Media Releases
Interview with David Koch and Natalie Barr, Sunrise
11 November 2021
David Koch: The Prime Minister joins us now from Melbourne. Prime Minister, thanks for your time. Why do you think the Australian public has fallen out of love with you?
Prime Minister: Well, what matters now is the economic recovery out of this pandemic. I've been down here in Melbourne this week, it's fantastic to see how the economy's opening up again. It's great to see people out and about here in Melbourne. Today's Remembrance Day, of course, a very important day. I'm here at the Doncaster RSL and people will be coming together and frankly giving thanks for the tremendous sacrifice of our Diggers over more than 100 years. And so we, you know, we think of them today. And my job is to focus on securing this economic recovery. That's what matters to Australians. We're seeing people getting back into jobs, we're seeing the recovery lift off, which is exactly what we want to see. And securing that recovery and the decisions we make to do that is really what the future is all about.
Natalie Barr: Yeah, you're right. It is so important for this country, isn't it? But the polls, 54 to 46, that's a big gap. Is that why you've started this election campaign so early?
Prime Minister: Well, I said before we went to Glasgow that it was really important that we go and explain the decisions that we're making. I mean, Australia has reduced our emissions by more than 20 per cent. There are only four countries in the G20 that have actually done better than Australia on that front. And when you look at emissions as a share of our size of our economy, only the United Kingdom has. We've got the highest rate of rooftop solar in the world. We put more renewable energy installed into the grid in one year than the Labor Party did in six. So Australia is getting this done, but we're going to keep getting it done, not by telling people what to do. We're going to do it by the “can do” spirit of Australians who just get on with it. Our entrepreneurs, our scientists, the people who risk their own money to get these things happening in Australia, which has already seen us achieve more than 20 per cent reductions in our emissions. So Australia's track record is strong, it's positive and we're getting on with it. And we're not going to do it by telling people what to do in their lives. I think Australians have had enough of governments telling them what to do in their lives, particularly over the course of this pandemic. And so it's now important that we get governments out of the way and let the Australian people and businesses get the economy roaring back to life.
Koch: Yeah, Prime Minister, you've launched this Low Emissions Technology Fund and a new electric vehicles policy. You've got a big focus on sort of reducing our emissions, encouraging electronic, electric vehicles. But Australians remember this back in your last election campaign. This is what you said.
[Excerpt plays]
Koch: It's a massive backflip, isn't it? What changed your view? It was almost a come to Jesus moment for you.
Prime Minister: Well, Bill Shorten and the Labor Party wanted to force people to do this. And I still don't want to do that. You don't get people to do something else by pushing up the price of what they're currently doing. And that's still what Labor wants to do. They want to put up your petrol prices. They want to increase your cost of living to force you to make other choices. We want to respect the choices people make. People want to buy electric cars. Fantastic. That's what our policy was at the last election. But the way you achieve that is ensuring you drive down the technologies. And that's our approach to getting emissions down. Not by forcing choices on people. It's about respecting the choices Australians want to make. We back them, they make good decisions. Remember, the Labor Party wanted to spend $6 billion paying people to get the vaccine that they'd already got. We trusted the Australian people and look at our vaccine rates now. On the pandemic, we're going to have one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, and that goes with having one of the lowest fatality rates for COVID and one of the strongest economies amongst the advanced world as we've come through COVID. So that's a pretty good trifecta of achievements that the Australian people had been able to put out there.
Barr: Prime Minister, the Labor Party weren't forcing people, were they? It wasn't a mandate at the last election that they were introducing. It was a non-binding target of 50 per cent. Wasn't that the same as yours?
Prime Minister: Well, no. They were going to put up the price of fuel. Now that's not going to help anybody sitting out there commuting on their way to work today from the outer suburbs, whether it's here in Melbourne or up in Sydney or Brisbane or elsewhere. They were going to put up the cost of fuel to try and force people to switch over. That's not how we do things. We don't, we're not a government that goes around trying to tell people what to do. I think Australians have had a gutful of governments telling them what to do in their lives. That's not how you're going to spark up your economy, going around telling businesses what they have to do with more regulation. What they want is to be able to get people, staff back in their businesses. They're opening up again. We're seeing that happening. I mean, having come through this most difficult part of COVID, getting those vaccination rates to one of the highest in the world, now we've got to secure that economic recovery. Economic management has never been [more] important than right now. And the choices we make, the way we seek to run our economy and let the business sector get ahead now, that is going to be crucial to securing people's prosperity going forward. Now the Labor Party likes to tell people what to do. They love telling people what to do. That's not my approach. That's not my government's approach.
Koch: OK. Just finally, New South Wales Premier Bob Carr, would be interested in your thoughts on his comments, has called for anti-vaxxers to be stripped of Medicare for ignoring the warning signs of the virus. Has he got a point?
Prime Minister: Well, again, again, I mean, we don't have a mandatory vaccine policy as a Federal Government. That's not something that we have done. We respect people's choices. Of course, we want people to get vaccinated and they have been getting vaccinated under these policies. I mean, New South Wales is now at 90 per cent double dose. Victoria will soon be there. We've got other states we've had less COVID now at 80 per cent up in Queensland when it comes to their first doses. We'll hit 90 per cent first dose this weekend for the whole country. And we got there because we've just trusted Australians. They know what they need to do. But, you know, we live in a country where we're not going to go around demonising those who want to make their own choices. I think that's very important. That's not how our government sees it. Of course, we want people to get vaccinated, but we're not going to take that heavy handed approach, which the Labor Party just always seems to like doing, whether it's Bob Carr or many of the others who we've seen come down with those types of views. It's not our approach.
Koch: All right. Prime Minister, appreciate your time. Thank you.
Additional Vaccines For Indonesia's Recovery
10 November 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Women
Australia will share a further 7.5 million COVID-19 doses with our good friend and partner Indonesia as we deepen our cooperation on fostering a shared regional recovery from the pandemic.
The additional doses committed brings the Morrison Government’s total pledge to 10 million doses for Indonesia from Australia’s supply.
Tomorrow, 1.2 million of these doses will arrive in Indonesia, bringing our total shared to date to 3.4 million, with more deliveries planned soon.
These commitments, together with a $107 million vaccine procurement through UNICEF will deliver over 20 million doses to Indonesia under our health partnership to support Indonesia’s national vaccine rollout.
Supporting equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for our region and ensuring their safe roll out are the highest priorities for Australia. Australia has committed to supply up to 60 million doses to the Indo-Pacific by the end of 2022. Nearly 7.2 million of these doses will have been delivered to countries across the Indo-Pacific by the end of this week.
Through the Australia-Indonesia Health Security Partnership, we are partnering with Indonesia to strengthen health system foundations to ensure the continuation of quality health services during the pandemic.
Australia has also committed more than $25 million in emergency assistance for Indonesia in 2021.
This has included the delivery of a $12 million package of oxygen-related and other medical supplies, as well as a commitment of $13 million to expand our work with NGOs, UN agencies, community organisations and provincial governments to support Indonesia’s local health response and enhanced community resilience.
Our previous support has included ventilators, oxygen concentrators and rapid antigen tests. Australia will continue to partner with Indonesia as we stand together to strengthen our region’s health security through the recovery and beyond.
Q&A, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
10 November 2021
MR PAUL GUERRA, CEO, VICTORIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY: Thank you, Prime Minister. We’ve got time for some audience questions, which I know you’re open to as well, so start thinking about what those questions might be. But, I might kick it off, Prime Minister. Can-do capitalism and a highly vaccinated population that we will be, and almost are in Victoria. In fact, I look at that across the rest of the country as well. Those two together, with the innovation that you talked about, all the way back to Sir John Monash. We've got people from Monash University here today. How do we use that, in your opinion, to Victoria's advantage, and perhaps the rest of Australia's advantage as well?
PRIME MINISTER: One of the biggest challenges I think we're facing at the moment is we've got to get regulation out of the way of our economy. When I was speaking to the clean tech entrepreneurs and financiers in Glasgow, I said, ‘What can we do?’ They didn’t ask for subsidies. There was no sort of, sort of rent-seeking fiesta, well at least at that occasion. It was simply, can you please ensure that when we develop these technologies and we seek to establish manufacturing and we seek to do all these things, that we're not going to get tied up in all of these approval processes that put costs onto these things that don't have to be there. And this is one of the important things we did, I mean, National Cabinet has got a pretty bad rap from some, but it, what many people wouldn’t have seen is a lot of the things that have changed underneath the surface.
You know, one of the key things that has chaired is the group that Josh chairs - The Council on Federal Financial Relations - which has been around a while, but plugs into this new National Cabinet structure, and their job, and Josh has a tough job, convincing states and territories to streamline and deregulate, because we can do that at a federal level, but as you know, at the Victorian Chamber - if I was talking to other chambers they’d have a similar view - much of the and most of the regulation that businesses face is actually at a state and local level. We have to do our job and ASIC and APRA and in super and financial institutions and so on. That’s our bailiwick. And the EPBC Act, which we're seeking to reform at the moment and getting no help from the Labor Party who tend to like telling people what to do with their lives. But it's, what's important is that we break through that. And you're right, we are primed and ready to go in this country. We’re set up, but we've got to make sure that governments in Australia remember that we are a can do capitalist country, not a don’t do Governments country.
MR PAUL GUERRA, CEO, VICTORIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY: That's the theme that we're going to continue it on, now we’re going to push, because it resonates so much in the room. Have we got any questions from out there? We’ve got one on down, one down here. Table eight. Pascale Quester from Swinburne’s got her hand up.
QUESTION: Prime Minister, thank you for being here today. You’ll be pleased to know that despite my French accent, I'm not going to ask anything about submarines.
PRIME MINISTER: The answer will still be the same.
QUESTION: So my question relates to the message that you have for young people and students today as they kind of face Australia's future coming out of the pandemic. Thank you.
PRIME MINISTER: Get excited, be positive, be optimistic. Alan Tudge knows this. I’ve been chatting to the students at Wesley. I really feel for those kids who, particularly been through eleven, Year 11 and Year 12 the last two years. I mean, they’ve had what are often two of the, you know, hopefully for most young people in Australia, two of the best years of their lives. And they’ve had them taken away from them by this pandemic. And that's a terrible thing that they've had to endure, but they’ve pushed through. I think they’ll be a resilient generation like, unlike others, because of what they've had to get through, and parents of of kids in those years I’m sure will appreciate that, and well done to you as well helping your kids get through.
What we've pumped into mental health support, particularly for young people right over the country, is very much about recognising that, and I think the services, particularly headspace - I mentioned Pat before - has been quite extraordinary in, I think, seeing people through. Australia’s had a very strong focus on mental health during the pandemic. I’d say we’ve been a world leader in that space, to get us through the pandemic. But having come through that, I really just want young people to feel excited.
You know, when I was at COP26, I sat there and I listened to people, one after the other, talking about the problem, but not enough people talking about the solution, and being optimistic about it. And when I sat around the G20 table, particularly looking directly at like-minded, market-based, capitalist, liberal democracy countries. And Australia’s saying, this is how we've always done this, as countries. I don't know why we want to borrow from from other countries that have a, have a more interventionist approach from governments. I mean, we've had to do our fair share of that, but I think we have to realise and recognise, you know, what we sprung from. Alan’s trying to do that in our education curriculum and make sure our young people understand what makes this country tick and what makes it vibrant. You know, I go to all these events and honestly, Australians are always, aren’t they Alan, the most optimistic people in the room. Alan Finkel knows that too. They go, you Australians, you are hopelessly optimistic. And I go, yes, because we see the world differently and we look at things like climate change and go, we can deal with that. We're not going to be beaten by it, we're not going to get depressed about it. We're going to fix it, because that's what you do in Australia. You don’t whinge and whine about it. You just get on with it and you get through the challenge. And I think that's one of the reasons why Australians have pushed through this pandemic so much better than other countries. Yeah, it's tough. It's been awful, particularly here in Melbourne. It's been just awful. But here you all are, here you all are. We’re going to roar back. That's my message to the young people. We’re going to roar back in this country, and we’re going to roar back with them.
MR PAUL GUERRA, CEO, VICTORIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY: Finding solutions to problems is one of the aspects that business is very, very good at. And as the young kids come through …
PRIME MINISTER: They’re better at it than governments.
MR PAUL GUERRA, CEO, VICTORIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY: Yeah, that's why we like it. I'm going to come to table 18. Richard, I think you've got one.
QUESTION: [Inaudible], a small to medium-sized enterprise here in Melbourne. The skilled immigration, when will we get some staff to help with this recovery? We need people and we just can't get them. I mean, I can take ten today if they were available. Can you make a comment on that, please.
PRIME MINISTER: I want to get them back as soon as possible, and [inaudible] I believe we’ll have, certainly skilled migration happening, well, it will be, it’s happening already now. But Singapore opens up on the 21st of November. I think we’ll move fairly quickly beyond that into Korea and Japan, and before the end of the year I hope we're opening up even more. We've just got to get through these next couple of weeks. And, you know, Australians have been through a lot. They don't want to see it get the wobbles now in terms of how we're managing the safely reopening process. And I think it's going really well. I commend both the Victorian and New South Wales Governments for what they've done in abolishing, you know, quarantine for those coming from overseas who’ve had two dose vaccinations. I mean, vaccination was the key part of the answer. So, people have been vaccinated, so that has to be honoured. And I think, you know, the experience that is being lived out now is a positive one in both states. I think both states have, I give credit where it's due in terms of planning for the impact on hospitals. That has been a key focus of the National Cabinet for many, many, many months now, preparing for this moment, and the plans are working. And I think that should be encouragement to other states that will remain locked up for a bit longer. And we hope that will end as soon as possible. Because once you get 80 per cent, as the Doherty Institute shows, well, you can, you can move on, you can move on. And, so, I think we'll see that here in Victoria and New South Wales very soon, is my, is my short answer to that question. I wish it would be true for the rest of the country. And I think other parts of the country, which will be suffering the same skill shortages that you already are here, will need to see those borders open for their own economic performance. And otherwise it will cause more harm, having things locked up, than opening them up.
MR PAUL GUERRA, CEO, VICTORIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY: Thanks Tim. And I know Minister Tudge, sitting with Duncan and Pascale today, would’ve, the reflection back on international students as they start to come back in, with international students ...
PRIME MINISTER: Students will be back, I think, before the end of the year, particularly here in Victoria.
MR PAUL GUERRA, CEO, VICTORIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY: That’s great to hear. That is very good news and, of course, it flows to the tourism side as well, and I’ve got members out there …
PRIME MINISTER: Touch wood, everything continuing to go as it is.
MR PAUL GUERRA, CEO, VICTORIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY: I know time is precious, so I'm just going to finish with one, then we'll take you back down into the audience, perhaps finish off with a coffee and meet with a couple of people. But speaking of coffee, the next couple of days in Melbourne, what's in store?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, what I'm just really enjoying doing, cause like all of you, we've been, we've been kept at home or kept in the office. If I’d had to do another 14-day quarantine after coming back, it would have been my fifth in the last year, and I'm probably the most quarantined Prime Minister anywhere in the world. They were all pleased to know when I was over there that I wasn't going to have to quarantine this time. So, it was good to be there, but it's great to be back. And I think Australians know that there's nothing I love more than just getting out and about and amongst amongst the country - whether it's out in the far reaches of northern Queensland or, you know, the great streets of Melbourne. And that’s why it’s just a real thrill for us all to be, you know, we, I think we've really rediscovered, if there's one big lesson we take out of these awful times, it’s just to never take those liberties and freedoms ever for granted again.
We had a period of prosperity in this country, unmatched anywhere in the world. And if there was one thing that, if there was only, if there's another side to that coin, it was that we could possibly get a bit complacent about how important that was. We cannot take our economy for granted. We cannot take the freedoms we have for granted. The most simple of things - whether that's the freedom of our our political structure here in Australia and our democracy, which many other countries in the world don't enjoy, the way our economy works, and the important economic decisions and decisions we’ll have to make in, next year and into the future. The pandemic has taught us not to take our economy and our freedoms for granted. And, so, the choices we make about that and the importance of the leadership that is needed to to protect our country to ensure that our economy is secured and our recovery is secured, I think is the big reminder for me, and I'm looking forward to sharing that with Australians all around the country and connecting again.
MR PAUL GUERRA, CEO, VICTORIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY: Great way to finish, great to have you back in Melbourne, great to have you back in Victoria. We hope it's not too long before you come back again. Thank you.
Billion Dollar Fund to Drive Low Emissions Technology Investment
10 November 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction
The Morrison Government will establish a new $1 billion technology fund to turbocharge investment in Australian companies to develop new low emissions technology.
The Low Emissions Technology Commercialisation Fund (the Fund) will combine $500 million of new capital for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) with $500 million from private sector investors.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Fund would back Australian early stage companies to develop new technology.
“Our Plan to reach net zero by 2050 is an Australian one that’s focused on technology not taxes and this Fund backs in Australian companies to find new solutions,” the Prime Minister said.
“Australia can become a world leader in creating low emissions technology that is both affordable and scalable, helping get emissions down while creating jobs.
“We are backing Australian businesses by creating an environment for their successful ideas to thrive in contrast to Labor’s approach to always wanting to tax success.”
Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the Fund demonstrates the Government’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions through investments in technology.
“The Fund will support Australian innovators to develop their intellectual property and grow their businesses in Australia,” Minister Taylor said.
“It will address a gap in the Australian market, where currently small, complex, technology-focused start-ups can be considered to be too risky to finance.
“Together with other new initiatives, like the increased investment in establishing seven Clean Hydrogen Industrial Hubs around Australia, today’s announcement brings our commitment to more than $21 billion of public investment in low emissions technologies by 2030.
“Our investment will leverage 3-5x that amount in co-investment from the private sector and other levels of government, or between $84 billion and $126 billion in total investment by 2030.”
The Government will introduce legislation to establish the Fund in this term of Parliament. The Fund is expected to earn a positive return for taxpayers.
The Fund builds on the CEFC’s success as the world’s largest government-owned green bank. The CEFC has committed $9.5 billion across 220 large scale projects and 23,700 smaller-scale transactions, driving $33 billion in new investments across the economy.
Driving Consumer Choice & Uptake of Low-Emissions Vehicles
09 November 2021
The Hon. Scott Morrison MP
Prime Minister
The Hon. Angus Taylor MP
Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction
The Morrison Government has released the first national Future Fuels and Vehicles Strategy backed by an expanded $250 million Future Fuels Fund investment.
The technology-led Strategy will see the Government work with industry to enhance consumer choice, create jobs and reduce emissions in Australia’s transport sector.
The expanded Future Fuels Fund, will focus on four key areas of investment, including:
Public electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure
Heavy and long-distance vehicle technologies
Commercial fleets
Household smart charging
The Government will deliver the Strategy with an expanded $250 million Future Fuels Fund, including $178 million in new funding. The Strategy is expected to result in more than $500 million of combined private and public co-investment directed into the uptake of future fuels in Australia and the creation of more than 2,600 new jobs.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Future Fuels and Vehicles Strategy delivers on the Government’s recently released Long-Term Emissions Reduction Plan, which provides an Australian way to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
“Our Plan promised technology not taxes, choices not mandates and driving down the cost of new technologies, and that’s exactly what this Strategy delivers to Australians,” the Prime Minister said.
“Australians love their family sedan, farmers rely on their trusted ute and our economy counts on trucks and trains to deliver goods from coast to coast.
“We will not be forcing Australians out of the car they want to drive or penalising those who can least afford it through bans or taxes. Instead, the Strategy will work to drive down the cost of low and zero emission vehicles, and enhance consumer choice.
“We will do this by creating the right environment for industry co-investment in technology development.
“Just as Australians have taken their own decision to embrace roof-top solar at the highest rate in the world, when new vehicle technologies are cost competitive Australians will embrace them too.”
Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the Strategy is about helping motorists embrace the increasing range of technologies available to keep them moving in an informed and fair way.
“The Future Fuels and Vehicles Strategy sets out the Government’s technology-led approach to reducing transport emissions while ensuring Australians can drive their preferred type of vehicle – be that petrol, diesel, hydrogen or electric powered," Minister Taylor said.
“Our technology-led approach is already helping to enhance consumer and industry confidence. In the last eight months there has been a 20 per cent increase in the number of low emissions vehicle models available in Australia.
“We are continuing to invest in the right infrastructure, while ensuring both those in the cities and regions can access this $250 million Fund.
“Like we saw with our world-leading rooftop solar uptake, we know that when new technologies reach price parity, Australians rapidly adopt them. We will take these lessons from solar integration into our reform work to ensure our grid is ‘EV ready’ to keep the lights on and bills affordable for everyone.
“Voluntary adoption of electric vehicles is the right pathway for reducing transport emissions over the long term. Stringent standards, bans or regressive taxes will limit choice and increase the upfront costs of cars for Australians.”
The Government will also take the lead on reforms through Energy Ministers to ensure the electricity grid is ready for an increase in electric vehicles. These reforms will help to keep the grid reliable and affordable, along with avoiding the estimated $224 million in electricity network upgrades needed by 2030. Without this action, these costs would be passed on to all electricity consumers, even those who do not choose to buy an electric vehicle.
In addition, the Government will continue to work closely with the states and territories to address barriers to low emission vehicle uptake in their jurisdictions. We will also ensure consumers have access to reliable, easy-to-understand information on low emission vehicles to enable informed choices. Many Australians are already making the choice to switch to new technology vehicles, with the EV Council reporting that battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles hit a record 8,688 sales in the first half of 2021. This is compared to 6,900 in 2020.
The Future Fuels and Vehicles Strategy contributes to Australia’s Long Term Emissions Reduction Plan by enabling the accelerated deployment of electric vehicles and other low emission transport technologies.
It also complements other government policies that will deliver strong economic and emissions reduction outcomes, including the Technology Investment Roadmap, Modern Manufacturing Strategy, National Hydrogen Strategy and the forthcoming Bioenergy Roadmap.
The additional investment in the Future Fuels Fund come off the back of a successful round one of funding, which leveraged $55 million in private sector co-investment to drive a seven-fold increase in the number of fast charging stations across urban and regional centres.
Interview with 2HD with Richard and Shanna
8 November 2021
RICHARD: Out and about for the first time in a long time, our Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who is on the line. Good morning, Prime Minister.
SHANNA: Good morning.
PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Richard. Good morning, Shanna.
RICHARD: Nice to have you here. Must be nice to not have to quarantine when you returned last week thanks to our high vaccination rate. A bit of a change for you?
PRIME MINISTER: Yes, it is. It would have been the fifth time in the past year, so I'm pleased that that's not the case, but more pleased for all of all of New South Wales and right across the country, we’re over 80 per cent fully vaccinated over 16s now, which is a tremendous achievement for the country and in New South Wales, we should crack that 90 per cent this week. So New South Wales has done a terrific job.
RICHARD: But in some states and amongst some groups, particularly indigenous communities, there is still a long way to go PM.
PRIME MINISTER: Yeah, that's true. And Western Australia and in Queensland, but they'll soon join the rest of the state, the rest of the country, I should say, over the next month or so in getting up to those 80 per cent rates. There is a challenge in indigenous communities, particularly in both of those states. In New South Wales, the indigenous rates of vaccinations have been lifting and there's been some really good work there. But that is a challenge that we find all around the world. I've spoken to other leaders, particularly in the United States, about the challenges of vaccinating indigenous populations, and we're on a similar track to those countries.
SHANNA: Prime Minister, can you explain to our listeners the purpose of your visit to the region today?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I'm looking forward to coming up to announce a $1.5 million grant, ARENA grant, to assess the feasibility of a green hydrogen hub at the Port of Newcastle. This is all about plugging Newcastle into the hydrogen industry, a hydrogen hub we want to see occur in the Hunter. This is the new source of energy which is driving so much of the world's response to climate change, having just returned from Glasgow, this is one of the key technologies that will enable not just Australia to get there, but developing countries, particularly in our part of the world, our major trading partners and Japan and Korea in particular. And this will ensure the ongoing prosperity of the Hunter. I mean, when I think about our plan for low emissions to reach net zero, I mean, the Hunter is at the centre of it as and regions just like it all around the country. So I'm really looking forward to coming up. We're working with other partners, Port of Newcastle, Macquarie Group and Lake Macquarie City Council. University of Newcastle. It's a great team effort.
RICHARD: A lot of so-called experts have described our, you know, zero 2050 emissions plan as being a technology development plan. I read one comment over the weekend, referred to it as an exercise in imagining things get better over time, and it does rely exactly on that, things getting better over time and this hydrogen that the whole hydrogen, are we going to see it in our lifetime, do you think?
PRIME MINISTER: Of course we will. Of course we will. We're already seeing exports coming out of Victoria now, going up to Japan and this is the whole point. You don't have to tax people's jobs away or regulate their jobs away to hit net zero. This is one of the great myths that I think has been exposed. I mean, the way you get to net zero is not by putting restrictions on people. You do it by driving down the cost of the new technologies such as hydrogen that makes this achievable. I mean, that's what that's what you know, the plan is. Not to go around making people buy this or buy that or do this or do that. I mean, that's how the Labor Party likes to do things, telling everybody what to do. Our plan is different to that. Our plan is to invest. We're investing over $20 billion in developing these technologies, drawing in another $60 to $100 billion from private sector, many of whom I met with when I was overseas. There is a torrent of investment capital going into these technologies, and our job is to direct them to ensure that Australia wins from this and in particular, the Hunter.
SHANNA: Federal member for Shortland, Pat Conroy, said your speech wasn't well received at the COP26 in Glasgow and adding to this, obviously the recent spat with France over the dumped submarine deal. Do you think your image has been tarnished in the last month or so?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, Labor always sort of sticks up for people who have a crack at Australia. I mean, our position is about developing technology so we don't take people's jobs away. Labor seems to have a very different approach. I mean, I didn't see him here, but I mean, what I do know is Nell McGill will be running against him at the next election, and she's a fantastic local mum and lawyer who does a great job working in that community. And I think she provides a real alternative to the usual sort of political, politically shrill sort of commentary we get from the local member.
RICHARD: We spoke to a number of listeners who actually live in the red zone, the PFAS Williamtown area, very disappointed about the special activation precinct being shrunk to practically nothing. Banks won't lend them money, and if people want to buy into that area, they won't lend them money. Not a lot seemed to have happened as far as the federal government, and don't forget it is a defence force base where this has come from. The remediation of that red zone, is there, can we expect an announcement prior to the election?
PRIME MINISTER: We've got $86 million in remediation works that is taking place there. The settlement has been supported, that we worked through over some period of time. There's ongoing remediation works that is occurring as a result of what has occurred there. And you know, that's what we'll continue to do. We'll honour the things that we've said we will do and we will continue to roll those out in that community.
SHANNA: Now, the recent Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry into former New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has really reignited calls for a federal ICAC. But Prime Minister, are you for or against the implementation of a federal ICAC?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, not one that looks like what happens in New South Wales, that's for sure. I mean, I've seen that process now over a long time, and it's not one that really commends itself to us. We have an alternative proposal which we've worked up over the last year. Legislation for that, draft legislation will be released soon. So, you know, but if the Labor Party doesn't support that, well, not much we can do to advance that. But no, the type of sort of thing we've seen happen in New South Wales, that type of model is not something we're looking at at a federal level.
RICHARD: A number of government MPs and including yourself, have spoken out against the renewal of the PEP11 exploration licence off the coast of, well, your electorate and end up here in the Hunter as well. Keith Pitt's the sole person responsible for making a call on that, but he seems reluctant to do it. Can we expect an announcement re PEP11?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I think people know my view about this. It's very clear. I can assure you that that's the position that I will continue to progress. And I think that should give people a lot of comfort that the Prime Minister is not supportive of that.
RICHARD: Okay, coal, it's obviously a major part of not only the Hunter Valley's economy, New South Wales and the Australian economy. Hypothetical. Do you think the New South Wales Government should approve any new coal mines or the expansion of any existing mines, Prime Minister?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, provided they meet all the environmental regulations, I don't see why not. And you know, those would have to be commercially based. I mean, there's certainly no suggestion that there'd be any sort of taxpayers money to subsidise those things. Where there are commercially viable projects that meet all the environmental guidelines and regulations and planning arrangements, then I don't see any reason why they should be withheld.
SHANNA: Now, Prime Minister, are you going to give us a Richard and Shanna exclusive with a date for the federal election?
PRIME MINISTER: Next year.
RICHARD: Next year. All right, well thank you very much for your time.
SHANNA: Yeah, we appreciate it.
RICHARD: Really appreciate it. And you must be appreciating being able to get out and about now.
PRIME MINISTER: Very much, yeah. And I'm looking forward to the big projects that are happening all around the country. Really big infrastructure projects. But I'm very excited about what's happening up in the Hunter, and I know that Brooke Vitnell and Nell McGill, they want to be part of that plan to back in and creating those opportunities that we'll be announcing today.
RICHARD: Thank you for your time. Have a good day.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks a lot.
Investment to Support Newcastle Port’s Hydrogen Potential
8 November 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction
The potential of the Hunter to be a leader of Australia’s clean hydrogen industry continues to grow with work beginning on the viability of a hydrogen hub at the Port of Newcastle.
The Morrison Government, through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), will deliver an extra $1.5 million to support Macquarie Group’s Green Investment Group, the Port of Newcastle and project partners to conduct a $3 million study on the hub’s potential.
The study will consider the best location in the Port for hydrogen infrastructure, with Newcastle having great potential both as a local energy provider and exporter of clean hydrogen.
Other project partners include Snowy Hydro, Idemitsu, Keolis Downer, Lake Macquarie, Jemena, and project collaborators Macquarie Agriculture and the University of Newcastle.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the study would identify the region’s current and future potential as a hydrogen hub.
“Newcastle and the Hunter will be a key part of the $1.2 billion we’re investing in Australia’s hydrogen industry,” the Prime Minister said.
“The region has been key to Australia’s energy security and with continuing strong demand for baseload power fuels and the potential as a clean energy hub, Newcastle and the Hunter will be an important part of Australia’s transition under our plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
“Newcastle is the biggest port on the east coast, with 50 per cent of its capacity available for future industry development making it a great asset for the region to become one of the seven Clean Hydrogen Industrial Hubs my government is delivering.
“Not only does it have the highly skilled workforce and natural resources to sustain a hydrogen industry, the Port also has existing export routes to the important markets of Japan and Korea.
“We’re committed to developing a world-leading hydrogen industry while providing investment and growth opportunities for our communities like Newcastle and the Hunter.”
Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the Government was determined to reach the goal of producing clean hydrogen at a competitive price, and this work underway in the Hunter will help Australia to achieve that goal.
“This feasibility study will investigate the deployment of a 40 MW electrolyser, which would be four times bigger than the current largest electrolysers in the world,” Minister Taylor said.
“Producing hydrogen in the Hunter not only provides fantastic export opportunities, but also the chance to grow local industries such as using clean ammonia for domestic fertiliser use.”
“Importantly, Government is partnering with industry, business and researchers to create new economic opportunities and new jobs.
“We expect the future Australian hydrogen industry to directly support more than 16,000 jobs by 2050, plus an additional 13,000 jobs from the construction of related renewable energy infrastructure. Australian hydrogen production for export and domestic use could also generate more than $50 billion in additional GDP by 2050. It’s a win-win.”
The Morrison Government released the National Hydrogen Strategy in 2019, which sets out a vision for Australia to become a major global hydrogen supplier by 2030.
Producing clean hydrogen under $2 a kilogram (‘H2 under 2’) is a priority under the Government’s Technology Investment Roadmap, part of the long-term plan to reach net zero by 2050.
The Government is investing more than $1.2 billion to accelerate the development of an Australian hydrogen industry, including $464 million to develop up to seven Clean Hydrogen Industrial Hubs in regional Australia.
Hydrogen is a flexible, safe, transportable and storable fuel that when used produces no carbon emissions.
The Late Sir James Gobbo AC CVO QC
8 November 2021
Sir James Gobbo was the quintessential Australian success story.
The son of Italian migrants, James spoke little English during his childhood.
However, a powerful intellect and drive resulted in him being awarded a Rhodes Scholarship 70 years ago.
He went on to be a barrister, Queens Counsel, Judge of the Victorian Supreme Court, Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria and ultimately Governor of Victoria.
Sir James was rightly proud of his rich Italian heritage and of the multicultural nation he served. In so many ways Sir James was the father of modern multiculturalism in Australia, which stands as one of his most significant legacies.
He had a deep Catholic faith and was a recipient of the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Gregory from The Vatican.
Sir James gave generously of his time to so many causes throughout his life including the Council for the Order of Australia, the National Library of Australia and the Australian Multicultural Foundation.
He was married to Lady Shirley for more than sixty years.
On behalf of the Australian Government, I extend my condolences to Lady Shirley and his family.
M4-M5 Link Tunnels: The Final Breakthrough
5 November 2021
Prime Minister, Premier of New South Wales, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, New South Wales Minister for Tansport and Roads
The final tunnelling breakthrough on the M4-M5 Link Tunnels has been completed, marking a major construction milestone in Australia’s largest road infrastructure project.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the $16.8 billion project was cutting travel times and supporting thousands of families with work as Sydney and Australia were reopening from COVID lockdowns.
“This breakthrough isn’t just for a tunnel, but it’s a breakthrough for getting people home sooner and safer and helping workers to move around,” the Prime Minister said.
“As well as the 9,000 jobs this project has been delivering, the tunnel is going to make it easier for people across Sydney to pick up work and jobs that just wouldn’t have been possible before with traffic.
“As we reopen Sydney and Australia, projects like this bypass and our record $110 billion infrastructure investment are going to give our economy even more of a boost.”
New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet said the third stage of WestConnex is now another step closer to forming a western bypass of the Sydney CBD.
“This project will change the lives of thousands of people, bypassing dozens of sets of traffic lights and allowing an uninterrupted drive from the Blue Mountains to the city,” the Premier said.
“As part of the New South Wales Government’s record $108.5 billion investment pipeline, WestConnex is already easing congestion, creating jobs and connecting communities, right across our city.
“Our Government has its eye to the future and this breakthrough will complete a ‘missing link’ between the new M4 Tunnels at Haberfield and the M8 at St Peters.”
Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the Commonwealth Government had co-funded WestConnex from the outset with a grant of $1.5 billion and a concessional loan of $2 billion.
“This is a major milestone in what is one of the most significant road infrastructure projects in the country, which is already delivering major benefits for Sydney commuters by reducing travel times, easing congestion and improving safety,” Minister Fletcher said.
“When opened to traffic in 2023, the M4-M5 Link Tunnels and Rozelle Interchange will complete the WestConnex project, providing improved links between key employment hubs and local communities.”
NSW Minister for Transport and Roads Rob Stokes said 22 of the 33 kilometres of WestConnex would be underground, including the 7.5 kilometres that make up the M4-M5 Link Tunnels.
“This final breakthrough means both the north and southbound tunnels are connected for the first time, with roadheaders carving out the rock 43 metres below ground at Leichhardt,” Minister Stokes said.
“The milestone is an enormous credit to every one of the 9,000 workers and sub-contractors who’ve worked on the project, ensuring construction continues safely.
“The M4-M5 Link Tunnels will remove tens of thousands of vehicles from surrounding streets, including Parramatta Road, and will help slash up to 40 minutes from an average peak journey between Parramatta and the Sydney Airport.”
Transurban CEO Scott Charlton said drivers are already enjoying the benefits of WestConnex, with close to 150 million trips made on the first two stages in the last financial year.
“The New M4 Tunnels and M8 have been transformative for Sydney, by easing traffic congestion and improving liveability for local communities,” Mr Charlton said.
National Cabinet Statement
05 November 2021
National Cabinet met today to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response, recent outbreaks of COVID-19 and the Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly provided an update on the current COVID-19 situation and health response across Australia including new principles for test, trace, isolate and quarantine as well as public health and safety measures.
Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been 177,393 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 1,795 people have died. More than 44 million tests have been undertaken. Testing has increased nationally over recent days with 1,088,293 tests reported in the past 7 days.
Globally there have been over 248 million cases and sadly over 5 million deaths, with 502,386 new cases and 7,801 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 roll out continues to expand. To date 36.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia, including a record 181,833 doses in the previous 24 hours.
In the previous 7 days, more than 1.1 million vaccines have been administered in Australia. More than 89 per cent of the Australian population aged 16 years and over have now had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including over 95 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 99 per cent of over 70 year olds.
More than 79 per cent of Australians aged 16 years and over are now fully vaccinated, including more than 87 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 92 per cent of Australians over 70 years of age.
Lieutenant General John Frewen, DSC, AM, Coordinator General of the National COVID Vaccine Taskforce (Operation COVID Shield) also reported on work underway to support a higher level of vaccination uptake amongst Indigenous Australians. All leaders reiterated the importance of Australians, especially those in vulnerable groups, to get two doses of a COVID-19 vaccination.
Lt General Frewen, Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly and Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Health Professor Brendan Murphy also provided an update on boosters and third dose vaccinations.
National Cabinet and the National Federation Reform Council agreed to meet next on Friday 10 December.
Vaccination and Booster Plans
National Cabinet discussed the roll out of the booster program following approvals by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Australian Technology Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) supporting COVID-19 boosters for Australians aged 18 and over who have received two doses at least six months ago.
The booster program has commenced for immunocompromised Australians and high priority groups. Already around 150,000 third doses have been administered. The booster program will open more broadly on 8 November 2021.
The booster roll out will continue to utilise the existing vaccination infrastructure with around 10,000 general practices and pharmacies, augmented by in-reach services and state clinics across Australia. Commonwealth funding under the vaccine schedule of the National Partnership on COVID-19 Response will continue.
Lt General Frewen provided an update on plans to accelerate the roll out for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across all jurisdictions in order to deliver vaccinations in partnership with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and relevant jurisdictions. With supplies available, there are significant opportunities available to be vaccinated across urban, rural, remote and very remote areas. Hesitancy continues to be a factor in low uptake, with all jurisdictions introducing measures to reduce hesitancy.
National Cabinet received advice from the Chief Medical Officer on emerging scientific evidence of the benefits of vaccinating for 5-11 year olds. A vaccination program for children aged 5-11 years will be implemented, if supported by upcoming regulatory decisions from the TGA and advice from ATAGI.
Ensuring COVID-19 Outbreak Readiness for Indigenous Communities
National Cabinet noted the risks of COVID-19 outbreaks for Indigenous communities from the easing restrictions in Phases B and C of the National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID-19 Response, particularly where vaccination rates are lower, including in regional and remote communities.
National Cabinet noted recent developments provided an opportunity to update existing outbreak preparedness plans, including revised Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) National Guidance for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities for COVID-19, due to be updated in early November; revised Doherty modelling of outbreak scenarios which take higher vaccination rates into account; and learnings from recent outbreaks.
National Cabinet agreed that the Commonwealth and all jurisdictions will update outbreak management plans, in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community sector, and ensure that Emergency Management Australia (EMA) is consulted in the updated planning, and that plans include timely requests for support through EMA where needed, particularly to support localised vaccine acceleration and/or establishing quarantine facilities.
The Commonwealth and all jurisdictions will return to National Cabinet in December with updated outbreak management plans for final agreement.
National Plan to Transition Australia’s COVID-19 Response
National Cabinet received its final update from Professor Jodie McVernon from the Doherty Institute on the second phase of modelling work under the National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID-19 Response.
National Cabinet noted that this modelling, which incorporates updated parameters and recent evidence, confirms that Doherty’s previous findings regarding the thresholds for moving to Phases B and C of the National Plan remain robust.
The modelling also confirmed the importance of high vaccine coverage in the Australian population, combined with public health strategies. Streamlined public health responses, such as testing and isolating only close contacts, combined with high vaccination rates, can also reduce transmission risks. It also finds shorter periods of quarantine below 14 days may be effective for vaccinated people testing positive.
Doherty found that localised health strategies may be required with high case numbers and for key high risk groups, areas and settings, including Indigenous communities and in schools.
The modelling found that cases resulting from international arrivals would be manageable once 80 per cent or more of the eligible Australian population is fully vaccinated.
Doherty found that surveillance in high risk areas to identify outbreaks early and contact management can reduce infections, keep schools open and minimise disruptions to face-to-face learning.
The Doherty Institute, in consultation with the CDNA and the AHPPC, identified strategies to streamline and focus test, trace, isolate and quarantine responses as jurisdictions move into Phases B and C of the National Plan in the context of increasing caseloads, the current Delta strain and high vaccine coverage.
National Cabinet thanked the Doherty Institute and Professor McVernon for their work which has informed the development and implementation of the National Plan.
The Taskforce summary of these findings is attached and will be available on www.pmc.gov.au. Detailed modelling reports will be released by The Doherty Institute over the coming days.
Doherty Institute COVID-19 modelling: 2nd tranche [PDF 651 KB]
Living with COVID-19 - Revised Test, Trace, Isolate and Quarantine (TTIQ) and Public Health and Social Measures (PHSMs)
National Cabinet received updated advice from AHPPC on test, trace, isolate and quarantine (TTIQ) measures and public health and social measures (PHSMs) in place during the transition to living with COVID-19.
National Cabinet agreed to the AHPPC principles of test, trace, isolate and quarantine (TTIQ) applicable from Phase B of the National Plan, and the AHPPC principles to guide the application of public health and social measures (PHSM) appropriate to maintain disease control.
National Cabinet further agreed to adopt the baseline PHSM with the implementation of Phase C of the National Plan, with flexibility to apply variable PHSM in communities with less than 80 per cent vaccination coverage, and as required by specific epidemiological circumstances.
National Cabinet also agreed, from Phase C, to adopt a risk-based approach to changes to quarantine arrangements for contacts, including differential arrangements for fully vaccinated close contacts.
For vaccinated primary close contacts:
Jurisdictions to adopt an appropriate testing regime
Jurisdictions to consider risk-based quarantine arrangements for fully vaccinated primary contacts, including no quarantine or minimal quarantine for up to 7 days
Casual contacts, where identified, required only to seek testing and isolate if experiencing symptoms, and avoid high risk settings until a negative result
Unvaccinated close contacts quarantining for 14 days
The National Coordinating Mechanism will develop and communicate TTIQ approaches to maintain operation of key sectors of the economy (including food distribution) in high-case scenarios, in consultation with relevant government and non-government bodies.
National Cabinet further agreed that the Commonwealth Department of Health with the AHPPC will develop a nationally consistent framework for the use of Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT), including recommended cadence for screening and outbreak management, protocols for management of positive RAT and advice on high risk settings and prevalence.
National Cabinet further noted the Second Review of Quarantine Arrangements in Australia and thanked Ms Jane Halton AO PSM on the recommendations which align with the phases in the National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID-19 Response.
Living with COVID-19 - Health System Capacity
National Cabinet received an update on progress being made by all jurisdictions on enhancing health system capacity planning under the various phases of the National Plan to Transition Australia’s National COVID-19 response.
All states and territories have confirmed that each has sufficient health system capacity to transition to living with COVID-19 and under different levels of community transmission.
National Cabinet agreed to release updated Doherty Institute modelling in coming days on health system capacities at living with COVID and surge capacity at different levels of community transmission.
National Cabinet noted the Commonwealth’s additional support for the health sector during the transition to living with COVID, including primary health care support, the minimum funding guarantee for hospitals continuing through 2021-22, the extension of COVID-19 AUSMAT Support for Vulnerable Australian Communities and support to facilitating overseas health practitioner migration.
National Cabinet agreed to release a revised Common Operating Picture including revised metrics for health system capacity.
National Cabinet endorsed the AHPPC papers on vaccinations of home care and disability care workers.
Borders and International Travel
National Cabinet noted the successful reopening of international borders with no quarantine into New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria for fully vaccinated international arrivals. Since the last National Cabinet:
Commonwealth has set new caps for vaccinated and unvaccinated inbound arrivals
One way travel bubble has reopened with New Zealand
Removal of restrictions on outbound travel for fully vaccinated Australians
Quarantine free travel into NSW, Victoria and ACT for fully vaccinated international arrivals, including Australians, permanent residents, immediate family, parents and exempt foreigners visa holders. Already around 7,000 fully vaccinated travellers have arrived through Sydney and Melbourne Airports
Commencement of Pacific Pathways Plan for workers from COVID free Pacific countries
Extension of travel exemptions for inbound travel for parents of Australians
Singapore two way travel bubble for Singaporean Nationals will commence on 21 November
National Cabinet also noted a paper on international cruise ship reopening.
National Cabinet noted that states and territories will control the recommencement of cruises in each jurisdiction when the Commonwealth Minister for Health and Aged Care has revoked the BioSecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency)(Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential)(Emergency Requirements for Cruise Ships).
High Risk Weather Events
National Cabinet received a briefing from Emergency Management Australia on the 2021-22 High Risk Weather Season, and noted that a La Niña watch has been issued in 2021.
COVID-19 Vaccine Pioneer Awarded Prime Minister's Prize for Science
3 November 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Science and Technology, Minister for Defence Industry
An evolutionary biologist and virologist who played a transformative role in the global scientific response to COVID-19 has won this year’s Prime Minister’s Prize for Science.
Professor Edward C. Holmes from the University of Sydney received the $250,000 prize for almost 30 years of pioneering research on genome sequencing data, providing invaluable insights into diseases such as HIV, Ebola, SARS and most recently, COVID-19.
Last year Professor Holmes was the first person in the world to publicly share the COVID-19 virus’ genome sequence. This crucial data enabled scientists to start vaccine design within days.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Professor Holmes’ research into emerging viruses played a critical role in Australia’s response to COVID-19.
“Science has been at the forefront of our minds for the last 18 months, and Professor Holmes’ contribution to accelerating the development of the COVID-19 vaccine – doses of hope, as I call them – saved countless lives,” the Prime Minister said.
“For over 20 years, the Prizes have recognised remarkable Australians whose dedication to scientific research and innovation has led the way in shaping the future of our country, and Professor Holmes exemplified why we placed our trust in science to effectively respond to COVID-19.
“On behalf of all Australians, congratulations to the scientists, innovators, educators and research organisations being recognised for their dedication to solving the challenges of today and tomorrow.”
The $250,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation was awarded to Professor Anthony Weiss AM from the University of Sydney for his trailblazing research into accelerating and improving the repair of human tissue. In 2008 he founded Elastagen to commercialise his research and inventions.
Minister for Science and Technology Melissa Price said research-based innovation leading to commercialisation demonstrated the value and importance of the work of Australian scientists.
“I would like to thank this year’s recipients for creating a more productive and more prosperous future for all of us through their research achievements, and for inspiring our next generation of scientists and innovators,” Minister Price said.
“Our Government is committed to ensuring we use science – and the incredible work of our scientists – to continue to improve the lives of all Australians.”
Additional prizes presented on the night were:
The $50,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools was presented to Mr Scott Graham, Head of Agriculture at Barker College (NSW), for changing the way agricultural science is taught by developing unique programs to engage students and emphasise the positive difference agriculture makes to society.
The $50,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools was presented to Mrs Megan Hayes, STEM specialist and primary teacher at Mudgeeraba Creek State School (QLD), for her outstanding work in championing the importance of STEM education in her local school community, and at a national level.
The $50,000 Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year was presented to Professor Sherene Loi, Medical Oncologist and Head of the Translational Breast Cancer Laboratory at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, for her work to translate scientific findings into innovative treatments that can improve the survival of breast cancer patients in Australia and around the world.
The $50,000 Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year was presented to world-leading astronomer and engineer, Dr Keith Bannister, whose work using CSIRO’s Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope to solve the mystery of Fast Radio Burst radio waves is now helping solve several of the big astronomical mysteries of our generation.
The $50,000 Prize for New Innovators was presented to Associate Professor Michael Bowen, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer for Kinoxis Therapeutics and from the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre, for his work to drive scientific discoveries relating to serious brain disorders (such as opioid use disorder) that lack effective treatments.
The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are Australia’s most prestigious awards for outstanding achievements in scientific research, research-based innovation and excellence in science, mathematics or technology teaching.
The 2021 awards presentation was held online, and can be viewed at www.industry.gov.au/pmprizes.
Vietnam-Australia Joint Statement on the Finalisation of the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy
3 November 2021
Viet Nam Prime Minister HE Pham Minh Chinh and Australian Prime Minister the Hon Scott Morrison MP, met for a productive discussion on 1 November 2021 at the UN climate conference in Glasgow (COP26).
The meeting between Prime Ministers builds on a strong shared commitment to trade and investment, liberalisation and economic connectivity between Australia and Viet Nam reflected in the Plan of Action under our Strategic Partnership.
The Prime Ministers were pleased to announce the finalisation of the Australia-Viet Nam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy, which will support their joint ambition of becoming top ten trade partners and doubling investment.The Strategy solidifies Viet Nam and Australia’s shared commitment to trade liberalisation and economic connectivity, and will help both countries take advantage of emerging market opportunities, including in energy and the green economy, and continue their economic recoveries from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Strategy reaffirms both countries’ commitment to strengthening the rules-based global trading system as the basis for open international trade and working together to address economic challenges and coercive economic practices.
The Strategy highlights the enormous potential of the economic relationship, by identifying key sectors in which Viet Nam and Australia have particular strengths on which to build in order to further deepen the trade and investment relationship — education, skills and training; resources and energy; agriculture, forestry and fisheries; manufacturing; tourism; science, technology and innovation; digital economy; and other services.
The accompanying Implementation Plan provides a roadmap for the Strategy and outlines a series of mutually beneficial, practical initiatives to deepen trade and investment links in these key sectors, over the initial period of 2021-2025.
The Prime Ministers recognised that the business sector will be critical in supporting the Strategy’s aims and taking the economic relationship to the next level. Accordingly, Viet Nam and Australia have appointed Business Champions to support the Strategy by promoting trade and investment opportunities to business communities in their respective countries. The Business Champions will report annually to governments on industry’s views on progress of the Strategy’s implementation and further ideas for increasing two-way trade and investment.
The Prime Ministers noted the Strategy and Implementation Plan would be made publicly available online in the coming weeks, in both languages, and commended the Strategy to the government, business, investment and innovation communities of Viet Nam and Australia to work together to advance.
Vietnam - Australia Joint Statement on Commitment to Practical Climate Action
3 November 2021
Viet Nam Prime Minister HE Pham Minh Chinh and Australian Prime Minister the Hon Scott Morrison MP, met for a productive discussion on 1 November 2021 at the UN climate conference in Glasgow (COP26).
The meeting between Prime Ministers builds on a strong shared commitment to trade and investment, liberalisation and economic connectivity between Australia and Viet Nam reflected in the Plan of Action under our Strategic Partnership.
Australia and Viet Nam also agree on the importance of a pragmatic, results-focused approach to climate change action, in line with each country’s unique situation.
Australia and Viet Nam share a rapid take-up of renewables, an active focus on adaptation and resilience, and ambitions set toward net zero, with a strong focus on practical efforts to achieve climate targets.
The Prime Ministers’ discussions reaffirmed Australia and Viet Nam’s common energy and climate challenges, including the need to achieve ambitious climate targets while supporting energy security. Prime Minister Morrison congratulated Prime Minister Chinh on the important steps Viet Nam has taken to manage the challenges of improving energy security and access, and driving strong economic growth, while reducing global emissions.
Prime Minister Chinh noted that, as a country with significant vulnerability to climate impacts, like Australia, Viet Nam is itself taking responsibility and positive action on climate change. He encouraged a closer partnership between Australia and Viet Nam to achieve mutual climate, energy security and economic goals.
Prime Minister Chinh outlined steps Viet Nam had taken in developing its forward Power Development Plan (PDP8), National Strategy on Climate Change and domestic carbon market through its Environmental Protection Law, recently passed by the National Assembly of Viet Nam.
Prime Minister Morrison noted Australia’s technology driven approach to climate change, which included a focus on getting new energy technologies to parity with existing energy sources – or preferably even cheaper. Financial markets are increasingly seeking opportunities to invest in low-emissions technology in emerging markets. Viet Nam can and should benefit from this trend and Australia stood ready to support its energy transition interests.
Australia’s practical approach with global application, and its capacity to supply a range of technologies, fuels and expertise, could directly benefit countries like Viet Nam seeking opportunities to meet their growing energy needs with low-emissions solutions.
Prime Ministers discussed plans to expand cooperation on the technical and regulatory reforms and new capabilities that will support the stable and efficient integration of renewable energy into Viet Nam’s grid.
Prime Ministers welcomed work under the newly finalised Australia-Viet Nam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES), to support green economy objectives and a sustainable energy transition in both countries.
Under the EEES, Viet Nam and Australia will establish a dialogue in 2022 to discuss energy, minerals and mining issues that will include a focus on growing trade and investment.
In the meeting, Prime Minister Chinh welcomed Australia’s invitation to Viet Nam to partner with Australia under the Indo-Pacific Carbon Offset Scheme, noting that the world cannot achieve net zero emissions without offsets, including cross border offsets.
Prime Ministers discussed adaptation and resilience, and the importance of nature-based solutions in addressing climate change. Prime Minister Morrison welcomed Viet Nam’s commitment to planting one billion trees, and reflected on Australia’s progress in protecting blue carbon ecosystems.
Discussions between Prime Ministers reflected a strong commitment to closer cooperation between Australia and Viet Nam, and highlighted that climate change is a global problem in need of solutions that work across geographies and sectors, particularly in developing countries.
Prime Ministers agreed to explore further opportunities to deepen cooperation in the transition to a low emissions future.
Vietnam-Australia Joint Statement on Commitment to Practical Climate Action and Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy
2 November 2021
Yesterday I was pleased to meet with Vietnam’s Prime Minister, His Excellency Pham Minh Chinh, in the margins of the UN climate conference in Glasgow (COP26).
Australia and Vietnam share a dynamic Strategic Partnership, based on strong economic, security and people-to-people ties. We share a commitment to trade and investment, liberalisation and economic connectivity. We open a new chapter, with a Joint Statement on our Commitment to Practical Climate Action and the launch of our Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy.
Together we discussed the importance of a pragmatic approach to climate change action that is in line with each country’s unique situation. The Joint Statement reflects our nations’ results-oriented approach to COP26 and our focus on practical efforts to achieve climate targets, including areas for cooperation as we transition to a low emissions future.
Australia and Vietnam are committed to the rapid take-up of renewables, an active focus on adaptation and resilience, and meeting ambitions for net zero. We reaffirmed our common energy and climate challenges, which included the need to achieve climate targets while supporting energy security.
I was also delighted to finalise the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy by signing respective forewords with Prime Minister Chinh. The Strategy is a commitment under our Strategic Partnership and sets out a detailed roadmap to deliver our joint ambition to become top 10 trading partners and double two-way investment. The strategy will be released in the coming weeks.
For more details see Vietnam – Australia Joint Statement on Commitment to Practical Climate Action.
Australia and Fiji Partner on High Integrity Carbon Offsets to Reduce Emissions
1 November 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction
The Morrison Government has welcomed Fiji as the first international partner to join Australia’s recently established Indo-Pacific Carbon Offsets Scheme.
The Indo-Pacific Carbon Offsets Scheme (the Scheme), announced in April, is modelled on Australia’s successful Emissions Reduction Fund and is designed to develop a high-integrity carbon offset scheme in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Government is also investing an additional $44 million, on top of the $59.9 million originally invested into the Scheme, taking the total investment to $104 million over 10 years.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama signed the agreement in Glasgow, which lays the foundations for a high integrity and accessible carbon market for Fiji.
“The partnership will see our two countries share expertise to ensure Fiji is internationally recognised as a source of high-integrity carbon mitigation outcomes,” Prime Minister Morrison said.
“We look forward to working with Fiji, other members of our Pacific family and Asian partners to share our expertise and drive investment in low emissions technologies.
“The Australian Government is also providing further support to help countries in the Indo-Pacific region meet their international reporting obligations, attract investment to lower emissions and set up high-integrity carbon offset schemes with a $44 million boost for the Indo-Pacific Carbon Offsets Scheme.
“We’re encouraging the wider adoption of Australia’s world-leading approach to emissions solutions to support our neighbours reduce emissions and grow their economies. This is essential to ensure all countries can take advantage of the global transition to the new energy economy.”
Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said Australia would share technical expertise in carbon accounting with countries in our region to enable them to meet new Paris Agreement emissions reporting obligations.
“Australia is the gold standard when it comes to transparency and accountability in emissions reporting,” Minister Taylor said. “We expect all major economies to be held to the same high standard and we will support countries in our region to build the capability of their emissions reporting.
“Our Plan to get to net zero emissions by 2050 recognises there is a role for voluntary purchases of high integrity credits from our region. We are putting in place the building blocks to enable that to occur.
“The scheme will also help Australia’s private sector meet its emissions reduction targets by enabling investment in credible projects in the region that demonstrate high environmental integrity.”
Increasing Support for Region's Climate Action and Economic Growth
1 November 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Women, Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction
Australia is further increasing its international climate finance commitment to $2 billion over the next five years to support developing countries in our region as they tackle the impacts of climate change.
Today we are committing an additional $500 million, on top of the $1.5 billion announced by the Prime Minister in& December 2020. This doubles our previous five-year commitment of $1 billion between 2015 and 2020.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the investment would include an increase for the Pacific from $500 million to at least $700 million.
“Australia’s assistance will support Pacific and Southeast Asian countries to enhance climate resilience for future infrastructure investments, including roads, schools and bridges,” the Prime Minister said.
“It will also drive private sector-led climate solutions that support clean technology, jobs and growth across our region.
“Australia stands with our Pacific family in our joint commitment to scale up mitigation and ensure adaptation support.
“Any solution on climate change that is geared only to developed countries does not solve climate change. We must empower and enable developing countries to industrialise and lift their incomes and standards of living in a new, decarbonised energy economy, as part of our global climate change response.”
Australia joins other countries, including the US, UK and Canada in doubling our previous climate finance pledge of $1 billion between 2015 and 2020.
Minster for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Marise Payne, said cooperation on climate is important to Australia’s international relationships and has been central to many of our discussions with key Indo-Pacific partners.
“Australia and our region are on the front line of climate impacts, as we have acknowledged as a signatory to the Pacific Islands Forum’s Boe and Kainaki II Declarations.
“This is a key priority for Australia and our partners. That is why more than 70 percent of our bilateral, regional and global support is focused on climate resilience and adaptation.
“Our commitment will support local communities to better prepare for and recover from disasters, and to address climate-related water and food security challenges.
Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said Australia is playing its part in global efforts to reduce emissions. Australia has always stood-by our neighbours, and this support is a commitment to address the impacts of climate change on our region.
“Our focus on technology and getting the cost of clean energy solutions down is an approach that is relevant across our Indo-Pacific region,” Minister Taylor said.
“Australia is a leader in adaptation efforts globally and we are building on our work in the region to reduce emissions and importantly increase prosperity.”
Australia will also share its scientific expertise, providing regional partners with better information and forecasts to plan water resource management and agricultural practices.
We will further support programs that mobilise private sector financing for developing countries to transition their energy systems and economies for a low-emissions future. This will include increasing access to affordable renewable energy, essential for developing nations to reduce emissions.
Addressing climate change is integrated into every aspect of Australia’s international development framework, Partnerships for Recovery.
Our increased commitment will contribute to the global goal of providing US$100 billion in annual climate finance for developing countries and ensuring a successful outcome at COP26 in Glasgow.
Information on Australia’s climate finance programs is available at: Supporting the Indo-Pacific to tackle climate change
Singapore–Australia's Next Steps to Reopening to the World
1 November 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Women, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment
Australia will welcome back fully vaccinated Singaporean travellers in November as part of our step by step and safe reopening to the world.
The quarantine-free travel arrangements will commence on November 21 for Australian states and territories that are ready, and will be available for fully vaccinated Singaporeans travelling from Singapore who present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the agreement at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rome, following a meeting with the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong.
“Australia is slinging its doors open to fully vaccinated Singaporean travellers in November,” the Prime Minister said.
“This is another significant milestone in our step by step approach to safely reopening to the world that we outlined in the National Plan.
“It follows the announcement this week that fully vaccinated travellers from New Zealand will be welcomed back in October.
“This means within weeks Australia will be welcoming tourists from two of our top ten travel destinations. This is the billion dollar boost that Australia’s tourism industry has been waiting for.
“Step by step, everything that we know and love about Australia is inching back to normal.”
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Senator Marise Payne said this arrangement followed Singapore’s recent announcement to welcome fully vaccinated Australians.
“Many Australians live and work in Singapore and vice versa. The strong exchanges over many decades have been to the benefit of both our nations,” Minister Payne said.
“It attests to the strength of our friendship and the effective management of COVID in each of our countries that we have been able to agree this early step in the reopening of normal travel.
“As we continue with our shared regional recovery from the pandemic, the resumption of travel between Singapore and Australia will provide great opportunities to move forward.”
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said this was the next logical step in reopening to the world.
“Australia remains a popular, world-leading destination and this is just the start of our international tourism comeback,” Minister Tehan said.
“Australia’s tourism operators and the sector’s 660,000 workers will welcome back with open arms visitors from Singapore.
“Quarantine-free arrivals demonstrate the success of our National Plan and the strength of our recovery.”
Details of arrangement include:
Singaporeans must depart from Singapore to be considered eligible
No requirement to have spent 14 days in Singapore prior to travel
No requirement for quarantine upon arrival to Australia
Arrangements will commence from 21 November with participating jurisdictions including New South Wales and Victoria.
The Australia-Republic of Korea Low and Zero Emissions Technology Partnership
1 November 2021
Australia and the Republic of Korea enjoy a deep and historic relationship, and we mark our 60 years of diplomatic relations by celebrating the enduring friendship of our peoples and the bond between our nations. The strength of our bilateral partnership is underpinned by shared liberal democratic values, common strategic interests, strong economic ties, and extensive community links. We are committed to working together to deepen our close partnership and to support an open, inclusive and prosperous Indo‑Pacific region.
Australia and the Republic of Korea recognise that climate change is one of the defining challenges and opportunities of our time, and that all countries must play their role in the global response. We share a commitment to ambitious action to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, and to technology-led approaches that will ensure we reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also growing our economies and creating jobs.
We share the ambition of accelerating the development and commercialisation of low and zero emissions technologies to achieve cost parity with high emitting technologies as soon as possible. To this end, we commit to working together over the next decade and beyond to develop and support initiatives that will help drive increased adoption of low and zero emission technologies, and support our efforts to meet and beat our commitments under the Paris Agreement, including our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
We will collaborate across existing and emerging low and zero emissions technologies, including technologies for clean hydrogen and clean ammonia supply; low emissions iron ore and steel; hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles; hydrogen power generation; carbon capture, utilization and storage; energy storage; solar; and the critical minerals supply chain. In particular, we commit to make tangible progress on advancing technologies and trade systems for hydrogen supply (including clean hydrogen and clean ammonia), low emissions steel and iron ore, and carbon capture, utilization and storage as early priorities, and also strengthen our international cooperative relationship in these areas.
In support of this objective, Australia and the Republic of Korea will work together to provide funding in accordance with their respective domestic processes to support research and development, and pilot, trial, and demonstration projects in priority focus areas, with a view to supporting accelerated commercialisation of low and zero emissions technologies over the medium term. Initiatives supported under this Partnership will be industry-led and leverage additional financial contributions from the private sector, subnational governments and other sources.
Industries and research circles in both countries have already driven economic prosperity through active and voluntary cooperation on projects in industries such as energy and steel, and are now eager for new cooperation based on a positive vision for low and zero emissions technologies. This desire will be a fundamental driving force for this partnership, and underpin emissions reductions, new economic opportunities, and quality jobs in our two countries.
In preparation for the opening of this partnership, the Korean government has decided to support research on hydrogen supply chains between Korean and Australian companies this year. Australia will work closely with Korea in this effort, while also pursuing a low emissions steel and iron ore initiative that looks to reduce emissions across the supply chain.
Australia and the Republic of Korea will work to develop practical initiatives rapidly to advance this Partnership. The Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction will lead work on the Australian side. The Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy will lead work on the Korean side. We will establish a low and zero emissions technology working group under the historic Australia‑Korea Joint Committee for Energy and Mineral Resources Consultations and Cooperation (JCEM) to ensure rapid and sustainable progress, which will meet on an annual basis to advance work under this Partnership.
Strengthening Low Emissions Technology Cooperation with the Republic of Korea
31 October 2021
The Hon. Scott Morrison MP
Prime Minister
The Hon. Angus Taylor MP
Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction
Australia and the Republic of Korea will work together to drive increased adoption of low and zero emissions technologies through a new Australia-Republic of Korea Low and Zero Emissions Technology Partnership.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea (ROK) agreed the partnership during bilateral talks at the G20 summit in Rome, ahead of COP26 in Glasgow.
“Australia and ROK share a forward facing relationship that is rising to new challenges, and today I was delighted to begin a new partnership that will position both Australia and ROK to play a leadership role in the global response to climate change, a defining challenge and opportunity of our time,” the Prime Minister said.
“The Partnership recognises our shared commitment to an ambitious, technology-led approach that will achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement by ensuring we reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while also growing our economies and creating jobs.
“Together, we share the ambition of accelerating the development and commercialisation of low and zero emissions technologies, both existing and emerging, to achieve cost parity with high emitting technologies as soon as possible.
“The Partnership also commits us to advancing technologies and trade systems for hydrogen supply, low emissions steel and iron ore, and carbon capture, utilization and storage as early priorities.
“This commitment builds on partnerships Australia has already entered into with Indonesia, Germany, Singapore, Japan and the United Kingdom.
“This is another example of the commitments we made in our Long Term Emissions Reduction Plan delivering tangible, practical outcomes that will see technology lead the way to achieving our target of net zero emissions by 2050, while establishing Australia as a leader in low emissions technologies, and positioning our regions to prosper.”
The Republic of Korea is Australia’s fourth largest trading partner and a major buyer of Australian resources and energy, including iron ore, coal and LNG.
Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the Low and Zero Emissions Technology Partnership would strengthen cooperation and help Australia achieve our Long Term Emissions Reduction Plan while also accelerating global emissions reduction efforts.
“Australia and the Republic of Korea share the ambition of advancing the development and commercialisation of low and zero emissions technologies so they can achieve cost parity with high-emitting technologies as soon as possible,” Minister Taylor said.
“We will collaborate on technologies, including clean hydrogen and clean ammonia supply; low emissions iron ore and steel; hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles; hydrogen power generation; carbon capture, use and storage; energy storage; solar; and the critical minerals supply chain.”
“Getting new energy technologies to parity with higher emitting alternatives will enable substantial reductions in global emissions.”
Brokered by Dr Alan Finkel AO in his role as Special Adviser to the Australian Government on Low Emissions Technology, the partnership is aligned with Australia's technology-led approach to reducing emissions and will help deliver on the goals of the Technology Investment Roadmap.
Through the partnership, the Republic of Korea will support research on hydrogen supply chains between ROK and Australian companies.
Minister Taylor said Australia will work closely on this initiative with the Republic of Korea, while also pursuing a low emissions steel and iron ore initiative that looks to reduce emissions across the supply chain.
This partnership is part of the Government’s $565.8 million commitment to build new international technology partnerships that make low emissions technologies cheaper and drive investment in Australia-based projects to create up to 2,500 jobs.
Australia-Indonesia Joint Statement on Cooperation on the Green Economy and Energy Transition
31 October 2021
Yesterday, I met with His Excellency Mr Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia at the G20 in Rome to mark a new chapter in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Australia and Indonesia.
Our nations have agreed to a Joint Statement on Cooperation on the Green Economy and Energy Transition. It acknowledges the priority to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The statement sets out our shared ambition to cooperate more closely to develop, finance, deploy, and share affordable low emissions technologies and support infrastructure to enable our transition to lower emission economies, while also maintaining and enhancing our energy security. This cooperation reflects commitments our Government has made in our Long Term Emissions Reduction Plan, including our target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050. By working together, we will help build resilient renewable energy supply chains and economies, and drive green investment.
Both Australia and Indonesia will seek to expand trade and investment, building on the landmark Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. This includes new cooperation on regional energy trade and carbon markets, accessible green finance, and institutional and private sector collaboration. We also committed to strengthen existing collaborations on climate and energy transition, climate finance, environmental governance and resource management, biodiversity protection, water conservation, and disaster risk reduction and resilience.
During the meeting, I also expressed Australia’s strong support for Indonesia’s G20 Presidency in 2022, including Indonesia’s efforts to focus on climate change.
For more details about the Australia-Indonesia Joint Statement on Cooperation on the Green Economy and Energy Transition, visit: Australia-Indonesia Joint Statement on Cooperation on the Green Economy and Energy Transition