong Kong closely.
Hong Kong
9 July 2020
Prime Minister, Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs
Australia and Hong Kong have always shared a close relationship.
Our people-to-people links include close family connections, business ties and shared values. Australia is a favoured destination for people from Hong Kong, and has been for many years.
Australia has a long history of attracting Hong Kong’s best and brightest who have contributed significantly to our economic growth and job creation, and we are committed to ensuring this is further strengthened. That’s why Australia will introduce new measures for students, temporary graduates and skilled workers from Hong Kong who want to live, work and study in Australia.
New visa arrangements will provide further opportunities for Hong Kong passport holders to remain in Australia, with pathways to permanent residency.
They will also attract talent and companies to our nation in order to boost productivity and create further job opportunities for Australians.
Temporary graduate and skilled workers will be offered an additional five years of work rights in Australia on top of the time they’ve already been in Australia, with a pathway to permanent residency at the end of that period.
Students will be eligible for a five year graduate visa from the conclusion of their studies, with a pathway to permanent residency at the end of that period. .
Future Hong Kong applicants for temporary skilled visas will be provided with a five year visa, based on meeting the updated skills lists and Labour Market Testing requirements.
Existing arrangement will continue to apply for those applicants who study and work in regional areas to help address skills shortages in those areas, with pathways to permanent residency after 3 years.
There are almost 10,000 existing temporary skilled, temporary graduate and student visa holders in Australia who will be eligible for these special arrangements, with a further 2,500 outside Australia and 1,250 applications on hand.
The Government will also enhance efforts to attract businesses from Hong Kong. There are more than 1,000 international companies that have their regional headquarters based in Hong Kong which might consider relocating to Australia. Our government will develop further incentives to attract these companies, particularly where they have a strong potential for future growth and employment of Australians.
Further detailed information is attached (below).
Special visa arrangements for Hong Kong
Students
Current and future students from Hong Kong will be eligible for a five year temporary graduate visa on the successful conclusion of their studies, with a pathway to permanent residency after five years.
Former students already on a temporary graduate visa will be eligible for an extension of five years from today in addition to the time they’ve already been in Australia, with a pathway to permanent residency at the end of that period.
Students who study at a regional campus will continue to be able to access a pathway to permanent residency after three years.
Temporary skilled visas
Current temporary skilled visa holders from Hong Kong will be eligible for an extension of five years from today in addition to the time they’ve already been in Australia, with a pathway to permanent residency at the end of that period.
Future Hong Kong applicants for temporary skilled visas will be eligible for a five year visa, provided they:
meet occupational skills lists and Labour Market Testing requirements; or
qualify through the Global Talent temporary visa scheme, which is for exceptional talent where the sponsoring employer pays above the Fair Work High Income Threshold of $153,600.
These future temporary skilled visa holders will also have a pathway to permanent residency after five years.
There are almost 10,000 existing temporary skilled, temporary graduate and student visa holders in Australia who will be eligible for these special arrangements, with a further 2,500 outside Australia and 1,250 applications on hand.
Attracting the best and brightest
The Government will bolster efforts to attract Hong Kong’s best and brightest through the Global Talent and Business Innovation and Investment Programs, both part of the permanent migration program.
These programs will be prioritised and a dedicated Global Talent officer will focus on facilitating the Hong Kong caseload.
To support future applications we will re-open our visa application centre in Hong Kong which shut down during COVID-19.
Attracting businesses
New incentives will be developed to attract export-oriented Hong Kong based businesses to relocate to Australia. As well as economic incentives, there will be permanent visa pathways available for all critical Hong Kong based staff of the relocated business. The government will particularly target businesses that presently operate their regional headquarters out of Hong Kong who may be looking to relocate to a democratic country.
Supporting Older Australians
8 July 2020
More than 6,100 older Australians will live independently for longer following a $325.7 million investment in new home care packages by the Morrison Government.
The extra 6,105 home care packages brings the total number of additional packages to over 50,000 since the 18-19 Budget, at a cost of more than $3 billion.
Home care package numbers will increase to 164,135 in 2022-23 - up more than 170 per cent since Labor were last in office - with funding increasing by 258 per cent due to growth in high-level packages.
Following a request from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the Federal Government has agreed to extend its reporting period for a further three and a half months due to the impact of COVID-19.
The Commission will now deliver its final report by 26 February, 2021.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government remained focused on the needs of older Australians, particularly as the country battled the impacts of COVID-19.
“Our number one priority for older Australians is to keep people safe and healthy and to live independently,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister said the suspension of Royal Commission hearings had reduced the ability to engage with stakeholders at the height of the pandemic.
“While these delays are have been caused by unprecedented circumstances, we’re committed to ensuring the Royal Commission has the time and resources it needs to do its important work.”
As part of its inquiry, the Royal Commission has recently announced it will examine the impact of the virus on residential aged care and home care, including responses from the sector and governments.
Minister Hunt said it would serve as an important review.
“This further investment in home care supports our senior Australians who are seeking assistance to stay longer in their homes,” Minister Hunt said.
“The extension of the Royal Commission is in response to the delays due to COVID-19 and the opportunity for the Commission to inquire into the impact of the pandemic on aged care.”
Minister Colbeck said the latest investment of $325.7 million toward 6,105 home care packages was another step toward reducing wait times and connecting more senior Australians to essential care sooner.
“We remain focused on ensuring the health and wellbeing of those people we love most,” Minister Colbeck said.
“From additional home care packages, to improvements to medication management, additional dementia training support for workers and funding to ensure younger people can move to more age-appropriate support – the Federal Government continues to prioritise the needs of senior Australians.
“We look forward to receiving the Royal Commission’s final report. The Government will carefully consider the Commissioners’ recommendations.”
As part of the extension, the Hon Tony Pagone QC will be formally appointed as the Chair of the Royal Commission.
Commissioner Pagone has been acting in the role since late 2019, following the death of the Honourable Richard Ross Sinclair Tracey AM RFD QC.
Virtual Leaders' Meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan
8 July 2020
I am pleased to announce that I will be joining the Prime Minister of Japan, His Excellency Abe Shinzo, for a Virtual Leaders’ Meeting on 9 July 2020.
The meeting will build on and reaffirm the importance of our Special Strategic Partnership in a time of global economic and strategic uncertainty. The meeting presents a timely opportunity to reaffirm the shared principles, values and global outlook that reinforce one of Australia’s closest regional partnerships.
The meeting will also help to lay the foundations for my rescheduled visit to Japan as soon as circumstances allow.
Prime Minister Abe and I will discuss our shared experiences in responding to the COVID-19 crisis and ways we can work together, with other regional partners, to help ensure an open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific. We will discuss ways to coordinate our assistance in the Pacific and Southeast Asia to strengthen health systems, and promote economic resilience and recovery. I also look forward to discussing with Prime Minister Abe opportunities to further deepen our defence and security ties.
Japan is our second largest two-way trading partner and second largest source of foreign direct investment. The Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement binds our close business ties and complementary economies. As like-minded democracies, we are natural partners with shared interests underpinned by open markets and the rule of law.
Interview with Jim Wilson, 2GB
6 July 2020
PRIME MINISTER: Well, welcome to you too, Jim. It's good to be on your programme and congratulations and I hope the listeners are enjoying it. I have every reason to believe that they should.
JIM WILSON: Oh very kind. Thank you, Prime Minister. Now we heard from Premier Gladys Berejiklian earlier in the programme, should’ve the border between New South Wales and Victoria been closed weeks ago?
PRIME MINISTER: No, and that certainly wasn't the advice at the time. I mean, the cases have escalated significantly now and over the weekend. And I was- spoke to the Premier, both Premiers this morning. And then we had a three way hook up earlier this morning as well to discuss the issue and agreed that now is the time for Victoria to isolate itself from the rest of the country. I mean, what's different here, Jim, and this isn’t other states closing their borders to Victoria. This is Victoria understanding the need to contain an outbreak which they've been seeking to do in the western and northern suburbs of Melbourne, that is now extended to the whole state. And that is necessitated by the growth in community transmission in those cases. And it's regrettable that this has been necessary. We're one country and that's important and it's important for our economy. But so is maintaining our strong health performance through COVID, all of the other states and territories, seven of them, have virtually no community transmission, if any. And so it's important just to put that protection in place for the time that is needed.
WILSON: Are you expecting some teething problems and confusion the next 48 hours at that border with New South Wales and Victoria?
PRIME MINISTER: Sure, that'd be natural. But we would ask people just to be patient as those systems get in place. I mean, borders, last time the border was closed, I think between New South Wales and Victoria was probably over 100 years ago. So, I mean, I think people will be understanding of that and there'll be sensible arrangements put in place to deal with that. Essential workers, those sorts of things, health workers, you've got a single health system operating across Albury-Wodonga, for example. They’re issues that the Premiers and I spoke about this morning, and that will be sorted out with people just showing the normal patience that would be needed at a time like this.
WILSON: Prime Minister, a 20th straight day of double digit figures in Victoria. Why won't the Andrews Government accept the free offer for military help in the crisis?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the offer stands and the Premier will call on it when he thinks he believes he needs it, at the moment we've got 200 ADF people down there already, they’re medical personnel. We've got 800 Commonwealth public servants who are down there supporting the effort. We're funding 28 GP respiratory clinics they’ve assessed over 62,000 people and conducted almost 55,000 tests. So the Commonwealth is, I can tell you, is pretty heavily involved in supporting the Andrews government and what they're doing to contain this outbreak. It is obviously a state responsibility to do just that. And we'll give them every support we can. We're also supporting some contingency work with the Australian Federal Police. And there are some high level sort of logistical planners and others from the ADF who are going down there as well. We've also ensured that there are no flights going into Melbourne, which is very important. And so passengers who are looking to come back to Australia, to Melbourne, will have to give themselves on a flight somewhere else that will not be New South Wales, because we've also capped that, New South Wales has done more than its fair share of heavy lifting in receiving those international flights. And that's a commitment I gave Premier Berejiklian last week.
WILSON: You can understand the criticism of the Victorian government? I mean, Victoria is more than 97 per cent of the country's active cases. And I know, I know you don't want to start finger pointing, but they really haven't covered themselves in glory. I mean, particularly when they have some of the country's toughest restrictions when all this started?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, you know, Jim, as Prime Minister, it's my job to support the various governments around the country get on top of these things where they happen, others will run commentaries on all that. My focus is just on trying to get the problem sorted and supporting the Victorian government to achieve that, to work with Premier Andrews, who I have worked closely with ever since being in this job and prior actually as a Treasurer. So they've got their hands full down there. And so what they don't need is any sort of commentary from me. What they need is support from me for the initiatives they're taking. And, and we've got a lot of work to do.
WILSON: Something like more than 10,000 people in those hotspot areas in Victoria and Melbourne who've refused testing for COVID. I mean, surely there needs to be legislation in the Victorian Parliament if they don't agree to be tested, there has to be penalties?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's my view. And the Commonwealth has no power over those things. That's purely a state matter. And they've got legislation down there which allows for that to be the case. So, I mean, that's really a matter for Victorians. They've decided that through their parliament that that's how they want their laws written and if they feel differently about that well, I'm sure they'll find a way to express that.
WILSON: But you think there should be penalties if they don’t undergo the tests?
PRIME MINISTER: Well my preference is that people do the right thing Jim. I mean, that's what you'd hope people would do. But there is a you know, there is a health pandemic here. And our preference is for people to follow those instructions. And we’ve also put in place less invasive testing using saliva testing down there, which was developed by the Doherty Institute. Now, that is particularly helpful if you're dealing with young kids, the elderly, people with disabilities for which the nasal and throat tests can be quite invasive and quite difficult for some of those particularly younger and those who are infirmed. But for everyone else. I mean, it's a test that you should be taking and you're looking after your own health, your family's health and your neighbour's health. So I think it's a pretty reasonable thing for the government to ask of people to do and people should comply.
WILSON: It's a tough one. How long are you expecting the borders to be shut for?
PRIME MINISTER: I can't say at the moment, and I hope it's not for too long because it obviously has an economic impact and people's jobs are at risk by this, but they're equally at risk if the outbreak goes further than it is now. But let's just sort of get a bit in perspective. I mean, we've got an annual case growth nationally now, which is at 1.7. It's about 5 per cent in Victoria. I mean, countries around the world would dream for those numbers. And I'm not seeking to lessen the issue Jim, I think it's a very serious issue and we're treating it seriously. But we also have to, I think, get it in perspective for the rest of the country doing incredibly well. And the nation's efforts have been focussed on Victoria to support them get on top of this. And so as each day passes, I would hope we'd see an improvement and all of that resource, all of that testing, all of that tracing. I mean, we've got people in New South Wales on the phone tracing cases down to Victoria. We got tests from Victorians being processed over in South Australia and Tasmania and all the other parts of the country. We've got health officers down from Queensland, offers from Western Australia. So everybody's working together. I think that's the key. We knew there would be outbreaks Jim. We knew that, now this one is getting above where I think we would like it to be. Well, we wouldn’t like it to be anywhere, to be honest. But, I mean, it is serious. But also, I mean, every resource and focus has been brought to bear to deal with it.
WILSON: In light of that, should JobKeeper continue beyond September then?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we'll be making those announcements very soon. We’ve got the economic statement coming up in just about two weeks’ time and so we've been working towards that date and we've always said that there needs to be a further phase of support that goes past the end of September and there's a lot of moving parts in all that and so we're still working through those. I mean, the Treasurer and I had another meeting with our Budget Committee today to work through those details. I mean, you've got the JobSeeker programme, you've got the JobKeeper programme, you've got other supports that are in there and they all intermesh. So you don't make these decisions lightly. We're going through on JobKeeper alone about $11 billion a month and so that is an enormous outlay for taxpayers right across the country. And we've always said we want to make sure it's targeted, supporting and JobKeeper so far has been arguably one of the world's most successful income support programmes during the global recession.
WILSON: So it could be financial assistance packages of some description for those doing it really tough beyond September?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we've always indicated that there'd be a further phase. It’s just the scale of it and how it's targeted is what we've been working through.
WILSON: Eden-Monaro, are you willing to concede defeat at this point?
PRIME MINISTER: There's still a few more votes to count down there, Jim, and the postal votes still coming in. There are several thousand issued beyond what had been received by polling day. But I've got to say, I mean, of all the parties represented in the Parliament, the Liberal Party was the only one who got a swing to it on the primary and on the two party preferred. That's only happened 15 times out of the last 100 byelections. So that is a performance that, you know, for those who believed that there would be strong protest against the government, well, there wasn't a protest vote against the government on the weekend, we were the only party that actually had a swing to us and we've gone very close. We'll be a few hundred votes in it. And to have a swing to the government in a byelection in a seat that we don't hold, I mean, the government hasn't hasn't won one like that for 100 years. So as far as where the bar was set, this is in more than the top quartile, it's gunning for a finals place.
WILSON: We're in a very, very delicate financial situation and environment. Mathias Cormann, his decision to retire. He's a safe pair of hands. He's the longest serving Finance Minister. He served under three governments. How disappointed are you that you are losing him at such a delicate economic time?
PRIME MINISTER: Mathias and I came to the Parliament in the same year and we've known each other a long time. We're good friends and we've worked through six budgets together, both as Treasurer and Prime Minister and prior to that, when I was Social Services Minister, when I first went on the Budget Committee, the Expenditure Review Committee. So we've worked together probably more closely than any two members of this Government. And so he's been a great partner in the work that we've done and he was critical to the work we did in the Budget to get it back to balance, now, prior to this pandemic, now, the fact that we've been able to respond the way we have, both on as you mentioned before, JobKeeper, but all the other supports we've put in place, the supports for the entertainment industry, the home building industry, the work we have done to support our health system. All of that was made possible because we've got ourselves in such a better and stable position before this all hit. So, of course, he's been critical there. He's been critical up in the Senate with the important legislation we've been able to pass. The tax cut to cut people's taxes and to guarantee essential services, as well as ensuring that we can continue to improve the Budget. And as a Western Australian, you won't find more a passionate one. He might have been born in Belgium, but I can tell you, his blood bleeds as strong as any other Western Australian. He is has patriotic zeal, not just for his own country, but for his adopted state, too.
WILSON: We mentioned earlier in the programme about TikTok and security concerns. Are you a TikTok family, Prime Minister?
PRIME MINISTER: No, no. I had no idea what it was, actually, until those TikTok memes started with that stuff with Andrew Probyn and Katharine Murphy, which I think Guy Sebastian started.
WILSON: Are you concerned, though, for younger people in particular, 1.6 million Australians are using it. I mean, are you concerned about the security risk around TikTok?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, there's a range of these social media platforms, and this one obviously has that link, there’s WeChat there’s a range of others as well. And people have to be very conscious of what they're signing on to. I mean, I found it a bit passing strange that when we put the COVIDSafe app out there, which has about six and a half million downloads now, and people were talking about privacy on that. Now, that is one of if not the most secure COVID-related app anywhere in the world and actually one of the most, if not the most successful. And people were worried about privacy on that. But they'll load their dance moves up on TikTok in the afternoon. So I think people have to be quite conscious in this digital age that all of these platforms, they all go back to places and people are knowingly handing over their data and their information and all of these things. And they're doing it by permission. It's a free country. You can do that if you like. But I think it's right for people to have an increased awareness of where these platforms originate and the risk they present.
WILSON: Prime Minister, we do appreciate your time on a very, very busy day. And isn't it good that you've come to me on the first day in the chair and Drive and the Sharkies have gone back to back?
PRIME MINISTER: Look, I was being kind, Jimmy. I know they're your team, the Titans, but seven tries on the weekend, you've got me going now. I was really impressed with Andrew Fifita on the weekend. I thought that's his best game this season and he was back in barnstorming form. So it was great to see him come off the bench and had a huge impact. Johnson's really hitting his straps and Chad Townsend. Mate, look, you won’t stop me now. We are a try scoring factory down there at Shark Park - even though we’re not playing at Shark Park this year.
WILSON: It’s 26 past 5, everyone, the Prime Minister’s actually hosting Wide World of Sports after six o'clock. He's delighted with the Sharkies. Up Up Cronulla. Thank you, Prime Minister.
PRIME MINISTER: Absolutely. Good on you, Jim, all the best for the programme.
WILSON: Good on you, mate. Thank you. Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison on 2GB 873.
More than Half a Billion Dollars to Unlock Infrastructure Jobs in Victoria
6 July 2020
Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Treasurer, Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure
The Commonwealth and Victorian Governments will support construction jobs across Victoria by jointly investing an additional $525 million to deliver shovel-ready infrastructure projects and urgent road safety upgrades.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said further investment in infrastructure would play a critical role in the Commonwealth’s JobMaker plan and help the Victorian economy as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Partnering with State and Territory Governments to invest in more infrastructure projects across Australia is a key part of our JobMaker plan to rebuild our economy and create more jobs,” the Prime Minister said.
“This funding injection means we have brought forward or provided additional funding in excess of $830 million to Victoria in the past eight months.
“This package builds on the fast tracking of $514 million for infrastructure in Victoria which we announced last November, locking in priority upgrades that will bust congestion, increase productivity, improve safety, and boost jobs at a time we need it most.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Government has worked with the Victorian Government to provide additional funding for two key infrastructure projects.
“We are providing an additional $178.2 million towards the Regional Rail Revival package in Victoria, bringing the total Australian Government contribution to this project to $1.8 billion,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“The Federal Government will also provide an additional $70.6 million in funding to complete the duplication of the Princes Highway East between Traralgon and Sale, bringing the total Australian Government contribution to $202.6 million for this project.”
Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the additional $320 million in federal funding had taken the Commonwealth’s infrastructure investment in Victoria to more than $29.5 billion.
“Federal funding for this package has been drawn from the recently announced $1.5 billion allocation to priority shovel-ready projects and targeted road safety works and is in addition to our existing commitments,” the Treasurer said.
“We will continue to work closely with both levels of Government in Victoria to get Victorians home sooner and safer whilst creating jobs and supporting our economic recovery.”
The Victorian Government will also provide $179.8 million towards the two key projects and $25.7 million for targeted road safety works.
Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews said the road and rail projects will better connect Victorians and provide a boost for major regional centres.
“This partnership with the Commonwealth will build projects regional communities need and help keep our construction industry strong – which is more important than ever right now as we rebuild from the pandemic,” the Premier said.
“This package is on top of our $2.7 billion we’re investing in new projects across the state to get shovels in the ground – and boots in the mud – to kickstart our economy.”
Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge the said funding injection would deliver shovel-ready projects for Victoria.
“This funding will significantly boost the Regional Rail Revival Package, helping to improve conditions for train passengers on their journeys to and from Melbourne,” Mr Tudge said.
“At the same time, investment in targeted road safety works and the Princes Highway duplication will mean safer, reliable roads for thousands of Victorians.”
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said this investment built on the State Government’s investment in roads and rail in regional Victoria.
“We’re building the transport infrastructure to support better connections to our regional cities and country towns and deliver safer roads and more reliable regional rail journeys.”
The jointly-funded package is supported by investments from the Commonwealth ($320.3 million) and Victorian Government ($205.5 million).
Total Federal funding: $320.3 million
Total funding: $525.8 million
Interview with Sounds of the Mountains
3 July 2020
DAVID EISENHAUER: A very good morning to Scott Morrison. Mr Morrison, thank you for your time today.
PRIME MINISTER: G’day, David, thanks for having me on today. I appreciate you doing that. Before we get going, can I thank you for everything you did, particularly back over the Black Summer. I was down, as you probably know, in Tumbarumba and Tumut and Batlow earlier this year and working on how we were going to get the economic recovery plans in place. But I know the job you did over that period of time. It's been reported back to me by so many. I know how many of your listeners would be so appreciative, but just want you to know that we're very appreciative of the great service you provided as well.
EISENHAUER: Thank you. No, look, it was a very long, well, couple of months Prime Minister, really, when you look at it. And as we said today in The Daily Advertiser, Wagga’s paper, it was very much a team effort by all the media. We all worked together during that time to keep those messages going. And as the Deputy Prime Minister said, it was certainly a pretty hectic sort of time for everybody. And we still are, as you are very much aware, in recovery.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we are and that trip to Batlow and throughout that area was very important back in January, because it highlighted particularly, you look at the orchardists, that the road back is a very hard one. And you can’t just, you know, plant a few trees and they pop up and you're producing apples in a few months. That's just not how it works. And I was so impressed by the tenacity of those orchardists and, you know, they've been doing it for quite a while and the courage it requires to stump up and go, look, I'm going to rebuild this over the next decade and beyond. I was quite moved by it, I’ve got to tell you, and that has massively informed our plans. As you know, we've put in the additional funding to support the orchardists throughout the region, but also, you know, further away and closer to where you are also for supporting the forestry industry, the local economic recovery plans. And for all of that to work, what I need on Saturday is a member for Eden-Monaro, who's part of my team and Fiona Kotvojs, if she can get that support on Saturday, and I'm urging people right across the region and the district to support her. Because this next two years, there'll be a general election in two years, and for the next two years, we will be working hard to deliver these local economic recovery plans, to roll out these support for the orchardists, for the timber industry. And, of course, there's Snowy 2.0, a massive impact in the region right where all your listeners are. And to have someone on my team who can be in my Government, working alongside with us each and every day to ensure that recovery is happening at the pace we know it can achieve, that is something to vote for on Saturday. A general election in two years will decide the next government. But on Saturday, people who are on the other end of this radio, today, they're making a decision about how best to accelerate and support that recovery over the next two years within my Government and Fiona Kotvojs is the right answer.
EISENHAUER: Prime Minister, talking of Fiona yourself, we spoke yesterday with Energy Minister Angus Taylor about a project known as Snowy 2.0, which is there at Lobs Hole. They're listening in this morning at Lobs Hole Ravine, as it's known around the old Washington area. That Tuesday that you were there with Paul Broad and Snowy, it's underway.
PRIME MINISTER: It is. The final stamp has been given on the environmental approvals and it was so exciting to be there and there were so many locals there, you know, people who've come from the local district working there as part of Snowy 2.0 and the excitement about the scale of this project. And obviously, I've seen the project on designs and sitting in briefings and even in video and other presentations and I've been out to the Snowy itself on a few occasions. But to be there looking at the side of the mountain where the drill hole is going to go in and how thumping big it is, is quite exciting. And you get, when you fly over it on the chopper and you see the 40 kilometres of tunnels that are going to be undertaken, and then to know that that is all being done under the strictest environmental regulations to ensure that this pristine part of our nation is totally preserved and as Paul said the other day, they'll leave it better than they found it. This is truly inspiring and for the community, the excitement that people have I just have no doubt are busting.
EISENHAUER: Look, it's job creation. We talked about the forestry industry yesterday with Minister Taylor and we're talking about jobs in forestry. As we said earlier today, the trees don't grow overnight we're looking at opportunities and options for people to remain in the region and employ, but also, also for people to come in the region. The Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack talks about people moving from the city into the bush, and there's jobs up there right now, over 800 and there'll be 4,000 plus by the end of the project.
PRIME MINISTER: The jobs are there. Jobs are already there. And there will be more. This next two years, again, it’s why this Saturday is so important David because a lot is going to happen in the next two years between now and the next general election, probably more in the electorate of Eden-Monaro than anyone's ever seen since Snowy was built the first time. And that's why having someone as part of my team with Fiona Kotvojs as my candidate, the Liberal candidate there, it's just so important. I mean, the biggest ramp up in activity, as Paul Broad was taking me through, as I was aware. But when you see it on the ground, it's another thing. That's all going to happen in the next 18 months to two years. It is an absolute dynamic period of time where we really need people with boots on the ground as part of my Government to ensure that we're delivering, rather than sniping from the sidelines and which always happens with politics. I need somebody in my Government so I can make sure that this project works as well as it possibly can for the locals.
EISENHAUER: And continuing their economic support for the next phase after September, Prime Minister?
PRIME MINISTER: Yeah, well, we're getting close to decisions there. We haven't made them yet. I had some more meetings just this morning, actually, and again yesterday, where the Treasurer and I are meeting very regularly as we're pulling all this data in. Things are changing rapidly, I mean, with the pandemic. I was on a call last night with a range of other world leaders, Israel and throughout Europe and even in other parts of the Americas, and as economies open up again, they are seeing more cases. We've seen some more here. So what we're seeing in Victoria is not strange. It's consistent with what's happening in many other countries around the world where you're opening up your economy and we're on top of it, we're getting on top of it more broadly. And, yes, it's very concerning, but it is important that we understand the context. And so the COVID-19 impact will be there on our economy for some time to come.
But the good news is in many parts of our economy, things are opening up again and people are able to get their businesses moving again. Things like HomeBuilder as well, are really important for the residential construction industry. That's generating jobs there. You know, I was out at Googong announcing that one a while back and that's a great development, state development there, and we want to see these homes going up. And for those whose homes have been devastated by bushfires, well, the clearance works that have been done with the New South Wales government and then on top of that, having the grants that will be available to support people with the rebuild as part of HomeBuilder and we've made sure, made sure, let me underscore that if there are any delays that occur because of planning processes at the state level for people's homes, then we've given the flexibility to the states to continue to provide those grants to ensure that they're not disadvantaged because building in a bushfire zone has some new rules and controls. So people won't miss out on that. I know the Labor Party was saying they are, but they've been, you know, they're banging on about lots of stuff that isn't true.
EISENHAUER: Talking of reconstruction and building, final question today. Prime Minister, I don’t know how you find the time, how is the cubbyhouse?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the cubbyhouse I'm very proud of.
EISENHAUER: I know. I know.
PRIME MINISTER: Did Michael tell you about that?
EISENHAUER: He did, yes.
PRIME MINISTER: It's been… well, you know how it is. I mean, this is pretty much how I function. You know, you go very hard all the time, but you also need the odd sort of home distraction to refresh your mind. And my daughter and I have been building a cubbyhouse the last couple of weekends. It was for her school project. But I think Dad made quite a contribution to her school effort. But she was really excited about it. It's wonderful to spend time with your kids and doing things like that, you know, not just sitting around watching movies and things like that or, you know, that sort of stuff, but spending really nice time together. So I get enormous encouragement and refreshing inspiration out of my family with Jen and the girls. They're so important, as all our families are. And that's why, you know, I just keep going back to that trip to Batlow, David. I mean, it was so devastating for the community. But again, what just totally blew me away was despite just the heartache that people were going through, the determination, because they just love the place so much and so passionate about the place and what's going on there. And it's infectious. And I remember leaving there and with Michael and just said, you know, we're going to rebuild this. We're going to do this. And the local environmental recovery plan, sorry, the local economic recovery plan, I said to Michael as we left, the one there in Batlow, Tumut, Tumbarumba, through that district, it will be the first. That will be the first one we do, because there was such a clear way that we could help. And we've set that out with the orchardists, we're setting it out more broadly as part of the plan that we’ve put money against. And so I think, again, I'll finish where it started. I need my Liberal candidate to be the member for Eden-Monaro so we can make this rebuilding dream a reality. That's what this Saturday is about. It's about making the dream and the passion that everyone has across the community, rebuild their economies, rebuild their homes, to rebuild their businesses and their farms and their producing and get it back to where they wanted to be. That's what Saturday is about. And Fiona Kotvojs is the person who can help me achieve that. We've all got the passion, now I just need my person on the ground to make sure I can deliver and that’s Fiona Kotvojs.
EISENHAUER: And Prime Minister, we really appreciate you taking the time. Thank you for your comments at the start of the interview as well. But taking time out of the massive schedule today to talk to us on the station, really appreciate it today.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks, David. I’d better get back to those issues in Victoria. All the best.
EISENHAUER: Thanks, Prime Minister.
New Weapons Boost Army Capability and Secure Jobs
2 July 2020
Prime Minister, Minister for Defence Industry
The Morrison Government will acquire 251 Remote Weapon Stations that will better protect Army personnel on operations while boosting Australian jobs and opportunities for small businesses.
The Remote Weapon Stations, which allow a gunner to operate a weaponised system from a protected position, will be added to the Army’s Bushmaster and Hawkei protected mobility vehicles.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new weapons were part of the $270 billion capability upgrade for the Australian Defence Force, under the new 2020 Force Structure Plan.
“The Federal Government is committed to ensuring Australian Defence Force personnel have the tools they need to protect themselves and keep Australians safe,” the Prime Minister said.
“At the same time we must have a robust and resilient defence industry that maximises opportunities for small businesses and supports Australian jobs and local investment.”
Minister for Defence Senator Linda Reynolds CSC said the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and the 2020 Force Structure Plan would strengthen the ADF’s capabilities to respond to an increasingly challenging strategic environment.
“The Morrison Government is investing a record $270 billion in Defence capability and infrastructure over the next decade,” Minister Reynolds said.
“Investments such as the acquisition of Remote Weapon Stations will make the ADF more capable for the wide range of potential scenarios and threats Australia will face in the future.”
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the investment in new remote weapon stations would provide job stability for over 200 of Electro Optic Systems’ workforce directly involved in engineering and support.
“This investment not only secures local jobs but it also provides certainty for over 100 supply chain businesses across Australia,” Minister Price said.
“More than 80 per cent of the parts that Electro Optic Systems use for these weapons are sourced through the Australian supply chain and that’s good for jobs and small businesses.
“While the Federal Government’s focus is on keeping Australians safe, our investments in Defence have a significant benefit for Australian businesses and workers – around 15,000 businesses and 70,000 workers benefit from our investments and that’s set to grow.”
Interview with Sunrise
1 July 2020
DAVID KOCH: Prime Minister Scott Morrison Good morning. How worried are you about the outbreak in Victoria?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, it's a serious outbreak, and I want to commend the Victorian government and Premier Andrews for the decisions they took yesterday. We've been working closely with the Victorian government on this issue. We always said that as we re-emerged and opened Australia up again that we would need to ensure we had strong testing capabilities, which we do, strong tracing capabilities where people get the virus and to be able to isolate them and strong local responses. And what you're seeing now is the example of those strong local responses. Several weeks ago or months ago, I should say, we had to do exactly the same thing in north west Tasmania. And so that's what happens when you get an outbreak, you contain it in those areas. And I thank the people of Melbourne in those postcodes will have to show a lot of patience in the weeks ahead, but by doing so, they'll be saving lives and they'll be saving livelihoods.
KOCH: We just need to look at the ramp up of cases in California and Florida to know that we've got to be good at this. Let me pick you up on your point on testing. Everyone agrees with this. I'm stunned that it's not compulsory if you're asked to do it, both in quarantine in hotels and also doing tests around these postcodes. Should it be mandatory if you're asked?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we're dealing with this crisis in a very Australian way and I think that's important. We're not a country that tends to mandate these things. Certainly if people are coming back through quarantine, then we have the ability as it's now being demonstrated, they can either stay in the hotel for longer or they can have a test. It's their choice. But when it comes to broader testing, that's why we've provided some of the other options when it comes to saliva testing and that's particularly important for elderly, for young kids and also those with disabilities. So it's about using more a carrot here, I think, David, and we're seeking to get people's cooperation here and we think that's the Australian way to do it.
KOCH: Yep. One of the great successes of this fight against the virus has been at the National Cabinet. It’s worked so well, but is it starting to fray? Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has accused you of picking on Queensland for not opening up their borders quicker.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, there's an election in Queensland, David, so I think we can sort of file that under those comments under those sorts of things. You know, we all understand that. But let me say this about the National Cabinet, and I acknowledge the contribution of all the premiers and chief ministers. Steven Marshall, I made similar comments about their border changes yesterday, as I did in Queensland. But everyone has worked together. It doesn't mean we're going to agree on everything. National Cabinet has never had a position of internal borders and, you know, as the Prime Minister of the Federation, well, you know, we got rid of internal borders almost 120 years ago and we're one country and we've got to deal with outbreaks as we are. But that's why I commended Michael Gunner yesterday. What Michael Gunner has done in the Northern Territory is they've got a restriction on to ensure that no one is coming out of those hot zones in Melbourne. But, I mean, if you live on the other side of Melbourne or you live up in Bendigo or Ballarat, you're as affected by what's happening in those suburbs of Melbourne as you are living in Sydney or anywhere else.
KOCH: Good point. Today, a big announcement. $270 billion will be spent on upgrading the nation's defence over the next decade. Why do we need it?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the world has changed. David, and it's changed and it continues to change rapidly. We're for a peaceful, stable Indo-Pacific, a certain environment in which people can trade and live their lives and sovereign nations can work and trade with each other and have good relationships. And to do that, you've got to have, you know, a responsible deterrent and Australia plays an important role in our region, working with others, particularly like India and Japan and many other nations, Indonesia, right across the Indo-Pacific. And of course, it's all built on the foundation of our alliance with the United States. We've got to be aware of the potential threats that can emerge. I mean, the strategic competition between China and the United States means that there's a lot of tension in the cord and a lot of risk of miscalculation. And so we have to be prepared and ready to frame the world in which we live as best as we can and be prepared to respond and play our role to protect Australia, defend Australia, because my number one job is keeping Australians safe.
KOCH: Okay, and keeping them in jobs. So can we afford this defence spending? We’re engaged and you’re engaged in the debate at the moment on whether we can afford to keep JobKeeper going, whether we need to review it, winding back the increase in government debt. This spending is four times bigger than JobKeeper.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, this is done over 10 years. JobKeeper is over six months. And I think that puts that into perspective, David. And of course, when you need to take action, as we have been in responding to the economic crisis, we've done that swiftly and we've done it effectively and we will continue to provide support where that is needed in the next phase of the supports we provide for income into the economy post September. But, you know, we have these priorities. You're absolutely right. Keep Australians safe, keep Australians in jobs, keep Australia's economy strong and keep Australians together. That has been the very first statement I made as Prime Minister and that remains my absolute focus. But this $270 billion has been built into the medium-term estimates for the Government now for some time. We had the target of hitting two per cent of our economy. We're going to hit that on the 1st of July for this year, and we will go beyond that. But, you know, if you don't have a strategic defence of your country, then you are unable to achieve all the other things that you hope to achieve as a nation and that importantly means your economy. There is no strength in an economy when there's no stability, and we have to make sure we maintain that stability in our defence of our nation.
KOCH: Prime Minister, I appreciate your time. Thanks for joining us.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks a lot, David. Good to be with you.
Long Range Strike Capabilities to Maintain Regional Security
1 July 2020
Prime Minister, Minister for Defence
Australia will invest in new long-range strike capabilities to maintain regional security and deter or respond to aggression in the Indo-Pacific, as part of the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and Force Structure Plan.
The new investments will be made across the air, maritime and land assets to give the Australian Defence Force more options to protect Australia’s interests.
“The challenges and changing nature in the Indo-Pacific have meant we need a new approach and one that actively seeks to deter actions that are against our interests,” the Prime Minister said.
“These new capabilities will provide a strong credible deterrent in our region that will help provide the stability and security we need.
“We are committed to peace and stability in the region, and an open, inclusive, prosperous and sovereign Indo-Pacific.”
Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, said military capability in our region is modernising rapidly and we need to maintain a regional capability edge.
“It is essential that we have the capabilities that can hold forces and infrastructure at risk from a greater distance, to influence decision-making of those who may seek to threaten our national interests,” Minister Reynolds said.
The Morrison Government’s commitment to this new strategic policy setting is demonstrated with the decision to acquire an advanced maritime strike capability, the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), from the United States Navy (USN), at an estimated cost of around $800 million.
The new missile is a significant upgrade from our current AGM-84 air-launched Harpoon anti-ship missile, which was introduced in the early 1980s, with a range of 124 kilometres. The LRASM has a range in excess of 370 kilometres.
LRASM will initially be used on the F/A-18F Super Hornets and has the flexibility to be integrated onto other Defence aircraft. Training on the weapon system is set to commence in 2021.
LRASM will be another fifth-generation capability added to the Air Force inventory to protect Australia’s maritime region, including our sea lines of communication and helping ensure regional maritime security.
This is the first in a long-term plan to procure advanced longer-range strike weapon systems for our combat aircraft to allow Air Force to operate at greater range and avoid increasingly sophisticated air defences.
To enhance the strike capability of the ADF across all domains, the Government has also put in place plans to invest in:
advanced naval strike capabilities, including long-range anti-ship and land strike weapons;
the acquisition of long-range rocket artillery and missile systems to give the Army an operational strike capability; and
the development, test and evaluation of high-speed long range strike, including hypersonic weapons.
Over the decade to 2029-30, investment in the acquisition of new capability will grow from $14.4 billion (34 per cent of the budget) to $29.2 billion (40 per cent of the budget).
The Government will also consider further force structure adjustments over the medium to longer term, which could involve the introduction of additional, longer-range weapon systems, which will be critical for the ADF to be able to continue to deliver credible deterrent effects.
Doorstop - Lobs Hole, NSW
1 July 2020
DR FIONA KOTVOJS, LIBERAL CANDIDATE FOR EDEN MONARO: Good morning, everybody. It's absolutely fantastic to be here today at Lobs Hole in Kosciuszko National Park. I'm really pleased to be able to welcome the Prime Minister, Minister for Energy Angus Taylor, and the Minister for Environment, Sussan Ley.
This is an exciting announcement that we have today. It means jobs, jobs for our local communities, from Tumut to Cooma and even down on the coast, this whole area, this means jobs. And that's what we need. It's good for the environment, absolutely fantastic. It's all about improving our environment here in Kosciuszko National Park and keeping it pristine and helping the environment and the regeneration afterwards. And it's all about energy. 500,000 houses will be able to be supplied with power for a week from this work. So I'm really excited to be able to invite everybody here today to find out what we're doing and to welcome the Prime Minister.
PRIME MINISTER: Thank you, Fiona. It's wonderful to be here with Fiona Kotvojs, the Liberal candidate for Eden-Monaro, and my colleagues Sussan Ley and Angus Taylor, and I want to thank them for the tremendous work that they have been doing to get us to this incredibly important day in our national history.
This is a nation-building day that we have come here together to mark and to Paul Broad and all of his team and the many of them gathered around us here, engineers, those working on site, those making the coffee, those building the roads, the bridges, this is a very significant day and it's a significant day for jobs, particularly in this part of Australia, regional jobs in what is an absolutely barnstorming project, one of 15 very significant major projects that we have accelerated as part of that approvals process that has been designed to ensure that we get these big nation-building projects moving. Whether it's the Inland Rail, whether it's this project, whether it's building the Western Sydney airport, all of these big projects are game-changing, nation-changing, nation-building projects. And so it's exciting to be here today to announce the green light, the thumbs up green light for the Snowy 2.0 project to now move to its full implementation phase.
Back at the end of 2018 I was here with Fiona Kotvojs, I was here with Angus Taylor, not at this site, we were over at the actually Snowy Hydro site and we announced a final investment decision which saw us put $1.4 billion into what is more than a $5 billion project, over 2,000 jobs directly created through this project and those jobs feeding into all the local towns all around the Snowy. But extending beyond that, we've got people here from Newcastle, we've got people here from Sydney, we've got people who will be coming from Western Australia, it's going to take a nation to build this project because it is a nation-building project, and it's addressing our emissions reductions targets, it's about getting affordable energy into the system and it's about creating these local jobs here.
We will see a ramp-up in the works on this site here over the next two years like we have never seen before on this project since Snowy was built the first time. These next two years are absolutely vital to the success of this project. That's why we've always known we've had to get a wriggle on and get this thing approved, taking into account the important environmental mitigations which Sussan Ley will speak to because we know we need to get this up and running to meet our timetable for getting this energy into the system, to getting our emissions reduction targets achieved, and ensuring that the jobs that are so necessary now, even more necessary now than when we first approved the final investment decision for this project at a time as we're building our way out of the COVID recession.
So these next two years will be critical for this project and to have a local Liberal member of Parliament, should that be what the people of Eden-Monaro decide this weekend, there on the ground in this community, making sure the project is delivering for the local community, the local jobs, the local contracts, the local benefits. You need someone on the ground here. I need someone here on the ground as a local member of my government to ensure that this project delivers everything we plan it to achieve for the local community.
That's why I'm here with Fiona Kotvojs again and that's why I need her on my team this Saturday. I need her on this team so she can be on the Snowy 2.0 team to make sure that these jobs, these economic benefits go right through these communities right across this part of New South Wales.
So it's exciting to announce the green light for Snowy 2.0. It's been a long way coming. There's already $1 billion, Paul tells me, has already been poured in. As you can see, this used to be a goat track and now it is of a great standard in terms of the roadworks that have been put in, the bridges and the other things that have been necessary. Flying in here today you could see the scale of works done. And I remember, Paul, when we took that trip in the chopper to announce the final investment decision and you were telling me where it was all going to go and it was just baron areas across these places and now look at what's happened in such a short period of time.
So we're on the go at Snowy 2.0, and I'm going to invite now Sussan Ley to speak to the approval of the project and the environmental mitigations supports that have been put in place. Angus Taylor will then also speak as the minister responsible for the project and I will ask Paul to speak on the specific details of the works. Thank you.
THE HON. SUSSAN LEY MP, MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: Thank you very much, Prime Minister, and, Fiona. To my good friend Fiona who knows the communities of Eden-Monaro so well, some that I used to represent in a previous iteration as Member for Farrer, thank you for your advocacy for what we're seeing here today.
As a local member, I absolutely appreciate the jobs that this will bring to the important communities of regional New South Wales. But importantly today, as Environment Minister, in signing off the final approval, the green light for this project, $100 million of investment by Snowy Hydro into this environment and, Paul, I want to thank you and your team for the work that you did in providing the information that we needed at New South Wales Government and Commonwealth level for the environmental impact study to make sure that the threatened species, the communities, the precious amenity of Kosciuszko National Park will be protected, remediated and even enhanced.
Now remember, the construction footprint for this second stage of this nation-building renewable energy project is just 0.1% of the park. The actual final operating area is just 0.01%. So I'm giving a sense of the vastness of Kosciuszko and, yes, it's an intense activity but we will, in remediating, in enhancing, in looking after the species that are so important to making this park special, invest through Snowy Hydro, they will invest $100 million.
And this is an example of the approach that the Morrison Government wants to take to environmental approvals. We put together a major projects team in February this year, and that meant a task force with New South Wales and the Commonwealth coming together on the same page, removing duplication, streamlining the assessment, we've got it here in under 21 months, which is our target, down from an average of three and a half years. And the important thing is that we've done this while maintaining the strongest possible environment protection, which is what our determination is as a Commonwealth Government in concert and in consultation with communities and State Governments.
So it's a really good outcome today, PM, and, Paul, again, you and your team and the work that you've done to get us here is much appreciated and I know Angus is pretty excited about the future contribution of this project to our national energy grid.
PRIME MINISTER: Thank you, Sussan.
THE HON. ANGUS TAYLOR MP, MINISTER FOR ENERGY AND EMISSIONS REDUCTION: Thanks, PM, Sussan. Great to be here with Fiona, who I know is absolutely dedicated to this project and to this region. It's fantastic to be back here at Lobs Hole. This is an iconic area. It was iconic for Snowy 1 and it's iconic for Snowy 2.
Now, today is a green light for two really important things. The first is the biggest renewable energy project in this country since Snowy 1. Snowy 1, of course, is the biggest renewable energy project in this country and what it will do is provide firm, dispatchable, on-demand power. That means when you flick the switch you know the power will be there when it is needed. It will provide about a week's worth of storage, up the hill at Tantangara dam, a week's worth of storage, your typical battery these days maybe one or two hours, and it means we will have power when we need it to keep the lights on and to drive prices down. That's what Snowy 2 is all about and it will make a substantial difference to our energy system in this country in both bringing down emissions, bringing down prices, and strengthening reliability.
Of course, this is also a green light to what will be 4,000 jobs over the course of the project. 4,000 jobs, most of which will be local jobs around this area. Just today we had coffees just down the road here from Coffee Peddler from Wynyard Street in Tumut. A local business, one of 100 businesses that is already supplying and servicing Snowy 2 and there will be many, many more to follow. This is a jobs boom for this region. It's a jobs boom that is generating one of the great iconic projects that Australians, for decades to come, will look back on and say that made a real difference to our energy system, thank you.
PAUL BROAD, CEO SNOWY HYDRO: Thank you, Prime Minister. Thank you, ministers. Let me assure you, Prime Minister, that we at Snowy, this is our backyard. This is our environment. Getting approval for continuing the construction, for building this mighty 2.0 was crucial. We've gone to extreme lengths with our partners at FutureGen to not damage some of the really high country, really sensitive parts. I know there's a construction site here in Lobs Hole but it was the most damaged part of the park. An old mine used to be down the road here. There used to be a little town down the end there as well. We will leave this site, it will be better than what it was before we come.
The park is us. The park is who we are. High-quality water, a beautiful environment that we enjoy and the community enjoys is at our heart. This scheme is built about moving water from east to west. It's about protecting the park. So getting the environmental approvals through was fundamental. The enormous amount of work that's gone in behind the scenes to make this happen, has been the driving force behind us from day one. The dream for this scheme started with Angus' grandfather, Sir William Hudson, back in the '60s. To sit here now and to see that dream come true because of what we can do within this beautiful area is just fabulous.
So thank you very much, Prime Minister and Ministers, for coming down here. We very much appreciate it and your direction and involvement allows this to happen. Thank you very much.
PRIME MINISTER: Before we go to questions, also today, you will have noted that the Government is committing $1.3 billion to our cybersecurity program. I'll be having more to say about that tomorrow when I make some important remarks over at ADFA in Canberra. It's an important part of our Defence strategy. It's an important part of keeping Australia safe. It's an important part of ensuring we're skilling up and we're equipping all of our agencies that are responsible in these areas and supporting industry to ensure that we understand the threats, we are equipped to deal with those threats and we can keep Australia's industry safe.
And keeping Australia's industry safe includes projects such as this. Here we are, one of the biggest infrastructure and energy projects that you can imagine and these are the sorts of projects, these are the sorts of pieces of infrastructure, as well as other commercial infrastructure, which can be the target of cybersecurity attacks and so it's important that we invest in protecting these assets and protecting Australians' livelihoods and protecting Australia's interests and our cybersecurity strategy, which was launched back in 2016, with around $150 million - sorry, $260 million put in in the initial investment, a further 150 million about 18 months or so ago and now putting in another $1.3 billion over the next ten years to ensure that we've got the people, we've got the technology, we've got the research and we've got the platforms to be able to combat these very serious and growing threats.
We're totally aware of those threats, we're totally onto the risk that these threats present and this is all part of protecting and building and securing Australia's future, whether it's building Snowy 2.0, or protecting Australia from the many risks and threat that prevent in today's world. Happy to take questions.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, now that Snowy 2.0 has environmental approval from both the State and Commonwealth Government levels, yet there's still plenty of people with concern about the environmental impact. We've even seen the likes of the chair of the New South Wales Fishery Scientific Committee resigning his position over his concerns about the impact on fish species. If the two pro-environmental processes haven't been able to convince expert scientific advisers to government, how are you going to reassure the public that proper care is being taken of the environment in this project?
PRIME MINISTER: I will ask Sussan to comment on this. This has gone through -
THE HON. SUSSAN LEY MP, MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: Look, absolutely, and I know Associate Professor Mark Lintermans was concerned with the New South Wales EIS. I asked my department to speak to him. I know he contacted them. I've also spoken to Paul Broad about his concerns about the Stocky Galaxias, which is a native fish. It's really important to understand that Snowy will be investing $25 million in effectively netting the tunnels that lead from Tantangara Reservoir in the incredibly unlikely event that this fish could - or not this fish, that a pest fish could manage to come up the tunnel into Tantangara and damage the natural environment for the Stocky Galaxias.
So we have got it covered. We've also got a $5 million captive breeding program for the particular native fish that the professor is concerned about and that will be happening in a separately built weir. So following his concerns, which were not with my environmental assessment but with New South Wales' environmental assessment, we've got it covered.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, there's also a big question about the transmission costs that will be needed to ensure that this project is fully integrated with the network. Who's going to pay for those transmission programs?
PRIME MINISTER: Our transmission program is a big part of our energy strategy and Angus can bring you up to date on that.
THE HON. ANGUS TAYLOR MP, MINISTER FOR ENERGY AND EMISSIONS REDUCTION: So infrastructure costs, transmission costs are a natural part of projects that are happening all over the country at the moment, they're common assets, they're regulated assets, and they're treated as such and they will go through the normal process, the RIT-T process, as it's now called, and we're very confident that the economics of transmission stacks up on a range of different projects including projects to the north and south.
JOURNALIST: Who's going to fund -
THE HON. ANGUS TAYLOR MP, MINISTER FOR ENERGY AND EMISSIONS REDUCTION: So it's the same as all transmission projects. Customers pay for them but customers only get them if they're going to bring down the power price and make sure there's reliability. And the regulatory process is designed to ensure that investments don't happen unless they're good for customers. That's how it's set up. And, of course, the good news about Snowy is it is good for customers, it will bring down prices, it will strengthen reliability and that means the net impact on customers' prices will be down.
JOURNALIST: So customers will pay for it but customers will be better off?
THE HON. ANGUS TAYLOR MP, MINISTER FOR ENERGY AND EMISSIONS REDUCTION: Customers will be better off because the power prices will be lower. We're already seeing the benefits of government policies on bringing down power prices now. We've seen reductions of around 40% before COVID and substantially more since then. We need to keep that downward pressure on prices. Of course, we need good projects like Snowy to do exactly that.
PRIME MINISTER: The point Angus is also making is there is an established process for actually providing and supporting the development of transmission lines and that is applying to this project, as it's applying in so many other projects.
JOURNALIST: You talk about the accelerated timeline, can you talk us through what that will mean in terms of delivery of projects?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we commenced the acceleration of the approvals back in February of this year and Paul is probably better placed to take you through what's happening now. But if you look behind us, that's where the digging starts and this is really - the really exciting next phase of this project. There's been a lot of staging going on up until this point, in getting ourselves ready, if you like, at base camp, I suppose, and now the climb begins and, Paul, you might want to speak to the timetable of works.
PAUL BROAD: Very briefly. Three years ago my chief engineer and I were standing at a creek about 400 metres down the road there, it was a bush track, and we've gone from that approval processes and construction within three years. We did that, not because everyone thought it was a great idea. We did that because we invested in the gathering information on the park and if you're really interested in the environment of this park, I suggest you have a good look at some of the details in the EIS. We've discovered species that we didn't know about before. We've discovered the extent of those species now appear in a variety of parks in the park. So the timeframe with his tight, the amount of work we put in was enormous, and I think the park and information bank we have on the park is all the better for it.
PRIME MINISTER: As we work through all these processes, again, this is another one of the reasons why I'm so keen to have a local Liberal member working here with Senator Molan who knows this area extremely well to ensure that this timetable of works and how it's worked through into the community is going as we intended to be and should Fiona be successful this weekend in the Eden-Monaro by-election then she can hit the ground running on this project, working closely with Snowy 2.0 and working closely with the Government to ensure that the two are coming together. The community benefits, the environmental mitigations and the jobs that will come and, of course, the success of the project etc.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you've received Treasury's recommendations on the Job-Keeper program but you've ruled out making a decision on the future of the program until of polls close on Saturday. So is the Government concerned about voter backlash in terms of what it does with JobKeeper?
PRIME MINISTER: We didn't cause the by-election. The by-election has been caused by the retirement of the former member, Labor member, for health reasons and he's gone on to other employment now. We have set out a process for making decisions that is about getting the right decision and taking all the right advice and considering those carefully and we said that that would be done for the economic statement which would be done in late July.
Now, I noticed the criticisms that Labor have made. This is the same Labor Party who sat on the Ken Henry review for six months. Jim Chalmers was the principal adviser to the Treasurer at the time and he wants us to release a report within six days and he couldn't release a report in six months. I mean that is just bold hypocrisy from the Labor Party.
We have just received the report. It requires a lot of integration with other parts of the social security system, the other supports that are in place, we are also working through a lot of the issues relating to insolvency protections that we put in place.
These are not linear and simple things that we're seeking to resolve at this point. I mean, we have spent already, rightly, just shy of $50 billion in the last couple of months. That includes JobKeeper, it includes an extra $8 billion already on JobSeeker payments. It includes the cash flow support, it includes the one-off payment that was made to beneficiaries of the welfare system of over $5 billion. So we are talking about significant expenditure of taxpayers’ money here and we need to make sure we get it well targeted and it does the job.
I've already flagged very clearly there will be a next phase and we are calibrating that next phase and targeting it to ensure that the support is there for those businesses and those employees who will continue to need it because of the ongoing restrictions that we see in place. But for many other businesses, we're pleased to see that there has been some improvement and so these are decisions that you don't rush to meet Labor's timetable. They made a lot of hurried and rushed decisions during the course of the last GFC and they bungled most of them, and we saw terrible consequences of ill-considered decisions, financial decisions by the Labor Party during the last GFC.
We are not making those mistakes. What we are doing is carefully considering the information we have, ensuring that it's well-targeted, and that it is well-considered and integrates well with the other parts of the social security system. Thank goodness Labor isn't making this decision because they'd do it in a hurried and rushed way and they'd completely bungle it like they did last time.
JOURNALIST: But are you worried voters will be disappointed with that next phase?
PRIME MINISTER: Sorry?
JOURNALIST: Are you worried that voters will be worried - disappointed in that next phase of JobKeeper?
PRIME MINISTER: No, I'm not, because the next phase will be like the first phase. It will be well considered, it will be well-targeted, it will do the job that it's intended to do and will be designed by a Government that knows what it's doing and is carefully weighing up all the important issues that have to be weighed up.
When you're going through more than $10 billion a month in supports, you don't rush those decisions. You make them carefully and that is exactly what we're doing. That's exactly what the Treasurer and I are doing, together with the Finance Minister and the other members of Cabinet. I'll be returning again, for meetings again, this week and next week to work through these issues to ensure we can make decisions in time for the economic statement which will be in late July which I have always flagged. That's the plan, that's the timetable, that's what we set out and that's what we will stick to.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you mentioned the $1.3 billion for the cybersecurity announcement. I understand that comes from the Defence budget. Can you explain where that money is coming from within the Defence portfolio?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, they have an overall portfolio allocation across the Defence budget and one of the tasks with the way the Defence budget works is it's constantly targeted and reprioritised to meet what the key demands are and that's what my speech tomorrow to ADFA will go into, about the priorities that we have as a nation in mounting our Defence and those priorities have been adopted and are now being implemented by De-fence to ensure that that investment goes to the place which is needed to keep Australians safe.
JOURNALIST: So what's been deprioritised?
PRIME MINISTER: I'll go into all of these issues tomorrow. What's important is what we need to prioritise and what we need to prioritise is Australian's safety, their cybersecurity, the challenges that we're facing in our own region, in particular. I mean we are living in a time of increasing uncertainty and complexity and COVID-19 has only accelerated all of those issues and so we are facing a much more uncertain world and we have to target our resources. But I can assure you of this, we're going to hit our two-percent of GDP target on Defence spending. We are one of the largest Defence spenders in our nation's history other than in wartime, and as Senator Molan will know, because he was the champion of the two-percent target before we came to government in 2013, not only are we going to hit that target, we're going to hit it in the next financial year and we're going to hit it well ahead of time and that means that by allocating such high levels of investment to our Defence, then we can meet these threats that Australia is facing.
JOURNALIST: So will you set out what's deprioritised in your speech tomorrow?
PRIME MINISTER: What I will set out is where we're spending a money.
JOURNALIST: Just a question to Dr. Kotvojs if that's possible.
PRIME MINISTER: Sure.
JOURNALIST: In your submission to the Royal Commission on bushfires, you mentioned a lot about hazard reduction and reduction strategies, but you made no mention of climate change or reducing carbon emissions, why's that?
DR FIONA KOTVOJS, LIBERAL CANDIDATE FOR EDEN MONARO: So I believe that the climate is changing and I believe that humans are contributing to that change and in my experience where I live, the fires came through our farm and we watched them coming at Cobargo, into Dignams Creek, and the areas where there been hazard reduction already occur the fire came through low intensity and much slower. It caused much less damage. The area where the hazard reduction hadn't occurred, the fire was just so intense. It's caused so much damage.
You look at the bush now and it just looks like an atomic bomb went off there, it's terrible. The regeneration is slow, it's still silent, the animals haven't come back. So in the area where I live, the key thing is hazard reduction and that's a critical factor.
The submission I made is about my experience in my area and I really welcome the fact that we have a royal commission and that the royal commission is looking at the reasons for the fires from Queensland through to South Australia, and they will differ across that area. So for me, I'm really pleased that that's the way we're doing.
JOURNALIST: But do you believe that climate change had an impact on the intensity of this year's fires?
DR FIONA KOTVOJS, LIBERAL CANDIDATE FOR EDEN MONARO: I'm looking forward to the outcomes from the royal commission because that is looking at all of those reasons and I'm really pleased that the terms of reference specifically identified that the royal commission would look at the impact of climate change.
JOURNALIST: But do you personally believe that climate change was a factor in the black summer bushfires in this region?
DR FIONA KOTVOJS, LIBERAL CANDIDATE FOR EDEN MONARO: I can speak about our area because that's where I was fighting the fires with the RFS, that's where I was defending our home and our property. That's where the fires actually rolled through our farm and I know what happened. I can't speak about other places. I wasn't there. But in our place, our farm, my community, the key thing, and the key thing that caused a difference in different places that I could see was hazard reduction and, as I said, I am really pleased that the royal commission is looking at all of the factors across the whole area that caused the bushfires and contributed to them and then I look forward to those recommendations being implemented.
PRIME MINISTER: We'll move it around.
JOURNALIST: Are there any measures in place to make sure that the jobs do stay local, especially for those who were displaced from the forestry industry from the fires?
PRIME MINISTER: Yeah, well as you probably know, we just put in a very significant package of support to the timber industry right across - not just here but right across the country, supporting that sector and particularly those that were obviously impacted by the bushfires down at Eden or other parts of the country. And one of the tasks is always, with any of these big projects, is to make sure we're getting as many local contractors and employers involved and particularly employees and it's great to see so many here today. It's great to see even things like, you know, where the coffee cart comes from is coming locally. But I do know that is a policy of Snowy to be able to be using local jobs and local contractors wherever they can and perhaps, Paul, you might want to talk about your success in that regard.
PAUL BROAD: Thank you, Prime Minister. It's a pleasure to offer so many jobs to local communities particularly those in the Tumut side which were destroyed in the fires. The timber industry has been destroyed. Hundreds and hundreds of jobs have gone. And to go over there and offer jobs with our future generation, to see the young people lining up and asking for jobs and asking for training, is a real pleasure. It's one of the real benefits of this massive project is to create opportunity for young people in the bush that they would not have had.
PRIME MINISTER: One of the things that a lot of my colleagues do on the local level, particularly when it's on infrastructure projects, and I think of people like Luke Howath or Melissa McIntosh, they get involved in local job fairs and they run those local job fairs to connect locals to the employment opportunities that are coming from these major projects. Same occurs up in North Queensland and other parts of the country.
This is why it's so important to have a local Liberal member as part of the Government that can ensure that we can get the best possible integration and connection with the jobs that are here for local businesses and locals to get the jobs that flow from this big project. And this is why on Saturday, there are many reasons to support Fiona Kotvojs, whose experience has been built up over a lifetime of achievement which few can emulate, to be honest, but importantly, this project is the biggest thing that this part of the country has ever seen since Snowy 1 and to make sure that lands as best as it possibly can by voting for Fiona Kotvojs, you're voting for jobs with Snowy 2.0 reaching your community. Last question.
JOURNALIST: One last question on COVID-19 and borders, if that's okay. We're obviously seeing a significant uptick in outbreaks in Victoria. Some States are wanting to continue closing their borders to Victoria for longer, which I'm sure is not the best news. Victoria's considering local isolations. How would you like to see Victoria deal with this?
PRIME MINISTER: I'm working closely with Premier Andrews. I've been in contact with him again this morning. I was in contact with him yesterday and the night before. We are speaking regularly. The health ministers are engaged, as is the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Health Officer in Victoria. All the other States, as I indicated at last Friday's National Cabinet, are focussing how they can provide support and we've got people coming from South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, of course, federal public servants in Melbourne are being deployed out of Services Australia. Some 600 specifically out of that source as well as another, we're hoping to get up to 200 further ADF and if not out of the ADF then out of other areas, depending on what the skills need is for the jobs they need to do. I want to commend the Northern Territory Government with how they're dealing with this. The Northern Territory Government has kept their borders open but they've said if you're coming from one of those hot spots, then you have to declare it and you have to go into quarantine in the Northern Territory. That's how this should be done. That's the right way to do it. There will be outbreaks. There will be hot spots, and you can't just shut Australia up every time there's an outbreak. We need to ensure our economy builds back with confidence and with resilience. So I think it's important that the borders are open. I've always said that. There's nothing new about my view on that topic. What you have to focus on is the hot spots where they occur and if, indeed, a full local lockdown is required in those hot spots then that's the decision the Premier will take and they will take that decision with the full support and backing through resource from the Commonwealth Government as well as from other States and Territories where that is necessary.
But Australia has to go forward. Going forward here with this project, and we have to go forward despite COVID-19. We can't let it hold us back and we can't go stop/start when it comes to these things. There are ways to mitigate the risks that are coming out of Victoria, and, frankly, to resist all of Victoria makes little sense. There is a hot spot in one part of Melbourne. Admittedly, it's very serious, it has our total focus, and it is of great concern. But if you're living in Wangaratta then you're no more affected by what's going on in those suburbs of Melbourne than if you're living in Whyalla. So we've got to get some perspective and that's why I commend the Northern Territory Government on the approach they're taking. They have very sensitive communities in the Northern Territory and I think they've made this call absolutely right and are showing leadership that I think the other States should follow.
JOURNALIST: Just on international news. Overnight some strong words from the British Foreign Secretary and the US Secretary of State regarding reports out of China that Uighurs are being forced to take birth control. Have you seen those reports and are you equally as horrified by them as our allies have been?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, look, I haven't seen those reports, Brett, and I'm sure later today I will be briefed on them, given my transit this morning and dealing with the Victorian outbreak issues earlier today. We have meetings this afternoon where I'm sure that will be raised. So it's difficult for me to comment on them without having that first-hand report or that direct report, I should say, from my own agencies.
The Australian Government has always taken a very consistent position on the treatment of Uighurs and we've expressed our concern, both privately and publicly, about the treatment of such minority groups and we have done that consistent with our values and we've sought to do that in a respectful and in a direct way. And so, you know, we would do nothing other than be consistent in our approach on these issues and always will be. I mean, in relationships, in good relationships, you raise these issues, as we have. You do it in a respectful way and we would hope that all minorities would be treated with the proper respect and human dignity that we would expect of our own families. Thanks very much.
Defending Australia and its Interests
1 July 2020
Prime Minister, Minister for Defence
The Morrison Government will invest $270 billion over the next 10 years to upgrade the capability and potency of the Australian Defence Force to keep Australians safe while protecting the country’s interests in a changing global environment.
In its 2020 Defence Strategic Update, released today, the Morrison Government will signal a key change in Australia's defence posture, as it prioritises the Indo-Pacific region.
The update provides a new plan to tackle Australia’s defence challenges while increasing investment and personnel across the entire ADF.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Strategic Update would also mean more job opportunities as Australia’s increasingly capable and sovereign defence industry grows.
“My first priority is keeping Australians safe,” the Prime Minister said.
“The Federal Government is committed to ensuring the Australian Defence Force is equipped to meet our growing regional challenges in the Indo-Pacific, and to achieve our goals of regional stability, peace and security.
“Whether it’s our Pacific Step Up, our engagement with regional neighbours, or our deepening cooperation with partners new and old, our focus must be on the Indo-Pacific – it’s where we live and where our interests are.
“Our new strategic defence policy ensures that the Indo-Pacific is front of mind for our ADF and is prioritised in the decisions we make on our deployments and our force structure and capabilities.
“We are also providing Defence with the funding certainty it needs to deliver on our new strategic defence policy.
“This will ensure we are able to shape our environment, deter actions against our interests and, if required, respond with military force.
“More broadly, we are ensuring Defence has more durable supply chains, while further strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence industry to create more high-tech Australian jobs and enhance the ADF’s self-reliance.”
These new policy settings will be a long-term undertaking for Defence with implementation underway.
Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the recent bushfire season and the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced a further dimension to what national defence entails, now and into the future.
“Defence thinking, strategy and planning have shifted gears to respond to our constantly changing and deteriorating strategic and defence environment,” Minister Reynolds said.
“Australia’s security environment is changing quickly, with militarisation, disruptive technological change and new grey zone threats making our region less safe.
“That’s why this Government will invest in more lethal and long-range capabilities to hold adversary forces and infrastructure at risk further from Australia, including longer-range strike weapons, offensive cyber capabilities and area denial capabilities.
“We will also invest in capabilities to give Australia better awareness of our region and to support regional engagement, while substantially increasing our air and sea lift capability to ensure we can rapidly respond to events across our region.
“These investments will provide significantly increased opportunity for Australia’s Defence industry, which the Morrison Government is committed to further strengthening.”
Australia’s defence industry is growing with over 4,000 businesses employing approximately 30,000 staff. An additional 11,000 Australian companies directly benefit from Defence investment and, when further downstream suppliers are included, the benefits flow to approximately 70,000 workers.
Defence planning will prioritise Australia’s immediate region – ranging from the north-eastern Indian Ocean, through maritime and mainland South East Asia to Papua New Guinea and the South West Pacific.
As a result, the new strategic policy will require force structure and capability adjustments, which are focused on the region, responding to grey-zone challenges that threaten our national interests, the possibility of high-intensity conflict and domestic crises.
The long term implications for Defence capability and force structure are outlined in the 2020 Force Structure Plan, which has also been released.
The 2020 Defence Strategic Update and 2020 Force Structure Plan are available here - https://www.Defence.gov.au/StrategicUpdate-2020/
Interview with Today
1 July 2020
ALLISON LANGDON: A very good morning to you, Prime Minister.
PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Ally.
LANGDON: Now, I want to talk first about these outbreaks in Melbourne. I mean, how is it that we've got to this point? Is it bad luck or mismanagement?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, outbreaks are not surprising. We always said there would be some and no system is perfect and Australia is still far ahead of the rest of the world. And let's remember, seven states and territories have pretty much no community transmission at all. But where outbreaks do occur, you need to move on them, as the Victorian government is and they have our full support to that. We're putting significant resources in to assist them. Other states are helping them as well. For all of those living in those parts of Melbourne who are affected by these lockdowns, you're doing all other Australians a great service by patiently working through those. You're saving lives, you're saving livelihoods. And it's important that we get on top of this and we're moving very quickly to do that and we'll continue to do that to keep all Australians safe, but particularly also those who are living in those parts of Melbourne.
LANGDON: These outbreaks go back basically to breaches to do with security at the hotel quarantine. I mean, are you being briefed as to why this is happening or how it's happened?
PRIME MINISTER: Yes, there are lessons there and the Victorian Premier Dan Andrews also shared that information with National Cabinet last Friday and so that's an important opportunity for other states to learn the lessons. Let's not forget that it has been Victoria, Melbourne in particular, and Sydney that have been doing the heavy lifting when it has come to returning Australians from overseas. I mean, many of the other states, there are now international flights going into Tasmania, few going into South Australia and less are going into Queensland than are going into New South Wales and Victoria. And both of those states have been running those quarantines, they've been paying for them themselves, and that means their risks have been greater. And so I thank the New South Wales and Victorian governments for doing that heavy lifting on behalf of all other states and territories. But that means the risks are higher and Victoria has had this outbreak. We always knew there would be outbreaks. The issue is not whether they occur, but how you deal with them, and we are dealing with it in concert with the Victorian government.
LANGDON: I mean, they are costly mistakes. Do you think this could derail our national recovery?
PRIME MINISTER: Not if we get it right. I mean, that is always the risk. But it's also important to keep it in perspective. We've got to keep our economy open, because if we don't do that, that will cost jobs. And whether it's in any part of the country, we've got to keep opening that economy. We deal with the outbreaks. You keep the testing, you keep the tracing, you keep the social distance, you download the COVIDSafe app, you do all of this. They’re the protections against coronavirus and that's what we need to keep being diligent about.
LANGDON: Pretty disappointing when we then hear people are refusing to be tested.
PRIME MINISTER: It is disappointing. But, you know, we're doing this in an Australian way. We're looking to do it through incentive, through the use of carrot, not stick. But occasionally the stick will have to be put about, whether it's fines or other sanctions that are in place to ensure that we keep everybody safe.
LANGDON: Annastacia Palaszczuk has just told me that she is sick of you singling her out on borders. Why are you picking on Queensland?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I haven't. There's an election in Queensland, so I'm not surprised that the political rhetoric is amping up. Look, we're keeping all of the country together to focus on this. I made similar comments about the changes in borders in South Australia yesterday. So, look, I think you can file that under a Queensland election.
LANGDON: Has it frustrated you that the states haven't followed the federal advice on borders?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, on borders there's never been a National Cabinet decision to have internal borders. That was never the medical expert advice that was given to National Cabinet. States have gone their own way and the reason a lot of the other states haven't had the same impact is because they haven't had the same number of returning travellers that have come into Sydney and Melbourne. I mean, if Sydney and Melbourne said, you know what? If people if Queenslanders or South Australians or Tasmanians or Western Australians want to go straight through Sydney or Melbourne and go back to your home states without quarantining, well, I think they would been presented with a lot more risks. And so everyone's been sharing the burden. We've been bringing the country together through the National Cabinet. My comments have been about keeping the economy and getting the economy open. That's why I commended Michael Gunner up in the Northern Territory yesterday. What they've done is ensure that people coming out of hotspots where there are outbreaks, certainly they shouldn't be leaving those areas or indeed going to other parts of the country. And I thought that was a very responsible action from Michael and showed great leadership.
LANGDON: Prime Minister, you said when you rolled out JobKeeper and JobSeeker so quickly that they would evolve, they would change and that you would keep us informed. So why choose an arbitrary date three weeks from now to tell us the future of these programmes? Why can't you do it now?
PRIME MINISTER: Because those decisions haven't even yet been made, Ally. That's why. And these are very complex decisions. There will be further phases of how we support individuals and companies that are under still very heavy restrictions and businesses are being affected. But you've got to plug that into what's happening in the many other parts of the social security system. We set ourselves the date to prepare an economic statement in late July. That's where we have to, you know, reconcile all of that with the national books and people need to know what it costs. I mean, we're burning on JobKeeper, rightly, at the present over $10 billion a month. We've already spent on all of these programmes almost $50 billion over just the last couple of months. So the Government hasn't been backward in stepping up to ensure people get the support they need and we will continue to apply that careful discipline. You know, you rush these decisions which involve tens of billions of dollars then you know what happens. We saw that during the last economic crisis where we had money spraying everywhere on all sorts of programmes being ill spent and cheques going off to pets and deceased people. That's not how you run a competent programme and we've been very careful to get our decisions right and that has been going well and we'll keep doing that.
LANGDON: Talking about money, over the next 10 years or we're spending a staggering $270 billion on defence. Is China that great of a threat?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we can't afford not to invest in our defence and the first responsibility of the Federal Government is always our national defence, keeping Australians safe. Because we believe in a peaceful, stable region of the Indo-Pacific. Today is all about recognising the world is changing. The big competition between China and the United States means tensions are much higher. I mean, we haven't seen a time of instability coming out of COVID-19 like this since the 1930s and early 1940s. And so we need to be conscious of that. We need to be prepared. We need to be working with other countries in the region. And all of our defence force and defence strategy is built on the alliance also as a foundation with the United States.
So, you know, we're aware of the potential threats and we're taking action to counter those and work with others, because at the end of the day, we want a peaceful, stable region. And I believe all the other countries in our region want the same thing and that's certainly the case when I talk to them and I think we can work together to achieve that goal. But having a credible, focused defence force, we can't afford not to have that, and this is a very carefully thought through plan, 10 years of certainty about where our military can deploy their investments, everything from from satellites to cyber, cyber platforms to additional maritime and air combat systems and long-range missile capabilities, which means that there were threats do emerge, we can take them further away from Australia.
LANGDON: That's plenty being thrown at you, Prime Minister, thank you so much for your time this morning. We appreciate it.
PRIME MINISTER: Thank you, Ally. Thanks for your time.
The Consumer Data Right Arrives
1 July 2020
Prime Minister, Treasurer, Assistant Minister for Superannuation Financial Services and Financial Technology
Australians will be able to unleash the power of their own data to compare and switch banking products as the Morrison Government officially launches the Consumer Data Right today.
Following the successful implementation by the four major banks of the IT infrastructure needed to enable the Consumer Data Right in banking, “Open Banking” will now commence in relation to deposits, transaction accounts, credit and debit cards.
Open Banking is a game changing reform for Australians and will revolutionise the way that consumers and small businesses use their data to compare prices and switch between products and providers in the banking sector.
The Government has been working closely with the four major banks, the FinTech industry, the ACCC and Data61 to design, build and test the rules and infrastructure that will allow consumers to securely direct their banking data to another major bank or accredited FinTech provider.
FinTechs that become accredited through the ACCC will be able to connect into the system and with a consumers express consent, be able to use the latest technology to analyse their data and help consumers determine whether their banking products are best suited to their needs. As the technology evolves, so will the offerings that FinTechs will be able to provide to individuals and small businesses.
Open Banking will also allow consumers to share their data with other banks to make it easier to compare and switch and get access to the best deal for them.
Importantly, the regime has strict privacy and security protections and allows consumers to control what data is shared, with whom and for what purposes. FinTechs will need to meet stringent standards to become accredited and maintain those standards to remain accredited.
There has been significant interest by FinTechs to become accredited data recipients with 39 providers currently in the process of being accredited by the ACCC.
From 1 November 2020, the range of banking products available under Open Banking will be expanded, allowing customers of the four major banks to access and share their mortgage, personal loan and joint account data. Non-major banks will allow their customers to share their data for each account type within twelve months.
The Government would like to thank the four major banks and Australia’s Fintech community for their commitment and dedication to delivering this significant milestone, especially given the disruption that has been caused by COVID-19.
Today’s announcement complements the formal designation of energy earlier this week as the next sector to be subject to the Consumer Data Right.
The Morrison Government will continue to implement reforms to help Australians harness new technology, create jobs and support the economy’s recovery from the coronavirus crisis.
Further information on the Consumer Data Right is available.
Environmental Approval for Snowy Hydro 2.0
30 June 2020
Prime Minister, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction
Australia’s largest ever renewable energy project, Snowy 2.0, has been given the green light to create thousands of new jobs and put downward pressure on electricity prices.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced that Commonwealth environmental approval for the project has been granted after a rigorous environmental process.
”This marks the final step in the planning and approvals phase and the beginning of a new wave of jobs and investment for the region, which will guarantee clean, affordable energy and position our country for the future,” the Prime Minister said.
”Just as the original Snowy Hydro project brought jobs and prosperity to Australia after the Second World War, Snowy 2.0 will help Australia grow its way out of the economic challenges from the coronavirus.
“Already Snowy 2.0 is creating a jobs boom, with over 100 local businesses benefiting from the Government’s investment to date, with much more local investment to come.”
Over the life of the project Snowy 2.0 will create 4,000 direct jobs, as well as many more indirect jobs as flow-on benefits are realised by local businesses and the broader region.
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said the rigorous environmental assessment underlined the importance of the bilateral assessment with NSW.
“Not only has the approval paved the way for critical infrastructure that will help the environment, it has ensured vital funding for protecting the area’s biodiversity,” Minister Ley said.
“The final Commonwealth review resulted in additional conditions around heritage, public transparency on data used to underpin mitigation strategies and the protection of native fish species.
“The approval process ensures the development is built and operated in a way that sensitively avoids, mitigates and rehabilitates environmental impacts while protecting the environment and its rich biodiversity as we move to a clean energy future.”
As part of the approval, Snowy Hydro will invest almost $100 million in biodiversity and environmental enhancements, including establishing an offset fund of up to $73.8m through the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to protect threatened species and deliver long-term conservation outcomes.
Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said Snowy Hydro 2.0 is a vital project for the National Electricity Market.
“Snowy 2.0 will provide an additional 2,000 megawatts of fast-start, dispatchable energy and provide 350,000 megawatt hours of large-scale storage, enough to power the equivalent of 500,000 homes for over a week during peak demand,” Minister Taylor said.
“It will reduce volatility in the market, support reliability and bring down power prices for Australian families and businesses.
“Snowy 2.0 is a key part of the Government’s agenda to deliver affordable, reliable power and ensure Australians get a fair deal on energy.”
More information about Snowy 2.0 is online at snowyhydro.com.au/our-scheme/snowy20.
Nation's Largest Ever Investment in Cyber Security
30 June 2020
Prime Minister, Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Defence
The Federal Government will make the nation’s largest ever investment in cyber security, with $1.35 billion over the next decade to enhance the cyber security capabilities and assistance provided to Australians through the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) and the Australian Cyber Security Centre.
This significant investment, known as the Cyber Enhanced Situational Awareness and Response (CESAR) package, will mean that we can identify more cyber threats, disrupt more foreign cybercriminals, build more partnerships with industry and government and protect more Australians.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said malicious cyber activity against Australia is increasing in frequency, scale and sophistication.
“The Federal Government’s top priority is protecting our nation’s economy, national security and sovereignty. Malicious cyber activity undermines that.”
“My Government’s record investment in our nation’s cyber security will help ensure we have the tools and capabilities we need to fight back and keep Australians safe,” the Prime Minister said.
The CESAR package has been designed to boost protection and cyber resilience for all Australians, from individuals and small businesses through to the providers of critical services, including through:
New capabilities to disrupt and defeat malicious cyber activity, providing greater capacity to take the fight to cybercriminals offshore and to neutralise and block emerging cyber threats to Australia, including:
Over $31 million to enhance the ability of ASD to disrupt cybercrime offshore, taking the fight to foreign criminals that seek to target Australians, and providing assistance to federal, state and territory law enforcement agencies.
Over $35 million to deliver a new cyber threat-sharing platform, enabling industry and government to share intelligence about malicious cyber activity, and block emerging threats in near real-time.
Over $12 million towards new strategic mitigations and active disruption options, enabling ASD and Australia’s major telecommunications providers to prevent malicious cyber activity from ever reaching millions of Australians across the country by blocking known malicious websites and computer viruses at speed.
Enhancing our understanding of malicious cyber activity so that emerging cyber threats can be more rapidly identified and responded to, including:
Over $118 million for ASD to expand its data science and intelligence capabilities, ensuring Australia remains at the forefront of the technological advancements in cyber security, including the identification of emerging cyber threats to Australia.
Over $62 million to deliver a national situational awareness capability to better enable ASD to understand and respond to cyber threats on a national scale. This includes informing vulnerable sectors of the economy about threats most likely to impact them, coupled with tailored advice and assistance about how to mitigate cyber threats.
Over $20 million to establish cutting-edge research laboratories to better understand threats to emerging technology, ensuring that ASD continues to provide timely and authoritative advice about the most secure approaches for organisations to adopt new technology.
To deliver these capabilities and initiatives, the package also includes a $470 million investment to expand our cyber security workforce, with the creation of over 500 new jobs within ASD. Australians who want an exciting career at ASD should go to Careers on the ASD website.
The remaining details of the CESAR Package will be detailed in our 2020 Cyber Security Strategy, which will build on the strong foundations established by our $230 million 2016 Cyber Security Strategy and our $156 million 2019 cyber security election commitment.
The Minister for Defence, Senator Reynolds, said that this massive investment would have a real impact on the cyber security of all Australians.
“The package will put our nation on the front foot in combatting cyber threats and our investment in a cyber security workforce will help ensure we have the people we need to meet future cyber challenges,” Senator Reynolds said.
“For example, this package will enable ASD and Australia’s major telecommunications providers to prevent malicious cyber activity from reaching millions of Australians by blocking known malicious websites and computer viruses at speed,”
“This package is one part of our $15 billion investment in cyber and information warfare capabilities that will form part of Defence’s 2020 Force Structure Plan to address the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape.”
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said the Australian Federal Police and other Home Affairs agencies are confronting increasingly brazen cyber criminals and other online threats.
“This investment will significantly strengthen our agencies’ ability to tackle these threats,” Minister Dutton said.
Joint Media Statement - Owen Harries
29 June 2020
Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Women
It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of one of the architects of Australia’s modern foreign policy, Owen Harries.
While born and raised in Wales, Owen made Australia his home. He lectured in politics and government before becoming a trusted advisor to the Fraser Government of the 1970s and 1980s.
He served in senior roles in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including as Australian Ambassador to UNESCO, as well as in senior advisory roles to Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser and Foreign Minister Andrew Peacock.
In this time he is credited with being the driving force behind Australia’s post-Vietnam foreign policy, including advocating for greater Australian engagement with developing countries through a combination of economic growth, social development and political stability.
He became an influential figure in US politics, founding and editing The National Interest, a key foreign policy magazine, for two decades in Washington D.C..
Australia was never far from Owen’s heart however – and with his wife Dorothy, he retired back to Sydney in the early 2000s.
A shrewd, practical and highly intelligent man, Owen has left an indelible mark on Australia’s place in the world.
He passed away in Sydney last week, aged 90. Vale Owen Harries.