Media Releases
Papua New Guinea-Australia Annual Leaders Dialogue
09 December 2021
Prime Minister, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Prime Minister James Marape held the third Papua New Guinea-Australia Annual Leaders’ Dialogue virtually on 8 December 2021.
The two Prime Ministers recognised the critical importance of the Australia-Papua New Guinea bilateral relationship, the continued close cooperation between our two countries, and our shared interests in a secure, stable, peaceful, prosperous and democratic region. They underlined their ongoing commitment to the Papua New Guinea-Australia Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (CSEP).
Papua New Guinea and Australia are working hand in hand to counter the health and economic damage from COVID-19. Prime Minister Morrison advised that in addition to more than $340 million in COVID-19 related assistance that Australia has delivered to support Papua New Guinea’s response to the pandemic, Australia will provide a further $35 million in sector budget support towards the Papua New Guinea Government’s tuition fee subsidy for primary schools, ensuring around 1.1 million primary school students can continue their education. Prime Minister Marape thanked Australia for its steadfast commitment to comprehensive COVID-19 vaccine supply for PNG, and delivery support.
The Prime Ministers also discussed Australia’s financial assistance to support Papua New Guinea’s economic reforms and budget repair, and the suspension of Papua New Guinea’s principal and interest repayments on a 2020 loan from Australia, consistent with the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative. Prime Minister Marape welcomed the confidence shown by Australian companies including Santos, Fortescue Future Industries and Telstra, to invest in Papua New Guinea despite global economic challenges.
The Prime Ministers recognised the close partnership Australia and Papua New Guinea have built to meet infrastructure needs in Papua New Guinea, including through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP). They discussed the pipeline of high quality, sustainable infrastructure projects, including transport‑related infrastructure and energy projects being developed under the AIFFP.
They warmly welcomed cooperation under the AIFFP to provide quality, climate-resilient ports infrastructure that will provide significant economic and social benefits to the people of Papua New Guinea.
The Prime Ministers recognised the enormous value of preserving Papua New Guinea’s forests, including to contribute to the global response to climate change, which poses especially serious challenges for the Pacific. They agreed that Australia would provide additional support to Papua New Guinea’s forestry sector, including project support for nature-based climate solutions. The Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on Building Capacity for Participation in Global Carbon Markets by Ministers at COP26 in Glasgow, establishing a partnership under the Indo-Pacific Carbon Offsets Scheme.
The Prime Ministers discussed Australia’s long-standing support for PNG’s national elections processes, noting continuing cooperation through their respective national election bodies and logistical and other support for PNG’s 2022 national election.
The Prime Ministers discussed Australia and Papua New Guinea’s swift deployments alongside Fiji and New Zealand at the request of the Solomon Islands Government to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force response to civil unrest. They emphasised the importance of resolving any differences peacefully, lawfully and through dialogue.
The Prime Ministers undertook to continue working together to respond to the shared challenges of the Pacific family. They discussed the importance of the Pacific Islands Forum and its critical role in responding to shared challenges, and expressed their hopes for the continued unity of the Forum.
President of the Republic of Korea Visit to Australia
07 December 2021
I am pleased to announce His Excellency Mr Moon Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea, and Her Excellency Mrs Kim Jung-sook, First Lady of the Republic of Korea, will visit Australia from 12 to 15 December.
The Republic of Korea is one of our closest partners in the region, and 2021 marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries.
Our bilateral relationship continues to grow, underpinned by trade, shared values, common regional strategic interests and a commitment to an open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
During President Moon’s visit we will formally elevate the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reflecting the depth and breadth of our cooperation and people-to-people links, and common aspirations to work even more closely together in our region.
The visit has been approved by the ACT and NSW health authorities. A number of risk mitigations will be enforced to ensure the visit is COVID safe, including regular COVID-19 testing and mask wearing. All members of the delegation are fully vaccinated and must submit a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to arrival in Australia.
I look forward to welcoming President Moon and the First Lady to Australia.
'ReMade in Australia'
06 December 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for the Environment, Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management, Member for Wentworth
The Australian Government has launched ReMade in Australia – a national campaign urging Australians to recycle more, and show how they can help create jobs and protect our environment.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced ReMade in Australia at Sydney’s Woollahra Public School today, saying it was a critical step in giving Australians the confidence to recycle more and to buy products manufactured with recycled content.
“We are taking responsibility for our waste, we put a stop to it being shipped overseas as someone else’s problem and we have made recycling one of six national manufacturing priorities,” the Prime Minister said.
“Australians are doing the right thing and they want to be assured that the efforts they make in recycling at their homes and workplaces are delivering real outcomes, from the roads they drive on to the sunglasses they choose to wear.
“We need to recycle even more and this campaign will help consumers and business understand the benefits that recycling can deliver for our environment and for jobs.
“ReMade in Australia builds on the pride we all have in Australian made and the pride we take in doing the right thing for our environment.”
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said that recycling can reduce pressure on our environment and we want to create Australian manufacturing jobs.
“The ReMade in Australia campaign asks Australians to look for those products using recycled materials, it raises awareness about the ways recycled materials contribute to our everyday lives,” Minister Ley said.
“The Morrison Government is driving a billion dollar transformation of Australia’s waste and recycling industry, through the Recycling Modernisation Fund. We are seeing governments and industry investing in the commissioning of new plant and equipment, and our waste export bans are driving fundamental change.
“ReMade in Australia will help Australians understand the ways they are contributing through both recycling and the choices they make at the checkout.”
Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management Trevor Evans said that now was the right time for Australian businesses and consumers to think ReMade Australia.
“This campaign taps into the pride Australians have in doing the right thing for the environment,” Assistant Minister Evans said.
“At a time of year when people are buying gifts and unwrapping tonnes of packaging it is all the more important to have recycling front of mind.”
Member for Wentworth Dave Sharma said that practical environmental action such as recycling was important to his community.
“The people of Wentworth care deeply about our environment and want sustainable ways to reduce their waste, in order to protect our global environment,” Mr Sharma said.
“Keeping waste out of our oceans and landscapes and turning it into resources that can be reused is something we can all be a part of, and this campaign will help spread that message.”
Launched this week online and in print, the campaign will include television advertising later this month as Australians buy new products and recycle everything from packaging to electronic food across Christmas and New Year.
Further information on ReMade in Australia is available.
Snowy 2.0 Project Reaches New Milestone
03 December 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction
The Snowy 2.0 project has reached a new milestone with the commissioning of a second tunnel boring machine which will further accelerate progress on the nation-building renewable energy project.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor attended the commissioning at a special ceremony at in the Snowy Mountains on Friday.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the commissioning of the second tunnel boring machine, the ‘Kirsten’, marks another major achievement for Snowy 2.0, which is already creating thousands of jobs in the region.
“Snowy 2.0 is building on the proud legacy of the first Snowy scheme, using local ingenuity to deliver landmark new infrastructure that will benefit Australia and the National Electricity Market for decades to come.
“Our $1.38 billion investment in this project is already creating a local jobs boom, with a current workforce of more than 1,300 people and an expected 4,000 direct jobs over the life of the project, and many opportunities for local Australian businesses and suppliers,” Prime Minister Morrison said.
“Over $65 million has been spent with local suppliers and more than 150 local businesses have been engaged on the project to date and these numbers are expected to increase.”
“This is what a Liberal National Government is about – creating opportunities for Australians, delivering nation-building infrastructure and creating jobs.
Minister Taylor said the new tunnel boring machine would start work on a second tunnel and would dig through 30 metres of rock a day.
“The commissioning of the second tunnel boring machine shows the Snowy 2.0 project, Australia’s largest storage project, is well on its way to delivering affordable, reliable power for Australians” Minister Taylor said.
“Snowy 2.0 is critical to the National Electricity Market, and will deliver 2,000 megawatts of reliable electricity, to support record levels of renewables and help power half a million homes for over a week during peak demand.
“The new machine is expected to excavate a 2.9km-long tunnel to the power station complex and continue to tunnel uphill at a 25-degree grade. A tunnel at such a steep incline is a world first.
“The first tunnel boring machine, the ‘Lady Eileen Hudson’, has already surpassed 1,000 metres underground, making great progress of excavation at the main access tunnel.”
The new tunnel boring machine will be named in honour of astrophysicist, science communicator and proud Wiradjuri woman Kirsten Banks.
Information on the new tunnel boring machine:
The new tunnel boring machine is 205 metres long, the equivalent of two rugby league fields.
It has a diameter of around 11 metres, or the same as a three-storey building.
It will excavate a 2.9km-long tunnel to the power station complex and then continue to tunnel uphill at a 25-degree grade to create an inclined pressure shaft.
Parliamentary Committee to Put Big Tech Under the Microscope
01 December 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts of Australia, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
The Australian Parliament will put big tech under the microscope as it examines toxic material on social media platforms and the dangers this poses to the well-being of Australians.
The inquiry, which will be chaired by Robertson MP Lucy Wicks, was announced today by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP.
Prime Minister Morrison said the inquiry builds on the world-leading legislation the Government announced earlier this week to unmask anonymous online trolls.
“Mums and dads are rightly concerned about whether big tech is doing enough to keep their kids safe online,” The Prime Minister said. “Big tech created these platforms, they have a responsibility to ensure their users are safe.
“Big tech has big questions to answer. But we also want to hear from Australians; parents, teachers, athletes, small businesses and more, about their experience, and what needs to change.”
Minister Fletcher said the troubling revelations from a Facebook whistleblower have amplified existing concerns in the community.
“This inquiry will give organisations and individuals an opportunity to air their concerns, and for big tech to account for its own conduct,” Minister Fletcher said.
“Australia has led the world in regulating social media, establishing the world’s first dedicated online safety watchdog in 2015. In June this year we passed the tough new Online Safety Act which will give our eSafety Commissioner even stronger powers to direct the removal of online abuse.
“So this inquiry will be a very important opportunity to examine the practices of these companies—and whether more needs to be done.”
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said for too long social media platforms had been putting company profits ahead of the wellbeing and safety of children.
“In Australia, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a consistent increase in signs of distress and mental ill-health among young people. While the reasons for this are varied and complex, we know that social media is part of the problem,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.
“Young people have told us this themselves. In a 2018 headspace survey of over 4000 young people aged 12 to 25, social media was nominated as the main reason youth mental health is getting worse. And the recent leak of Facebook’s own internal research demonstrates the impact social media platforms can have on body image and the mental health of young people.
“We know that we can't trust social media companies to act in the best interests of children, so we're going to force them to."
National Cabinet Statement
30 November 2021
National Cabinet met today to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response and the new Omicron strain.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly provided an update on the current COVID-19 situation and health response across Australia.
The World Health Organization has declared the B.1.1.529 strain, now known as the Omicron strain and first detected in Southern Africa on 24 November 2021, to be a variant of concern, one of five existing variants of concern including Delta. Six cases of the Omicron strain have been detected in Australia. All cases have mild symptoms or are asymptomatic, and are in quarantine.
Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been 210,239 confirmed cases in Australia and sadly 2,006 people have died. More than 47.8 million tests have been undertaken, with over 1 million tests reported in the past 7 days.
Globally there have been over 262 million cases and sadly over 5.2 million deaths, with 650,462 new cases and 7,391 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 over 39.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia, including 95,247 in the previous 24 hours. In the previous 7 days, more than 604,000 vaccines have been administered in Australia.
More than 92.4 per cent of the Australian population aged 16 years and over have now had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including over 97.4 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 99.9 per cent of over 70 year olds.
More than 87 per cent of Australians aged 16 years and over are now fully vaccinated including more than 93.7 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 97.3 per cent of Australians over 70 years of age.
National Cabinet noted Australia has sufficient supplies of booster shots available, with contracts in place for 85 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, 15 million doses of the Moderna vaccine and 51 million doses of the Novavax vaccine.
National Cabinet further noted that the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation are in late stage consideration regarding when Pfizer can be rolled out to 5 to 11 year olds.
National Cabinet and the National Federation Reform Council will next meet as scheduled on Friday 10 December.
Omicron Variant
National Cabinet received an update from Professor Paul Kelly on the Omicron variant and governments responses.
The Chief Medical Officer provided advice that Australia is in the early stages of understanding the Omicron variant.
At this stage it is known that the Omicron strain has a high number of mutations particularly within its spike protein. Early data indicates Omicron may be more transmissible when compared with previous variants of the virus which causes COVID-19. At this stage there is insufficient evidence that vaccines and treatments are less effective against Omicron than other variants, and no evidence at this stage that Omicron is a more severe disease.
The Commonwealth and states and territories have already acted on medical advice to implement travel restrictions and revised quarantine and home isolation requirements.
The Commonwealth has implemented restrictions for travellers into Australia who have been in countries of concern in the past 14 days to slow the entry of the Omicron variant into Australia. The Commonwealth has implemented a temporary ban on non-citizens from Southern Africa entering Australia. Australians who have returned from Southern Africa countries are required to undertake 14 days quarantine under state and territory public health requirements.
The Commonwealth has updated the Australian Traveller Declaration (ATD) to specifically require travellers to comply with PCR testing requirements mandated by states and territories. These changes are in addition to the steps the Commonwealth has taken since 1 November to provide states and territories with detailed advice on incoming passengers, including by sharing data sets which link travellers’ ATD data to the flight on which they are arriving, and the enhancements to the ATD.
The Commonwealth National Security Committee has further taken the decision to push back the reopening to international skilled and student visa cohorts, as well as humanitarian visa holders, from 1 December until 15 December. Reopening to Japan and the Republic of Korea will also be paused to 15 December.
These are temporary precautions pending more information on the Omicron strain becoming available worldwide.
Existing arrangements will continue for Australians, permanent residents, immediate family (including parents), and other exempt visa holders including travellers through the New Zealand and Singapore safe travel zones and Pacific Labour Scheme participants.
States and territories have initiated new quarantine and home isolation requirements under public health measures. The Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Victoria will continue to require 72 hours home isolation for all international arrivals, with 14 days quarantine in place for travellers returning from Southern African countries.
National Cabinet noted that on the basis of advice provided by the Chief Medical Officer, there was no immediate need to change current settings.
National Cabinet agreed that the Commonwealth and state and territory governments will continue to pursue a suppression strategy, noting the objective is to limit the rate of Omicron incursions into Australia, rather than eliminate it at the border.
Release of Jenkins Report
30 November 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Finance, Minister for Women, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Special Minister of State, Minister for the Public Service, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister and Cabinet
The Government welcomes the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces, and thanks Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins for her leadership of this important review.
We thank the over 1,750 individuals and organisations who contributed to the Jenkins Review. These experiences, observations and insights will be crucial to driving the positive change that is required.
It is an important review with a series of findings and recommendations that the Government, Opposition, minor parties and crossbench must all carefully consider and respond to. These are problems we all own. And we all have a responsibility to fix this.
The Review was established with cross-party support because everyone believes the Parliament of Australia should set the standard for the nation and reflect best practice in the prevention of and response to any instances of bullying, sexual harassment or sexual assault.
Every single Australian has a right to feel and to be safe at work. However, the report highlights that people, particularly women, in Parliamentary workplaces have experienced bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault.
It is clear that practical and cultural changes are necessary to make our Parliamentary workplaces safer.
As a first step, to drive this change, the Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham and the Special Minister of State Ben Morton will consult with the Opposition, minor parties and the independents on a way forward to respond to Commissioner Jenkins’ review.
Second, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has been instructed to provide every necessary resource and support required by the multi-party approach.
This multi-party approach, with the coordinating support of the Department, has already served the Parliament well this year, in implementing significant reforms recommended by the Foster Review.
The success of this approach through the Foster Review has delivered positive outcomes for all Parliamentarians and staff. We all have cause for confidence that this approach will again ensure the outcomes recommended by Commissioner Jenkins can be achieved.
Third, the Government will continue the existing supports that we already have in place - the dedicated unit of support staff within the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service and the independent complaints mechanism, 24-hour support line, and the continued workplace safety training. These important supports will keep running and adapt as necessary as Parliament responds to these recommendations.
This will build on the work already underway to implement the recommendations of the Foster Report of Serious Incidents in the Parliamentary Workplace and the significant measures we have already put in place to make our workplace safer.
We recognise that in hearing the experiences of current and former staff and Parliamentarians, there will be some difficult reflections. This should not take away from the fact that the overwhelming majority of people who work in Australia’s Parliament, and the agencies that assist with its operation, do so with the upmost integrity and are dedicated to making a difference to our nation.
To support current staff within the building there will be counsellors available onsite for appointments until 7pm tonight, 9-7pm tomorrow and 9-8pm on Thursday.
The Government looks forward to continuing to work constructively with all Parliamentarians from across the political spectrum to make the changes we need to ensure our workplace is safe, supportive and respectful.
Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee Winners Meet in Canberra
29 November 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Education and Youth
This year’s best young spellers met with Prime Minister Scott Morrison today after winning the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee in June.
The Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee is a national spelling competition for school children from Years 3 to 8 that aims to promote and encourage students’ oral and written literacy and spelling skills.
The 2021 national winners are:
Arielle Wong from Donvale Christian College, VIC (Year 3/4 category)
Theekshitha Karthik from Haileybury College, VIC (Year 5/6 category)
Evan Luc-Tran from The McDonald College, NSW (Year 7/8 category)
All participants had 15 minutes to spell 30 words, with the winners determined by the accuracy and speed of submitting their answers online.
The finalists had to tackle words like connoisseur, and meteorological.
“I want to thank all students who had a go this year and challenged their spelling skills, and special congratulations to Arielle, Theekshitha and Evan on their achievements,” the Prime Minister said.
“No matter what you want to be when you grow up, spelling and reading are foundation skills that will stay with you for life, and are important to your wellbeing, future learning and success.”
Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge said almost 21,000 students from 490 schools across the country participated in this year’s Spelling Bee.
“Congratulations to every student who took part this year, and I encourage families, teachers and young people to talk to their local school about taking part again in 2022,” Minister Tudge said.
The Prime Minister’s National Spelling Bee will be hosted by News Corp’s Kids News on the kidsnews.com.au website.
The free competition will be held digitally, with no physical competition elements and will run in Term 3, 2022, and registrations are planned to open on Monday, 25 July 2022.
More information can be found at www.spelling-bee.com.au.
Interview with Sylvia Jeffreys, Today Show
29 November 2021
SYLVIA JEFFREYS: And we're joined by Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Canberra. Prime Minister, thank you for your time this morning. How worried are you about this variant?
PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Well, it's obviously a variant of concern, but it's not the first one we've had. We've had 13 variants of concern over the course of the pandemic, 13 variants, I should say. And I think what's important is that we stay calm. Australia has 86.7 per cent vaccinated. Congratulations to all those down in South Australia. They went over the 80 per cent mark over the weekend. We have got our public hospital system and our health systems have been standing up very well. I mean, down in Victoria, there's over 1,000 cases a day, but our hospital system is coping. Now, that's the key thing here. It's no longer about cases and how we're managing COVID. It's about the severity of the illness that people have and how the public hospital system in the health system is managing and it's managing very strongly. So I commend the work that's been done there. And so with this variant, we know it could be more transmissible, but we also know that it's proving to be less severe. And so we just take this one step at a time, get the best information. Make calm, sensible decisions and the fact that 86.7 per cent of Australians are double vaccinated and we have one of the few whole of population booster programmes already underway. So if it's been six months since your second jab, please go out and get your booster shot. And these booster shots also obviously get updated all the time as as the drug companies work on improving those.
JEFFREYS: So there are two confirmed Omicron cases in Australia at this stage. Are you aware of any more cases being confirmed in Australia overnight?
PRIME MINISTER: No, but what I would stress, though, is our borders are shut with the exception of New Zealand and Singapore. There are many, you might, your viewers might have been seeing, other countries are shutting the borders, they're bringing their systems up to where ours already is. Only Australians, citizens and residents and their close family, as well as exempt travellers coming into Australia. And there aren't a large number of those. That's the only people who can come into Australia, and our border arrangements have been one of the key things that have protected Australia throughout the course of the pandemic, which means we've got one of the lowest fatality rates in the world, one of the highest vaccination rates in the world and the one of the strongest economies. Now we've achieved that just by doing calm, sensible, practical, balanced and getting the best information and then making good decisions.
JEFFREYS: Your Minister Dan Tehan hasn't ruled out further restrictions on international arrivals though, is a suspension on all international arrivals on the table. Is that an option at this point?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, look, we never rule anything out, but no one should read anything into that. We just, we will take decisions based on the best information. The National Security Committee is meeting again this afternoon. This morning, I advised premiers and chief ministers that I'd like to get them to get together over the next 48 hours so we can all be looking at the same information and make the decisions that are necessary based on the same expert medical advice. And there's a lot of information starting to come in, but it's still very early days with this variant. In all states except New South Wales and Victoria, there is 14 day hotel quarantine and there are capped arrivals into those states and territories. In New South Wales and Victoria, there is a 72 hour home isolation for those who are arriving, and if they've come from those any of those affected countries in the last 14 days, well, they're going into 14 day health quarantine there. The measures we put in place on the weekend and that started early Saturday morning when I received that information from our health advisers, the Health Minister made those announcements. The states in New South Wales and Victoria followed that up. I've literally just got off the phone from the Premier of New South Wales again this morning now, and we're just aligning our decisions and ensuring we're all working off the best information to keep people safe as we always have.
JEFFREYS: So you're calling an emergency National Cabinet meeting within the next 48 hours. What will be your message to the premiers regarding domestic borders?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I wouldn't describe it that way, I wouldn't describe it as an emergency meeting, I would call it just a normal meeting that we would convene in these circumstances just to bring everybody up to speed with the same information. That's my primary concern at the moment. I want to make sure that we're all working off the best information that we all have, that we're drawing as a federal government from our partners overseas and making sure that their chief health officers are feeding into that conversation. So we'll be looking at that and making an assessment of it all. And if there are decisions that further decisions that need to be taken, then of course we will. But what I'd say to everybody is it's just important we remain calm about this. There's no evidence to suggest that this leads to any more severe disease. If anything, it's suggesting a lesser form of disease, particularly for those who are vaccinated. So the one thing everybody can do is to get vaccinated. And if you're not, if you've been vaccinated and it's been more than six months, then to go and get your booster shot.
JEFFREYS: Is the government looking at bringing booster shots forward to, say, four or five five months after your second dose?
PRIME MINISTER: No, that's not the medical advice. The medical advice is it's effective after the six months, and for many people, that will be you should be going and getting your booster shot now. I had mine the other week and I'd be encouraging those who are ready for those booster shots to go and get it. Australia is only one of a handful of countries where we have a whole of population booster shot programme. There are plenty of vaccines for people to do that and we'd encourage people to do that. And that, I think, continues to provide the defences that we need to deal with, not just this variant. As I said, we've had many variants and we've dealt with those and our hospital systems are coping extremely well, particularly in places like Victoria, where I said we've got many cases and those cases are there, but the hospital system is doing well. They plan for it. We modelled it. And so it's about living with the virus, living together with the virus and remaining safely open. We want Australia to remain open, open safely within Australia. And where we need to have controls on the borders than we already have them, and we'll keep those under close review to keep people safe.
JEFFREYS: I'm sure you can sense some frustration in the community, given we thought that the worst was behind us and that we had some final, some finally some clarity around borders and and reuniting at Christmas as well with loved ones in various states and areas overseas as well. On the Queensland border, do you think it's safe for that to still open at 80 per cent?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's what all of the work that we've done and the scientific modelling done by the Doherty Institute says, and particularly if this variant, which is it seems to be the case, is, has a less severe impact on people than they are the key issues to consider. Case numbers of themselves are not the issue. It's about whether people are getting a worse illness or it's going to put stress on your hospital system. And what we've seen in the states that have had these high case numbers is that the hospital impacts have been less than we anticipated on that modelling. And I think that augurs well for sensible decisions. I mean, we have to live with this virus. I mean, the fact that we've had a new variant, that is not a surprise. We've been saying all through the pandemic that new variants will come and we'll deal with them as they turn up. We'll get the best information. We'll work together. We'll make sensible, practical, balanced decisions. And my key message to people is to remain calm. Do what you're doing. Follow all the same usual procedures. Get your booster shot. Get your second vaccine. Let's get that vaccination rate up over 90 per cent. We're on track for that. That makes us one of the most highly vaccinated countries in the world. We're not in the situation we were back in March of 2020. We're in a very different situation to deal with these things now. And Australia has done very well through this pandemic.
JEFFREYS: So keep calm and carry on to Queensland, is what I'm hearing. In other news, you've also announced new anti-trolling laws aimed at stopping online abuse. Are you worried that Facebook might pull the plug on Australia over this?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, if they were to do that, I would think that would be an admission that they have no interest in making the online world safe. They have made this online world and the rules that exist in the real world should exist in the world that they've created. I mean, it's not free speech to hide in your basement as masked troll and abuse and harass and stalk people. That's not freedom. That's harassment and stalking. And there should be no place for that. All we're simply saying is, is that if you want to say something, then you should say who you are. And if the social media company lets you do that with a mask on, then we'll hold them to account. And we'll also lean into court cases where we think it's in the public interest to ensure that we hold these companies to account. Bad behaviour on social media is destroying lives. As a parent, I can tell you, it's one of the things that greatly concern me as my girls grow up. And I'm sure all parents feel that way about the impact and particularly on girls. Women are some of the biggest targets for this type of abuse on social media, and we need the online world to be safe. It offers so many opportunities, but it has to be safe for it to be successful. And what we're doing is taking on those big digital media and social media companies to ensure they make it safe for our kids, for our families and our community.
JEFFREYS: I think there's a lot of support out there, particularly amongst our viewers, for cracking down on trolls. So we do wish you luck on that front.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks.
JEFFREYS: Before I let you go, though, PM, I couldn't, I couldn't let you go without mentioning last week in Parliament you were in some sort of disarray. The government was in some sort of disarray in the second last sitting week of the year. Are you going to be able to rally the troops for this final sitting week and before the March election?
PRIME MINISTER: Well the election is next year, I don't know where you got that date from, but the election is due in the third week of May …
JEFFREYS: Oh come on, it's in March, isn't it?
PRIME MINISTER: But the election is due by the third week in May.
JEFFREYS: Ok.
PRIME MINISTER: But the point about this look, there's all sorts of political games and theatre that goes on down here, but can I tell you I'm not distracted by it. Last Friday, last Thursday, I should say, we had to send troops into the Solomon Islands and AFP officers, and they're there right now dealing with a very concerning situation there. We're dealing with the Omicron variant here. We're dealing with other very serious issues in our region. We're getting people back into jobs. These are the things that I'm focused on. People will play the political games down here in Canberra and they'll carry on. I'm not distracted, but our team is focused on ensuring that we secure this economic recovery, we keep Australians safe, whether it's from the virus or the other threats we face.
JEFFREYS: Ok, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, we appreciate your time this morning. Thank you very much.
PRIME MINISTER: Thank you very much, good to talk to you.
Interview with Natalie Barr, Sunrise
29 November 2021
NATALIE BARR: Morning to you. We saw with Delta …
PRIME MINISTER: Good morning.
BARR: .. just how fast these things can spread, didn't we? How concerning are these two cases and do you think we opened our borders too soon?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, let me stress, firstly, our borders are not open. The only country to which our borders are open are Singapore and New Zealand. Otherwise there are- the only people who are coming to Australia are those who have very specific exemptions and those who are Australian residents and citizens. We don't close our borders to Australian citizens. That has only been done once in the case of India in a very short period of time. But, of course, it is concerning and that's why we're getting all the information we possibly can. The cases that have presented, as you say, are in quarantine, and appropriate action is being taken by the New South Wales Government in those matters.
We moved very quickly on Saturday. This moved from a variant under investigation to a variant of concern within a very short period of time, and we immediately put those extra controls in place on Saturday. The National Security Committee will be meeting this afternoon to consider the 1st of December decisions that are pending for skilled migrants and students. And, so, we'll obviously review all of the information this afternoon, and this morning I have advised the premiers and chief ministers that I'll be convening a meeting of the National Cabinet either today or tomorrow.
BARR: So, yeah, you've got the international students and the migrant workers due to land in Australia from this Wednesday.
PRIME MINISTER: Correct.
BARR: You're now going to reconsider that?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we’ll consider that in the light of all the new information, and that's what we have to do with this. Let's not forget that we're not in the situation we were in back in the first half of 2020. We have 86.7 per cent of the population vaccinated. We have already had 13 other strains which have presented. This isn't the first of the new strains that we've seen, and the evidence to date does not suggest that it is a more severe form of the virus, and issues of transmissibility and impact on vaccine, there is no evidence yet to suggest that there are there are issues there. But should that information come forward, then obviously then we’ll be considering that and moving very quickly, as we already have on the information that has been available to us to date.
BARR: But the, as you say, the World Health Organization is calling it a variant of concern. You've got 260 passengers and crew who got off that plane, I think, on Saturday night into Sydney, where the two tested positive, and they've been told to isolate at home, I understand. Are you confident that won't get out into the community?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, they've also- all of those who were on those flights now have to isolate in home for 14 days, who were on those flights. And that's what’s occurred, where people have been on those flights. And I’m, I know that the New South Wales and Victorian Governments will be considering further how they are responding to those issues. As you know, in all the other states and territories, there is 14-day mandatory quarantine for all arrivals.
But at this stage, I think it's important that we need to proceed very cautiously, as we are. We have moved very quickly to put in place controls. Our borders were already closed. Many countries are now moving to put in place arrangements that Australia already had in place. Let's not forget, Australia, throughout the course of this pandemic, has ensured we've had one of the lowest fatality rates in the world. And the reason for that is we have been able to use this information as effectively and as quickly as possible to ensure Australians are protected, and that's what we'll continue to do.
BARR: So, there's not currently 14 days quarantine for normal arrivals coming into this country at the moment, is there? Do you think New South Wales and Victoria should reinstate that, given this new variant?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, other than in New South Wales and Victoria, there is 14-day hotel quarantine in all the other states and territories, and there are caps on arrivals because of that.
BARR: Yeah.
PRIME MINISTER: It's only in New South Wales and Victoria where there isn't the 14-day, and in both of those states they've put in place, working together - and I was working with them on the weekend - to put in place that 72-hour for those who haven't come from those countries. For those who have come from those countries, they are taken into health quarantine in both of those states and territories, sorry in both of those states. So, they've moved quickly on that as well. And we're looking at the cases very carefully and we're getting as much information as we can about the nature of this new variant.
But I should stress, we have had many new variants. We have had many variants of concern. This is another variant of concern and it is one that the initial information is suggesting some transmissibility, but even that is yet is not fully proven out of, out of South Africa. And, so, it's important we just calmly and carefully consider this information, work together, take the decisions that are necessary, and that's exactly what everybody is doing.
BARR: Yeah. And, look, we understand, this is the toughest of jobs. I guess because we're going into Christmas, we've got so many people …
PRIME MINISTER: Sure.
BARR: ... coming and going and people are thinking, hang on, is there a chance that before Christmas, you're going to reinstate the 14 days quarantine, either home or hotel? Do you, do you have any understanding of whether you think that could happen?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I think it's a bit too early …
BARR: Ok.
PRIME MINISTER: ... and at present it's a 72-hour arrangement with those two states and territories, 14 days hotel quarantine in all the other states and territories. National Cabinet will come together over the next couple of days, and a key purpose of that is to ensure we're working off all the same information and on all the latest information we have available.
I mean, it is coming through at different rates from different places. And, so, it's just very important that we just remain calm. The National Plan is about opening safely so we can remain safely open. Let's not forget also that we've got over a thousand cases at the moment in Victoria each day, but the hospital system there is coping very, very well. And remember, that is what it's all about at the end of the day. The issue is ensuring that our public health systems are able to cope with any infectious diseases, and particularly any new variant that occurs. And what we're seeing is that is already being successful in Victoria and in New South Wales, where we've had case numbers, but the health system has not been overwhelmed. They’ve planned well for it, we've worked well with them, and that is keeping people protected and their health secure.
BARR: Yeah. As you say, we're going to get more of these variants. Hopefully this will be a minor one. Prime Minister, thank you for your time this morning.
PRIME MINISTER: Thank you very much.
Pause to Further Easing of Border Restrictions
29 November 2021
Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Women, Minister for Health and Aged Care, Minister for Home Affairs
On the basis of medical advice provided by the Chief Medical Officer of Australia, Professor Paul Kelly, the National Security Committee has taken the necessary and temporary decision to pause the next step to safely reopen Australia to international skilled and student cohorts, as well as humanitarian, working holiday maker and provisional family visa holders from 1 December until 15 December.
The reopening to travellers from Japan and the Republic of Korea will also be paused until 15 December.
The temporary pause will ensure Australia can gather the information we need to better understand the Omicron variant, including the efficacy of the vaccine, the range of illness, including if it may generate more mild symptoms, and the level of transmission.
Australia’s border is already closed to travellers except fully vaccinated Australian citizens, permanent residents and immediate family, as well as fully vaccinated green lane travellers from New Zealand and Singapore and limited exemptions.
All arrivals to Australia also require a negative PCR test and to complete Australian traveller declaration forms detailing their vaccination status and confirming requirements to comply with state and territory public health requirements.
On Saturday, the Australian Government announced the following measures:
Effective immediately, anyone who is not a citizen or permanent resident of Australia, or their immediate family including parents of citizens, and who have been in African countries where the Omicron variant has been detected and spread – within the past 14 days – will not be able to enter Australia. The countries are: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi and Mozambique.
Australian citizens and permanent residents, immediate family members including parents arriving from these countries will need to go into immediate supervised quarantine for 14 days subject to jurisdictional arrangements.
Anyone who has already arrived in Australia and who has been in any of the eight countries within the past 14 days must immediately isolate themselves and get tested for COVID-19 and follow jurisdictional quarantine requirements which will include quarantine for 14 days from the time of departure from southern Africa.
These restrictions also apply to people, for instance international students and skilled migrants, arriving from the safe travel zones we have established with New Zealand and Singapore who have been in any of the eight countries within the past 14 days.
There are no flights planned from these countries.
These measures will also be continued until 15 December.
Upon further advice from Professor Kelly, Seychelles has been removed from the list of countries of concern.
Australian Border Force retains discretion to allow people in who are already in transit to enter, but these people will be subject to state based isolation requirements.
Under state public health requirements, New South Wales and Victoria have already initiated testing and 72 hours of isolation requirements for Australian citizens, permanent residents and immediate family members entering the country. In other states, 14 days of managed quarantine is required, and traveller cap arrangements are in place.
The Australian Government’s quarantine facility at Howard Springs in Darwin is available to support returning Australians each fortnight as required.
The Prime Minister has called a meeting of National Cabinet tomorrow to further discuss the Omicron variant and Australia’s response.
Australians can be assured that we are in a strong position to deal with COVID and its emerging challenges.
We have one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, with 92.3 per cent having had a first dose and 86.8 per cent of our eligible population now double vaccinated, and we have one of the only whole of population booster programs being delivered, with around 415,000 Australians having received their booster.
Australia has a proven record of dealing with COVID, we have one of the lowest fatality rates, highest vaccination rates and strongest economies in the world.
We will continue to take sensible and responsive evidence based action, led by medical experts. This will ensure we can open safely, and stay safely open as we learn to live with the virus.
Combatting Online Trolls and Strengthening Defamation Laws
28 November 2021
Prime Minister, Attorney General
Prime Minister: OK, well, good morning, everyone, it's good to be with you, I understand. We'd like me to make a few remarks at the outset. I'm joined, of course, by the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs. And I want to thank him for the great job that he's done in bringing together so many of the elements of this budget that are supporting our many different communities, ethnic communities across the country. And tonight, your last night's Budget address many things, but the most important thing is addresses is the strength of our economy because a strong economy means a stronger future. And regardless of what your background is, regardless of how many generations your family has been here, whether it's the 60000 years of Indigenous Australians or those who have joined us most recently and become part of the Australian family, all of us depend on a strong economy. A strong economy is what supports our pension scheme. A strong economy is what supports Medicare, our migrant support services, our settlement services for those who've come in the most trying circumstances. Even now, as we've seen, over a thousand people already arrive from Ukraine and in 5,000 in total visas have been issued for those from Ukraine to come on the weekend, I announced 2,000 specific places for visas for those who require them, humanitarian visas to flee the persecution and the conflict that is occurring in Myanmar and of course, the sixteen and a half thousand places in the budget we've announced. For those who are coming from Afghanistan and always standing with the people of Afghanistan who have suffered so much and we stood by for so long and I'm very pleased that we're able to continue to provide that support. I said that as we were going through that terrible crisis in the airlift out of Afghanistan last year that our commitments were just a floor. They were not a ceiling. And in last night's budget we're able to confirm the additional support that we're providing into those programs. Australia has a generous migration program, always has. We've always understood the value of migration to Australia and to support our economy, our workforce, but principally because of the richness it brings to our community life. And I want to thank all those community organisations that do such a fantastic job working with their communities on the ground. I'm particularly mindful of Stefan Romaniw at the moment and Ukrainian Association, who have done an outstanding job, and we've provided additional financial support to the Ukrainian Association to deal with the specific challenges that they're facing at the moment with the increased demands that have been placed upon them because of the terrible war in Ukraine. But our communities, organisations and the leadership they have shown, as we've seen through COVID, but as we've seen through every challenge, we've even floods as we see them across New South Wales and Queensland. Currently, the fires that we've seen and the many other impacts our Budget is stronger today, and it's stronger because of the hard work of Australians right around the country. We've got more people in work. Four per cent unemployment, even lower for women in terms of unemployment. A million more women in work. And that is so important in migrant communities that we're seeing more women of ethnic backgrounds coming into work and having those economic opportunities because that gives them choice. It gives families choice, it enables them to plan for their future with confidence. And the stronger economy that we've been delivering as a government means a stronger future by being able to guarantee the essential services that all Australians rely on. It means that we can invest in the Defence Forces and security services that we need to protect Australia's liberty and the freedom that we have in this country that so many from all corners of the world have come here to shelter and be part of and to build on and contribute to when they come to this country and raise their families, build their businesses. The support for small business in this budget is very significant. The support for training and infrastructure very significant in this budget. But I know, particularly in ethnic communities across the country, Australia is the most successful multicultural nation on Earth. And one of the reasons for that, I think, is the high level of entrepreneurialism that exists in the many migrant communities over many generations in this country. So by backing small businesses with lower taxes and in particular to back them in to be employing apprentices, by giving additional skills training to their staff with a 120 per cent deduction on investment in those skills training initiatives. 120 per cent reduction tax deduction when it comes to investments in data and digital expenditure, such as cloud computing and things of that nature, we're helping small businesses be successful in the post-COVID economy. Australia's economy is a standout. We're coming out of this pandemic with 375,000 more jobs than we had going into it. And all of the communities represented across Australia will know from their original home countries that Australia's performance during this pandemic is a standout. We've saved over 40,000 lives. We one of the highest pandemic preparedness of any country in the world, ranking second on the global index with one of the highest vaccination rates in the world. But our economy with more jobs, more growth, wages increasing, growth increasing, unemployment falling puts us in a strong position to capitalise on the opportunities that are ahead and our many ethnic communities across Australia will be in the engine room of that as entrepreneurs are skilled workers, that's what the migration program has brought to Australia, skills entrepreneurship community and we're backing that in very strongly in this Budget, both with cost of living relief and a strong plan for the future. Anything you wanted to add that, Alex.
The Hon. Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs: No thanks PM. I just say very briefly to add to the PM's remarks. The Government is investing heavily from a prime minister who secured Australia's borders in the human dividend of what we can now return as a country in our humanitarian program. So we are going to see more people coming from Afghanistan under this Budget and more people coming from Ukraine. And what's been so pleasing about what we've been able to do is they are getting the best of services and integration into the Australian community. We're going to see them working in Melbourne. I was able to visit members of the Afghan community who are gaining employment in critical skills shortages. We now have people from Ukraine. They'll be able to work, they'll be able to study, they'll help us meet our shortages and integrate well into Australia. But also we're able to help in these very difficult humanitarian crises that we face in Afghanistan and in Ukraine. And of course, in this Budget, you'll see a return to a Liberal National mix of immigration and a long line of immigration ministers, a strong skills mix which will see our ability to meet those short shortages. We're backing the regions where doubling the regional visas. We want people from the community to migrate here and go to our regions and live. There are great jobs there, there is great accommodation there. There is a great life for people in the regions and the Government's Budget, our Budget, the Liberal National Budget, is backing people to get to the regions and we'll get them the work and that integration they need.
Prime Minister: OK, well let's get to some questions.
Host: Thanks PM and Minister Hawke, the first question is from Dinesh Malhotra from Bharat Times. Go ahead, Dinesh.
Journalist: My question is regarding the cuts to fuel excise. How are you going to monitor, is triple ACCC is the only tool that you have to to see whether that is being passed on to consumers.
Prime Minister: The right tool Dinesh, that is the powerful tool that we have, it's backed up by strong laws and stiff penalties for those who would not be passing those halving of the tax on fuel, halving of the excise on to consumers. We didn't do this to line the pockets of fuel companies. We did it to ensure that Australians could keep more of what they earn by halving the fuel taxes in this country for the next six months. That is longer than double what we've seen in New Zealand. We've done that as a temporary responsible measure, and we expect to see over the six months the oil price fall to more normal levels over that period of time. And so while they remain elevated because of the war in Ukraine, then we're providing this temporary relief. So yes, the ACCC is the cop on the beat and when it comes to these issues, they do have the powers and they do have the penalties to be able to enforce that.
Journalist: Thank you Prime Minister, thank you Minister.
Host: The next question is from Cecil Huang, 1688 Group, go ahead Cecil.
Journalist: Prime Minister, staffing shortage continues to be a big issue within our community. What's the government's position on increasing the intake for skilled migrants?
Prime Minister: Well, I'll let the Minister go into the specifics, but in the program itself, there will be increased planning levels for the skilled intake, and that's really important. It is going to take some time as we're coming out of this pandemic, and immigration levels have obviously pretty much been reduced to almost zero that we build this program up again and the wheels of it get moving again. And that's what the Department of Home Affairs is very focussed on doing and getting the processes moving and getting people on planes and getting them here. The planes are there again and to see that build up. But I'll ask the Minister to address that.
The Hon. Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs: Yeah. Thanks PM and thank you Cecil that question. Skilled migration is one of the key questions labour shortages that we're getting as a Government around the country. So far since we've opened the borders. We've seen about half a million people return under our temporary visas in our programs and that's a good number. We're still about half a million people short in our economy, but the Government's put incentives in place. We have a rebate scheme for students that's provided some very strong student numbers in recent weeks. We've seen in some weeks up to 15,000 students coming a week. We have working holiday maker rebates. So for our backpackers, you get you get your money back, that's seen working holiday makers coming in about 1,400 a week, and now we're seeing about 4,000 skilled visas coming every single week. So as the Prime Minister said, we are committed to the economic recovery. We know it's going to take the whole year for us to get back. That's why we're supporting that with rebating visa fees. I'm increasing the caps in this Budget. So for backpackers will now have an 11,000 additional places internationally so people can come, more backpackers will be able to come to Australia and be here, and that's a very significant increase in that. And as I've said, we've returned to a traditional Liberal National skills mix, which is two thirds of the program will now be skills visas for the year ahead in recognition of this fact that we have these skills shortages. So that'll be about 110,000 visas will be skilled visas in the migration year ahead under a Morrison Government, and we're very committed to seeing those skilled people get visas and come here and fill those shortages at the same time, the Government is seeing unemployment hitting now, low rates historically low rates and youth unemployment as well. And the Prime Minister has committed will continue to take unemployment down to three per cent for Australians at the same time as increasing our skills migration program.
Host: The next question is from Jai Bharadwaj from the Australian today. Go ahead, Jai.
Journalist: Thank you. My question is the Minister for Immigration. Thank you for increasing the number for parents visa. However, the partner visa numbers have been reduced and is a big concern. I have talked to a lot of community people ,they are saying is a significant reduce of 32,000 places and migrants are very young and not being able to bring their partner is a big issue for them.
The Hon. Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs: Yeah, thank you for that Dinesh, so the reduction is only about the last year, so we had a record year in Australian migration history on partners so what the Prime Minister asked me to do and what we were able to do while the while the pandemic was on was increase the family program. So for two years, we've had a record level of family visas processed and most of those are partner visas. The challenge we've got and it's a good one to have is partner visas are surging. We have a huge demand for the partner visa program. So this year we still have a very strong number higher than pre-pandemic levels and we intend to meet it. But of course, we are prioritising skills as well. So we were able to do both in this year's program and we'll keep working it through. Partners will be the priority in the family program.
Prime Minister: A very important point, Alex. Through the pandemic, there were many things that were done differently and they were done for temporary reasons and they were never intended to be permanent, and the opportunity to provide additional partner visas was a good one. But it was never going to be a permanent one at those levels. And so the fact that we've now started to normalise the program again but have pattern partner visa levels, as you said, higher than it was in the pandemic. I'd say very, very plainly to you that that means that it isn't a reduction, it's actually an increase on the normal levels that we've seen from pre-pandemic levels. Yes, there has been a few years from the pandemic where we used that space in that time and that opportunity to keep bringing people in. And that was a great opportunity and we're glad we've been able to do that and reunite so many couples.
Host: The next question is from Keith Tan, Australian Chinese Daily.
Journalist: Prime Minister, well, as you've touched on, just with regards to unemployment, we are really looking at the unemployment data being.
Prime Minister: Try again.
The Hon. Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs: Yes, sorry Keith we can't hear you.
Prime Minister: Now he's got, he's right, he's right, Yes, we can go ahead.
Journalist: Yeah. Yes. So with regards to unemployment rate and it been better than [inaudible] did. And on top of what was already answered before. What are, what are the measures? Are the Government prepared to do to continue to promote and improve on unemployment within Australia?
Prime Minister: Well, where we're heading to unemployment with a three in front of it, that's a 50 year low in Australia where we haven't seen and we're currently in an equal low. Going back to the early 70s, you know, when I was about six years old, we haven't, you know, we've seen it at about that level before on other occasions, but it's an equal low. And that's going to keep driving down because we're driving the economy, we're growing the economy and you're absolutely right. The improvement in the Budget position of a more than $100 billion over the forward estimates is a function of getting more people into work. It's a pretty simple proposition. People go from receiving welfare payments to paying taxes that turns your budget around. And that has been significant in what we've seen in the Budget last night, which is what has enabled us to responsibly in a very targeted way pay for this targeted cost of living support in the Budget. But the additional measures investing in skills, Australians need more skilled workers and not just in the migration program. They need to be training Australians here in more skills. So we have the investments five thousand for each apprentice to the apprentice themselves and $15,000 to the employer to ensure that they will keep taking the apprentices on, keeping apprentices in the training. We've just extended out, particularly over the next three months, to ensure that the apprenticeship programs we've been running at elevated levels during the pandemic extend out another three months so we can get more intake and that be about 35,000 odd more apprentices coming in. Skills and access to skills is the most significant challenge our economy faces right now. There are many other challenges, but ensuring we get the skilled workers, we need to do the jobs that are needed in a growing economy. And they're not just in the traditional trades, they're in cyber technicians, they're in advanced engineering, they're in our manufacturing businesses, they're in our mental health support and in our health sectors. And so Australia needs more and more skilled workers, and we're investing in that. But we've also got $120 billion infrastructure program, and that infrastructure building program is connecting Australia better, which is good for our economy. It's ensuring that Australians have got safer roads and we've got faster rail, the faster rail programs in this Budget. There's also a major intermodal hub that has been built in Victoria, which is improving the connectedness for freight, which also drives our economy. There's lower taxes for small businesses, one hundred and per cent tax deductions for both investments in skills training and in addition to that, for investment in taking on new technologies, new data and digital technologies to ensure your businesses is more connected into the future economy. We've got a $21 billion investment in the regions, and Alex makes the great point about regions and for migrants coming to Australia, go to the regions because the opportunities there are significant. We are investing at record levels in regions and particularly those where we're going to see a major wealth unlocking up in the Hunter, up in central Queensland, up in the Northern Territory, the Northern Territory is a great migration state. The Chief Minister up there, more and more people he says, keep sending me more people. I've got plenty of jobs for them and plenty of opportunities, and we'll match them on the services up in the Pilbara. But our regional accelerator program, a $2 billion program which is investing in skills and education and training and infrastructure and medical services that is investing in telecommunications infrastructure. All of this is what drives your economy forward because we're investing in the things that enables our economy to grow. And when you grow your economy, that means you can pay your bills. That means you can continue to have the highest bulk billing rate we've ever had in Medicare in this country. It means that you can invest in the two thousand eight hundred pharmaceuticals that we've been able to put in new and amended listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, breast cancer drugs, drugs to deal with cystic fibrosis and other terrible conditions, to do genetic testing for things like spinal muscular atrophy. Now, all of these things may not be aware, you may not be aware of of those particular conditions but there are thousands of Australians, particularly also in our ethnic communities, who suffer from this every day. And Australia has a very strong social program and to support that, we need a strong economy to fuel it.
Host: Thank you. Next question is from Winmas Yu, SBS Cantonese programme.
Journalist: Good morning, Prime Minister and Minister Hawke, my question is sort of build on just a question earlier regarding the partner visa and family visa quota allocations. So we're seeing a reduction in partner visa to make way for the increasing numbers of skilled migrants. Prime Minister, you mentioned earlier that we actually not reducing it, but it's actually higher than the pre-pandemic pandemic levels. So without increasing the total one hundred and sixty thousand planning levels, is the Government able to guarantee like the waiting time for partner visa as well as parent visa applicants, would remain the same or potentially quicker than before? Or if not, how long were the wait be expected to be.
Prime Minister: I'll ask the Minister to address that. Some 50,000 places to support family reunion in the family stream. You mentioned the 160,000 cap. I don't think we're going to trouble that cap in the immediate future because we're gearing the whole system up again. And people, even those who have been visaed are already in many cases, some of them are still having to remain in their home country. And China is a good example of that in Hong Kong and places like that because of COVID. And so it'll take a little bit of time for the migration program to gather its pace again. But those 50,000 places are there, and the Minister can talk to the processing times.
The Hon. Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs: Yeah, thanks, PM. This is a good question. So in the pandemic, because our borders were shut, obviously, if you go to the website, processing times look large. Since we've reopened, we've been able to bring down week on week those times are falling for people in different programs, including partner visas, depending on different country restrictions and requirements. But the department will be meeting those processing requirements month in and month out. They'll be coming down. You'll see those those reflected in weekly and monthly updates. I just say the partner visa program is very well supported inside the family program. The parent visa program is a whole different program. It's a difficult area of migration, but you're looking at to you looking at a Prime Minister and a Minister, he tasked me originally with the new sponsor parent visa program, which we designed in Government, Coalition Government and implemented so that people could sponsor their parents to come here for three years, five years and ultimately with two visas, 10 years to multiple entry exit. You're familiar with the program. Every country in the world wrestles with its parent program, but we have been innovating and our Government has been innovating to allow for more family groups to sponsor their parents to come here and visit them and stay with them, and will continue to seek those innovations and make sure that's accessible for people's parents to come and go. But obviously, parents are very different to the partner program.
Host: Thank you. The next question is from Rajesh Sharma, Indus Age.
Journalist: Good morning.
Host: We're just we're just having a little bit of trouble hearing you.
Journalist: [inaudible].
Host: Sorry Rajesh, I've got your question in front of me, so I can just convey that to the Prime Minister, if you like, we're having trouble with your connection. With record investment in defence and unstable global security. What roles do you visualise for the Australia India partnership to play? And has Australia invested enough in this relationship from a defence point of view?
Prime Minister: Thank you. Australia's relationship with India is at a whole new level and the wonderful personal relationship that both Prime Minister Modi and I have been able to forge over these last three and a half years has been very important. And and it goes back to the relationship that Prime Minister Abbott was able to have with Prime Minister Modi and former Prime Minister Abbott, I tasked as my special envoy in that trade relationship with India, and that is that is yielded much and the Trade Minister has been working with his counterpart Minister Goyal, now for several weeks, has been working towards a new economic partnership agreement. I only had our rather extensive bilateral virtual meeting when I was in Brisbane the other day with Narendra, and we worked across the full suite of issues that we've been working on. We have a lot of like minded passions and ambitions, not just for our own countries, but how they're complementary that our policies are complementary, particularly in the region. Australia, together with India, Japan, the United States, we have a very re-enlivened the Quad at a leaders level and that is providing us, I think, with a stronger platform to pursue the bilateral relationships within the Quad and with the India relationship, I have focussed far more, frankly in the first few years on the security and defence relationship to build a platform of trust and strength in that defence and security relationship upon which we can build the economic relationship. I know that there are a lot of suitors to India in terms of wanting to get greater trade access into the Indian market. And I think where Australia has been able to stand out in terms of all of those suitors is one, we're like minded. We're on the same page. We believe the same things. We want to achieve the same things for our region, the level of people to people engagement, particularly with the very strong levels of Indian migration to Australia. The care that we provided for those Indian students that have been in Australia, and Narendra was was very quick to say to me at our meeting the other day how grateful he was for the care that has been provided to Indian students in Australia over the last couple of years, especially during the pandemic. But yes, we are have invested heavily in our defence partnership and I think that has provided a very, very strong platform for a much expanded economic partnership with India, and I look forward to being able to say more about that in the not too distant future. We've been working closely on this now for some period of time, and this will, I think, take our relationship even to a higher level.
Host: Thank you, PM. We've come to time this morning. If you'd like to make some closing remarks before signing off please.
Prime Minister: I might throw to Alex as well, but I do want to thank you for joining us today after the budget, there are many interviews and discussions that we have with media, around the country, but this is an important engagement that I've always been keen to keep every year and to ensure that we're communicating the Budget into all of the many communities around the country. Whether it's specific issues that you've been raising today on on matters of immigration and settlement policy, timing of visa applications. And these are these are the practical things that your readers and your viewers, I know are keen to understand. In addition to the headline issues of the Budget around economic supports, tax cuts and other income assistance that is helping people get through. So I really do want to thank through you, the many communities that make up Australia and our big Australian family, the community associations especially that really keep the vibrancy and support of those communities. And we'll always seek to continue to support them and respect the important role that you play. But Australia is the most successful multicultural immigration nation on Earth. I don't say, arguably because I don't think it is arguably, I think we are. And I think daylight is second when it comes to this because we have achieved a level of social cohesion across so many different nationalities, ethnic and language groups and religious groups that I think we are the, the standard that other countries would seek to achieve. And that is because of the good heartedness and good faith of those Australians who come from so many different backgrounds. Australia is a great country because of the Australian people. It's not just that we're a beautiful country and blessed with great resources to support a wonderful standard of living. It's because Australians are amazing and those who have come from so many parts of the world have made Australia stronger. And that's what I believe this Budget backs in, but Alex.
The Hon. Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs: Thanks PM, and to support what the PM is saying under the Budget, we have some more good news for multicultural communities that I'll be unpacking with you and through you to all of the communities in Australia. And we're minded as a Government and the Prime Minister as he's moved around Australia, we will be supporting multicultural communities to resume the fullness of, of community life we've seen, you know, churches are not as full, temples, mosques not as full and festivals have been cancelled over many years and I'm announcing some grants through the Budget from the Morrison Government to support community activity. We want communities to get back to as like normal as possible. We know that it's going to need some support around the country, so we'll communicate some of the details there. But let's get some of those great applications in, we want communities to be back and thriving. Holi, I think the PM agrees it was still colourful, but it was the most muted I've seen it ever in my life because of the pandemic. We need to get Holi back. We need to get these great festivals back and the Government will be practically supporting communities with with some resources to do that, right?
Prime Minister: Great, well thank you very much for your time.
The Hon. Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs: Thanks, everyone.
$15 Million in Support for Women's Footy and Community Sport in Port Adelaide
27 November 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Finance, Minister for Sport
Women’s football and community sport across Port Adelaide will be the major winners with the Morrison Government throwing its support behind the transformation of Alberton Oval into a world-class recreation and sport precinct.
This $15 million funding contribution from the Morrison Government will go towards new facilities for use by the Port Adelaide Football Club, community sporting organisations, local SANFL affiliated women’s teams and transform the ground into an elite match day venue, ready for the club’s entry into the AFLW in 2022-23 season.
“As the Club song says, ‘it’s more than a sport’, and that’s what this redevelopment is all about,” the Prime Minister said.
“The new precinct will ensure Alberton Oval continues to be the heart of the community and an inspiration for generations to come.
“Our $15 million investment will support Port Adelaide’s plans to redevelop Alberton Oval into a multi-use high performance and community sport precinct.
“Importantly, our investment will ensure Alberton Oval will be match fit when Port Adelaide’s AFLW team debuts in 2022, with broadcast quality lighting to shine a deserved spotlight on women’s sport.”
South Australian Senator and Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said this investment would kick goals for the local community, particularly women’s football from the grassroots to the elite level.
“As a South Australian and avid footy fan, I am incredibly proud that from next year our state will have two AFLW teams in the national competition,” Minister Birmingham said.
“We are making sure that Port Adelaide has the best possible facilities to take the competition by storm and inspire more girls and women across SA to have a crack at footy.
“This is going to be a cutting-edge sporting hub for the Port Adelaide community to use and enjoy for decades to come as well as help to further boost participation in sport and football across all age levels and abilities.”
Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said the investment at Alberton Oval would benefit the entire community.
“We understand more than ever the benefits of being able to participate in sport,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Improved community sport facilities offer greater opportunity to improve our physical wellbeing and strengthen social connections.
“This has never been more important as we navigate our way through the impact of the pandemic on grassroots sport.”
Funding to upgrade the Alberton Oval precinct will help support:
the creation of a family-friendly AFLW match day venue
a new high performance centre, including:
a large indoor training facility incorporating two basketball courts for community use
an outdoor soccer pitch and training field to support Port Adelaide’s AFL and AFLW programs as well as community sport
AFL and AFLW standard changerooms and other amenities including expansion of the high performance gymnasium and administration offices
upgraded medical and rehabilitation facilities.
Interview with Ali Clarke, ABC Adelaide
26 November 2021
Prime Minister: Well, g’day, Ali. It's good to be here in Adelaide. It's great that South Australia is opening up. It’s, and I can confirm we’ve got at 79.5 per cent on double dose vaccinations here in South Australia. So, as South Australians wake up and head to work today and many of them are already out there since early this morning, as many go out there and get vaccinated today, they’ll all wake up tomorrow and South Australia will be 80 per cent vaccinated. So, there's a challenge and I have no doubt South Australians are up to it.
Clarke: Prime Minister, today you are actually sending every Australian household a letter about the importance of a vaccination. Have you actually spoken to South Australian Alex Antic to try to talk him down from some of his threats to your agenda over what is essentially state-based vaccine mandates that push people to get vaccinated?
Prime Minister: Well, as you know, Alex is vaccinated and double dose vaccinated, and of course I've spoken to him over the course of this last week and been working with him. I mean, as you know, the Commonwealth's policy on vaccine mandates is that is as was agreed by all the medical expert panel right across the country, and vaccine mandates were agreed right across the country in relation to health workers, aged care workers and disability care workers. And those mandates are very important because they deal with people who are working with vulnerable people, and one of the most important parts, I mean, we now have one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, as well as one of the lowest fatality rates and the strongest economy coming through COVID. But that is particularly so for older Australians, and our rate of double vaccination for older Australians is over 96 per cent. And, so, that's been really important starting with that group. And now, as I said, with South Australia about to crack 80 per cent, that's tremendous news. We want people vaccinated, but we want people to live with the virus, but live together with the virus.
Clarke: But Prime Minister, when you speak to Alex Antic, or maybe even Queensland Liberal Senator Gerard Rennick, who who has been sharing misinformation, vaccine misinformation, do you say to them, ‘Look, these, the way that you're going about this is actually making it harder for the Government to get consistent traction with the message that it's the community as a collective that needs to get together on this, to put us in the best place possible against COVID-19?
Prime Minister: Well, look, I think I've been very clear about my support for the vaccination program and, as I said, we're writing out to all Australians and also encouraging them to now go and get their booster shots. I had, I had mine last week and I’m encouraging everyone to do that. And that's very important that everyone get those booster shots, not just your first and second dose vaccination. So, if you've, it's been six months since your first vaccination, since you've had your second dose, now's the time to go out there and book up your your booster. We’re one of the few countries in the world that have gone to whole of population booster vaccinations, and that's very important. What you're seeing over in Europe at the moment with a further wave, I think it's very important we keep, we keep rolling on.
Clarke: But, Prime Minister, the question actually was, when you speak to people like a Liberal Senator and Gerard Rennick, who is actually actively putting out misinformation, do you take him to task, behind the scenes, at least?
Prime Minister: Yeah, of course I do, of course I do, and I do publicly as well. I mean, there's no doubt about the Government's position on the importance of the vaccination program, and any suggestion otherwise is absurd.
Clarke: You've warned your own MPs and senators the disunity and instability in these final weeks will, you know, can be electoral death. Yet, as we touched on just earlier, one of your own crossed the floor to support an Independent’s motion for an urgent debate to establish this Federal Integrity Commission, saying that your Government is ignoring the will of the people and now the will of the Parliament. Do you concede you haven't handled your election promise of establishing this federal anti-corruption watchdog well enough?
Prime Minister: No, I don't accept that, because the the plan we have for a Commonwealth Integrity Commission is not the sort of kangaroo court that you see in in New South Wales where you've had, you know, an outstanding Premier in Gladys Berejiklian investigated in terms of who her boyfriend is. I mean, that's not examining criminal corruption conduct. What we want and what we've put forward is one that actually does provide sufficient procedural fairness, but one that actually does provide and doesn't allow for coercive powers to be used in an inappropriate way, that does safeguard against vexatious, baseless and politically motivated and time wasting referrals. We don't want to see these things used as a political weapon. And our proposal safeguards against that. What Labor and others are proposing is the sort of, sort of kangaroo courts that we don't think serves the issue of justice. This should focus on criminal conduct, not who your boyfriend is.
Clarke: Well, where is the legislation at right now?
Prime Minister: Well, the legislation we've had out for some time, and that's, that is our proposal. The legislation we have is out there and the Labor Party don't support it, and neither do others in the Parliament. So, that’s not going to be able to be passed through the Parliament. We've got our proposal. It's very clear. We developed it up. We did a lot of consultation. It's there for everyone to see. So, the suggestion that the Government does not have a Commonwealth Integrity Commission proposal is absolutely false. It's just that the Labor Party doesn't support it. They have an alternative model, which is the sort of circus that we see in other jurisdictions. And I don't want to see that applied at a federal level. I want to see a proper one which has the proper powers, which ours does, which has the ability to investigate these matters, but not to be misused for the sort of show trials that we've seen in other places.
Clarke: But the point that Liberal backbencher Bridget Archer was trying to make when she crossed the aisle was that this is so important that it should be debated and that if this legislation isn't being supported, the one that you have put forward, then maybe as politicians, we need to go back, take a step back and debate, do the job, and actually come to something that will deliver a federal anti-corruption watchdog.
Prime Minister: Well, you don't just do anything at any cost. You, as a Prime Minister and the Government, we’ll put forward the proposal that we think is in the best interests of Australia, and we've done that. So, there's no, there's no question about us not wanting to have one. What I'm opposed to is one that takes you down a path like we've seen in other places. Now, I acknowledge the good intentions and particularly of my very dear friend Bridget Archer. I understand how strongly she feels about this. I understand that, and I think these things are motivated by, in good faith. But, you've also got to be aware that if you design this thing wrong, it turns in to the sort of show trials that we've seen and the way that these things can be manipulated and used for political purposes. That's not what they're for. They're there to deal with criminal corruption, not to be misused in the political realm and weaponised for political purposes.
Clarke: You talk about not doing things at any cost. Given just days ago the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, who signed the original submarine deal, which obviously we pay very close attention to here in South Australia, but he described this as a trust crisis and some sort of betrayal by the Government. Would you have done anything differently to make things less diplomatically painful in how this has unfolded?
Prime Minister: This was always going to be difficult. We were, we were, we were not going ahead with a $90 billion contract, and there's no simple way as a, to actually ensure that you can make that decision in a way that ultimately isn't going to cause great disappointment and offence. That was a reality. As I've said on numerous occasions, we had alerted, very clearly alerted, the French Government that the submarines they were building for us were not going to meet our strategic needs in a changed environment. I couldn't have been clearer about that. And they sent Admiral Morio out here to Australia to seek to convince us about that. We weren't convinced and we decided not to proceed. And you know, when you're Prime Minister, you've got to have the strength to make decisions which sometimes are going to offend people and upset people. But when they’re the right decisions for Australia, then they're the right decisions to take. I understand the French Government is upset about it. I understand President Macron is upset about it. But it's time to move on. We need to go and build the nuclear-powered submarines, that are the right decision for Australia. And they’re, you know, obviously South Australia will have a huge role in that, just as they have a huge role in the nine Hunter-class frigates that are being built here …
Clarke: So, can can South Australia trust, can South Australians trust you that they will actually get jobs on these nuclear submarines in the future?
Prime Minister: Well, of course, that’s where, to the extent we're building them here in Australia, which will be significant, because that is why we're doing it. That's why the Americans and the British …
Clarke: I know that, I know that we're building them in Australia. But just to be really, really clear, for all the South Australians that are so close to this …
Prime Minister: It’s Adelaide, it’s Adelaide.
Clarke: And we can trust you on that?
Prime Minister: Well, why wouldn't we be able to, because we're doing full cycle docking here in South Australia and that, every time I've been to South Australia over the last few years, that has been the issue that is raised, and I want to commend Premier Marshall because he has been very, very consistent on this and we've talked about this over a long time. South Australia got full cycle docking right for the Collins class. And that's why we decided to keep it here because they did the work and they got it done. And can I tell you, one of the reasons why the United States was keen to go forward with us on the nuclear-powered submarines, part of it was because of the great work that was done here in South Australia on getting the Collins class full cycle docking right. So, that was the right decision for Australia too, to keep that happening here in South Australia. And I commend everyone who's been working on that project. But it's not just that - there's the Hunter class frigates, there's the Hobart class destroyers. So I don't think there can be any question, Ali, about our Government's commitment to building naval vessels here in South Australia. We're actually doing it. Our predecessors didn't build a barge.
Clarke: Prime Minister Scott Morrison, we are hard up against the news, so thank you very much for your time.
Prime Minister: Well, thank you. I'm looking forward to being with Dr Rachel Swift today, who’s our Liberal candidate for Boothby. She's an outstanding candidate and she will bring great experience to the, to the Parliament and particularly with her medical background. At a time like this, it's exactly who we need here from South Australia. Thanks very much, Ali.
Clarke: Prime Minister Scott Morrison, thank you.
Interview with David Penberthy and Will Goodings, FiveAA
26 November 2021
Host: Prime Minister, good morning to you.
Prime Minister: G’day Will, g’day Penbo.
Host: Good to have you here, PM. It feels a bit surreal because, you know, you've been, spent a lot, even though you're the leader of the nation, you've spent quite a long time this year incarcerated in the, in the Lodge and elsewhere. I don’t, I don’t mean that in a sort of ICAC sense, but you know, this week we've opened the borders here in SA.
Prime Minister: Yeah.
Host: And you would have seen all those wonderful photographs of families being reunited.
Prime Minister: Yeah, that was a real ‘Love Actually’ moment.
Host: It was.
Prime Minister: And it's been happening all around the country. I mean, it was happening in Melbourne and and now in South Australia. Looking forward to it happening right around the country. Australia is reopening and we're already seeing the dramatic impact that’s having on the economy, and with 350,000 people in five weeks going back into work, now, that is a spring back of the economic story here in Australia. And, you know, there was, the Australian economy has been arguably one of the strongest, if not the strongest, of advanced economies coming through the pandemic. You combine that with the, one of the lowest fatality rates from COVID in the world and and now also one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, and a big shout out to South Australia, and a challenge to South Australians today - as you're waking up today, it is absolutely achievable today that that South Australia will hit 80 per cent double dose vaccinated. You’ve got about a half a per cent to go, based on the figures …
Host: One last push, folks.
Prime Minister: ... I just got it today from this morning, so you're just a half a per cent away. So, if you're in, South Australians, go out and get vaccinated today. Wake up to the news tomorrow morning that South Australia is 80 per cent vaccinated.
Host: It is funny. If a week’s a long time in politics, then six months is an, is an eternity. I reckon it’s six months since we spoke to you, and I would admit that we, like other radio hosts that week, were slightly unpleasant and possibly even bordering on disrespectful.
Prime Minister: No, no.
Host: Well, no, it was in the, it was in, it was in …
Host: Part of the mission statement [inaudible].
Host: But it was in the back draught of the, you know, it's not a race stuff and everything else. And people felt like the whole vaccine thing was just, you know, stuck. Now, I mean, if it was a race, it feels like we might have won.
Prime Minister: Well, I think you're right about that. And as I said, look, we had some challenges, but I said, you know, I take responsibility for fixing those challenges, and we did. And we have. And now we've gone past the United Kingdom. We've gone past so many countries in Europe. We raced past the United States, and particularly we've been able to do it for those most vulnerable in our community - our elderly. I mean, our over 70s vaccination rates is is over 96 per cent, and that means that our hospitals won't be as vulnerable to any, you know, potential outbreaks or anything like that. So, Australians have done amazingly well. When I say Australians, yeah, sure, we've done our part, and Steve Marshall has done a great job here too. But Australians have done their part, and that's what the National Plan was all about. I saw it as a deal with Australians. I said, ‘You go and do your thing and we've got to do our thing,’ and that's why I'm pleased to be here today. I wanted to be in South Australia the second I could after it opened up, because that says the National Plan is being implemented. And I want to thank Steven, Premier Marshall, for getting this National Plan happening here in South Australia.
Host: So, South Australia leading the way, unsurprisingly, everyone at home saying right now. When when's the date you've got circled or or the period, sometime probably next year, when you can reasonably think we talk about border restrictions in the, we talk about it in the past tense?
Prime Minister: Well, look, we've always just taken this one step at a time, and I would hope it would, you know, be well in the first half of, you know, in the first half of next year. And we've just opened up from the 1st of December. We're opening up to all skilled migrants, which is very important for South Australia, and to students, and they can all come from the 1st of December if they’re double vaccinated. We've opened up fully to people coming from Singapore, from the 1st of December fully from Japan and Korea, and we're looking to see what more we can add to that before the end of the year. We're obviously watching closely what's happening in Europe and North America because they're going through another wave. So, we’ve worked pretty hard, very hard to get to where we are, and we don't want to put that at risk. Now, my motto’s been, open safely so you can stay safely open. That's what the National Plan is about. I, particularly in a state like South Australia, which has been so successful in not having the COVID impacts that we've had in in the eastern states, particularly New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT, you know, we've got to be careful, but at the same time, we have to move forward. I mean, you wrote, you've written about it today, David, and it was a great piece, vintage Penbo, going back to your days at The Daily Tele. I think many more years ago ...
Host: Flattery will get you everywhere, Prime Minister.
Prime Minister: … when we first met many years ago. But you know, that is right. We've got to live with this virus and we've got to live together with this virus, too. I mean, you know, once, that's the whole point of getting everybody vaccinated.
Host: But does it worry you then, PM, to hear Mark McGowan say yesterday, ‘Oh, we're keeping a close eye on SA.’ There’s, you know, there’s three cases, three cases, three cases since November 23. He's quite seriously raised the prospect of shutting the border to South Australia now that we've reopened.
Prime Minister: Well, I think the experience of the rest of the country will be its own testimony. It will show, as we’re already seeing, as I said, 350,000 people getting back into work. Now, I know in the West and, you know, they've done a great job, just like here with Steven Marshall, in keeping people safe. And, you know, the Western Australian economy works, you know, different to many others. And it is an economy with a very big mining sector and and can support itself, but it can't do that forever. And I I'm quite sure that Premier McGowan understands that. But, you know, once you hit, I mean, they're not at 80 per cent yet either, they’ve still got a bit of work to do. So, when I'm asked about it that in the West, well, the first answer to that question is we've got to get to 80 per cent. And, so, let's get there in WA, let's get there in Queensland, and as South Australia can get there today, and that means you can, you can move forward, Australians can step forward and, frankly, governments can step back.
Host: You’ve come to South Australia on a day when newspapers right around the country are telling the story, well News Limited papers the very least still, but Chinese spy ship that was in the economic zone off of Darwin, spent a bit of time in September and August off of Sydney as well, having a look at things that weren't, there was no naval operation going on, but they were clearly taking a little bit of a peak. It coincides with the Indonesian Government beginning to bristle about some of the deep sea mapping that's going on in their territorial waters. Is this, are we starting to see the sort of South China Sea style belligerence of China in our own neck of the woods?
Prime Minister: Well, they were in the economic zone and, of course, we knew who were there. I mean, they can be in those areas, just like we can be in the South China Sea. And, so, we don't make an argument about that. And, you know, that's entirely consistent with the rule of international law. But, it also does, you know, very, I think, firmly highlight the nature of what's going on in the Indo-Pacific. I mean, people aren't making this up. I mean, what is going on in the Indo-Pacific is real. It does mean that Australia has to be on its guard. It does mean that Australia has to stand up for its interests and stand up to those who want to coerce us, who want to slap unfair trade sanctions on our wine and things like that, which has an impact, particularly here in South Australia, and our Government is standing up to that. And when I was in between those long stints at the Lodge and I was meeting with others around the world at the, both when I was in Rome at the G20, but also earlier that year at the G7, the rest of the world, liberal democracies, are so proud of what Australia has done in standing up for itself. I mean, if we didn't do it, who else was going to do it? And we did stand up for it, whether it was on COVID or whether it's been on these trade issues or whether it's been on the coercion. I mean, right now, quite sadly, we're seeing a very upsetting situation up in the Solomon Islands. And yesterday we made a decision to send AFP and ADF personnel up there to get to, to restore peace and stability. But, you know what I, as difficult as that situation was, and you never take these decisions lightly because it is a dangerous situation. The Solomon Islands reached out to us first. They reached out to us as family because they trust us, and we've worked hard for that trust in the Pacific. And that's important because they're family. But it's also important because that is our region and we're standing up to secure our region with our partners, our friends, our family and allies.
Host: Is that what you get, though, for for adopting the position of standing up, as you say, you get Chinese warships on your doorstep?
Prime Minister: Well, you've got to be who you are and you've got to stand up for what you believe in. And that honestly takes a lot of strength. It takes a lot of persistence. You've got to put up with a, with the, I remember when we first started doing this, people were accusing us of being racist. I mean, that was ridiculous. We're standing up for Australia's interests. There might be others who want to join the chorus of those who might want to attack Australia. But, as Prime Minister, that's your first duty - stand up for Australia and stand up to those who who want to coerce you.
Host: Speaking of standing up to those who want to coerce you, PM, how’s Alex Antic and the rest of the gang? Can you, can you get them all back in the tent?
Prime Minister: Yeah, look, look, there's a lot of games in Parliament this week. You guys are very familiar with all that and, you know, people get very focused on all the games. But what's important is that, as Prime Minister and as a Government, we don't get distracted by all the political theatre. I mean, there was a lot of showboating going on over the course of the last week, right across the Parliament, there were all sorts of games going on. But, you know, we were dealing with serious issues and we're dealing with serious things like we were just talking about, issues around national security and the threats that present there, dealing with the very serious issue we were doing with the Solomon Islands ...
Host: But could it affect, could it affect the, could it affect your ability to do all those things? I mean, is it that serious that it ...
Prime Minister: No, look, I was engaging, particularly with Alex, over the course of the week, obviously a Senator for South Australia. You know, the whole point of the Parliament, and this is the thing about the Liberal Party, you know, we’re, they're not a bunch of drones. They're not a bunch of, you know, just warm bodies that we move around in the Parliament. They, you know, they come to Canberra. They come to Parliament with strong views and beliefs. They listen to their community. They raise issues. And as Prime Minister, I've always sought to respect that. I might not always agree with them, but I always listen to them. And and we work through some issues this week and we've improved some things, and particularly in relation to the indemnity scheme, because on the indemnity scheme, I mean, vaccinations have gone very well here, but of course, with any vaccination program, there will be some adverse reactions that people will have. I don't mean politically, I mean physically. And we need to ensure that the the scheme that we have to support them is adequate and we've strengthened that. And I think that was a good outcome.
Host: Well, PM, we thank you for coming in today. I've got to say it feels a little bit odd and otherworldly sitting here like, you know, two feet away from each other, even the, even the nation's leaders spent a large part of 2021 locked, locked up at the Lodge.
Prime Minister: We did, looking like, looking at screens like the one you've got in here. I was, in fact, I was just on one last night with Asian and European leaders, and there we all were doing the whole Zoom thing, but it has been great getting back. I mean, Cabinet is all sitting around the one table now, and I think that's a positive thing. But it's great to be back here in South Australia. Congratulations for opening up and that one last challenge - if you haven’t been vaccinated in South Australia, get out there today. Let's wake up to the news tomorrow that 80 per cent of South Australians have been vaccinated. Well done, South Australia.
Host: Good stuff.
Prime Minister: [Inaudible] get one of those shirazes you like so much down [inaudible].
Host: Oh yeah, they’re pretty good, hard to buy a bad one here in SA.
Prime Minister: It is, it is.
Host: Dave will have some recommendations for you, don’t worry about that.
Host: I’ll write down a short list for you after the interview finishes.
Prime Minister: Good to see you guys.
Host: Thanks.
Townsville Small Business Awarded Outstanding Veterans' Employer Of The Year
25 November 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Veteran's Affairs, Minister for Defence Personnel, Federal Member for Herbert
Australian Expedition Vehicles (AEV) has been named the Outstanding Veterans’ Employer of the Year in the 2021 Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Awards.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Townsville-based business had been recognised for its exceptional support of veteran employees, after previously winning this year’s Veterans’ Employer of the Year small business.
“AEV is a worthy recipient of Outstanding Veterans’ Employer of the Year, with veterans making up around 50 per cent of the AEV workforce,” the Prime Minister said.
“AEV design, build and deliver specialised military and civilian off-roads vehicles as well as vehicle engineering, modification and maintenance support services, providing the perfect opportunity for the men and women who have served in the Australian Defence Force to transition their skills to the civilian workforce.
“It fills me with great pride to see a local Queensland business providing targeted employment opportunities for veterans and working with employees to adapt jobs to the needs of the veteran. It’s businesses like AEV that provide hope and support for anyone wishing to translate those skills learned in the ADF.
“I want to congratulate AEV for creating a workplace where veterans not only thrive, but where they gain qualifications and share their skills with others.”
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee praised the Townsville business on its significant achievement.
“AEV is a local veteran-owned business supporting veteran employees, including some with health issues who have been supported by AEV through their rehabilitation,” Minister Gee said.
“They are a success story that should be a beacon for other Australian businesses. It makes good business sense to employ our veterans as we know they have a strong work ethic, work well in a team and bring the abilities learnt in the ADF to the workforce.”
Federal Member for Herbert Phil Thompson said AEV is a renowned manufacturer in Townsville.
“It’s fantastic to see a local veteran-owned company support our servicemen and women in their transition from military to civilian life,” Mr Thompson said.
“We need to continue to do everything we can to make sure our veterans and their families are given all the support they need and deserve.”
Managing Director of AEV Michael McMillan served in the ADF and said he wants to create opportunities like the ones he enjoyed.
“Understanding the needs of veterans is very important when creating a workplace that meets their needs,” Mr McMillan said.
“They want to be part of a team that is delivering something, whether that be a product or a service, and they want to be part of a like-minded group.
“I am proud we have created a business where we make sure the role fits the veteran, their skillset, help them gain qualifications and where they can see opportunities once they leave the ADF.”
This year the Australian Government is investing $11.7 billion to support more than 336,000 veterans and their families across the country.
More than $17 million has been provided to establish the Joint Transition Authority to better prepare and support our ADF personnel and their families as they transition to civilian life.
The Government also provides veterans with free mental health care for life, and has expanded access to the 24/7 counselling services for both veterans and their families.
Find out more about the AEV commitment to veteran employment here.
Solomon Islands
25 November 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for International Development and the Pacific
Solomon Islands is part of our Pacific family and is among our closest neighbours.
We have been watching the ongoing protests in Honiara with concern. We continue to call for calm, for an end to any further violence and emphasise the importance of resolving tensions peacefully.
Australia has received a formal request for assistance from the Solomon Islands Government under our 2017 Bilateral Security Treaty. Australia has agreed to provide assistance to Solomon Islands in line with our Treaty arrangement.
A Royal Australian Air Force aircraft has departed Canberra this evening to provide airlift for members of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in support of the Australian Government response to the request for assistance.
On 26 November, approximately 40 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel from Army’s 3rd Brigade, 6th Brigade and 17th Brigade will depart Townsville for Honiara.
A further ADF aircraft will also depart Canberra tomorrow with additional DFAT officials and AFP members.
The AFP and ADF elements will support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force in helping to stabilise the situation.
The ADF will also deploy a Navy vessel to the Solomon Islands to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force with maritime security.
This deployment expands upon our longstanding bilateral security relationship, underpinned by strong cooperation between police, border and defence agencies in Australia and Solomon Islands.
The Australian Government is committed to a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
The Australian High Commission in Honiara remains operational. Australians in Solomon Islands in need of assistance should contact the High Commission or for 24 hour emergency consular assistance contact DFAT’s Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 and monitor smartraveller.gov.au.
Further Steps to Reopen Australia and Secure Our Economic Recovery
22 November 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Education and Youth, Minister for Women
Australia continues to take further steps to safely reopen to the world, with additional changes to our international border arrangements coming into effect on 1 December.
Consistent with the National Plan to safely reopen Australia, these changes will ensure we continue to protect the health of Australians, while reuniting families and securing our economic recovery by opening our border to skilled and student visa holders.
From 1 December 2021, fully vaccinated eligible visa holders can come to Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption. Eligible visa holders include skilled and student cohorts, as well as humanitarian, working holiday maker and provisional family visa holders.
Under these arrangements, travellers must:
Be fully vaccinated with a completed dosage of a vaccine approved or recognised by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Hold a valid visa for one of the eligible visa subclasses
Provide proof of their vaccination status
Present a negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test taken within three days of departure.
Travellers to Australia must comply with the quarantine requirements in the state or territory of their arrival, and any other state or territory to which they plan to travel.
The return of skilled workers and international students to Australia will further cement our economic recovery, providing the valuable workers our economy needs and supporting our important education sector.
From 1 December 2021, Australia will also welcome back fully vaccinated citizens from Japan and the Republic of Korea. Under these arrangements, citizens of Japan and the Republic of Korea who hold a valid Australian visa will be able to travel from their home country quarantine-free to participating states and territories, without needing to seek a travel exemption.
Under these arrangements, travellers must:
Depart from their home country
Be fully vaccinated with a completed dosage of a vaccine approved or recognised by the TGA
Hold a valid Australian visa
Provide proof of their vaccination status
Present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within three days of departure.
Today’s announcement follows earlier changes which have seen us welcome home fully vaccinated Australians, permanent residents and their immediate family members since 1 November, and follows the commencement of the Singapore safe travel zone yesterday.
These changes demonstrate the success of our National Plan, as the Government continues to get Australia back to normal and reopen to the world safely.
Work Kicks Off on Sydney's Newest Airport Terminal
19 November 2021
The Hon. Scott Morrison MP
Prime Minister
The Hon. Paul Fletcher MP
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
Senator the Hon. Simon Birmingham
Minister for Finance
The Hon. Dominic Perrottet MP
Premier of New South Wales
The new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport has hit another major milestone with construction now underway on the world-class passenger terminal.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said today’s announcement marked a significant step in this once-in-a-generation, city-shaping infrastructure project for Western Sydney, and Australia.
“The delivery of the Western Sydney International Airport proves once again our Government’s ability to get things done,” the Prime Minister said.
“We have made this happen. It is already delivering major benefits for Western Sydney, as we knew it would, and it only gets better from here.
“The Coalition will continue to invest in job-creating infrastructure that drives investment and secures Australia’s economic recovery.
“Our total $14 billion investment in the airport and transport links is transforming this powerhouse region, attracting investment and supporting jobs for generations to come.
“Around 11,000 jobs will be supported during construction alone, and currently around one in two workers are from right here in Western Sydney, driving income and opportunity for families across the region.
“Tens of thousands more jobs will be created when the airport is up and running in 2026, and millions of travellers are arriving into Sydney’s newest airport every year.
“The airport will also play a crucial role in the nation’s aviation future, delivering dynamic global connections for the region and opening up even further possibilities for new routes and services.”
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said construction on one of the most significant infrastructure projects in Australia was now around one quarter complete.
“Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, work has continued to progress with nearly 22 million cubic metres of earth now moved to date across the site – which is about three times bigger than the Sydney CBD – and the airport on track to open in late 2026,” Minister Fletcher said.
“Today we announce another important milestone has been reached, with work now underway on the new state-of-the-art integrated passenger terminal, which will have the capacity to handle up to 10 million passengers a year once open.
“With this unique opportunity to build an airport from the ground up, we are able to roll out cutting-edge technology to make the passenger experience smoother and easier than at existing airports, and the security systems more effective but less intrusive.
“The new airport will not only be a state-of-the art piece of infrastructure but is an integral element of the surrounding aerotropolis and the broader Western Parkland city.
“In its own right, Western Sydney would be Australia’s fourth largest city and third largest economy, which is why the Morrison Government has committed $14 billion to the airport and vital metro rail and road links that will transform the region.”
Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham said construction of Western Sydney International’s world-leading innovative domestic and international airport had fastened its seatbelt and was ready for take-off.
“One of Australia’s largest infrastructure projects is now visibly taking shape and is delivering long-term jobs and economic benefits to Western Sydney,” Minister Birmingham said.
“Economic stimulus and job creation in Western Sydney is critical right now. Start of construction on the world-class terminal will see more jobs begin to flow in the coming months.
“Acting to build a second Sydney airport has been in the too hard basket for many years but our government is delivering this critical piece of infrastructure that will lift productivity and growth for decades to come.”
Federal Member for Lindsay, Melissa McIntosh welcomed the airport exceeding its local employment targets, saying the project would continue to create local jobs, for local people.
“Over $100 million has already been injected into businesses in Western Sydney, supercharging our local economy,” Ms McIntosh said.
“The airport will continue to provide more opportunities for local small businesses, opening up new markets and opportunities across Australia and beyond.
“This will drive more job creation for generations, particularly in the emerging industries recognising Western Sydney is at the forefront of fields including advanced manufacturing, research, and space, as a result of the Morrison Government’s investment.”
New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet said the airport would boost economic activity and provide employment opportunities for the Western Sydney region.
“This new airport integrates with our vision for Western Sydney and the future of how people will live, work and travel,” Mr Perrottet said.
“It means jobs for Western Sydney and will create new, convenient travel options for those who live in our west.”
The contract for the airside pavements package, which will include the 3.7-kilometre runway and rapid-exit taxiways, was awarded in September, with construction due to begin next year. Bulk earthworks are around 75 per cent complete.
In addition to the $5.3 billion investment in Western Sydney International, the Morrison Government has committed another $9 billion for the vital rail and road links that will transform the Western Sydney region.
This includes the $3.5 billion investment to deliver new major road infrastructure and upgrades under the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan and $5.25 billion towards the first stage of the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport rail link.
$111 Million Investment To Back Australia's Quantum Technology Future
17 November 2021
Prime Minister, Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy, Minister for Women's Economic Security
The Morrison Government is investing $111 million to secure Australia’s quantum future, supporting the commercialisation, adoption and use of this new technology to create jobs, support Australian business and keep Australians safe.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison today released the Blueprint and Action Plan for Critical Technologies, identifying quantum technologies as one of the Government’s nine technologies for initial focus.
The quantum investment includes $70 million for the Quantum Commercialisation Hub to foster strategic partnerships with likeminded countries to commercialise Australia’s quantum research and help Australian businesses access new markets and investors.
The Hub will be supported by the development of a National Quantum Strategy and quantum technologies prospectus, designed to align industry and government efforts and unlock greater private sector investment.
The strategy will be informed by a National Committee on Quantum, comprised of a group of industry stakeholders and experts which will be led by Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Cathy Foley.
“This investment will help secure future economic opportunities for Australian businesses, create local jobs and importantly, it will help keep Australians safe,” the Prime Minister said.
It is estimated that the development, commercialisation and adoption of quantum technologies can deliver Australia $4 billion in economic value and create 16,000 new jobs by 2040.
Minister for Science and Technology Melissa Price said quantum technology offers incredible defence industry, scientific and economic opportunities for Australia.
“Australia is a world leader in quantum,” Minister Price said.
“These investments will enhance our global reputation and help us work with other like-minded countries to develop this critical technology.
“This is a fantastic technology that will improve our lives and transform our industries like finance, communications, energy, health, mining, manufacturing and agriculture.
“Australian scientists are at the cutting edge of quantum development and our research in this important area punches well above our weight internationally.
“Australia now has an important mission to commercialise our research, particularly given quantum technologies are increasingly vital for industries in key areas like defence and national security, as flagged in the recent AUKUS agreement.”
Minister for the Digital Economy Jane Hume said the Morrison Government is grasping the opportunities in quantum technology for Australians - as a jobs creation vehicle and game changing technology for research, innovation and productivity.
“The global quantum industry is expected to be worth at least $86 billion by 2040, and I’m determined to see Australians secure their share of those jobs and economic activity” Minister Hume said.
“By embracing and fostering this technology we can increase the power of computing, as well as help create more reliable navigation and more secure communications. It’s the logical extension of our investment in digitisation and a focus of the Digital Economy Strategy.”
More details on the Quantum Commercialisation Hub and National Quantum Strategy can be found here https://www.industry.gov.au/news/new-investment-in-australias-quantum-technology-industry