Media Releases
Establishment of a Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
19 April 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Veteran's Affairs, Minister for Defence Personnel, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations
The death of any Australian Defence Force member or veteran is one death too many and a tragedy that is deeply felt by all Australians. Tragically, and heartbreakingly, this includes death by suicide.
Recognising this, the Government will take the step of recommending to the Governor‑General the establishment of a Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide, following a period of consultation on draft Terms of Reference, with the relevant community and state and territory governments.
The Royal Commission will complement the Government’s existing initiative to establish a permanent National Commission to proactively deal with future issues, including taking on other recommendations of a Royal Commission.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Royal Commission will be set up after listening to community calls for a national inquiry focusing on the systemic issues faced by Australian Defence Force members and veterans that too often results in their loss of life to suicide.
“Suicide prevention is a key priority for the Federal Government,” the Prime Minister said.
“We have always recognised that the rate of suicide of Australian Defence Force members and veterans is unacceptably high,” the Prime Minister said.
“In recognising the sacrifices made by our serving and former members and their families on behalf of the nation, we owe it to members, veterans and their families to continue to take action.”
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said the Royal Commission was another step in our efforts to build confidence, trust and hope for current and future veterans and their families that they will be supported.
“This will provide an opportunity for us all to reset, further increase our understanding of this issue, and unite the Parliament, the ex-service community, and the families who have been affected by suicide,” Minister Chester said.
“As a nation we take great pride in the men and women who have served our nation in uniform, and as a Government we have committed to help them with any mental or physical issues that are a result of that service.”
The Attorney-General, Michaelia Cash said the Attorney-General's Department will provide administrative support to the Royal Commission.
"Reducing lives lost to suicide is a priority for the Morrison Government."
"Our aim for this Royal Commission is that it will shed light on the critical steps we need to take so that we can reduce these heartbreaking cases of suicide."
Crucially, the Royal Commission will not defer, delay or limit, in any way, any proposed or announced policy, legislation or regulation that we are currently implementing.
The Government intends that the Royal Commission and the National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention will be established together and operate in a complementary way to achieve long-term change.
The Royal Commission will look at past deaths by suicide (including suspected suicides and lived experience of suicide risks) from a systemic point of view, while the National Commissioner will have a forward-looking role, including overseeing the implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations.
The National Commissioner Bill currently before the Parliament will be amended to ensure their work complements the work of the Royal Commission and examines deaths by suicide in the defence and veteran community that occur after the Royal Commission has handed down their final report.
Given the complex issues for consideration, and the importance of hearing from Australian Defence Force members, veterans and their families, the Government envisages that three Commissioners will be needed to lead the inquiry. Consultation is underway to appoint these candidates.
Minister Chester will lead a public consultation process on the draft Terms of Reference and the Prime Minister will write to First Ministers inviting their contributions to the draft Terms of Reference with the view of a joint Commonwealth-State Royal Commission.
The Federal Government is committed to ensuring all the systems of support for our veterans and their families are working together, and importantly that when someone who may be struggling reaches out for help, which we are there to support them.
Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide – Themes for consultation
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide Terms of Reference will be determined in consultation with the defence and veteran community and states and territories. We expect that it will cover the following themes:
Systemic issues and analysis of the contributing risk factors relevant to defence and veteran death by suicide, including:
Contribution of pre-service, service (including training), transition and post-service issues
The relevance of issues such as service, posting history and rank of the defence member or veteran
The manner of the recruitment of the person into the Australian Defence Force
The manner in which a person transitioned from the Australian Defence Force
The availability, quality and effectiveness of health, wellbeing and support services
How information about individuals is shared by and within the government.
How matters of individuals’ mental and physical health are captured during enlistment and during and after service.
The quality and availability of support services for families, friends and colleagues affected by a defence and veteran death by suicide.
The risk factors of defence members and veterans who have attempted or contemplated suicide or have other lived experiences of suicide.
The protective and rehabilitative factors for defence members and veterans who have attempted or contemplated suicide or have other lived experiences of suicide.
The engagement of defence members and veterans with Commonwealth, State or Territory Governments about support services, claims or entitlements.
The Royal Commission will be asked to make any recommendations, including recommendations about any policy, legislative, administrative or structural reforms.
The Royal Commission will be asked to have regard to:
Previous relevant reports and inquiries.
The work of the interim National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention.
The support available to members and veterans of other defence forces, particularly in Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The role of government and non-government organisations
Support services for families and others impacted by defence and veteran death by suicide
Opportunities to promote the understanding of suicide risks and protective factors in the defence and general community.
The Royal Commission will not be required to inquire into matters that it is satisfied have been dealt with by other inquiries, investigations or criminal or civil proceedings. Further, it will not be required to make findings of civil or criminal wrongdoing or findings about individual defence and veteran deaths by suicide.
The Royal Commission will be asked to focus on systemic issues, recognising that they will be informed by individual experiences and may need to make referrals to appropriate authorities.
The Royal Commission will be asked to recognise that its inquiries, including its findings and recommendations, will provide a foundation for the future work of the National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention..
Commencement of Two-Way Quarantine-Free Travel between Australia and New Zealand
19 April 2021
Today, Australia and New Zealand have fulfilled their commitment to establish two-way quarantine free travel, with New Zealand removing the quarantine requirement for eligible travellers from Australia.
Trans-Tasman quarantine free travel is a world-leading arrangement that opens up travel while aiming to keep COVID out of the community.
It reflects the sustained efforts to date of both countries in managing the virus.
Both Prime Ministers are proud of the outstanding success achieved by the people of Australia and New Zealand in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This success, and our confidence that both countries have robust processes in place to ensure travel can be undertaken safely, has made quarantine free travel possible.
The travel across the Tasman demonstrates our special relationship and the long history of freedom of movement between Australia and New Zealand.
Fulfilment of our commitment will allow many friends and family across the Tasman to re-unite for the first time in over a year.
Our countries share a Single Economic Market, and two-way travel across the Tasman will help drive the economic recovery for both countries while we continue to navigate the COVID-19 global pandemic, especially in the travel and tourism sectors.
It will also enable closer trans-Tasman business engagement, which will drive broader economic activity in both Australia and New Zealand.
“Today’s milestone is a win-win for Australians and New Zealanders, boosting our economies while keeping our people safe and just in time for ANZAC Day,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
“Both countries have done a remarkable job in protecting our communities from COVID and two-way flights are an important step in our road out.”
“It is truly exciting to start quarantine-free travel with Australia. Be it returning family, friends or holiday makers, New Zealand says welcome and enjoy yourself.” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.
“The bubble marks a significant step in both countries reconnection with the world and it’s one we should all take a moment to be very proud of.”
The commencement of two-way travel follows Australia’s decision in October 2020 to allow quarantine free-travel from New Zealand.
Australia and New Zealand are also exploring opportunities to extend quarantine-free travel to other countries in the Pacific, when it is safe to do so, reflecting our close ties to the Pacific and our commitment to supporting their recovery.
Ensuring the safety of our populations continues to be a primary consideration in managing our borders. In this evolving pandemic, the risks of quarantine-free travel will be under constant review.
Travellers will need to be prepared for possible disruption to travel arrangements at short notice and to follow specific protocols before, during and after their travel. Information for travellers can be found on the Australian Smartraveller website and New Zealand's Unite Against COVID-19 website.
National Cabinet Statement
19 April 2021
The National Cabinet met today to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response and changes to the Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy.
National Cabinet continues to work together to address issues and find solutions to the health and economic consequences of COVID-19.
There have been 29,500 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 910 people have died. More than 16.3 million tests have been undertaken in Australia.
Globally there have been over 141 million cases and sadly over 3 million deaths, with around 698,000 new cases and more than 9,000 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in many countries around the world.
Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues to expand. To date 1,586,252 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia. The number of administration sites continues to expand with 4,500 general practices, general practice respiratory centres and Aboriginal health services now administering COVID-19 vaccinations.
Today, National Cabinet received a detailed briefing from Professor Allen Cheng, Co-Chair of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) on rare cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) associated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. National Cabinet will continue to receive updated advice on TTS including potential identification of risk factor and treatment options.
National Cabinet also received a presentation from the President of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Omar Khorshid, on the vaccine rollout in phase 1b of the Australian COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy by GPs and other primary healthcare providers and the ongoing role for the sector.
National Cabinet welcomed Commodore Eric Young, CSC, RAN, who has been appointed as Operations Coordinator for the Commonwealth’s Department of Health’s Vaccine Operations Centre.
National Cabinet received a detailed update from Professor Brendan Murphy, Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Health and Caroline Edwards, Associate Secretary, Commonwealth Department of Health on domestic and international supply and changes to the Australian Vaccination Strategy.
The priority of the Australian COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy remains to vaccinate vulnerable populations under priority groups 1a and 1b. The medical advice remains that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is safe and recommended for Australians 50 years of age and older and all states will continue to be prioritised AstraZeneca for Australians 50 years of age and older.
National Cabinet agreed in-principle to a series of changes to the Australian COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy that will be put forward for approval at the next meeting of National Cabinet including options to bring forward the commencement of vaccinations for Australians 50 years of age and older under the Australian COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy priority group 2a, and the readiness of more state and territory-operated vaccination sites including mass vaccination sites, as vaccine supplies increase.
National Cabinet reinforced that general practice will continue to be the primary model of rolling out vaccinations for Australians 50 years of age and older, with states and territories to consider options to supplement rollout through expanded state vaccination centres.
The Commonwealth will continue to finalise the vaccination of residential aged care facility (RACF) residents with Pfizer using an in-reach model.
National Cabinet will meet again on Thursday 22 April 2021.
Energy and Emissions Reduction Agreement with South Australia
18 April 2021
Prime Minister, Premier of South Australia, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, South Australian Minister for Energy and Mining
The Morrison and Marshall Governments have signed a $1.08 billion State Energy and Emissions Reduction Deal that will deliver secure, reliable and affordable energy to South Australians and help Australia continue to meet and beat its emissions reduction targets.
Under the agreement, the governments will pursue initiatives that create additional dispatchable generation to help deliver affordable and reliable power, unlock gas supplies to help prevent shortfalls in the market, kick-start works on a new interconnector between South Australia and New South Wales, and invest in key emissions reduction projects.
The Commonwealth will contribute $660 million and South Australia will provide $422 million as part of the agreement.
Key components of the deal include:
a gas target of an additional 50 petajoules per annum by the end of 2023 and a stretch target of 80 petajoules per annum by 2030 to help increase the supply of reliable and affordable gas to users in South Australia and the broader east coast gas market;
$400 million in Commonwealth funding for investment in priority areas such as carbon capture and storage, electric vehicles, hydrogen and other emissions reduction projects in South Australia to help meet and beat Australia's commitments under the Paris Agreement;
up to $100 million joint support for Project EnergyConnect through joint underwriting of key early works on a 50/50 basis to boost the flow of power between South Australia and New South Wales; and
up to $110 million in Commonwealth concessional finance for solar thermal and other storage projects in South Australia.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the bilateral agreement is a key part of delivering on the Government’s plan to ensure South Australians get a fair deal on energy, businesses get the affordable energy they need to create jobs and Australia meets our emissions reduction targets to address climate change.
“Families and businesses need affordable, reliable power. That is what reduces prices and creates jobs. Australians also want to ensure we are doing everything we responsibly can to combat climate change,” the Prime Minister said.
“This means getting more gas into the market to support the increase in renewable solar and wind power coming into the electricity system. One works with the other to deliver lower cost, lower emissions and reliable power.
“This deal also makes sure that Australia gets ahead and stays ahead in the new energy economy by supporting the next wave of technologies, with a $400 million commitment for investing in key areas that have the potential to deliver new industries and opportunities for South Australians. This means more jobs and Australia not being left behind.
“This agreement will support investment and more jobs in South Australia and will be a key driver of our economic recovery from COVID-19.”
Premier of South Australia Steven Marshall said this is yet another example of his Government working hand in hand with the Commonwealth to lower energy bills for South Australians.
“Importantly, this MoU backs the SA-NSW Interconnector – which will secure the South Australian grid, increase renewable energy, and bring down bills for consumers in SA by around $100,” Premier Marshall said.
“This agreement also coordinates our efforts to deliver a hydrogen export industry in South Australia, deliver carbon capture and storage to reduce emissions, deliver the infrastructure needed for electric cars, and generate new revenue for farmers from carbon reductions.
“Put simply – this agreement is going to lower power bills for South Australians and create jobs in the fast growing renewables industry.”
Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said through this agreement South Australians can look forward to more secure, reliable and affordable power, with benefits also flowing to the broader National Electricity Market.
“The initiatives we are partnering with South Australia on today will help keep the lights on, deliver lower energy prices, strengthen our economy and create more jobs as we rebuild from the coronavirus pandemic,” Minister Taylor said.
“The focus on gas will help South Australia meet its own gas needs and assist efforts to prevent forecast shortfalls in the broader east coast gas market from 2023, as part of our gas-fired recovery.”
Minister for Energy and Mining Dan van Holst Pellekaan said this agreement would contribute to South Australia achieving net-100% renewables by 2030, and becoming an exporter of renewables and gas to support the national electricity market.
“By securing this historic $400 million commitment, South Australia can grow our economy and exceed our emission reduction targets,” Minister van Holst Pellekaan said.
“The joint commitment to develop hydrogen hubs in South Australia is a strong sign to our global partners in Asia and Europe that South Australia can lead the nation in this new industry.”
The inclusion of gas supply targets and regulatory reform actions in the agreement builds on the measures the Government has outlined as part of our gas-fired recovery from COVID-19.
Achieving improved and lower cost gas production in the Cooper Basin and a step-change in gas production in the Otway Basin will be a key focus.
Both governments will continue to address regulatory barriers to investment, share National Greenhouse Accounts data and work co-operatively through existing national governance frameworks to achieve national policy objectives in energy affordability, energy security and emissions reduction.
The Morrison Government is working with state and territory governments to establish agreements that accelerate cooperation on energy and emissions reduction projects.
These agreements will help deliver affordable and reliable energy to consumers, while reducing emissions and creating jobs.
Doorstop - Kalbarri, WA
16 April 2021
Prime Minister: Well, here we are at Pelican Shores in Kalbarri, seeing the terrible devastation and there are many such scenes as I tour around the community today. I’ve spoken to those who have been deeply affected by what has occurred here. I’ve also had the opportunity, together with Reece and Melissa and the team to thank those who have been turning up to come to the aid of those here in Kalbarri.
We've seen too many disasters in this country over recent years. But on each occasion, the Australian spirit and the Australian response is truly humbling. Whether it's those who are turning out to help their fellow Australians, travelling great distances. There are people who are coming here to Kalbarri, a small town in a very remote part of Western Australia, they're coming from other states, they're coming from New South Wales, they're coming from Perth, and they're coming here to help, and their response is extraordinary. But then there are those who have been impacted themselves directly. Meeting some of those volunteers today, they themselves have had their homes and their businesses destroyed, but there they are, supporting, once again, as we've seen on so many occasions, supporting their fellow Australians, even though they themselves have suffered considerable loss.
My message to the people of Kalbarri today is that Australia is standing with you, as Australia has stood with all of those Australians who have faced such terrible natural disasters. The immediate need is to provide the urgent support, whether it's the emergency payments, which I'll ask Melissa Price to speak a bit more about in a moment, or the work that has been done by the state government which Reece can speak to as well. But Australia is standing with the people of Kalbarri and the broader Northampton region, because it isn't just what has occurred in this town, as we have been hearing today. Of course, the devastation that we've seen in the tourism businesses that are here. I met a young women today and her son whose boat hire business has been devastated and we've been up to Rainbow Jungle and it is a magic place and I can imagine what it would have been like before this storm hit and today it is a scene of devastation. But the resolve of the people of this community to want to restore what has been lost and make it even better than it was before, I think, is truly admirable in the Australian spirit.
But beyond these towns, there is the agricultural producers and those who are getting crops in, which will also be devastated, and they will see a full year, I would have thought, of income that they won't be able to generate. The disaster payments, the recovery arrangements that are put in place that we provide are there to help those communities rebuild. To help those producers restore their income-producing businesses in the agricultural sector, and to help people clear the debris from their homes and to ensure that they can restore hopefully as much of what was lost as possible.
So that's where we are today. I particularly want to thank the Australian Defence Forces, who are here in force, and more will be provided as is needed. But so far, the response from state-based services, both here in Western Australia and from many other states, is greatly appreciated. What they need right now is people to help to clear the debris and to clean up and to get to the next phase of recovery. The recovery plans, I was very impressed today by the briefing I received, and they're moving through the immediate response and they're now already starting to draw up recovery plans about how Kalbarri and the broader district can recover. I was also incredibly impressed by the work that had been done to prepare this district for the ferocious cyclone that was coming. Some 7,000 or so, wasn't there, Reece, people who were in this town before that cyclone hit and the commander of the local SES made sure that people got out. That clearly saved lives. That quick thinking, that experience that was needed in that moment, the work that was done as a community to get people to safety was extraordinary and we are now in the position where the injuries here are minor, substantially, and there has certainly been no loss of life and that is, indeed, a miracle, given what we've seen happen as a result of this terrible cyclone.
So the work will continue. The cooperation will be there. The payments on 1802266, I already know, I've spoken to quite a number of people who have accessed those and still some who have been a bit too busy to do it. But it was great to hear that when people have got on that number they've found it an easy process and the money has been in their account on the same day and that is what people need at a time like this. And we’ve extended the range of those payments today and I will ask Melissa to speak to that,. But it is not just the disaster recovery payment, $1,000 for adults and $400 for each child, there is also income support for businesses that have lost because of the interruption of their work or their businesses and that goes on for 13 weeks. These types of payments have been incredibly important. The Premier and I, based on the recommendations we've received from our ministers, Minister Littleproud and Reece, of course, we’ll be working through those state and federal further cooperations as part of the recovery program. Our professionals who work in the area of relief and recovery are world-class and they have to deal with these things all the time and they swing into action very quickly and I'm always in awe of their professionalism, as I have been here again today.
So I'll ask Melissa to just update on you where you can get that support and the broadening of the assistance into further areas that will need that support. But my message to all of those who have been affected is this - you are not alone, you are not isolated, the whole country is feeling for you at this very, very difficult time, and is there to help. Please make yourself available to receive that help. Western Australians, they're self-starting people, and they don't like asking for help. But that help is there for you now and I urge you - I urge you - to take up that help and to look out for each other in the weeks and months that are ahead. There will be further counselling support and other mental health support services that always flow in these circumstances, and that's very important, but the people who can look after each other best in a community are the members of that community themselves. Melissa.
The Hon. Melissa Price MP, Member for Durack: Thank you, Prime Minister. I think I speak on behalf of the Kalbarri community when I say how grateful they were when the Army, when the troops, arrived, and I'm not just talking about our men and women in khaki. I'm also talking about the hundreds of people that have come all around the state from DFES. So I just want, on behalf of the Kalbarri community, I want to thank our Army, our men and women in uniform, but also DFES. As the Prime Minister has said, the disaster recovery payments and allowances have now been extended. They were previously just with the Shire of Northampton which takes in the town of Northampton and Kalbarri and a few smaller towns in between. Very pleasingly, today the Federal Government has now extended that list and I want to give that list out. These are all local government authorities. If you live in these local government authorities, you could be eligible, so we just want to remind you that number is 1802266. So the following are the local government authorities. If you live in the area of Greater Geraldton, if you live in Chapman Valley, if you live in Mingenew, if you live in Morawa, if you live in Perenjori or Three Springs, as we said there's $1,000 grants for eligible adults and $400 grants for eligible children and as the Prime Minister said there's also supports for businesses. What we've seen today is truly devastating and really the words don't express how I feel, but I'm just so thrilled with the resilience that we've seen here today and as the PM said, we will build back, we will build back better. But people need to know that we are here to help and I'm just so proud of this community. For those farmers out there who feel like you've been forgotten, I want you to know, you have not been forgotten, and I know that DFES together with our Armed Forces, they will be doing a power of work to make sure they understand where the damage is out across the crops, whether it is that shed you can't get into or that tractor you can't get into, I just want you to know that we know that you are in trouble and we are here to help and we will get to you as soon as we can. Thank you.
Reece Whitby, WA Emergency Services Minister: Thank you, Prime Minister, and thank you, Melissa. The message I want to give is to everyone, that we have here a team. We have the Prime Minister, we have the state government, we have the emergency services, we have the Australian Defence Forces working as a team. We're working with the community and we're working with local government and we know the issue is much broader than Kalbarri, as bad as it was here, we know that Northampton and Morawa and Mullewa and Three Springs and Perenjori have been impacted in a devastating way as well. So can I say to all of those communities, wherever you live, whether it is here or right through the Mid West, we are here for you, we are working together, you have the national government, the state government, the local government, the ADF, the emergency first responders, an incredible team of people who are working for your interests. We'll work as hard and we'll work as long as we have to, in order to restore services and to get communities back to normal. The Prime Minister mentioned that Kalbarri holds a special place in the hearts of West Australians. A holiday venue for many, many years, so I know there are many West Australians who can't wait to get back here and support the local community. That cannot happen just yet. We can't let tourists into the town but there will be a time when that's possible and I hope it's soon and when that happens, I expect all of Western Australia, and a good deal of Australia, to want to come to Kalbarri and support this community.
Can I also say that, as a state government, we've appointed Melissa Pexton as our state recovery controller. Melissa was appointed just yesterday afternoon and she has hit the ground running, she is here today, we're at Morawa this morning and Kalbarri today and expect to see Melissa and indeed the Commissioner being constant visitors to the region. She will be your point person on the ground to assist in the whole of the state recovery. Can I again thank the Prime Minister for his contribution, ADF assets, ADF personnel. We've seen the camouflage cavalry ride into town, but also the guys in blue, the guys and girls in orange, it's incredible. Right across Western Australia and, indeed, many states, they are supplying volunteers and professional - rather, volunteers and career personnel to assist here in Kalbarri and across the Mid West. So it's going to take time. The initial response we're getting on top of, we're working very hard to restore services, but the longer journey is also going to be a tough one. It's going to involve reconstruction, it's going to involve restoring the tourism industry here in Kalbarri and to those people in remote farming communities, we haven't forgotten about you, either. We understand that you are suffering, too, and it will take time, but everyone will be responded to in an appropriate way and that assistance will be there and I'll be working with the federal government on the disaster recovery assistance arrangements to ensure, and we've had those conversations already this morning with the Prime Minister, that we will work together as a team on behalf of the people of Kalbarri and the Mid West. Because when the chips are down, Australians get together and work together as a team. So thank you, again, Prime Minister, and Melissa, and I just want to pass it over to our Commissioner, Darren Klemm, to say a few words.
Darren Klemm AFSM, WA Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner: Thanks, Minister, and thanks, Prime Minister. As the thoughts of everyone are moving towards recovery it is also important to understand there is still response effort being undertaken. So the rapid damage assessment crews are out there doing their work and I will provide you today an update of the numbers. So there are 32 buildings that have been totally lost. Of those 32, 23 of those buildings are residential buildings. So they're houses. There are some 875 buildings that have received some form of damage. So that work will continue on. To support that work, we're going to bring in another 15 teams from the eastern states and they'll arrive over the next two days. Great support from the ADF to bring those teams over. So they'll be out on what is 35,000 square kilometres of affected area from this particular cyclone. So there's much to do. We've talked about the towns of Kalbarri and Northampton a lot but we went to Morawa today and saw the damage in that particular region, Mallewa, Perenjori, Mingenew and even Chapman Valley just outside of Geraldton also been affected. But also further inland there's much work to do, and outside of the town sites there's obviously those farmers, people in the agricultural industry whose sheds and houses have been affected. So still much to do in the response phase but at the really complex point in this incident, where thoughts are also moving really strongly towards recovery, the appointment of Melissa yesterday is a really important point of helping the communities start that long process, what will be a long process for many of them, back to the way things were before the cyclone hit. Can I thank all our volunteers out there. It's absolutely fantastic effort. We saw at Wooroloo, saw this same effort at Wooroloo fire back in early February, and once again at the front of this is the State Emergency Services supported by the fire and emergency services volunteers and paid personnel from DFES, and all the other government agencies that are putting effort into this, some 500 DFES personnel, be volunteer or career, are in the region today working to get this community back to normalcy. Can I also thank the many employers out there that have been good enough to let these volunteers be released from their employment to deploy here, either those people in New South Wales and Victoria, those employers over there who have let those people go, or the people here in Western Australia, both for the ADF and for the emergency services volunteers. It is one of the absolutely fantastic things about emergency services in Western Australia and in Australia more broadly, is that the way that the whole community comes together to support everybody else. Thank you.
Prime Minister: Let's take some questions on the issues that we're here to talk about today. I'm happy to go to other things, but particularly while we're all here together, we won't move to federal issues.
Journalist: Prime Minister, you met Dylan Stephenson this morning at the SES headquarters. His house is uninhabitable as a result of the cyclone. He said having a live aid concert or something similar before tourists can come back into this region would be a good idea. Would you be in support of that?
Prime Minister: I'm always supportive of community initiatives like this and I'm sure as you work through all of the recovery issues, I mean, what's most important with any recovery plan is that it has to be, I think, really driven by the local needs. And we have to define what those needs are and what the priorities there are and how we bring those resources together, both as communities and then as state and federal and, indeed, local governments and how that’s achieved. And I have no doubt there will be heaps of ideas and as Reece has said, Kalbarri in particular has a special place in the heart of Western Australians. I mean, the memories that families have here, whether it's Rainbow Jungle, whether they've seen films outdoors and had that experience or been down and enjoyed that wonderful surf and all of these things, the memories of this place will be substantial and I'm sure there will be a great deal of support. So to the extent that relief efforts and things like that will occur, that will need to be coordinated, that will need to be done properly. It’s always important to make sure you do these things in the right way. There is a lot of, I think, genuine, good faith, a willingness to want to provide support, so what I would say is wait until you hear from the authorities about what the official places are where you go to provide the support, and we’ll leave that to the local state authorities to determine that. But in terms of other aid and support, well those opportunities I think will be set out when they’re properly arranged and of course, as Prime Minister, how can you not but just say thank you to those who want to in good faith step forward and provide that much needed not just financial support but I think that great moral encouragement.
Journalist: Prime Minister, appreciate that the disaster relief has been extended geographically, but for people in this area that, you know, don't have a house, don't have a roof, what’s $1,000 going to mean?
Prime Minister: Well, that’s the role that the Federal Government plays, but I’ll let Reece talk about what they’re doing on accommodation in terms of state governments putting accommodation support in place here.
Journalist: Could the Federal Government pitch in more for that?
Prime Minister: Well, I’ll let Reece talk about those arrangements.
Reece Whitby, WA Emergency Services Minister: That aid is designed to support families in the very short-term. When you walk out of a building like this and you don’t have food, you don’t have clothing, you’ve got kids, you need money, you need to buy food and shelter, so that’s that kind of very short-term assistance. The Prime Minister’s also mentioned long-term assistance in terms of financial aid for businesses and individuals and there’s also, we’re working out through the disaster recovery plans more long-term aid for families. So you saw at Wooroloo families that lost everything got a $25,000 payment and then there was another payment after that. So we’re looking at what is appropriate for the community up here. You’ve also got the Lord Mayor Distress Relief Fund and I’d urge everyone to donate money and there’s money coming out of that relief fund in due course, so there will be assistance. That is not the end of it.
Journalist: While you’re there Reece, has the agency, DFES, been too slow to deal and recognise the problems with asbestos in Kalbarri?
Reece Whitby, WA Emergency Services Minister: I don't think so, Geoff. I think that asbestos is a common denominator in any disaster. Buildings built before 1990 tend to have asbestos in them. We know that some of the age of buildings here in Kalbarri are well before that.
Journalist: Yeah the problems with asbestos are well-known but they brought up some stuff to spray it, they haven't been sprayed yet. It’s everywhere in the streets. People are just moving it around. You’ve also said that it's not an immediate threat to lives. That's true, but it kills you in 10 years.
Reece Whitby, WA Emergency Services Minister: Geoff, I think the emergency teams here have responded very quickly and I’d just ask everyone to be patient and understanding. I think we are in day four and a half or day five after the cyclone hit. Services are starting to recommence, as you know. Asbestos is always an issue. I've driven around town and seen areas roped off, where asbestos obviously is in situ, and I think the advice we gave from the very beginning was to stay away from anything you think might be asbestos, whether it was or not, and leave it to the authorities and the proper professionals to dispose of it. We’ve got experts from the State Government, a number of teams from WorkSafe and other experts within DFES who are actually in town assessing the asbestos issues.
Journalist: They got here yesterday, they got here late yesterday or today. So five days after the cyclone. No air monitoring. Has there been air monitoring?
Reece Whitby, WA Emergency Services Minister: I think there’s also expertise already here with the services you have in town, both the career and the volunteer crews are well-versed in how to handle asbestos. They deal with it every time that they go to a house fire. So there’s a lot of knowledge on the ground already. We’ve actually got experts over and above the very expert approach of, regular firefighters have. But asbestos is being handled promptly. We’re getting that blue material to spray over it, to keep it in situ. It's going to have a pigment on it so that people know that it's an issue and we will get onto that as quickly as we can, and I think the emergency crews here have done a remarkable job in a very short amount of time. I was here on Tuesday, now it's Friday, and I've seen a marked change in the way the town looks already. Asbestos, like power lines, are real concerns, and I think they’re being dealt with incredibly professionally and quite quickly.
Journalist: Can we go to other issues with the Prime Minister because there’s people in the east hanging off this as well.
Prime Minister: Are there any other questions that people like to, while we’ve got the team here and want to deal with the cyclone?
Journalist: Yes. A lot of people have been without phone connectivity for a long time. Will you improve the backup power to communication equipment in this region, and across regional WA where this happens?
Prime Minister: Well, I just met the contractor that is here in town right now, I met him earlier today. And that contractor is working that, that relates to NBN services, and they’re working to restore those as quickly as they possibly can. The power situation, I refer to the state agencies to give you an update on that. That’s still some time away yet but the issues such as water and these, all these essentials are what the local authorities are working on quickly to try and restore, but given what has occurred, that’s always a big challenge. Anything you want to add.
Reece Whitby, WA Emergency Services Minister: So in terms of western power, particularly here in Kalbarri, I understand a generator has been attached to one of the accommodation areas, but then they’ve brought in additional generation power. One of the challenges they’re having, particularly here in Kalbarri, and noting that the power is out in many other areas of the impact area of the cyclone, is the intent is to once they’ve re-established some of the lines that are here, some of the infrastructure is not going to be able to support, at this point in time, of being able to turn that generator on.
Journalist: Yeah, this is phone communication, especially, I mean, Kalbarri’s been powered up, but out in the other regions, the other parts of the region, they haven’t been able to call people for, and people are saying that’s as important as hospitals and medicine. What is being done to improve telephone communications during disasters like this?
Reece Whitby, WA Emergency Services Minister: Yeah, so Telstra are a key part of the State Emergency Coordination Group and they've been attending those meetings and they’ve got people on the ground. The tower here in Kalbarri for instance was back on with generator power on Tuesday afternoon, as was, as I understand it, the one in Northampton. Certainly they've got their challenges over 35,000 square kilometres, and we all understand the importance of power to mobile phones, and not just a single tower either, you have to actually connect towers together, so to get one tower on sometimes you’ve got to turn on nine or 10. So it is complex, it is just time at this point, either the power coming back on in terms of being reconnected through the power lines or indeed if they were able to attach generators to mobile phone towers.
Prime Minister: Any other questions?
Journalist: Prime Minister, just to clarify, will there be any more extension of assistance from the Federal Government?
Prime Minister: I expect there will be, there is with every disaster. And the disaster recovery arrangements are a well-established mechanism between the Federal and state governments. And Premier McGowan sent me a text this morning saying, well mate once you’ve been up there, I’m sure there will be other stuff for us to talk about. Reece and I I’m sure will have a chat before I leave today. That’s the way that works. There’s further recovery plans that are put in place and they’ll work on that. That's worked up together with the state authorities and the federal authorities and that comes forward both to me and the Premier to authorise that. And that's how it's worked in every disaster. So we share those costs, we do it together - whether that's producer support payments or small business payments or the payments, the disaster recovery repayments, a thousand of those done directly by the Federal Government - we each know what our responsibilities and what our cost sharing arrangements are. They’re well-established in disasters and we just get on with it.
Journalist: Can I just ask you a question about vaccines now. Regarding the 48-year-old woman who died in New South Wales from AstraZeneca due to blood clotting, will that stop that vaccine from being used?
Prime Minister: No, well, at this point. Those matters are still being investigated at a clinical level and as medical professionals have said and other clinical authorities, that it would be wrong to jump to any conclusions here. The TGA is considering these, that’s the Therapeutic Goods Administration, is considering those issues even now as we speak, the Chief Medical Officer has already made some comments on this. When you have individuals who have comorbidities and other issues, that it’s important that these things are investigated thoroughly to understand any potential causal links, but to make an assumption or to leap to any conclusion about those would be unwise and would potentially be quite unhelpful. So we’ll just wait for the facts and for the clinical advice on those situations.
Journalist: What guarantees have you got that vaccine companies will be able to meet their deadlines for supply?
Prime Minister: Well we’re in the same position as most countries. What we can do is work with the companies that we have, which is CSL here in Australia. We are one of the few countries in the world where there is a sovereign capacity to manufacture vaccines, and we’re seeing their capacity continue to increase. And those vaccines are obviously supporting those aged over 50. Let's not forget our first priority, very first priority on vaccines right now is to vaccine the elderly, particularly those aged over 70. We’re making tremendous progress now through the aged care population. The aged care community has been very responsive and we appreciate that. But for those aged over 70, we encourage you to go and get your vaccination from your GP. We have over 4,000 GPs across the country, surgeries they’re involved in this dissemination. Again, 40,000 Australians were vaccines, got their vaccine yesterday through that GP network, and over 60,000 once again were vaccinated across the country. Now Australia's rate of vaccination is equivalent to Germany and it is now at the same standard. We’ve caught up with the EU as well, that’s the EU average right across all the EU countries. So we are still performing better than countries like Canada and New Zealand and South Korea and Japan. I note with those countries, they, like Australia, are not in a situation where like in the United States you have 1,000 people dying every day from COVID. And so the circumstances in countries where the vaccination rate is much higher, there is an obvious imperative amongst the population because the risk of fatality from COVID is extremely high in comparison to countries like Australia. And so we are making our way, the rate of vaccination is picking up. We’re seeing that. Obviously the medical advice about the rare circumstances where those events can occur with AstraZeneca, dealing with under 50s, that's been made known and that’s being worked through. And we’re still seeing thankfully people coming and getting their vaccinations, and we encourage them to do that.
Journalist: A couple from me, just on the same issue. Prime Minister, will the increase in the superannuation guarantee go ahead as planned?
Prime Minister: The Budget’s in May.
Journalist: You flagged that vaccinated Aussies could be allowed to travel and quarantine at home once they return. When do you envisage that happening?
Prime Minister: Well, that's the question we put to the medical advisers. We did that at the last meeting at National Cabinet. I see that as the sensible next step, and when that can be taken that will be based on when we can fully understand whether that can be done. Obviously people have had to have their two vaccinations in order for them to do that. They would be able to go overseas, the proposal is, come back to Australia and not have to go into hotel quarantine, but be able to do that in some form of home quarantine. Now, it’s imperative for the states and territories to be very involved in that process because ultimately they would have to sign off on those arrangements because they look after public health. And, but the great advantage of that is particularly for business, and if business and other essential travel overseas for Australians, not having to go back through that hotel quarantine process, that would free up hotel quarantine places for other important priorities, which of course is to get Australians and Australian residents home and their families, and that is overwhelmingly what is happening at the moment. And then on top of that, essential people coming into Australia, with essential skills and here in Western Australia, I was up in Karratha this morning, they’re very keen on ensuring we can go ahead with the DAMA Agreement to get more workers into Western Australia. And for that to happen we need to free up hotel quarantine and we need to free up those opportunities so we can pursue down that path. So that's the next step, but as always we’ve been guided by the medical advice and that’s the question we’ve put, and so let's wait for the medical advice before we can set any timetables for next steps.
Journalist: You spoke this morning about Australians’ resilience having been tested by events such as this. Does it sort of underscore the urgency of needing to act on climate change and what can we expect from that in next months’ Budget?
Prime Minister: Well the Budget’s in May, and so I’ll let the Budget be announced in May by the Treasurer, so I don't propose here today to go into the details of the Budget.
Journalist: Including what you're doing for women?
Prime Minister: Well we’ve already made a number of announcements in that area but we’ll be making further announcements at the time of the Budget, and I’ll leave that to the Budget.
Journalist: Who are you barracking for at the footy?
Prime Minister: Well I’ll have to do West Coast tonight. But as you know, I don't follow the AFL, that may come to the disappointment of many AFL fans. But I always enjoy going and I've got to tell you I’m looking forward to going along with Mathias Cormann tonight, I haven’t seen Mathias for a while. I know he's a big West Coast fan, so I wouldn’t be able to sit next to him for the entire game without him cheering for the home side.
Journalist: Will you guarantee all Australian Olympians will be fully vaccinated before they go to Tokyo and will they be put before people who are in phase 1A and 1B?
Prime Minister: We are working with the AOC on that at the moment and we’re working through those issues with them now.
Journalist: All vaccines we’ve ordered, will they get here by the end of the year?
Prime Minister: Well that will depend very much on the supply chains and the production from overseas. We’re no different to any other country. As you know we most recently were able to secure an additional 20 million contracted vaccines out of Pfizer. They aren’t due to arrive until the fourth quarter of this year, which is also when the Novavax vaccines are currently scheduled for. That will always be subject to what the supply chain pressures are going to be around the world. But we have had a pretty consistent supply out of Pfizer. We’ve been very pleased with that. Maybe not completely at the rate that we would have hoped, but still compared to what we've seen from AstraZeneca, our very good performance and working relationship with Pfizer. We are seeing those doses increase every week now and that’s supporting us, particularly given for those under 50, all the health workers, frontline workers, that will enable us to be more effective I think in completing those 1A and 1B. But let me remind people, those 1A and 1B groups are our priority because they are the most vulnerable, and when we can protect the most vulnerable through the vaccine then that gives us that ring of containment of the worst effects of COVID, so we don't see what has occurred in so many other countries. I told a group this yesterday, if we had the same rate of fatality of COVID-19 that is experienced in the OECD, like countries to Australia, 30,000 more people would have died in Australia, 30,000. It is a staggering statistic to reflect on, and I think that reflects I think the strong response we’ve had right around the country and the fact that today we can talk about how many more people are in jobs in this country and that we are experiencing a regrowth of our economy out of the COVID-19 recession. Even as we stand here in the midst of the devastation of this cyclone, that means that in this cyclone we can be here to support because of the strength of the Australian economy and the comeback that we’re seeing. Thank you very much for your attention today.
The Hon Andrew Peacock AC
16 April 2021
Andrew Peacock was a great Australian and a treasure of the Liberal Party.
He was one of our greatest Liberals who helped shape Australia and the Liberal Party over three decades.
Andrew Peacock served in Parliament for over 28 years and was a Minister in the Gorton, McMahon and Fraser governments; and led the Liberal Party to two elections. After his service in Parliament, he served as Australia’s Ambassador to the United States.
During his time as a minister, Andrew Peacock held the Army; External Territories; Environment; Foreign Affairs; Industrial Relations; and Industry and Commerce portfolios.
He was Minister for the Army during part of the Vietnam War. A difficult portfolio in the most challenging of times.
As Minister for External Territories, he built a close relationship with Michael Somare, and was instrumental in gaining Australian acceptance for Papua New Guinea Independence.
His bonds with Papua New Guinea were such that he visited PNG over fifty times in his career. In honour of this work, Papua New Guinea awarded Andrew Peacock the Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu making him an honorary chief.
He was a distinguished Minister for Foreign Affairs who built deep relationships across the region. He was vocal in his denunciation of the Pol Pot regime in Kampuchea, despising what he called that “loathsome regime”.
As Leader of the Opposition, Andrew Peacock led the Liberal Party in the 1984 and 1990 elections. In both elections he picked up seats against a popular prime minister, but not enough to win Government.
As Australia’s Ambassador in Washington, he used his enormous personal skills to strengthen the close relationships with our most important strategic ally.
He had a long career in the Parliament, entering it at the age of 27. He followed Sir Robert Menzies as Member for Kooyong. These were big shoes to fill, but he was not daunted and filled them in his own way.
Andrew was known as the “colt from Kooyong”, a term which did not do justice to his thoroughness, intellect and capacity to make friends far and wide.
Andrew had a rich life outside politics. He had a lifelong love of horse racing and the Essendon Football Club. His love of his daughters was a mainstay of his life. In later life, his wider family also brought him immense happiness.
To his wife Penne and his family, Jenny and I extend the sympathies of the Government and the Liberal Party.
Australian Troops to Drawdown in Afghanistan
15 April 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Defence, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Women
Today the Government announces that Australia will finalise the drawdown of our contribution to the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. Over the past two years, we have been reducing our military presence in Afghanistan from a high of over 1,500 personnel to around 80 personnel currently.
In line with the United States and our other allies and partners, the last remaining Australian troops will depart Afghanistan by September 2021.
This decision is consistent with the Government’s policy, as set out in the 2020 Defence Strategic Update, to prioritise military resources on our region.
This decision represents a significant milestone in Australia’s military history.
Over the last 20 years, Australia has been a steadfast contributor to the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan. Australia has fought alongside Coalition and Afghan partners to degrade the capabilities of terrorist organisations, including al-Qaeda.
More than 39,000 Australian Defence Force personnel have deployed on Operations SLIPPER and HIGHROAD, helping to protect the safety and security of the Australian people at home and overseas.
But safeguarding Afghanistan’s security has come at a cost. Since 2001, 41 Australian personnel have lost their lives while serving in Afghanistan, and many more were wounded, some physically and others mentally.
The memories of all Australian Defence Force members who have lost their lives will continue to be honoured for their sacrifice and contribution to Australia’s mission in Afghanistan. We also acknowledge all those Australians who have served in Afghanistan and the impact this has had on their lives.
The conflict has exacted an enormous toll on the Afghan people and the complex task of making peace lies ahead. Australia continues to support the peace negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban. We encourage both parties to commit to the peace process and call on the Taliban to cease the violence.
While our military contribution will reduce, we will continue to support the stability and development of Afghanistan through our bilateral partnership, and in concert with other nations. This includes our diplomatic presence, development cooperation program, and continued people-to-people links, including through our training and scholarship programs. Australia remains committed to helping Afghanistan preserve the gains of the last 20 years, particularly for women and girls.
Interview with Oliver Peterson, 6PR Perth
15 April 2021
OLIVER PETERSON: Australia's Scott Morrison has returned to our state, Prime Minister, welcome to Perth Live and welcome back to WA.
PRIME MINISTER: It's great to be back. I’ve been looking forward to it for some time and great to be able to come here and say thank you to Western Australians for the amazing job that they have done over the past year and more.
OLIVER PETERSON: Some people might have wondered if you've forgotten where the place is because it's five hundred and thirty seven days between visits. You might excuse me for asking this Prime Minister, but where the bloody hell are ya?
PRIME MINISTER: A few people have asked that question in that sort of humorous way, but as people know the last year and a half has been a very big challenge in this country. Before we went into COVID, we were dealing with bushfires on the East Coast and that was going back as far as September and 2019. They came up in Queensland and we moved from that into some important international events up in Thailand as part of our international responsibilities and then through the bushfires. And then we were into COVID, Western Australians needed me to be at the helm. And that helm was in Canberra. And that's where I was. That's where I was very focussed.
OLIVER PETERSON: And we understand all of that. But since you lost here, your state colleagues, they've been decapitated. Prime Minister, you’ve got just two members in that lower house. Why didn't you campaign with the then leader, Zak Kirkup?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, look, I was just very focussed on the national challenges I had. I mean, those opportunities don't always extend to me. And I was travelling in various parts of the country at the time, which prevented, on some occasions, from being able to still get to Western Australia because of the restrictions that, you know, as Prime Minister, I've got to put that job first and that's where I had my attention focused on. And that's what Western Australians depend on me to do.
OLIVER PETERSON: They do. But now your party doesn't have the same boots on the ground to help you campaign at the federal election. Are you worried with the popularity of Premier Mark McGowan that will be used as a weapon by Anthony Albanese and co. to help defeat you and Labor become the next government of Australia
PRIME MINISTER: The Premier and I, Mark McGowan and I, have a very good working relationship with each other. At the last state election, I think there was a recognition of the strong leadership he's played through October, but he would be the first to know that wasn’t alone. I mean, the Federal Government and our support through JobKeeper and JobSeeker and the cash flow bonus, all of this was almost a billion dollars every month, which was underwriting the actions the State Government were taking, working in concert with them. We did this together. We kept Western Australia safe together. And I think his leadership was recognised there at the last state election. And equally, the Federal Government did more than its fair share there as well. And when you add up everything that all the state governments together combined have invested in Australia over the last year through COVID, double it and add some more. And that's what the Commonwealth Government was doing. We wrote the cheques. We underwrite the economic performance of the state to ensure that the state governments do the important work they were doing as part of the COVID response, it was a team effort.
OLIVER PETERSON: Does it make it harder, though? You've lost your chief liberal in Western Australia, Mathias Cormann. You've had to demote Christian Porter and Linda Reynolds. Does it make your job that little bit harder back here in the West?
PRIME MINISTER: Western Australians, I think, are very sensible. And they understand the importance of a strong economy. They understand the importance of lower taxes. They understand the importance of the national security challenges we face. And they understand that my Government is one that is very focused on those. I mean, today we've seen with the most recent employment figures, finally, there are now more people employed in Western Australia than there were at the start of the COVID outbreak. That's been the case across the country for a month now. And the record economic return that we're seen coming out of this COVID-19 pandemic has been significantly due to the economic policies and supports we put in place. And I think Western Australians understand that, they don't want to pay higher taxes. They don't want to, I think, support policies that would weaken our national security. And not show the strength that is needed in what are very uncertain international times.
OLIVER PETERSON: You talk about those unemployment numbers being down today nationally, 5.6 per cent. The job vacancies, though, they're very high. So there are more jobs available. They may not be the jobs that people necessarily want. How do you convince Australians and West Australians to take them?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I think the opportunities are tremendous. I mean, while I've been here, particularly last few days, one of the things I focussed on are the enormous training opportunities. I was over with BHP. I'm now heading up to Fortescue in the Pilbara where we're seeing a lot of opportunities. You're right. The fact that there are job vacancies means that our economy is coming back on again strongly. And that's something I think that's good for all Australians. Now, we've got to get Australians trained for those jobs. And that's why we put, through the course of the COVID pandemic, an extra billion dollars together with the states to get some more than 300,000 training places across the country to get people skilled and ready for those jobs. On top of that, there was an extra 30,000 university places we put in this year to get people with the right skills to fill those jobs into the future. So we're investing in the training and the skills, the apprenticeships. We saw 100,000 apprenticeships put on in the space of just five months because of the work we've done as part of our apprenticeship boosting policies. So training and skills is a key part of getting people into those available jobs, that's what the businesses need and here in Western Australia we're seeing the economy coming back well and that's exactly what our policies were designed to do to keep it going. You've got to keep that investment and skills up. You've got to keep the taxes low. And that's what our Government is doing.
OLIVER PETERSON: It doesn't solve the problem overnight, though. Lots of industries are calling for restrictions on overseas workers to be relaxed. Is it something that you are considering?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we have relaxed the restrictions for those who are already in Australia. And obviously there are restraints in terms of the international borders. And I don't think anyone here in Western Australia, certainly not the Premier, is asking for those international borders to be lifted at this stage. That would be a very unwise decision. But we are still enabling very highly critical skilled workers to be able to come into the country. And that's important for the resources sector here in Western Australia. We've been doing that all through COVID, and I think the resources sector in particular have done an excellent job in keeping those mining operations running. That's been important not just to the Western Australian economy, but to the national economy. It's one of the reasons why I agreed ultimately with the Premier here in Western Australia about how he was running the borders in Western Australia. It was important, particularly during the most difficult phase of the COVID pandemic, that we kept those mines safe.
OLIVER PETERSON: The WA Government denied the approval for a charter plane to foreign Vanuatu workers landing next month because they say the hotel quarantine system is at capacity. What's the plan, Prime Minister? How long are these restrictions going to be in place? Because we could be in this state of flux for years to come?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, it's a question to the Premier, because they're the ones who've said no. I mean, what we've got in other states, in Queensland, for example, the Queensland Government put in place an excellent scheme for on-farm quarantine and that's been taken up there. So these models are available and that state governments need to look at those carefully and work with their local industry, I think to deliver those outcomes, they’re responsibilities of the states, we can facilitate those Pacific workers and seasonal workers coming in. But we need the state governments to be able to put in place the health arrangements and support those health arrangements. That will be very practical. Other states are doing it, and I'm sure the Premier would look at those arrangements in a constructive way.
OLIVER PETERSON: On the COVID-19 vaccination, can you clear up with the Health Minister, Greg Hunt, said earlier this week around the jab and our borders? What's the plan, Prime Minister, for the vaccination rollout and getting to a position where people can either leave the country or come into Australia?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, right now, the key thing we're working on, obviously, is vaccinating the most vulnerable parts of our population. Now, what is the case, is that Australia's vaccination programme at this stage of its rollout is on par with countries like Germany. It's better than France, it's better than Sweden. That's better than New Zealand, Canada, Japan, South Korea. So while it's not the same as what you're seeing in the UK and in the United States, they are countries where they are operating in complete emergency crisis mode. And that's not what's happening here in Australia. And so their situation, I think, is very different. So our goal right now, we’re working very steadily towards achieving, is ensuring that we get particularly our most vulnerable vaccinated. Because if there were an outbreak in Australia, like we saw in Victoria, it is the elderly who are the most at risk. And that's where we would see fatalities. And we're doing everything we can to avoid that. But from there, what I'd like to see happen next, and this is what I've tasked the medical experts with, is ensuring that we can know when an Australian is vaccinated here with their two doses, is able to travel overseas and return without having to go through hotel quarantine. Now, I think we're still some time away from that. The states, at this stage, I'm sure wouldn't be agreeing to relaxing those hotel quarantine arrangements for those circumstances at this point in time. But what we need to know from the health advisers is what does make that safe and what does make that possible. So they're the questions we're asking at the moment and we're seeking to get answers to. The point I'd make about the opening of international borders is this. Vaccinations are not a silver bullet. We've never said they are. And if we were to lift the international borders, then no doubt, and I was talking to the head of the AMA about this today, we would see an increase in the number of case numbers. So Australians have become very used to the fact, particularly here in Western Australia, of having zero case numbers and zero community transmission. If we were to lift the borders and people to come, then you would see those cases increase and Australians would have to become used to dealing with 1,000 cases a week or more. Now, it is true that our most vulnerable populations would be vaccinated, but I don't think Australians, particularly Western Australians, would welcome restrictions and closures and border shutting and all of those things, again, out of states concerned about the rising numbers of case numbers. So there needs to be, everyone needs to get on the same page with that. And so they’re the important threshold issues we've got to work together through as a National Cabinet. And that's why I'm calling them back together again to work on that same operational tempo that we were during the pandemic, because these are the challenges we need to solve together now.
OLIVER PETERSON: So do we basically need to get to a certain point where everybody in the world who can be vaccinated is vaccinated?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, it's a moving situation. We can't control what's happening in the rest of the world. We just have to understand what's happening there. There are high risk countries, there are lower risk countries. We're already open to New Zealand. I think I can see a future where we could be in a similar arrangement with Singapore and we're working on that now. Other Pacific countries, that's possible. But when you're talking about countries, you know, for example, like Indonesia or India or Papua New Guinea or countries where we know that the virus is in a very strong form, including in Europe and even still the United Kingdom, the United States. You know, Australians, I don't think would welcome the incursion of the virus into the country. So we have to weigh all of that up.
OLIVER PETERSON: Prime Minister, you confirmed the last Australian troops will be leaving Afghanistan in September. Has it all been worth it?
PRIME MINISTER: Freedom's always worth it. It's always worth it. And that's what our servicemen and women have always put on the uniform to achieve. And I'm very proud of all of their service. I'm proud, particularly and unspeakably sorrowful about the 41 Australians that we lost in Afghanistan. I paid honour to them today, as I read out each of their names, I thought that was incredibly important. They sacrificed more than any of us can possibly imagine, and I'm just deeply grateful to them and my thoughts and prayers are with their families and their friends and those who served with them.
OLIVER PETERSON: Prime Minister, appreciate your time. You enjoy your trip up north and the footy tomorrow night.
PRIME MINISTER: I'm looking forward to that as well. I look forward to getting back again soon. Thanks very much.
OLIVER PETERSON: Scott Morrison, the Prime Minister of Australia.
Interview with Jim Wilson, 2GB
15 April 2021
JIM WILSON: Well, the last time we spoke to the Prime Minister was January 18, that was my birthday actually. We were coming off a lovely summer holiday and all was right in the world. We were slowly getting back to some sort of normality. Well, since then, hasn't he faced a few dramas along the way? A few roadblocks. Let me list them for you. The Britney Higgins scandal, Linda Reynolds health, the allegations levelled against Christian Porter, the departure of Linda Reynolds as the Defence Minister, the departure of Christian Porter as the Attorney General, the vaccine rollout, the WA state election, Liberal wipe-out and the significant Cabinet reshuffle and now the Christine Holgate scandal. So it's been an eventful three months, to say the very least, for the Prime Minister. And he joins me live on the line from WA, Prime Minister, welcome back to Drive.
PRIME MINISTER: Oh hi Jim, nice to talk to you, you missed one.
JIM WILSON: Which one have I missed?
PRIME MINISTER: That a hundred and eighty thousand extra people got jobs since I last spoke to you.
JIM WILSON: Well this, I'm going to get to the unemployment figures, which are very, that is really positive news that our economy is on the right track. First though, let's talk, we haven't spoken since January 18. Let's look back in the last few months. How would you rate the performance of you and your Government?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's not for me to do that Jim. That's what the voters to decide ultimately when we go to the polls next year. We were just going to keep delivering the jobs, keep delivering the economic security, the national security that's so important and managing Australia's national interests in a very uncertain world. That's, that's our job. We've been responding to serious issues like the most devastating floods, most recently. I’m over here in Western Australia at the moment, about to head up north to the mid-north, heading to the Pilbara and then also coming back to the cyclone affected areas. Australians have been dealing with a lot. They've been dealing with COVID, they're dealing with floods. They've been dealing with cyclones. They've been getting their jobs back. That's what I'm focussed on.
JIM WILSON: If you look back, though, on the last three months, would you admit that you would have done things differently on various, on various issues?
PRIME MINISTER: I just let others just talk about all that politics Jim. I've got a very important job to do, focussing on the big challenges facing this country. We've had the Royal Commission Report into Aged Care. We've been working on that as we prepare for the Budget, we've got some big challenges that our country is dealing with at the moment. The media will talk about any number of issues, Jim, I'm focussed on the stuff that is making a big difference on people's daily lives.
JIM WILSON: Exciting news this afternoon for the families of our troops in Afghanistan. You've announced that we will withdraw 80 troops, the 80 remaining troops from the country by September. So exciting for the troops and also for their loved ones.
PRIME MINISTER: Well it is, but it's also a day, I think to reflect on the 41 lives that were lost in Afghanistan and the many thousands of Australians that served in Afghanistan and still carried the scars, physical and emotional, from their time of service. And I know that those 80 brave men and women who serve in our Defence Forces there in Afghanistan will be looking forward to coming home. And that comes down from a peak of around 1,500 earlier and so that has been drawing down now for some period of time and in concert with NATO related partners. But it is an important day. It's been 20 years that we've been serving there. And we went there in the cause of freedom and the cause of liberty, particularly women and children who were so oppressed in that country. And we will still seek to support that as best as we possibly can. But today, I just find it hard to think past those 41 Australians, their families, those who served with them. And I'm just humbled by their service and deeply thankful for what they've done for their country and, and what they've done for the nation of Afghanistan.
JIM WILSON: Yeah, and the sacrifices they have made for our nation. Have you spoken to President Biden about this decision? I know he announced similar plans for US troops overnight.
PRIME MINISTER: Australia and the United States have worked closely with this on an operational level. These are matters that have been discussed between us now for some period of time. I discussed it with the former President as well. So this is the, the outworking of what has been a long term arrangement.
JIM WILSON: The other big story of the week, in recent days, has been the Senate hearing of former Australia Post boss Christine Holgate. She says she was humiliated by you and bullied by the Chair of the company over the Cartier watch debacle. I know you've said in recent days that you regret the language used at the time. You’re yet to apologise to Miss Holgate. Why won't you apologise?
PRIME MINISTER: Oh Jim, I made comments about that yesterday. I mean, that issue was about the performance of the head of a Government owned company and the handing out of what were luxury items that I didn't think was appropriate. And I still don't think it was appropriate. It was an independent report and that, there was a process put in place with the Chief Executive was asked to stand aside while that was done and Ms Holgate decided to resign before that was concluded, they were decisions she made. It was a willing day in the Parliament that day. The Labor Party you know, they've had a bet each way on this, but the one time they were saying that position was untenable and she should resign and now they claim to be, you know, taking the opposite side. Well you know, I think what this was about is we have someone who was in a responsible position and made some decisions regarding, you know, luxury Cartier watches paid to people who had very high paying jobs and also had performance bonuses. I didn't think that was appropriate. It should have been looked at. It was the opportunity for Ms Holgate to stand to one side while that was done. And then the report would have come back and it could have been that that could have been resolved and she could have continued to serve in that role. But she chose to resign. So that's where that issue rests.
JIM WILSON: I agree with your decision to dismiss her from the top job. And I think also…
PRIME MINISTER: Jim, I didn't dismiss her from the top job. Christine Holgate resigned from the top job. All that I asked was that in that process of that review, that she stand aside while that was done.
JIM WILSON: But you thought you thought her position was untenable though, at the time?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's not what I said. I said if she wasn't prepared to stand aside, then she should go. That's very different. And, you know, she's a very experienced Chief Executive. She was in a very senior position and all of us who take on public roles and have these responsibilities, we're accountable for those things.
JIM WILSON: But surely the board and the Chairman should be accountable as well Prime Minister.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the board is accountable, and the review that I put in place Jim, was looking at the board as well. That's what I said. Everybody who was involved in those decisions had to, had to, had to be looked at. And that's exactly what the Ministers put in place.
JIM WILSON: Should the Chairman depart?
PRIME MINISTER: No, there's nothing before me to suggest for that would be necessary.
JIM WILSON: Well they signed off on it though, on the Cartier watches. It wasn't just the CEO.
PRIME MINISTER: That's not what the report found.
JIM WILSON: So you say squarely the responsibility lies with the Chief Executive, the former Chief Executive.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the Chief Executive resigned Jim. She resigned.
JIM WILSON: Do you I mean, you've said in recent days you regret your speech in Question Time last year.
PRIME MINISTER: What I said was there was there was distress that was caused and Christine has been very clear about that.
JIM WILSON: But why wouldn't you apologise for that, if you admit that you caused distress why wouldn’t you apologise to Miss Holgate?
PRIME MINISTER: Well Jim, what I made clear is that I didn't intend to cause that distress. I was, I was accused of engaging in particular behaviour, which I don’t believe I did engage in. It was a heated debate in the Parliament on that day, and there's no intention to cause distress. And so that's where I see the matter having been settled.
JIM WILSON: Are you disappointed with Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese? Are you surprised that he did he supported your position during Question Time last year about Miss Holgate all of a sudden now, though he's back flipped.
PRIME MINISTER: Well he’s each way Albo, we know that. He takes this on every position, he has a bet on a two horse race for both horses. He does this all the time. That's why you can never know. I mean, it's a difficult issue. We've been talking about Jim, in many respects, but at least people know where I stand on it. I've taken the same position on it. I'm prepared to answer questions about it. I'm very happy to do so. At the end of the day, this is about a Government owned company that, that the statement was made that they didn't believe they were dealing with taxpayers money. Well, they are dealing with taxpayers money. And as a result, I said, what I said.
JIM WILSON: Let's talk about the economy. Brilliant unemployment numbers today down to five point six per cent, a record 13 million Australians in a job. It's a really positive sign.
PRIME MINISTER: Well it is. And it's the comeback that we've said has been underway for some time now. And I'm really pleased to see that. I'm particularly pleased to see the fall that we've seen in youth unemployment. And that's now come back to 11.8%. We've got consumer confidence at the highest level we've seen in 11 years. You know, the Australian economy is coming back and we've all worked very hard to achieve that. Employers keeping people in their in their employment. We see, you know, people getting training, apprentices staying in the job. We had 100,000 people, apprentices and trainees get into an apprenticeship and traineeship in just five months. And that was after we've been able to keep all the other apprentices in their job. So we've been very, working very hard through COVID to ensure that we can keep the economy together. So on the other side, as we start to emerge out, then we can see the sort of growth that we're now seeing, 3.1% growth in the December quarter last year. I mean, Australia has one of the most significant economic performance records during COVID of any developed country in the world. So we are leading the world out of the global pandemic and we're leading it out of the global recession. And this is a great achievement by Australians. We've played our part, but Australians importantly have played their part and we have backed them in to achieve this outcome.
JIM WILSON: Prime Minister these numbers out today of the last employment numbers to include JobKeeper which is now ended. Are you confident next month's figures will be just as good?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we'll see when those numbers come out Jim. And but what we do know is we haven't seen a surge over the course of this month in people seeking JobSeeker payments over the last, over the course of this month. We haven't seen that happen because we see that information as it comes through on a, on a regular basis with the claims that are being made for JobSeeker. But we'll just have to see. I mean taking, ending JobKeeper was important. It was a very hard decision, of course to, for the Government to commit that scale of economic support. Never seen before in this country and it was a game changer. It saved lives it saved livelihoods. As a responsible manager of the nation's finances we said at the start, you know, you can't do this forever. You cannot run the Australian economy on taxpayers money forever. You have to have the discipline when you commit to something like that. You've got to commit to following through that when you have to take it off. Now, there is the Labor Party runs around. They keep spending money forever that never stops, that never stops. And then they'd have to put taxes up to pay for it. So the discipline that we've shown was matched by the compassion and the urgency that was needed at the start when we put this measure in place, when it was so desperately needed.
JIM WILSON: A lot of our economic success hinges on the roll out of the vaccine. We understand supply issues are out of your control, but right now we're behind countries like Morocco, Barbados, Iceland, Costa Rica, Cambodia, Nepal. How frustrated are you?
PRIME MINISTER: Well Jim you leave out a couple of really important points there, because it's better than New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, France, Canada. It's on par with countries like Sweden and Germany. So, you know, I've seen a lot of this in the media. I have. And I don't think, you know, those sort of comparisons are really accurate, Jim. I mean, we've vaccinated today as a country around 1.3 million Australians, 60,000 that was vaccinated yesterday. We've been able to secure 170 million vaccines and we're producing 50 of them here, right here in Australia, one of 20 countries in the world that can produce our own vaccines. We've had a challenge from the medical advice on the AstraZeneca vaccine for those under 50. But that is a very remote risk that has been identified. So those over 50 right now, the critical need is to ensure that we get the over 70s vaccinated because they are most at risk of any outbreak that we might have from COVID-19 like we saw in Victoria where the outbreak occurred there. So I know there's been a bit of a pile on about the vaccine, but the facts are that people are getting vaccinated and we want to encourage them to get vaccinated. It's a national project that's in the national interest. And I'd be just imploring people to go and see their GP. We have over 4000 GP's around the country who are involved in this program now, and the vaccines are getting to them. They're administering those doses, but particularly if you're listening to this right now, and if you're over 70 as part of that 1B group, it's very important for your own health. The AstraZeneca vaccine is both safe and highly effective, highly effective. The Pfizer vaccine is no more effective than the AstraZeneca vaccine when it comes to preventing serious illness as a result of COVID and it's very important. So I encourage people to go and get that vaccine. I was with the President of the AMA today and he was saying exactly the same thing so follow that medical advice please we need to get you to go and get vaccinated.
JIM WILSON: A lot of calls and emails and texts we've had here on the program in recent weeks from people saying, well, the PM got the Pfizer jab. I want that one. It's incredible. Even my own mother, my mother on the Gold Coast she's 81. She's apprehensive about the AstraZeneca vaccine and wants the Pfizer vaccine. Will there be an option for people of any age to choose which vaccine they receive Prime Minister?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the GPs are rolling out the AstraZeneca vaccine, and the AstraZeneca vaccine is, is safe and highly effective. My mother is getting the AstraZeneca vaccine. The Health Minister got the AstraZeneca vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine I took because it was in the first doses that were delivered. We wanted to send a strong message about the importance of the vaccine, and that was the vaccine that was available at that time. The Secretary of Health got the AstraZeneca vaccine. Gladys Berejiklian, the Premier got the AstraZeneca vaccine. It is a highly effective vaccine and I would encourage people who have those concerns, including your mum, to begin in with their GP and they can talk them through all of this. This is why we're distributing the vaccine through GP's as the primary way of doing this. I mean, towards the end of this year, I think this is what we're working with the Premiers on now. And that's why I've reconvened National Cabinet to meet more frequently is to work out, particularly for the back end of the year, to ensure when we have those additional, we've got an additional 20 million Pfizer doses that goes with our existing 20 million, which are already rolling in now that if we move to a higher scale mass vaccination program, the states can gear up for that. But that'll be for people under 50 and using that Pfizer and Novavax vaccine right now, though, hurdling elderly people in the stadiums I don't think is the right way to do this.
JIM WILSON: So you don't think that you don't think the New South Wales Government and the super hub at Sydney Olympic Park, you don't think that's the right course of action that should be taken.
PRIME MINISTER: Not to those who are over 70, Jim and that's not what the Premier is suggesting either, that type of process I think we can definitely use and we'll need to scale up to use later in the year. And we're looking at the Premier's suggestion about how that might be done for bringing forward Phase 2 vaccinations for those over 50 and that would be with AstraZeneca.
JIM WILSON: Just got an email Prime Minister from Chris who says the doctor I go to tell me a couple of weeks ago that they were expecting to get 500 COVID, 500 COVID doses per week. Currently, they're getting 50 doses per fortnight and they're not guaranteed. What's, what's going wrong with the process here in the rollout?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, those doses are getting to those doctors now and those issues have been addressed for some weeks now. I just met with doctors here in Western Australia and the President of the AMA. Those doses are coming through. They get between about 50 and upwards of over a thousand. That depends on, on the various GP clinic and they all on different arrangements. If it's a smaller clinic, they have smaller doses, if it’s a larger one because we've got over 4,000 of them Jim. We're trying to do it through as many points of vaccination as possible. So I know you're going to hear the criticisms Jim. That doesn't mean that that's the universal story. Any program has its criticisms and when we hear those, we seek to address them and make sure the program works better. I think what's important Jim, is we've got to get on board here and make sure that this program works in the national interest. Plenty of people can make criticisms Jim, others have the jobs of fixing them and that's mine.
JIM WILSON: Well, I'm looking forward to having the AstraZeneca jab. And are you, are you confident that everyone will have their first jab by the end of 2021?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I've said the other day that we can't commit to a timetable like that. I think it's, I think it's possible. Should we be able to get the mass vaccination and the doses in place for the final quarter of this year. But that will be very dependent on the ability for those mass vaccination arrangements with the states to be delivered. And that's why I'm meeting with them to see how that can be achieved. That would need to be trialled, would need to work it through. But it will be a big task. And I'm not going to say anything different to that. The difficulty we've had with the, with early on, with not getting those doses out of Europe, that was a big that was a setback, but was one we were getting on top of the advice now about what with AstraZeneca for those under 50, that is, of course, a real issue and disruptions for that element of the program that was in the second half of the year. But it's not the first time we've had to deal with problems with COVID and we've worked together to resolve them and get on top of them and get on with it. Now, I would hope we can achieve that, Jim, but I can't guarantee that and we haven't committed to that as a timetable. But when we work through that with the states and territories, we'll see how we go.
JIM WILSON: Appreciate your time as always love having a chat with you Prime Minister, and as is tradition we should end with a rugby league, something rugby league. Now, the Sharks. Now I know you love the Sharks. I feel very, very sorry for John Morris, who I think has been fairly shabbily treated with, with this process that now finds him out the door.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I felt for Bomber. I felt for John. I've been in contact with him and extended my best wishes to him and his family, he is a classy guy. You know, he's a passionate Shark himself and and, that's been a really tough ride for him. And I wish him and his family all the best. I think he's done an amazing job, you know, it’s the finals series. And, you know, he's been great with the players and he's endured a lot. And so I really do feel for him. The club's got to make their own decisions. I, I don't make those. I'm just a fan, I'm just a fan.
JIM WILSON: I know you are, you are the president of the cheer squad.
PRIME MINISTER: [Inaudible] Newcastle and the battle of the, of [inaudible].
JIM WILSON: Very good.
PRIME MINISTER: I think that'll be exciting day. But to you Bomber mate, you are a champion and we wish you and your family all the best.
JIM WILSON: Prime Minister, thanks for your time this afternoon.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks Jim.
JIM WILSON: Good on you. That's the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison.
Q&A, WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry
14 April 2021
Aaron Morey, CCIWA Chief Economist: Well, Prime Minister, once again, welcome to Western Australia. It’s been a big 15 months for all of us, but especially for you. There's basically nothing that you haven’t been asked to do over this period, Prime Minister. Protecting the health and safety of the community, ensuring the survival of thousands of businesses, quelling the fears of our most vulnerable, and in amongst it all Jenny and the kids demanded that you build them a chicken coop. So there's really nothing that you haven't been asked to do. But in all seriousness, as you rightly say, the Australian economy has been the best performing economy in the developed world. And you outlined all the initiatives that your Government has undertaken, and so you and your Government deserve special credit. And the women and men in this room, of course, as you rightly recognised, do deserve some credit. The WA business community long punches above its weight when it comes to its contribution to the economy. So we’re really keen to talk today, Prime Minister, about how we can continue to help these women and men to drive the nation forward. Vaccine rollouts - obviously you’re looking at a slower rollout when it comes to the vaccine, and obviously that has economic implications for the travel and tourism sector, accessing those skilled workers. A lot of our members are concerned about skill shortages. In fact, that’s their number one, that's their number one issue. To shift the goal we’ll let in people from other countries at some point. You were out at BHP FutureAcademy today, really important issue, your apprenticeship announcements really important, as well. But every day around the world about 18 million people get vaccinated. To what extent can we begin to treat a vaccinated traveller differently from a non-vaccinated one? When can we start to adjust those quarantine settings in terms of where people quarantine, how long for, so we can take more of a risk-based approach and we can start to mitigate so of those economic hurt points that the WA business community is feeling.
Prime Minister: That is the exact question I’ve tasked the medical expert panel to give National Cabinet an answer on. That was the exact question I framed and was agreed to by the premiers last Friday. You've got to be careful about a couple of things here on vaccinations. As I've said before, vaccinations are not a silver bullet. They are enormously helpful. And we need to roll it out as quickly and as safely as possible. And as I said, we are on track, with the same performance and you’ll find in roughly Germany, in France, and it’s well-advanced of where it is in New Zealand and Canada and places like that. So Australia's relative performance is there with those like countries. Where it's a lot less than is in the United Kingdom and the United States. Now, there are two principal reasons for that. One is they both have massive stocks of vaccines that enable mass vaccination rollout. Australian is not in that position and nor are most of the countries that I just referred to. The second one is it was a matter of vaccine or die. And I don’t want to put that, that's a fairly forceful way to put it, but that is the reality. In the United States, still a thousand people are dying every day. And so they are in an emergency crisis setting with the pandemic that thankfully Australia is not, and as I said before, that is not by accident. So that is the reason for the difference in those rollouts. What am I trying to achieve right now? I'm trying to ensure that we vaccinate our priority populations of the vulnerable and the elderly. Why is that? Because they are the ones who are most at risk if we get a break out. Protecting the most vulnerable populations takes you down the path where you can start to treat COVID like the flu. But let's not forget, there are thousands of cases of the flu every day, every year. Not clearly, that Australians across the country, whether here in Western Australia or elsewhere as we were saying, potentially getting into mine sites and things like that, that we would be comfortable with COVID in this country running at a 1,000 cases a week or even a day. Now that would, in that environment, people would not be, we wouldn't be saying the same fatalities existed, but we would have allowed COVID back into the country on the basis that we didn't think it was going to affect our most vulnerable. So that is a core question that we have to work through. But what we are working on at the moment is to enable Australians who are vaccinated to be able to travel overseas and return - those who need to. And to also for returning Australian residents from low-risk countries to do that as well, and not go through hotel quarantine but a modified form of home isolation, quarantine or something even reduced to that. So we're trying to settle that at the moment, and that's where we're at. Those answers aren't in yet, but that's what we're working on.
Morey: That's great, because a lot of the debate at the moment is sort of, you know, quarantine and, you know, border restrictions versus no border restrictions. And clearly there is the potential there for an interim step once we get, you know those, vaccination of the vulnerable populations and we can prove that there’s, the transmission risk is reduced, that there is a step that we can take on the path to that.
Prime Minister: That is exactly the plan. But as I said before, the mass vaccination rollout for the balance of the population will depend on those supplies. We have the supplies to deal with phase 1A, 1B, and I think particularly to 2A to 50 per cent of the population. As Pfizer stocks increase and we get to fourth quarter without mass stops, we can move to mass vaccination. But that will require the states’ programme working with the Commonwealth to do that in a sprint.
Morey: Fantastic. Let's turn to the workforce, participation of women. Obviously those countries that have tapped into the full potential of their workforce in coming years are going to be at a competitive advantage, because the benefits they go beyond efficiency, they go to fairness, social benefits as well. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA has recently completed a 12-month enquiry into the barriers that women face, particularly when they re-enter the workforce after having children. So we’re really encouraged by the recent statement from the Prime Minister that the national women's summit will include a focus on workforce participation later this year. We're really keen to see everything on the table when it comes to looking at the policy issues, whether it's Child Care Subsidy, fringe benefits tax, paid parental leave, all those sorts of issues. Can we confirm, Prime Minister, that basically everything is going to be on the table once we get to that point and start to tackle these issues?
Prime Minister: All of the areas you're talking about, they're all already significant measures that both Commonwealth and state governments are pursuing. Let's not gloss over the point that women's workforce participation in the Australian economy has been at record levels. Let's also not forget that the gender pay gap has fallen to one of its lowest levels. In fact, the lowest level that we've seen in Australia and these are significant achievements. What we agreed at National Cabinet last week is that we already have a national plan in process that deals with women's safety and we do not want to distract that agenda. That is a very important agenda. We have been having a national plan on women's safety now since Prime Minister Gillard set that up. We've invested a billion dollars, the Government alone, over our course, and most of that has come in the last few years in particular. Now, we are moving to the next iteration of the national plan. There have been four additions of it now and we're moving to the next one. There is a summit that will be held in late July. That will be on women's safety. In July also the National Cabinet will have a meeting focused on women's economic security with a view to having a national plan on women's economic security, which I imagine at some point will involve something of that nature. Now, what I've asked the states to do and territories to do, and they agreed to do, is that by the end of June I want all the states and territories to have completed their response to Respect@Work. The Attorney and I have done that just the other day. They have committed to do that by the end of June. The other thing I've asked them to do is to put it all down. Let's get it all on the table of everything the states and territories are doing to promote women's economic security and everything the Commonwealth Government is doing, so we know what base we're working from and we can begin at that point, I think, a process to identifying any potential gaps and the responsibilities of states and territories and the Commonwealth. So it's a big project. There have been two women's economic security statements by our Government. They've addressed the very issues that you've been discussing. The biggest reforms to child care were undertaken by our Government, and that has resulted in greater access and affordability, and particular access to those on low to middle incomes in accessing child care, because that is where families, it's not a matter of choice of whether one is wealthy. It is a matter of necessity. And we want to ensure, particularly in those cases, that means tested support goes where it is most urgently needed and that's what our program's been doing.
Morey: That's encouraging to hear, thank you, Prime Minister. Let's go to workplace relations reform. Your Government got through some really important changes when it comes to the certainty around casual employees, that was really important. Obviously, there's still some remaining issues that need to be addressed, as you well know. Award complexity, striking and enterprise agreements. In the WA economy, the greenfield agreement in particular and the life of project agreement are really important, particularly in the petroleum sector. What extent, how do we ensure that all that work is in place and will we get a fresh crack at these important reforms in this term of Government?
Prime Minister: The Senate rejects them. We don't reject them. We put them forward. We did it in good faith, in good faith. I said in July of last year, I said, I want to sit down with the unions. I want to see if we can work this out. We did that. We worked a whole bunch of things out. We put them in the Parliament and the Labour Party opposed them and played politics with it in the middle of a pandemic. So to get changes of this nature there needs to be good faith and I have no confidence in the good faith of the Labour Party to support these changes. They will run the lines of their union masters and they are holding back jobs as a result. People know what our position is and we've endeavoured to put that through and we've been very transparent about that. The changes, to be honest, that we took forward, they were modest changes. And I know there was frustration from the business community. They would have liked to see greater change. I understand that. But I think it highlights to you the great difficulty there is in this country right now and we can't kid ourselves, that there has not been support in the Australian Parliament for a very long time - I’m not talking about the Coalition - to make these changes a reality. Even the most modest of changes were rejected by the economy-wrecking approach of playing politics under the Labour Party. And that's very bad for Western Australia, I've got to say. That, particularly on resources, that is, if you're against the changes that we sought to get into the Parliament in the Labour Party, well, you're against Western Australia's economic development and advancement. Have as many boarding passes as you like coming into Western Australia but if you're not going to back up on that one, you might as well stay on the eastern states.
Morey: The CEO said I had one last question to ask but I can’t help it, everyone wants to hear about GST. Really encouraging to hear you say that it is in your marrow, I think you said. It is not in everyone’s marrow, Prime Minister. Of course, there are some people on the east coast, and we are all Australians first, but there are some people over there who think that digging up and processing and shipping iron-ore to another country is as easy as ordering a cafe-latte on Collins Street. But we know, we Western Australians know, that it takes a lot more than that. This problem is not going to go away, Prime Minister, until some of those people understand just how sophisticated those operations are. So could you do us a favour and maybe take a National Cabinet up into the Pilbara at some point just to impress upon these key people just how much is involved in this work?
Prime Minister: The irony was that we were planning such a meeting. Mark and I had spoken about it in 2020 and it was supposed to be July of last year and that obviously didn't become possible. Look, it's simple - the deal is not changing. It's just not changing. It's law. I made law, and we're not going to change it. So that's where it sits. And I think Western Australians can feel very comfortable about that. There are many things that become law that not everybody agrees with. But once they're there, we certainly won't be changing it. And what you've got to look out for is what I was warning about before. People will come here and they'll tell you, 'Oh yes that Western Australia deal and we really support it.' And then I go back to Collins Street or they go back to Pitt Street or they go back to the Mall in Queensland and tell a different story. I’m upfront with them as well. They know where I stand on this and I'm not for changing.
Morey: Excellent. We've gone over time, Prime Minister, but we really do appreciate your time today. I'd like to ask you a final question if I can.
Prime Minister: Is it about the chickens?
Morey: No, well, do you want to give us an update on the chickens, are they still alive?
Prime Minister: They're doing great, a dozen eggs at least a week or a bit more than that.
Morey: All that work assembling that flat pack chicken coop paid off. I don't imagine anyone takes up the role of Prime Minister expecting it will be an easy job. But even by PM standards, for you, it's been pretty turbulent, particularly in this term of government. Since around December-November 2019 when fires started raging across the country, you've had to address crisis after crisis. And I imagine that there would have been a lot of things that you would have liked to achieved if you weren't dealing with so many crises. Let me finish with a hypothetical, and I know political leaders and footy coaches are very, very adept at saying I don't deal in hypotheticals. But give me a chance, bear with me. Just imagine for a moment you win the next election. And imagine that that ensuing term of government is one of relative calm, relative stability in which you get a real chance to have a crack at shaping Australia, the country we all love. If you get that opportunity, what is your priority? What do you strive for as Prime Minister?
Prime Minister: With regard to all of the sort of fantastic notions that you’ve just set out to me over the next couple of years, and there is no term of government that is like that. Every term of government comes with its challenges. And you're right. Soon after becoming Prime Minister, we were confronting the devastating floods in North Queensland. I'm not just talking about Townsville, I’m talking about the wipe out of half a million head in northern Queensland. It almost single handedly destroyed North Queensland's cattle industry. It was devastating. I went from property to poverty and just sat quietly with people who had been building herds over generations. And you’re certainly right, it was followed with the fires, it was followed up with more floods and it was followed up with a pandemic and the fears that people had of businesses never being able to reopen. And now we are again with fires and floods and cyclones here in Western Australia. So it is a privilege of a Prime Minister to serve in whatever circumstances they face and to do that in accordance with their values and to do that in accordance with the priorities they have. So what are mine? Number one, a strong economy enables a government to do the things that strengthen our society and keep all Australians safe. I prize the economy not because I'm an economist, like you. I prize it because of what it can do. An economy can build submarines. An economy can provide JobKeeper when you need it. An economy can buy vaccines. An economy can deliver mental health services, both in times of great crisis as we have and for the future and to do things to prevent suicide in this country. A strong economy is what delivers that. That is why I am so focused on the economy. Because I know that enables everything else and as a Liberal, this is very important to us. It is not to put some set of charts on the shelf and say how wonderful do they look? Every time I see our economy performing, every time I see an Australian or Western Australian get a job, I know that that’s a family with certainty who can start planning for their future with confidence. And so the economy enables everything else. Whether it is our safety, our services, our national security, our care for our country and our environment. You can’t do any of that unless all of you are extremely busy and very successful. And that is why it matters to me and that is why it will always be my priority.
Morey: Thank you, Prime Minister. Look, there’s been talk of a mental secession in WA. Whilst we are all in this room, rightly proud of the contribution Western Australia makes to the national economy, we are all Australians first. We appreciate the work that you have done as Prime Minister. Your sound decision-making, your level-headedness on JobKeeper was world-class. While other countries like the United States made mistakes in their response to the crisis, Australia did not and for that, we are eternally thankful. Ladies and gentlemen, could you please thank the Prime Minister.
Doorstop - BHP FutureFit Academy, WA
14 April 2021
Mike Henry: Now what you see here at the FutureFit Academy is part of a commitment that BHP made last year to 3,500 apprenticeships and traineeships over the next five years. Already at our FutureFit Academy here at Welshpool and in Mackay we have over 450 students and of those students over 80 per cent are female, and over 20 per cent identify as indigenous Australians. Average age is under 30. Now, this is part of BHP's efforts to rebuild from the pandemic, but also to build a very highly skilled workforce that is work force ready and is able to support a prosperous nation. BHP has around 45000 people here in Australia and we support tens of thousands of further jobs through the supply chain.
We’ve worked with others throughout the course of the pandemic to overcome some of the challenges the pandemic has posed. And that included us embarking on this sort of commitment, we’ve hired in more people we’ve provided financial support to local communities to small, local and indigenous businesses, and the FutureFit Academy is part of a $350 million commitment to 3,500 apprenticeships and traineeships, but we've also committed to spending over $450 million with Australian VET sector companies because we’re trying to stimulate home-grown innovation. This is all perfectly aligned with the government's, one, call for a business name recovery, which we are fully supportive of and, secondly, as a strong focus the government has on skills and training has been central to the nation's future. We believe that through everybody throughout the economy coming together to work on building skills and on education that that’s something that can enable Australia to continue to do what Australia does so well, which is harness its natural ability to provide the world with the resources, the knowledge and the services that it needs and with that, Prime Minister, I’ll hand across to you.
Prime Minister: Thank you very much Mike, it’s great to be here with you, and particularly great to be here with all of your team, the trail blazers who were here in the first programme of this wonderful initiative, which is putting Australians into work, keeping them in work and providing them with a career, which will support them and their families in their communities for a long time to come. Before I come to that, and I am joined by my colleagues, can I just extend, on behalf of the Commonwealth Government and all Australians, to all those in Kalbarri that we are standing with you. This morning at 8:00am, the phone lines opened on 180 22 66 that will provide that disaster recovery payment support to people affected in those areas. That is $1,000 per adult and $400 per child. These are critical support payments in a time like this. You can call that number, and your application is dealt with over the phone. There is no need for lots of paperwork. The Commonwealth Government, through Services Australia, has become very experienced through so many of the disasters we have experienced over the course of the last few years. Whether it is floods, whether it is fires, whether it is cyclones, indeed many of the other events that have impacted on so many Australians, and just as Australians were there for those who are affected by those natural disasters, so Australians will be there for those affected by the cyclone at Kalbarri. I am looking forward to going, in a couple of days’ time, to be able to see firsthand on the ground and see what additional support we can provide. Later today I am meeting with the Premier to discuss further support. I appreciate the way, once again, that the Premier and I and our agencies and our ministers have worked closely together on coordinating the response to this cyclone, just as we do on so many other disasters that sadly we have had to deal with over such a long period of time. These systems are there to support people. One of the things that happens during these disasters, Australians who have never had to reach out for support before, very self-sufficient, and I know how self-sufficient West Australians are: reach out. The support is there for you at a time like this and so please make that support available to you by reaching out and calling that number today and you will get a swift response and we are very pleased to do that element, as we will be doing many others in concert with the State Government.
Of course, this afternoon, when I meet with the Premier, we will be talking about many other issues but one issue that is not in dispute and never will be, and that is the GST deal for Western Australia. This is a deal that as Treasurer I sponsored, as Prime Minister I legislated. The one person you can trust anymore with this deal is the person who actually brought it about, and that is me. The Premier and I share a passion for this and we work together to achieve this. I argued it on the west coast and more importantly, I argued it on the east coast. I said the same thing in Sydney as I have said in Perth. I have said the same thing throughout Western Australia as I said in North Queensland and in South Yarra. That is how you approach this. We did it because it was the right thing to do. It was a wrong that needed to be righted in Western Australia and we were very pleased as a Government to both take that initiative, to argue that case and to get it done. One of the many other areas we will be discussing this afternoon is the ongoing economic plan, recovery plan, for Australia but, particularly for Western Australia. Over the course of this pandemic, the Premier and I have worked very closely together with a series of initiatives. The West Australian Government has done a great job keeping people safe here in WA and we support those initiatives. But equally, the Federal Government has been there every step of the day, every step of the way I should say. More than $13 billion that is more than a billion dollars a month that the Federal Government has pumped into the West Australian economy in income and other direct supports alone. That was in JobKeeper that was in cash flow support that was in additional supports through the COVID supplement. That was the support that was provided direct to pensioners and other beneficiaries in the economic stimulus. That doesn't even take into account the more than 5,000 flights that were facilitated here in Western Australia. The more than 50,000 tonnes of exports that have been supported through the international freight system that the Federal Government subsidised. That was our job. It is true that the Federal Government's fiscal support, financial support, not just to West Australia but the entire country, it has more than doubled the States' combined investment, but that was our job. That is what we had to do and that is what we are doing and I can continue to reassure Western Australians that those two things working in partnership, health and the economy, has ensured that Western Australia is in the strong position it is now.
But as we rebuild, and this is why we're here now, the economic recovery depends on a very critical component and that is our workforce. On critical sectors, like the minerals and resources sector, this is such a fundamental sector for Australia and I think Australians are in no doubt about the support and priority that my government places on the resources sector, and particularly here in Western Australia. We need the people to come and work in this growing sector, whether it's the associates who are being trained here, coming from so many different sectors, to be part of the workforce of the future of our resources sector, the engineers that need to be trained, the others who we need to be coming into this sector to build the wealth and prosperity that the Western Australian resources sector has always delivered for our nation, that must continue. Not just here in Western Australia, but across the country. That means training people in getting the right workforce and I really want to thank Mike Henry and BHP for the ground-breaking, for the leadership programme that they have put in place here. It is a great thrill to be here today, particularly with Michaelia and Steve, the ministers who at that time were my Skills Ministers and have put so much work into building these new JobTrainer platforms and the apprenticeship programs which has kept young people in work and is training more people for work. And when Mike and I talked about this quite a while ago we said we are going to set up this place and we are going to train Australians from all different backgrounds to come and work in our sector and BHP has put their money where their mouth is and they have put their experience where their mouth is too, and they are raising up a whole other work force for the future of the West Australian resources industry. I want to commend them for that. This is such a big part of our economic recovery plan.
The JobTrainer program itself is a billion dollar investment in this year alone. Some 300,000 training places on top of what we already invest in every year between the federal and state governments to get Australians trained. At the start of the pandemic, one of my greatest concerns and fears for the economy is that apprentices would lose their jobs. This would be heartbreaking, not just at a personal level but the training and the effort that had been put into training people for a new career, they could have been two, three years into their apprenticeships, making the sacrifices, getting to TAFE, doing the work and that would all go. One of the first initiatives I put in place was to support apprentices to stay in their jobs and as I moved around the country and I am so pleased to be seeing the same thing here in Western Australia, those apprentices kept their jobs. Not only that, our boosting apprenticeships program added more apprentices, we tried to get 100,000 new apprentices employed. We thought it would take us 12 months. We did it in five, and so we have accelerated the program even further because we understand that building the workforce of the future for Australia, in critical sectors, whether it is in the resources sector, whether it’s in the agriculture and food processing, whether it’s in the energy sector, or any of these critical sectors that we have identified, especially in our manufacturing industries, that is where we need to put the effort, getting the workforce and we are investing in the skills.
Now finally, before I throw over to Michaelia and we can take questions, today's vaccination numbers are an improvement. We have seen some 60,000 people vaccinated yesterday. That is up from the previous day, and particularly after the advice that we received from the Technical Advisory Group on immunisations, regarding the remote risk that was associated with AstraZeneca, to see those numbers pick up the next day was an encouragement but we have a long way to go yet. I have called together the Premiers and Chief Ministers for us to work together to deal with the problems we have in the vaccination program which stem from two issues. The first one was the constraint in the supply from overseas for our doses of those imported vaccines. We had three million that were supposed to turn up in those first few weeks and because of the problems in Europe, they did not arrive. But we were getting over the top of that problem and the second issue that has come from outside the Government's control is the medical advice regarding those remote risks associated with AstraZeneca. That will change how we do the rollout. The critical thing right now is we must be vaccinating those most vulnerable in our community. That means those who are in those 1A and 1B groups. And particularly, I want to stress, those Australians aged over 70. AstraZeneca is a safe and approved vaccine for people aged over 50. The risk to elderly Australians and vulnerable Australians of COVID is great if there is an outbreak. We will do everything we can to avoid an outbreak. But as we saw in Victoria, that cannot be always guaranteed. Those who we lost most, almost exclusively, were the elderly in Victoria when that outbreak occurred. So our goal right here, right now, is to ensure that we continue to progress forward with vaccinating that most vulnerable population. We have the vaccines to do that through AstraZeneca, they are being produced and we are getting on with that job. The second challenge is to deal with those under 50 and those in the next phase who are between the ages of 50-70. I will be talking and working with the States to look at the options for mass vaccination, firstly in the instance of those aged between 50 and 70 and the AstraZeneca vaccines that we have available. Good news on the general practitioners, is that we now have 4,000 of those GP sites established. We flagged that at the beginning of this week that we would be ramping that up further and that has occurred. We welcome the good performance, the great performance of our GPs. I am looking forward to meeting with the AMA President here in Perth this week to talk about those issues and we’re seeing the number of vaccinations through those GPs that went to 40,000 or thereabouts yesterday. In total we're just shy of 1.3 million people who have been vaccinated as of the close of yesterday. All of that, I think, indicates that here in Western Australia, this weekend, people will go along to their favourite sporting events, they will gather together with their families, there will be community festivals, there will be all of these things. That's how we're living life here in Australia and how we are living life here in Western Australia. That is not the experience of so many countries around the world today. Of course we're appreciative of that but we can’t be complacent about it and that’s why we will continue to work. I think this is reflected in the consumer confidence figures from today, that have come out from Westpac, up more than 6 per cent to be at a level, at its highest level in 11 years. Australians can see that Australia is coming through this pandemic, and through the recession that it caused, better than almost any other country in the world today. We're in a handful of countries to be living in this position. We intend to keep it that way. I intend to keep it that way by working with industry, by working with the state premiers and particularly here Premier McGowan to ensure that we keep Australia in the position we want them to be in. I'll pass over to Michaelia and then we'll take some questions.
Michaelia Cash: Thank you, Prime Minister. Ladies and gentlemen it is fabulous to join my friend and colleague, Steve Irons, the member for Swan here today at the BHP FutureFit Academy. Prime Minister, on behalf of all of us, it is great to have you here in Western Australia. In the first instance, Prime Minister, can I thank you for the support that both you have shown personally but also on behalf of the Commonwealth Government for Western Australians that have been affected by the recent cyclone. I acknowledge you are meeting with Premier McGowan today, in relation to that support. Can I also though, on behalf of Western Australians, thank you for standing here today as the former treasurer of our great country, but now as the Prime Minister, and reaffirming your commitment to that GST deal. As you said, when you were Treasurer you recognised that there was a wrong that needed to be righted. You fought for that to happen, both on the West Coast and the East Coast and I acknowledge those comments you made here today as the Prime Minister and your commitment to the GST deal.
Can I also say, though, to Steve Irons, when Steve and I worked together in the skills portfolio the Prime Minister made it very clear to us: skills and workforce are centre to the economic recovery from COVID-19. It's great to join Mike Henry and the team from BHP here today to look at exactly what they are doing to lead Australians in terms of that recovery. As the Prime Minister said, when COVID-19 hit, first and foremost, our thoughts went to, in particular, apprentices and trainees. We did not want them to lose their jobs as a result of the pandemic. That's why, as a Government, we moved so quickly to put in place the supporting apprentices and trainees wage subsidy. And we were so successful in keeping apprentices and trainees on the job. What the Prime Minister also recognised, working with Steve Irons and myself, was that we needed to get the pipeline of apprentices going and as I look around here today it's fantastic to be surrounded by so many apprentices working in the resources sector. In terms of the building apprentices commencement wages subsidy, it is a 50 per cent wage subsidy provided to employers across Australia - any size, any industry, anywhere - to bring on a new apprentice into their business. We've set ourselves a goal as a government, we wanted to see 100,000 new commencements of apprentices and trainees within a 12-month period. I was delighted, Steve was delighted, and I know the Prime Minister was delighted when we hit that 100,000 within five months of the program being in place. And as a result of that we’ve extended the program so any employer across Australia, any size, any industry, anywhere, who signs up and takes on a new apprentice until September 30 this year will have the benefit of the 12-month 50 per cent wage subsidy. When we look at what BHP and the FutureFit academy have created here, Prime Minister, it is just great that when you come back to Western Australia, we are literally surrounded by those who work in the backbone of the Western Australian economy, the resources sector. And to BHP, I really do commend you on this innovative programme you have in place, and in particular the feedback we’ve received from the apprentices and the trainees who are here today, employees of BHP undertaking an apprenticeship or trainee and when they finish, going straight off to site. What we see here today really is workforce planning being done well. We are seeing quite literally that business-led recovery we need to see. And it's great to join Steve Irons and be able to showcase in particular apprentices and trainees to you here today.
Prime Minister: And thank you also, Steve. Steve and I came into the Parliament together many years ago. We looked a little bit different back then Steve, but I want to thank you for the great work you’ve been doing here in Perth. Questions?
Journalist: Christine Holgate has accused you of bullying her over the watches scandal, will you apologise?
Prime Minister: I said earlier today, the events that occurred in the Parliament last year, in October of last year, related to a very serious issue. Evidence had been given on two matters. One was that Cartier watches had been handed out to well paid employees who were also entitled to performance bonuses under their normal remuneration arrangements and on top of that, in a government owned, taxpayer owned company, Cartier watches were handed out on top of that. I didn't think it was appropriate. I still don't think it was appropriate. When that occurred it was also stated that this was not taxpayers money. I disagreed with that statement very strongly too. If it is a government company, it is taxpayers' money, and it should be treated with the same level of respect across government organisations as well. And so those are points I remain very committed to. So, at the time what I did was I spoke to shareholding Ministers that was in particular Minister Fletcher. Minister Fletcher spoke to the Chairman of the company. The Chairman of the company spoke to the Chief Executive. What we undertook to do was put a review into place into these matters that we considered to be very concerning. The instruction was that the Chief Executive would stand aside while that was being done. What I stated in the Parliament was that if the Chief Executive, and the indication had been that this might be the case, was not prepared to stand aside, and that she might wish to leave the company. I reflected that in the Parliament. Now, it was a willing day in the Parliament. The language in the Parliament was very strong. It was not my intention to cause distress to Christine Holgate and I regret any distress that that strong language may have caused to her and indeed did cause to her. That was not my intention. But what this issue is about ultimately, all of us who serve in senior positions, whether it's Prime Minister or Minister or chief executive or managing director of a government owned company, we all have responsibilities. What this issue was about, was about the appropriate way taxpayers money and taxpayers companies are run. There were serious issues there and Ms Holgate decided not to remain with Australia Post and Australia Post is now moving to appoint a new Chief Executive and any remaining issues sit between Christine Holgate and the Chair.
Journalist: Are you aware that your words in Parliament made her position untenable, were you trying to score political points [inaudible]?
Prime Minister: No, I don't accept that. The position was that Christine Holgate would be able to stand aside while that review took place. She chose not just to do that, she chose ultimately while the review was under way to resign from the company. That was a matter between her and the Chairman. If she'd wished to stay in the organisation while that review was concluded and the board and her could work through the serious issues that were raised in that review. There were serious matters here and serious issues that we didn't want to see repeated. If she had chosen to work through the process, then she could have chosen to do that. Instead she chose to resign from the organisation. That's a matter between her and the Australia Post board. My language in the Parliament on the day that the Labor Party was saying she should resign. I remind everybody that was the context of those discussions in the Parliament and what was said later. Parliament can get very willing and on that occasion, my language was very strong and I do regret any any, the distress that would have caused to Ms Holgate.
Journalist: Prime Minister will you meet Brittany Higgins when she travels to Canberra to take part in the Kate Jenkins review and will you apologise to her in person for the alleged treatment that she suffered in Parliament House?
Prime Minister: I've already made those apologies publicly and I'm looking forward to meeting Brittany, we will be meeting privately, where that will take place, that hasn’t been arranged yet. We've reached out to Brittany Higgins to arrange that meeting, like I said we would, and we have and those arrangements are being put in place. That will be a private conversation. I’m looking forward to having it, I know there are a range of issues that she's relayed to my Chief of Staff that she would like to raise and I look forward to hearing her.
Journalist: Admitting that you caused distress to Christine Holgate, do you have a problem with the way you speak about women?
Prime Minister: No. This issue was not about gender. This was about taxpayer organisations handing out Cartier watches to well paid executives. This has nothing to do with gender. This has to do with the performance of people who are responsible for running taxpayer organisations. That’s what this issue is about.
Journalist: So admitting that you’ve caused her distress, why wouldn’t you apologise for that?
Prime Minister: I think acknowledging distress has been caused is appropriate, but when it comes to these organisations, we all carry big responsibilities and it can be a very robust environment and that robust environment shouldn’t be taking account of people's genders, it should treating everybody equally. That's what I do.
Journalist: Will you call her and express that one-on-one not just through the media?
Prime Minister: I don't think there's a need for that. The Chairman and the former Chief Executive, that's where the employment relationship existed and that's where those issues are being addressed.
Journalist: She says she didn’t go voluntarily, should she get her old job back?
Prime Minister: That's a matter between the Chair and her. That not a matter where the Government, as Ministers or myself as Prime Minister, have any direct involvement in whatsoever.
Journalist: What's the status of the Boston Consulting review of Australia Post? Can you guarantee there won’t be job losses as Ms Holgate has said there would be?
Prime Minister: I'll refer that to the Minister and you can raise that with him. He is managing that matter.
Journalist: Should the Chairman of Australia Post resign?
Prime Minister: There's nothing before me which suggests that.
Journalist: Last week it was revealed the JobMaker scheme had only created 609 jobs, well short of the 450,000 predicted. Are businesses like BHP doing the heavy lifting in regards to getting Australians back to work?
Prime Minister: All Australians are doing the heavy lifting. I think BHP is doing a tremendous job, as are many Australian companies and if Australian companies don't want, don’t feel the need to draw on that taxpayer funded support to do that job then that’s good news too. I think having profitable companies is a good thing. Profitable companies investing in the training of Australians is a good thing. And where they do that off their own dollar, that's a good thing and that’s the sort of self-reliant economy that the treasurer and I and my Government have been supporting and seeking to build and have ensured we’ve been able to move through this COVID period and ensured it is coming out the other side strong. Where there are more people employed in Australia today than there were before when the pandemic hit, consumer confidence is at an 11 year high. That's good news for business, good news for jobs and it is evidence of the strong recovery that we're seeing take place coming out of the COVID-19 recession. So I'm not therefore surprised that large companies, where they have the means to actually invest in futures and training, are doing just that and I welcome that. But there are many small and medium-sized businesses like those who have come through the apprenticeships program and the boosting apprenticeships program who have relied very much on that support. In the past, in the most difficult periods of the pandemic, including here in Western Australia, who were very reliant on those JobSeeker arrangements, that saw them through and now they're getting back on their own feet and they've graduated from that program and I think that’s a good thing. So everyone is doing their bit of the heavy lifting here. Right throughout the pandemic that’s when I've seen Australians do, people carrying their load and in many cases they’ve sought to carry the load of others. The Commonwealth Government has done that here in Western Australia. The State Government has done it here in Western Australia. Local governments have been doing it and companies, employers and workers, all working together to ensure that Australia is one of a handful of countries that is leading the world out of the COVID-19 pandemic and recession.
Journalist: Joe Biden said that he is going to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by September 11. Are there any implications from that for Australian personnel in the region?
Prime Minister: Well without going into national security matters you can be assured that the Australian Government has been working closely with our American partners and allies on these issues.
Journalist: It’s been a while between trips, are you aware how long it has been since you visited WA?
Prime Minister: I was last here for the Telethon with Jenny and we very much enjoyed being there for Telethon but since that time a lot has happened. After returning from the United States in fact, it wasn’t here not long after that, already in September of last year we were dealing with bushfires in Queensland and I remember Jenny and I being up there in Queensland in September and then through October and then through November, important meetings with the East Asia Summit up in Thailand, which was the last time I met with Premier Li Keqiang from China and that was a very important summit that was held in Bangkok. We returned and the bushfires continued to rage as they did all through the summer and then, of course, as we moved into January, we moved into the pandemic. Western Australians needed me to be at the helm of this country, and that's exactly where I was.
Journalist: Did you abandon the WA Liberal Party?
Prime Minister: Absolutely not. From where we were, we were providing support. We've got a lot of work to do here at a state level as a party but I think Western Australians distinguish very significantly, as we’re seeing Australians do right across the country. What they've seen here in Western Australia is a Premier show strong leadership through the course of the pandemic, supported by a strong Federal Government that is underwritten through the significant financial investments which has more than outstripped what was able to be done by the Western Australian Government.
Journalist: Have you spoken to the Liberal MPs who lost their seats. Do you know how many seats were lost in WA?
Prime Minister: That's a matter for the state party. I'm focused on my federal team.
Journalist: Do you know how many seats were lost by the Liberal Party in the WA election?
Prime Minister: They are matters for the state party. I'm focused on the federal issues.
Journalist: [Inaudible] that swing you would lose at least four seats federally including Steve’s including Christian Porter’s, is it desperate times for the Liberal Party in WA?
Prime Minister: No, not at all because I think Western Australians know that my Government and the Liberal Party as a federal level is the party that have ensured that people have stayed in their jobs, that the GST deal so needed over such a long period of time was championed by the Liberal Party, by the federal Liberal Party and was delivered for Western Australians. Indeed the very surplus they have in Western Australia could entirely at the end of the day be put down to the additional GST payments the Western Australian Government received, 1.5 billion dollars because it is a surplus of less than 1.5 billion dollars. We have delivered as a federal Liberal team for Western Australia, whether it's in infrastructure, whether it's in defence contracts, whether it’s in JobKeeper, or tax cuts or the resources industry, our energy technology road map, our trade deals, all of these things have been very important for Western Australia and they've been delivered by a federal Liberal Government and I trust, I trust Western Australians' judgement. They have rewarded the strong leadership of Premier McGowan and my Government has been providing strong leadership for Western Australians as well.
Journalist: [Inaudible].
Prime Minister: The state election is run and done, I'm focused on delivering for Western Australians.
Journalist: On the vaccine program, one of the biggest problems is supply.
Prime Minister: Sorry, couldn’t quite hear you.
Journalist: On the vaccine program, one of the biggest problems is supply. We’re not getting enough overseas doses and large parts of the population have been told to get another vaccine, so how will more National Cabinet meetings resolve that and have state and territory leaders agreed to two National Cabinet meetings twice weekly?
Prime Minister: Yes they have in short. I was in contact with them yesterday and just like it was last year when we had to deal with many difficult challenges of course they will come together in the same spirit, and that’s why I'm very confident the issues and problems we're currently beset with will be resolved. There are two issues, initially the problem was with the supply of overseas vaccines. That’s what slowed down the first few weeks until the AstraZeneca vaccine which was being produced in Melbourne was able to come off the factory line to go through the fill and finish process, go through batch testing and become available. Now that AstraZeneca vaccine had ramped up to 800,000 a week. The challenge now is the medical advice that has been received that deals with the rather rare instance where you can have the clotting occur for those who are under 50. I noted that in the United States, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is now facing some similar issues. This is why our selection of vaccines was so important. In recent days, the Government has been criticised for not getting the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. That would have been another adenovirus vaccine. We already had one of those, which was AstraZeneca. So we decided to go with the Novavax vaccine and to go with the Pfizer vaccine and the mRNA vaccine so we ensured that we had coverage over the different types of vaccines foreseeing that it is possible, although there was nothing in early testing to suggest this that any one of those vaccines could potentially faced one of those challenges. Right now our focus is on vaccinating people for whom the AstraZeneca vaccine does not present a challenge. Of course there are those under 50 or who are working in front line health workers and aged care workers and others, but a vast number of those are also aged over 50 and the AstraZeneca vaccine is very appropriate for them and those suppliers of AstraZeneca are continuing to roll out. I haven’t finished yet. We don't have an issue with the supply of AstraZeneca vaccines. They are rolling out of our domestic manufacturing. The issue is in relation to the Pfizer vaccines. The Pfizer vaccine timetable that we have from Pfizer is ramping up in the next few weeks and months and into the third quarter of this year. We have secured an additional 20 million Pfizer vaccines that will become available in the fourth quarter of this year and that will happen at the same time as we expect to receive the Novavax vaccine. We will have a, if those supply lines hold up and that is something outside the Government’s control, then we will have a substantial number of vaccines in the fourth quarter of this year. That is why we will have to change our delivery method because we would like to see this done before the end of the year but that will only be possible if we can ensure that we have the mass vaccination program in place that can do that in that space of that final quarter. Now prior to that, we will have AstraZeneca vaccines that we believe we might be able to ramp up the pace of vaccination for those aged between 50 and 70. That's millions of Australians. And we have a strong GP network now of over 4,000 that we can work those vaccines through. Equally there's an option to work and I've discussed this with at least one Premier about how mass vaccination could be an option earlier, say in June or July, for those over 50 groups that are in the balance of the population and it's a very large number and there will be vaccines we believe to support that type of activity. Now that just can’t happen overnight and that’s why calling together the states and territories, the Premiers, for us to deal directly with this as leaders to ensure we can get those systems in place, to understand what the risks associated with that, what resourcing is required and to be able to direct those programs as a National Cabinet. That's what the meetings are for. Over the course of this week, the Health Ministers are meeting. They'll be doing that Thursday evening. The medical advisers are meeting this week as well. They'll put a first pass set of issues before us next Monday. We’ll start working through those issues. By the end of the week we'll meet again, and we will work this problem and we’ll solve it.
Journalist: How long do you see it being necessary to meet twice weekly? And when do you think pharmacists will be involved in the vaccine rollout?
Prime Minister: On your first question, as long as we have to, which is what the issue was last year. We met as frequently as we needed to and as often as we had to lead the country and to solve the problems. We have another set of problems to solve now and we are going to do the exactly the same thing and we will solve those problems. The issues for pharmacies we'll have to look at carefully now as we’re recalibrating the whole rollout. And that’s what we'll be addressing and working through those issues. At present they weren’t due to be involved until the next phase. So phase 2A and beyond. That was not due to occur until after mid-year. And We will now need to weigh up the various options that we have with mass vaccination centres for those aged over 50 and whether that is a viable option and should be pursued or we can continue to do that at a sufficient rate using the previous method, which was to be done through GPs and pharmacies. Those arrangements stay with us and we'll work those issues. That's what we'll do. The pandemic has taught us, you've got to be practical, you’ve got to work together, you’ve got to solve problems. Problems occur that are beyond the Government's control. There's a great uncertainty that relates to a lot of this and that is true all around the world. You know in Australia we're living in a way that the rest of the world isn't and that can lead us perhaps to be thinking that these issues have gone away. They haven't gone away. And the rest of the world, the United States, they're seeing 70,000 cases additionally of coronavirus every single day. There's 1,000 people dying every day in the United States. That's not Australia. In the United Kingdom over 30 people are dying every day. Over 1,500 new cases every single day. That is not our reality. That did not happen by accident. That occurred because Australian Governments led by the Federal Government came together and worked the problems and solved them. And that’s exactly what we’ll do again now. Thank you all for your time. Appreciate it.
Australia to Invest $387 Million in the World’s Largest Radio Telescope
14 April 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Industry, Science and Technology
A new investment from the Morrison Government will make Australia home to the world’s largest radio telescope that will put the country at the cutting edge of science and technology research while creating hundreds of new jobs during the construction phase.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government’s $387 million investment to build the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope in Western Australia’s Murchison region would help astronomers learn more about our universe while creating more than 350 jobs during the 10-year construction phase and a further 230 ongoing positions over the 50-year life of the project.
“This $387 million investment highlights that science and advanced manufacturing are at the heart of my government’s National Economic Recovery Plan from the COVID recession,” the Prime Minister said.
“Our investment in the construction and operations of the SKA will build our manufacturing capacity within the highly-skilled technology sector, and enable major scientific breakthroughs to be made right here in Western Australia.
“The SKA will help our scientists make more discoveries than we can imagine today. Whether it’s better understanding the origin and future of our stars and galaxies to how gravity works across the universe.
“The SKA means more jobs for Australia and it puts us in the driver’s seat for scientific discoveries.”
The $387 million Budget commitment includes $64.4 million to establish a specialist super-computing centre, to be based in Perth, to process the unprecedented amounts of data that will be generated by the SKA.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter said processing this data onshore would secure opportunities for Australian organisations and scientists to innovate at the cutting edge of computing and modern manufacturing.
“Modern manufacturing employs tradespeople, engineers and scientists, and is the core of an advanced economy,” Minister Porter said.
“In fact, several Australian companies have already developed and manufactured components for the telescope prototypes and precursor telescopes.
“This new investment will build on our $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy and be a significant boost to the space sector, which is one of the strategy’s six priority sectors. It will strengthen our efforts to develop cutting edge industries with a global reach.
“As well as creating hundreds of local jobs, our economic modelling indicates the project will attract an estimated $1.8 billion in foreign income flows into Australia as a result of the SKA’s first 30 years of operations.
“I am very pleased that the development of the SKA in my home state will also benefit local communities. Our funding includes the provision of fibre-optic connectivity to communities near the SKA, which is at CSIRO’s Murchison Radioastronomy Observatory.
“This high-speed connection will support local economic development while reducing radio interference around the telescope.”
The SKA is an international collaboration between 16 member countries, including: Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Australia will build and host the low-frequency part of the telescope (SKA-Low), which includes up to 131,072 individual SKA antennas, shaped like Christmas trees. The mid-frequency element (SKA-Mid) will be hosted by South Africa.
Global construction activities are expected to begin in the second half of this year, with work expected to begin in WA from early next year.
An Indigenous Land Use Agreement is currently under negotiation and it will focus on, among other things, protection of Indigenous heritage.
Further information on the Square Kilometre Array is available.
Interview with Ben O'Shea, The West Live Podcast
14 April 2021
BEN O'SHEA: The PM joins me now for the first time on The West Live. Good morning Prime Minister.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, g'day Ben, I'm pleased to be back, I've been looking forward to it. Importantly, I’ll be heading up north while I'm here to see first hand the devastation that has occurred as a result of Seroja, and this has been terrible and the Premier and I have been in contact over this now for these last few days in particular. And importantly I can tell people that at eight o'clock today Western Australian time, those people affected by that cyclone, will be able to get access to those $1,000 payments for adults and $400 per child. That was approved overnight, and so that is available from 8AM this morning on 1802266.
BEN O'SHEA: That's greatly appreciated, as I'm sure you'll see for yourself. It's like a war zone up there. The shire president said it's like a bomb has gone off. The devastation is just astonishing. Staggering, really. And they'll appreciate your visit. But does this mean that you're unofficially on the election trail, being back in WA?
PRIME MINISTER: Being in Western Australia is always been part of being Prime Minister. I mean, it's a big country and that's why I've been pleased to get back here. In 2019-20 were very difficult years. And in 2019, we were beginning to deal with bushfires back as late as September of 2019. I just returned from the United States, actually, and we're already dealing with those up in Queensland that Reynolds, you know, all the way through to the end of that year and into 2020. And then we were into the COVID-19 pandemic. And so where the Prime Minister needs to be when those things are occurring is at the helm. And that's where I was, in Canberra.
BEN O'SHEA: It has been an unprecedented two years. And now I mentioned that you haven't been here for 18 months. We had COVID in there, of course, but your absence during the WA state election was certainly noted by voters. The Liberal brand has been demolished here in WA. It's almost radioactive. How are you going to turn around the party faithful, some of whom voted Labor for the first time?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we saw a similar result up in Queensland. I think what has occurred in COVID is there has been a great deal of consensus between premiers and prime ministers. I mean, the Premier McGowan and I have worked very closely on all the issues relating to COVID and the Federal Government has, of course, underwritten, financially, the Western Australian economy with the considerable supports we put in, whether it's on JobKeeper, the cash flow, both the COVID supplement payments, the pensioner payments that we paid. I mean, all of that directly equates to almost $14 billion dollars, directly into Western Australia. And then on top of that, there was keeping the flights connected, some 5,300 flights connected to Western Australia that was paid for by the Federal Government and some 51,000 tons of exports through our international freight program. So the Commonwealth Government worked well with the State Government and continues to. I'm looking forward to seeing the Premier this afternoon. There are many more issues for us to continue working on here in WA. So I think the leadership of the Premier here in Western Australia was recognised by the people of Western Australia, and I commend him for that. And we've both been working on that same plan.
BEN O'SHEA: Last time I spoke to Premier Mark McGowan, he said that you and he had a good personal relationship, but he said that that relationship got a little rocky when the Federal Government joined Clive Palmer's case against the West Australian's hard borders. You've been here for 12 hours now. Are you getting a sense of how deep the resentment towards Clive Palmer runs over here?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we withdrew from the case and that came after the discussions I had with the Premier. I mean, the normal process for any Commonwealth Government where there's a constitutional case like that is they join a constitutional case. That's the expectation. In fact, the High Court was very upset with us when we pulled out of the case, but we pulled out of the case for the right reasons. The Premier and I talked that issue through, and I think we made the right decision. I mean, the Western Australian situation was very different to the rest of the country. And I've always had a keen understanding of that. I think I've always understood the Western Australian economy works quite differently to the rest of the country. And so the impacts of borders here were very different to what we're seeing on the eastern states. Very, very different. And so that's why I took a different approach here at Western Australia.
BEN O'SHEA: Do you think there's a challenge for you now to convince West Aussie voters of that? Because arguing constitutional law is always going to be one of those arcane sort of things that might fail to resonate with the electorate, whereas Labor just has to run a picture of you, Christian Porter and Clive Palmer, and it gets the message across very easily.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, that would be false if they did that because we withdrew from the case. Listened to the Premier, listened to Western Australians and took that action. That would just be a lie, if they did that.
BEN O'SHEA: They're been doing that, I've seen it in their advertising.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, that reflects on them. I think Western Australians know, particularly when it comes to what was, and still continues to be, one of the most significant issues that Western Australia has sought justice for, that was on the GST. As Treasurer, and as Prime Minister, I was the one that drafted the deal, worked the deal out, championed the deal as an eastern states Prime Minister, that there was no one more passionate than me about righting the wrong over the GST for Western Australia than me. You could have a bet each way on that like the Labor Party had. And like Anthony Albanese always has on everything. There's no two bets either way with me when it came to the GST and WA, so the only person that you can trust to make sure that deal sticks is the person who made it and the person who championed it. And that was me.
BEN O'SHEA: And it was about the GST was a massive issue for us here in Western Australia. And you certainly helped us out with that. Has it hurt you in other states, though?
PRIME MINISTER: No, because it was the right thing to do. I mean, there was a real problem. And I acknowledge that there was a real problem, as Treasurer, and set about fixing it. And that has meant I had to take the whole country there, I had to get legislation through a very difficult Senate and Parliament, and that took quite a lot of commitment. And if I was not committed to that, it would never have happened. And that's what it needed. And that's why Western Australians can trust me to keep the deal that I made. And I'll be telling the Premier that again today. That deal sticks with me. I am its greatest advocate and its greatest champion.
BEN O'SHEA: Well, let's change tack. Former Australia Post Chief Executive Christine Holgate has asked you for an apology. Are you sorry?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, that day in Parliament was quite a heated day. The Labor Party was calling for her resignation, I recall, and Parliament can get pretty willing. And I gave a very strong response. I mean, the suggestion was that the Government somehow endorsed the use of taxpayers' funds in a Government owned company to hand out Cartier watches to people who already got paid very well and already had performance bonus arrangements as part of their existing salaries. Now, that was not something I agreed with. Now, you know, my language on that day was very strong. It was back in October. And I see that that has caused some very, very strong reactions from Christine. And it hurt her deeply. And that was not my intention. And so I regret that. But at the same time, the issue here was how taxpayers' funds were being used in a Government owned company. And as Prime Minister, I have to stand up for those standards, and did. That's what ultimately this issue was about. I mean, it was not an intention for me to upset or offend Ms Holgate. And I appreciate that she has gone through a difficult time. And that's not something that I would like to have seen happen. But the issues when you're in public life and whether it's running a large organisation like Australia Post or indeed the Prime Minister, we're all accountable for the decisions we make and the things that we do. And there is accountability around that. And that's how this issue began. It was about Cartier watches being handed out to well-paid executives for doing their jobs. And that was not something that my Government supported.
BEN O'SHEA: You mentioned the hurt that she felt, she said she was treated differently because she was a woman. Given what we've seen in Canberra these past two months, could she be right about that?
PRIME MINISTER: No, I don't accept that. I mean, that is no more true that Cartier watches were handed out because of their gender or than the rules that would apply in relation to that. This was about the issues of taxpayers' money. And no I don't accept that there are any gender related issues here at all. This was about that issue. Now my language was strong. Parliament can get very heated, as I said the Labor Party were calling for her resignation. What I said, on that day, was that there should be an enquiry, which there was, and it actually confirmed these and a number of other matters. And I said that the CEO should stand aside while they are doing that. And if she did not choose to do that, then she would take that other course. She ultimately decided to resign. Now, that was a choice for her at that time. And those matters are being dealt with between the board of Australia Post and Ms Holgate. They don't involve the Prime Minister or the Government.
BEN O'SHEA: And do you feel you were adequately briefed on the issue before speaking in Parliament about it?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the independent report confirmed what happened with the watches, confirmed a number of other issues as well, which were also troubling. And it was very clear that the statement had been made that this was not taxpayers' money. And I took great deference with that statement, considerable deference with that statement. If you're running a government owned business, then it is taxpayers' money and has to be treated like that.
BEN O'SHEA: And now you're going to visit the mid-west of WA to see the areas affected by Cyclone Seroja. A little bit north is the heart of the WA resource sector, really the heart of the Australian economy. You said the idea of mining companies vaccinating workers is an interesting one. The bigger problem, of course, is the nationwide rollout. National Cabinet is going to be moving back to a war footing to address this.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's right. I mean, we've got some challenges to deal with. The first challenge we had was the three million doses from overseas didn't turn up because of the problems that were being experienced in Europe. And those circumstances are beyond the Government's control. We started the programme when we said we'd start it, but its initial rates were lower because of the lack of the supply of those vaccines. Now, we're getting on top of that and we've got up to the point of around about 80,000 vaccinations a day. The majority of those have been through the GPs. And then we got the advice from ATAGI, which is the advisory group to the Minister on medicines and on these vaccines, which raise some very remote risks in relation to the AstraZeneca vaccine. Now, that has had, and we expect we'll continue to have, an impact on the take up and the rollout of the vaccine, that's what we have to address. It is a safe and recommended vaccine for people aged over 50, and the AstraZeneca vaccine continues to be manufactured in Victoria and being rolled out and distributed right across the country. And it's important that we get people aged over 50, particularly those aged over 70, which is the target group right now, vaccinated, because they are the most vulnerable population, particularly as we go into winter. The vaccine protects people from serious illness. That's its first job. And for those most vulnerable. If there were an outbreak whether here in Perth or Melbourne or Sydney or anywhere else, and that went through the community, and the people who are elderly are the most at risk. We saw that in Victoria when there was the break out there. Now, to prevent or to mitigate the risk of that, we need to get our older population vaccinated. And that can be done safely with the AstraZeneca vaccine. As we move into the second half of this year, when we were planning to move into the balance of the population, those between 50 and 70 and those of younger ages as well, then those, particularly under 50, will have the preference upon the medical advice for the Pfizer vaccine and indeed the Novavax vaccine. Now, the Pfizer vaccine deliveries will increase in the weeks and months ahead, but we're able to quickly secure a further 20 million doses of Pfizer. We're not expecting that until quarter four of this year and we're not expecting the Novavax vaccines until quarter four this year as well. So that will mean we'll need to change our rollout to go to mass vaccination options, and that will have to be done in partnership with the states and territories. Now, if we can do all that then there is the possibility that can be achieved by the end of 2021. But at this stage, there are too many uncertainties. I think to commit to a timetable like that, I would need, and states would need to be sure, that they could put those arrangements in place and ramp them up and to do that safely with the population to achieve that. So there's a lot of work to do together. The rollout has to change because of events of the AstraZeneca vaccine issues that have been highlighted. Yes, they're rare, but we have to follow that medical advice for people's safety. And that means we have to now change the rollout, because of that. But the earlier phases we're dealing with right now are those over 70 that can be done with the AstraZeneca vaccine. And we're pushing ahead with that. And by mid this year, we hope to be through those vulnerable population priorities. And that's what we're very focused on delivering right now.
BEN O'SHEA: I know a timeline is almost impossible given all of the uncertainty, but if you had to decide as sort of an ideal percentage of the population that would be vaccinated by the time we go to the polls, the next Federal election, would be 50 per cent, 75 per cent. What is the likely number?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we're taking advice from the medical experts on that at the moment. So I don't intend to get ahead of that advice and they are assessing the various scenarios and what sort of level of protection that provides. I mean, you raise a good point, but I mean, the issues have been raised about opening up international borders. It is still a very dangerous world when it comes to COVID right now. And that's not looking like changing anytime soon. And we have to understand that even with the vaccinated population that, you know, if we can vaccinate our most vulnerable, the elderly and those with disabilities, those on our front line and the health system and in roles like that, then we are protecting ourselves from the worst outcomes of COVID. And if we want to treat COVID like the flu, then we have to have the same tolerance for COVID as we have for the flu. And people get the flu and there would be cases of COVID if the international borders were lifted, there would be cases and we'd have to be confident and comfortable that that would be in Australia's interest to have, in potentially large numbers of cases of COVID, knowing that it would not lead to the horrific outcomes that we saw, in particular in Victoria, when the second wave ripped through particularly Melbourne. And so they are real legitimate questions that need to be worked through with states and territories. There's a lot of focus on the daily number of cases, both by state governments, their chief health officers and their premiers, but also by the media. And so we would need to be, I think, of one mind that if we were to go to those steps later in the year or soon after, then they would have to be an appreciation that would come with case numbers for COVID in Australia. And we would have to be understanding of what that meant. And the goal right now is to make sure our most vulnerable are protected from any possible outbreaks, because we never have 100 per cent certainty against that.
BEN O'SHEA: Is a successful vaccination rollout important to your Government's re-election?
PRIME MINISTER: It's important to Australia, and that's why, and that's why I'm focused on it.
BEN O'SHEA: Well, now we know your footy code of choice is rugby league. I'm a Queenslander myself, so I get that. But you’ll be at Optus on Friday night for the footy, West Coast taking on the Pies. Will we see you in blue and gold or black and white?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I remember being at the G for the grand final when West Coast won. It was a very exciting game. And it seemed to be quite prophetic, too, for another contest the next year with that kick right from the boundary line. It was quite a remarkable game. So that has always meant I have a soft spot there. As you know, I don't follow any particular AFL team. I think that would be pretty disingenuous. I think people sort of sniff that stuff out. And I have my Sharks and I love my Sharks and I enjoy going. But I always enjoy going. You know what's amazing about it? So many countries in the world right now can't do that. Yes, we've got our challenges, but we are living life here in Australia and particularly here in Western Australia. And I give credit to the West Australian Government. We've worked together to achieve that result here in Western Australia, that we're living here in a way that so many others around the world are not. And while we have our challenges. I think at the same time, it's always important to have that perspective. And on Friday night, I think I'm hoping to be there with Mathias Cormann, the new Secretary-General of the OECD. He will do a fantastic job. A great Western Australian and it will be our first opportunity to really catch up since we're able to secure that result for Australia. And Mathias I think will be a great, great person in that role, drawing on both his values as a Western Australian and particularly as Australia's longest serving Finance Minister. And I'm very pleased that he's been appointed to that role.
BEN O'SHEA: Well, given where the rest of the world is with the pandemic, it'll be quite a special moment, I'm sure it'll be at Optus stadium, nearly full house. I hope you enjoy one of our Gage Roads beers while you're there. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, thanks for your time this morning. I know you've got a lot of ground to cover while you're in WA. I'm sure West Aussies will be happy to see you in their patch.
PRIME MINISTER: Great to be back. Cheers Ben.
Statement - Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Program
12 April 2021
PRIME MINISTER: It's been more than a year now since we have been dealing with the COVID-19 global pandemic and the recession that it has caused. And a lot has been lost, not just here in Australia, but all around the world.
Here in Australia, we've lost 909 lives to the COVID-19 pandemic. Overseas, the toll has been far greater.
Our challenge here in Australia is very different from the rest of the world. Here in Australia over this past weekend, we have had no community transmission. Australians could meet with each other in their homes, go out to restaurants, go to sporting fixtures or cultural events, celebrate community activities. In so much of the world that has not been the case and only now they're starting to ease restrictions that Australia left behind many months ago.
Here in Australia, our challenge is to make sure that we continue to keep Australia as open as possible so life can return to as normal as possible, while protecting Australia from the impact of COVID-19 coming into our country. So, of course, we have the strong border controls which are essential to that. We were one of the first countries to close our borders. But we also need to continue the protections that we have in place that have both suppressed the virus and is protecting particularly our most vulnerable from breakouts.
Here in Australia, we are rolling out our vaccination program now and a lot of people have had a lot to say about it. But here are some simple facts. Around 1.2 million Australians have been vaccinated in the first seven weeks. Over that period of time, we've gone from around 30,000 a week to over 300,000 a week and that number continues to climb. That's a tenfold increase in the rate of rolling our vaccine out in just the seven weeks, and it's still going up. Our vaccination rollout compared to the rest of the world is also on par. Countries like Germany and Sweden and France. At this same stage of the vaccination rollout, Australia is either at the same standard or a bit better. And Australia's vaccination rollout rate is also stronger than at the same time with Canada, South Korea, Japan and New Zealand. So Australia is keeping pace with the rollout program of vaccinations that have been experienced elsewhere.
Now, of course, that's quite different to what you see in the United Kingdom and the United States. They are dealing with a very different situation. In those countries, in the United States, for example, they're seeing an average of some 70,000 additional cases and around 1,000 deaths every single day. In the United Kingdom, that's around 1,500 cases extra every day and over 30 deaths every day. They are dealing with a situation that is at crisis levels that we're not experiencing here in Australia. In those countries, the vaccination rate is urgent to prevent death. And as a result, I can understand the programs that they're running. Equally, they have access to vaccine doses that we do not have access to here in Australia. That enables them to do the large, mass-scale rollouts that you're seeing in those countries. In most other countries, that isn't the opportunity, including here in Australia.
But here in Australia, we do have some advantages. Here in Australia, we aren't seeing any community transmission at the moment. That means that we can ensure our vaccination program is focusing on those most vulnerable Australians, particularly those who are in aged care facilities. Now, we are making steady progress to ensure that elderly Australians are vaccinated in those priority programs before we go into the most heavy of the winter months. In addition, our early priorities on health workers, on those working in hotel quarantine, we're working steadily through those groups. We hope to be able to move into the balance of the population as we get into the second half of the year. But what we will know then at that point is those who are in the frontline of our health and quarantine system and those most at risk being our elderly population, they have been getting the protection of the vaccine to ensure that our worst case scenarios can be protected against.
The vaccination program is greatly supported by the fact that here in Australia we are making one of the several vaccines that we are using here in this country, the AstraZeneca vaccine. That vaccine is being produced in Australia and we're only one of around 20 countries in the world where these vaccines are being manufactured in their own country. This gives us the advantage to keep the vaccination program, particularly for these priority groups, as we move through the year. We have also been able to secure additional Pfizer vaccines as well as the Novavax vaccine, all of which will particularly be coming in the second half of this year.
Now, I've been asked a bit about what our targets are. One of the things about COVID is it writes its own rules. You don't get to set the agenda, you have to be able to respond quickly to when things change. And it's certainly the case over the course of this past year, we've had to deal with a lot of changes. We've just had one recently regarding the medical advice on AstraZeneca. Now, I want to stress, particularly for those over 50, it is essential that we encourage you to get the AstraZeneca vaccine. The medical advice is very strong in supporting those over 50 getting the AstraZeneca vaccine because it protects you, because you are vulnerable to COVID-19.
And for those who are under 50, particularly when we get to that point in the second half of this year, we have put together a vaccination program that is delivered through your GPs. See, you trust your GPs with your health. We trust your GPs with your health. That's why we've chosen to predominantly distribute the vaccination program through your GP. So you can ask your questions, you can make the decisions about your health with the person you most trust about your health, your General Practitioner. Now, there are other distribution methods that we're using, particularly with the states and territories, and we'll put those also to good use over the course of this year, particularly when we're moving to the balance of the population where there will be the opportunity later in the year, I think, to do things at a more ramped up scale.
But right now, it's about focusing on those priority populations, the elderly and those working in the front line. So rather than set targets that can get knocked about by every to and fro of international supply chains and other disruptions that can occur, we're just getting on with it. And every single day you can see on the health.gov.au website just how we're progressing. As I said, we're now at around 1.2 million. We'll have around 4,000 GPs out there giving vaccinations by the end of this week and that only continues to increase. And you'll be able to keep track of that program, as well as keeping track on how we compare to countries overseas. You can get your information firsthand about how Australia's vaccination program is going to keep you informed. So you can keep checking on it, we'll just keep getting on with it.
The other things that matter as we go into the back half of this year and right now is that we continue to keep our economy open, that we keep life in Australia as normal as we possibly can. It's not safe right now to open up our international borders. Around the world, COVID-19 is still rife. We are still seeing increases in daily cases, particularly in the developing world. We're seeing that right now up in Papua New Guinea, for example, where we're reaching out to give them a helping hand. But around the world, it is still a very dangerous situation because of COVID. We'll keep moving quickly to vaccinate our most vulnerable population and we'll keep those borders closed for as long as we have to, but only as long as we have to, and we're already right now preparing for what it looks like when we can open up again. And the work is being done with the Premiers, the Chief Ministers and myself and the Federal Government to make sure we're ready for that time. We'll keep opening up our economy. We have more people now working than there was before the pandemic started. We've seen the jobs coming back. We want to see that rolling out. And in the Budget in around a month from now, you'll see more measures that build on the work that was done by JobKeeper and JobSeeker to ensure that the Australian economy keeps leading the world out of the recession that was caused by COVID-19.
I hope this has given you an update on where we're at right now and answers some of your questions and I look forward to giving you updates further as we go ahead.
Statement - His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh
10 April 2021
PRIME MINISTER: Good morning everyone, on this very sad day, awaking to the news for many about the passing of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. On behalf of the Australian people, and the Australian Government, I extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Her Majesty and the Royal Family for the passing and death of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.
Your Majesty, here in Australia, and indeed across the world, your Commonwealth family joins in your sorrow and your mourning and that of your family. But also, we give thanks for the life of who you described as your strength and your stay. Your Prince, Prince Philip. Husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
The Duke's life was one of duty and of service, of loyalty and of honour. Memories of him will of course tell stories of his candour, and a unique and forceful and authentic personality. But above all, he was a man who was steadfast, who could be relied upon, always standing by his Queen.
In Australia, we also know of that steadfast commitment and loyalty of the Duke of Edinburgh. Patron of some 50 organisations here in Australia, a legacy of 775,000 Australians who were award recipients under the Duke of Edinburgh Award program. As the Governor-General reminded us last night, he visited our country on more than 20 occasions. On board the HMS Ramillies in 1940 as a midshipman. In that crowning tour when he had joined the new Queen, in great ceremony and great excitement here in Australia. But there were also moments of deep compassion, in particular in the terrible bushfires of 1967 in Tasmania, where he comforted the victims and he toured the burnt out Cascade Brewery.
There are many towering figures that the world has lost and known but few have been before us in our lifetimes for such a long time. His presence and service a reassurance, a reminder of the stability we so often need in a world that can be so uncertain. With his passing, we say farewell to another of the greatest generation. The generation that defied tyranny, that won a peace, and built a liberal world order that protects and favours freedom. An order that indeed Australia still shelters under for our own peace and prosperity and stability to this day.
But above all, today, we think of our Queen. While your strength and stay, Your Majesty, may now have passed, Jenny and I pray that you will find great comfort in your faith and your family at this time. But we also, Your Majesty, say to you as a Commonwealth, let us also now be your strength and stay, as you continue to endure, as you continue to serve so loyally and so faithfully, as you have done over so many generations. She has been there for us over such a long time. Let us be there now for you, Your Majesty, and allow us to send our love to you on this, I am sure, one of your most sad of days. I am sure her Prince would join me in saying: God save our gracious Queen. Long live our noble Queen. God save our Queen.
Later today, I will be attending with His Excellency the Governor-General to sign the official condolence book with Jenny. Tomorrow, I intend to attend St Andrews here in Sydney to give thanks and to pay our respects for the life of the Duke of Edinburgh. There will be announcements by the Anglican Church of Australia about other remembrance services that will be held and I will leave that to the Anglican Church of Australia to make those announcements. At pmc.gov.au Australians can right now go and register their official condolences. That can be done and they will all be passed on in the appropriate way to Her Majesty. In addition, hard copies, formal copies, we encourage members of Parliament and local governments across Australia to make those available for those who would prefer to do that in person. And I encourage you to make contact with your local member of Parliament and with your local government to arrange to be able to do that and I am sure they will be putting those arrangements in place. Of course, encouraging all federal members of Parliament to ensure that they are making that service available to their constituents, and I would say particularly their more elderly constituents, who I know will be feeling this particularly today.
In addition to that, the Royal Family has requested that people from around the world, should they like to do more in paying their respects, to donate to one of the Prince's many, many charities and patron organisations. If you go to the pmc.gov.au website, you will find the link there to the Palace site and there you will see the list of the many different organisations that span a great life of service. Later today in Canberra there will be a 41 gun salute to mark the passing of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.
But for now, we send our love to you, our Queen. We join you in your mourning and your sadness and we join you in giving thanks and pray for your endurance and for your strength at this difficult time. Thank you.
His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh
9 April 2021
For nearly 80 years, Prince Philip served his Crown, his country and the Commonwealth.
His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was, in the words of Her Majesty, her ‘strength and stay’.
He embodied a generation that we will never see again.
Beginning as a naval cadet in 1939, he served in war and in peace. When Her Majesty ascended the throne, The Duke ended his military service and became her constant support.
Prince Philip was no stranger to Australia, having visited our country on more than 20 occasions.
Through his service to the Commonwealth he presided as patron or president of nearly 50 organisations in Australia. Given his own service, Prince Philip also had a strong connection with the Australian Defence Force.
For 65 years, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme has encouraged over 775,000 young Australians to explore their leadership potential. Forty thousand young Australians are currently participating in the program.
Australians send our love and deepest condolences to Her Majesty and all the Royal family. The Commonwealth family joins together in sorrow and thanksgiving for the loss and life of Prince Philip. God bless from all here in Australia.
Further details about Australia’s remembrance of Prince Philip will be announced over coming days. Flags will be lowered in honour of His Royal Highness.
National Cabinet Statment
9 April 2021
The National Cabinet met today to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response and the Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy.
National Cabinet continues to work together to address issues and find solutions to the health and economic consequences of COVID-19.
The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, provided an update on the latest epidemiological data and medical advice in relation to COVID-19. There have been 29,390 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 909 people have died. More than 16 million tests have been undertaken in Australia.
To date Australia’s existing systems built around social distancing, testing, tracing, local health responses and quarantine have effectively mitigated the broader spread of COVID-19 virus and new variants of COVID-19 into the Australian community. COVID-19 vaccines will further strengthen Australia’s ability to control the virus.
Australia has done well on both the health and economic fronts compared to most countries around the world. National Cabinet noted the significant increase in COVID-19 cases in many countries and the comparative strength of Australia’s effort in addressing COVID compared to most other developed economies.
Globally there have been over 133 million cases and sadly over 2.9 million deaths, with around 816,000 new cases reported in the last 24 hours.
Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out is expanding. To date 1,077,511 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australians, including 81,297 in the last 24 hours.
National Cabinet received a detailed update from Professor Brendan Murphy, Chair of the Science and Industry Technical Advisory Group, and the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly on the Australian Vaccination and Treatment Strategy and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice on the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. National Cabinet agreed to continue the Australian Vaccination Strategy for 1A and 1B priority populations. National Cabinet agreed that the new ATAGI advice will require a recalibration of the Australian Vaccination Strategy for future phases, with changes worked through in consultation with states, territories and medical experts over the coming weeks.
The Commonwealth Government has allocated over $7 billion to support the COVID-19 vaccine strategy with contracts for over 170 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, through a diverse vaccine portfolio including the AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Novavax and through the COVAX facility.
National Cabinet welcomed the announcement of a two-way quarantine free travel arrangements with New Zealand. National Cabinet further reiterated support for the ongoing outbreaks in PNG and Timor Leste.
National Cabinet will meet again on Friday 7 May 2021.
Respect@Work
National Cabinet considered the Sex Discrimination Commissioner’s Respect@Work report, along with the Australian Government’s response, Roadmap for Respect: Preventing and Addressing Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces. States and Territories have now agreed to provide a formal response to the Respect@Work report including recommendations specifically relevant to their jurisdiction by the end of June.
National Cabinet also considered the next phase of the $150 million COVID family and domestic violence package. The Commonwealth provided $130 million of this funding to States and Territories for frontline services to 30 June 2021. State and Territory Governments will now urgently provide updated reports on their acquittal of this spending, as well as future spending on these priorities and ongoing spending. This will assist the Commonwealth as it considers funding commitments and also ensure the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments are all working together on this important issue.
National Cabinet noted that Women’s Safety Ministers met this week and discussed the next National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, including a National Summit scheduled for 29 and 30 July. In July, National Cabinet will discuss women’s economic security and consider all of the Commonwealth, State and Territory initiatives, programs and spending. As part of that discussion, National Cabinet will also consider establishing whether we embark on a National Plan process for women’s economic security.
National Cabinet’s work on women’s safety and economic security recognises that all governments have responsibility for these important issues.
Update on Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) Advice on AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccines
National Cabinet noted the advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) on the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19.
The ATAGI advice is clear that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective in preventing severe disease caused by COVID-19.
The medical advice to the Government is that the risk of blood clotting side effects from the AstraZeneca vaccine is around 5 in one million people, in the first four to 20 days post the vaccine. This is a rare but serious side effect.
The ATAGI advice is that the Pfizer vaccine is preferred for adults under the age of 50. The AstraZeneca vaccine should be given as a first dose to adults under the age of 50 where the benefit clearly outweighs the risk for that individual.
AstraZeneca is recommended for those over the age of 50.
National Cabinet agreed that the new ATAGI advice will require a recalibration of the Australian vaccination strategy, with changes worked through in consultation with states, territories and medical experts over the coming weeks.
The vaccination program for 1A and 1B Priority populations will continue, particularly for the most vulnerable Australians in Phase 1B including those over the age of 70 who are not impacted by this revised advice. Changes will be made to allow Australians under 50 years of age in priority populations 1A and 1B to receive the Pfizer vaccines reflecting the new ATAGI advice.
COVID-19 Data Releases
National Cabinet agreed to release daily and weekly COVID-19 vaccination data. Detailed daily data will be released from today with weekly data released from next week.
Daily data will include a breakdown of doses delivered by the Commonwealth and by states and territories, and also by administration source.
Weekly data will also include:
State, territory and Commonwealth weekly breakdowns of vaccines distributed, available and administered and dose utilisation
State and territory weekly breakdowns of doses administered, as well as to aged care and disability residents and primary health care (GPs)
National Cabinet noted that the Commonwealth had previously provided states and territories with a 12-week forward plan and dose distribution under the revised vaccination program. National Cabinet agreed that the Commonwealth will now provide states and territories with a 10-week forward vaccine dose supply schedule, updated every four weeks.
COVID-19 Risk Analysis and Response
National Cabinet received an update from the COVID-19 Risk Analysis and Response – led by the Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Phil Gaetjens and comprising his State and Territory counterparts.
Based on this update, National Cabinet agreed to principles for reopening Australia, updated for the current risk environment.
The first principles prioritise the vaccine rollout. The rollout should occur as quickly as possible and take up be encouraged as a priority, with safety as a paramount objective. Progress on an effective vaccine rollout will be key to maintaining the easing of domestic restrictions, easing and opening international borders, and unlocking economic opportunities.
The second principle is to maintain readiness to ensure suppression. Even as the vaccine rollout accelerates, we will continue to minimise community transmission through our key lines of defence: high quality quarantine, contact tracing and testing.
These lines of defence are working well. Australia has received over 430,000 arrivals into quarantine since March 2020. Of these, over 3,000 have tested positive for COVID-19, with only 14 transmission events.
The remaining principles echo the principles adopted in November:
Proportionate measures | Responses to new outbreaks are proportionate to the risk of harm and transmission.
Consistent approaches | Wherever possible, consistent approaches will be used, linked to transparent risk assessment to retain public confidence, while maintaining health protection and supporting economic recovery.
Protect national wellbeing | While protecting the community, decisions should minimise the impact on jobs, businesses, mental health and social isolation.
Effective and coordinated communications | We will continue to strive to provide clear and balanced communication of risks and responses to the pandemic.
Maintain and support confidence | Maintaining community, business and consumer confidence is key.
The National Cabinet also made several specific decisions to take us further down the path of reopening Australia. Each of these decisions were based on AHPPC advice prepared for the Taskforce.
Density restrictions: easing venue restrictions to be no stricter than the 2 square metre rule.
Capacity restrictions: Large, ticketed and seated gatherings can have 100 percent capacity.
Outbreak responses: Jurisdictions will prioritise local containment measures and aim for outbreak responses that keep internal borders open.
National Cabinet tasked First Secretaries to work with AHPPC to provide advice on the implications for quarantine arrangements and reopening Australia following the successful vaccine rollout to the most vulnerable Australians (phase 1A and 1B).
Data Sharing
National Cabinet agreed that jurisdictions will work together to capitalise on the value of public data to achieve better outcomes for Australians. In order to achieve this, First Ministers committed to develop an intergovernmental agreement which will be considered at a future National Cabinet meeting.
International Passenger Arrival Caps
National Cabinet welcomed the recommencement of international passenger flights into Melbourne. Victoria is initially receiving 800 international arrivals per week, increasing to 1000 arrivals per week as soon as possible.
National Cabinet agreed that the existing arrangements on International Passenger Arrival Caps in other jurisdictions would remain in place until 17 June with the exception of Queensland.
Until 11:59pm on 13 April the cap in Queensland is set to a maximum of 650 international arrivals with a return to 1,000 arrivals combined with a surge capacity of 300 arrivals, as soon as possible.
Australian Government’s Response to Respect@Work Report
8 April 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Women, Attorney General, Minister for Industrial Relations
Today the Morrison Government announces its response to the Respect@Work Report.
The Report provides a comprehensive set of recommendations for preventing and addressing sexual harassment. It also highlights that the Australian Government, states and territories, employers, and industry groups all have an important role to play in supporting cultural change and creating safe workplaces.
In ‘A Roadmap for Respect: Preventing and Addressing Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces’ (the Roadmap for Respect), the Government provides its response and sets out its long-term commitment to preventing and addressing sexual harassment.
The Australian Government has agreed to (in full, in-principle, or in-part) or noted all 55 recommendations in the Report.
Our response to the Respect@Work report is about creating a new culture of respectful behaviour in Australian workplaces.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said we all have a role to play in stopping sexual harassment and creating safe workplaces.
“It is not only immoral and despicable and even criminal, it denies Australians, especially women, their personal security and their economic security by not being safe at work,” the Prime Minister said.
“Our response is based the Government’s values of respect, dignity, choice, equality of opportunity and justice.”
“This is a culture that we all have to change for the better across our society, by changing our behaviour.”
Attorney-General Michaelia Cash said sexual harassment is unacceptable in any context – whether in the workplace or elsewhere.
“Building a culture of respectful relationships in the workplace is a key focus in responding to the Report. Everyone has the right to feel safe at work,” Attorney-General Cash said.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, said respect had to be a national commitment, with governments, workplaces, communities and individuals owning the problem of sexual harassment and the solutions.
“Ending sexual harassment is everyone’s business,” Minister Payne said.
“We can all find ways to show leadership to ensure women can contribute fully in our national life without being held back by sexual harassment.”
The Respect@Work Report was the product of the landmark National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces commissioned by the Coalition in June 2018 and conducted by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins. The Government thanks Commissioner Jenkins for her leadership and work in this role.
To lead this national effort, the Government has outlined a number of measures and reforms set out in the Roadmap, including:
The creation of the Respect@Work Implementation taskforce to deliver legislative and regulatory reform;
Simplifying and strengthening the legal framework, existing rights and obligations for employees and employers;
Supporting greater coordination between agencies and services to ensure workers and employers have access to consistent information.
The Government’s response also places an emphasis on preventative measures, acknowledging more can be done to prevent sexual harassment from occurring in the first place. To support preventative action at the national level, the Australian Government is also committed to:
delivering education and training programs across a range of sectors;
supporting targeted research and evidence development on prevention strategies;
enhancing data collection and evidence gathering mechanisms.
Leadership from all levels of government and industry is crucial for ensuring that recommendations are successfully implemented.
To support national action, the Australian Government is committed to leading and facilitating discussions with state and territory governments, as well as the private sector.
The Roadmap for Respect is designed to complement existing work under the current National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children (2010‑22) and ensure alignment with the development of the next National Plan. The National Plan is the cornerstone of national collaboration to prevent and address violence against women and their children.
Work is already underway to implement the Report’s recommendations. In 2020, the Australian Government committed $2.1 million, to fund the implementation of nine key recommendations from the Report.
This included the establishment of the Respect@Work Council, which will provide the foundation for implementing other recommendations in the Report.
Action has already commenced on:
developing the Respect@Work website as an online platform to provide free, practical information and education resources for employers and workers
developing a package of training and education resources on the nature, drivers and impacts of sexual harassment as well as the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers
preparing for the fifth National Survey on Sexual Harassment in Australian workplaces.
The Roadmap for Respect provides a clear path for action to achieve meaningful cultural change across the nation and to create safer workplaces for all Australians.
More information about the Roadmap for Respect can be found at: https://www.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/publications/roadmap-for-respect.
If you need immediate assistance or support you can contact 1800Respect: 1800 737 732.
AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine
8 April 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Health and Aged Care
Earlier this evening the Australian Government received advice from the vaccine expert taskforce, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).
The detail of that advice is attached.
The Government accepts the advice from Australia’s medical experts and will move swiftly to ensure Australia’s vaccination program and advice to patients is adjusted accordingly.
The Australian Government places safety above all else, as it has done throughout the pandemic, and will continue to follow the medical advice in protecting Australians.
The ATAGI advice is clear that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective in preventing severe disease caused by COVID-19.
The medical advice to the Government is that the risk of blood clotting side effects from the Astra Zeneca vaccine is four to six in one million people, in the first four to 20 days post the vaccine. This is a rare but serious side effect.
On that basis, the recommendation is that it is preferred that the Pfizer vaccine be provided to adults under the age of 50. The AstraZeneca vaccine should only be given as a first dose to adults under the age of 50 where the benefit clearly outweighs the risk for that individual.
AstraZeneca is recommended for those over the age of 50.
The vaccination program will continue, particularly for the most vulnerable Australians in Phase 1B including those over the age of 70 who are not impacted by this revised advice.
The longer term timeframe for the program is being reviewed following this medical advice.
The Department of Health will provide preliminary, updated advice to general practitioners and health professionals.
The ATAGI advice follows further international evidence including from the vaccinations in Europe and the United Kingdom. ATAGI had already provided updated guidance on 2 April.
The ATAGI advice has today been considered by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), which is the Medical Expert Panel led by the Chief Medical Officer, and also comprising all State and Territory Chief Health Officers.
The advice will be provided to National Cabinet tomorrow.
Attachment: The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice on the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in response to new vaccine safety concerns PDF 732 KB | HTML
Australians Invited to Help Shape a Future for Women Free from Violence
7 April 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Women, Minister for Families and Social Services, Minister for Women's Safety, Manager of Government Business in the Senate
The Morrison Government has opened public consultation on the next National Plan to reduce family, domestic and sexual violence in Australia.
From tonight, all Australians can add their views and voices to the consultation via an online questionnaire, available on the Engage website.
Women who have experienced violence, family safety advocates, service providers and other stakeholders will also be invited to take part in a two-day National Women’s Safety Summit to be held on 29 and 30 July.
The Summit was agreed as part of the establishment of the Taskforce on Women’s Safety in December last year.
The summit will include keynote addresses, panel discussions and workshops focused on issues affecting women’s safety as well as a series of roundtables that will contribute insights and help determine priorities for the next National Plan.
These roundtables will focus on issues including prevention of violence and sexual violence, online abuse, coercive control, policing and justice systems, respectful relationships, frontline service responses and violence experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the National Women’s Safety Summit is vital to build on the existing National Plan in a way that addresses evolving issues and protects women and children from the scourge of family, domestic and sexual violence.
“Respect, dignity, choice, equality of opportunity and justice are fundamental to the safety of women in our country,” the Prime Minister said.
“This Summit will further elevate the important national discussion we are having about women’s safety and ensure that we bring all people along with us as we develop the next National Plan,” the Prime Minister said.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Senator Marise Payne said consultation was vital to develop the successor to the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022 (the National Plan)
“A new National Plan will start in 2022, providing an updated and forward-looking blueprint for preventing violence against women in Australia,” Minister Payne said.
“We want to hear from all parts of the community to make sure the next National Plan draws on the best and most wide-ranging ideas. We intend to build a shared framework as we work together to reduce and prevent violence against women and children.
“Consultation will involve listening to the diverse experiences of people affected by violence, including from regional, rural and remote areas, Indigenous communities, LGBTQIA+ communities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities and people with disability.”
Minister for Families and Social Services and Minister for Women’s Safety Anne Ruston said people would be able to share their personal experiences in seeking and accessing support services, and will have the opportunity to make suggestions for targeted prevention and response measures.
“Importantly, we want to hear your views on what has been done well to date, what could be improved, and any new and emerging issues that should be prioritised in the next National Plan,” Minister Ruston said.
“We will also be consulting through virtual workshops and a National Plan Advisory Group, with key stakeholders from each state and territory. This will help us consult widely across a range of disciplines, including health, community services, legal services, housing, and children and family services.”
For more information and details about how to participate in the consultation, visit engage.dss.gov.au. Public consultation through this forum is open until 31 July 2021.