Questions and Answers, National Press Club Canberra, ACT

1 February 2022

Journalist: Thank you, Prime Minister, for that very extensive address. It's a new year. So a good opportunity to clear the air. You've acknowledged today you didn't get everything right and that you understand the frustration people have felt over the summer. But do you want to take this opportunity to actually say sorry for the mistakes you've made as prime minister? Not just about COVID. Everything from going to Hawaii during the bushfires, to not having enough rapid antigen tests in place, even as you foreshadowed the switch to a greater use of them and for failing to live up to your pledge to hundreds of thousands of people on the NDIS that you will make sure the scheme was fully funded, uncapped and demand driven. And will you apologise to people who've had, the hundreds of people, who've had funding arbitrarily cut under the scheme? 

Prime Minister: Well, thanks for the question. 

Journalist: Always happy to ask questions, Prime Minister. 

Prime Minister: We're all terribly sorry for what this pandemic has done to the world and to this country. These are the times in which we live and I've set out today, I think very clearly the challenges that we've faced. But I'm also very proud of Australians and what they've achieved in enabling us all to come through this, despite the setbacks and the challenges that we have faced. In terms of the things when I say we haven't got everything right. Let me reflect on a couple of them for you. 

First of all, as we went into this summer, we were optimistic. I was optimistic. We were all desperately looking forward to a great summer. And one of the things we learn again is that the virus has a way of bringing you back to Earth. And I think as we went into the summer, I think we were too optimistic, perhaps, and we could have communicated more clearly about the risks and challenges that we still faced. And I think in raising those expectations about the summer, that we heightened the great sense of disappointment that people felt. And as we had to make massive changes because of Omicron, as I said, the rapid antigen tests had only actually even been approved for use by the TGA earlier in November, we agreed at the meeting of National Cabinet about how they'd be funded and who had to go and get them. And so we moved quickly because we hadn't anticipated that we would have a variant that resulted in the vaccine not being able to stop the transmission. We had invested so much and Australians invested so much in getting those vaccinations, and over November and December, we were focused on the booster programme, the children's programme. And at the same time, Omicron came and completely turned things on its head. So we moved quickly and I've set out the steps that we've taken to work that around. And in our communications, we have to be clear about that because we can't lift people's hopes and then disappoint them. And I think that's what happened over the break. 

Secondly, on the vaccination programme, if I had my time over, I would have put it under a military operation from the outset and not later in the year. But we’d all worked up the plan together. Going through cabinet, our cabinet, been through the National Cabinet and set out the timetables. We'd had the goal of ensuring that everyone who wanted a vaccine, could be offered one by October, the record that was achieved on the 25th of October. And as we went through those early months and we had the challenges that we have with the health department and us dealing with many, many issues, I took the decision to send in General Frewen and changed the way we did it and set up a change in the command structure, how logistics were managed, how it was planned, and it worked. But I wish we'd done that earlier, and that's a lesson.

In the aged care sector we knew, I should say we learnt, that the interface between the aged care sector and the public hospital system was blurred. And so when the storms of COVID hit, that created some real challenges and in the aged care sector, and I remember it was one of the hardest days of the pandemic, was St Basil’s, and we had a whole health workforce stood down because of COVID rules, so understand that, left an aged care facility with no staff and I had to send the military in that night. The interface and whether patients could be moved, how and when from aged care facilities and to hospitals to private and public that emerged earlier in the pandemic. And so that could have been done better between both the states and ourselves. 

But as you can see, these are not simple issues with simple solutions. They're complex and events can work against you. What I say to Australians on every occasion where something hasn't gone exactly as we'd hoped or we've got it exactly right or where we would like to have turned out, we've crushed together with the problem, solved it and moved forward. And that's what Australians expect of us. I don't think they expect perfection, but they do expect you to keep working it every single day, and that's something I'm very proud of my government has done. 

Now on the NDIS, we are fully funding the NDIS. It's one of my great passions as people know in this place and I will never let people down if I can help it, in the NDIS. It's a huge programme. It's a programme that is well expanded beyond what the Productivity Commission said it would. Well beyond the design of it and how it was set up. It's contributed massively to the costs and those designs, we're not having much success in convincing those at state level, Commonwealth level and through the Parliament as to how that can be best managed. It's going to be a big challenge in the years ahead, the NDIS. But people know I'm totally committed to it. 

Journalist: So you don't have to say sorry about any of those things?

Prime Minister: I think I've explained my answer fairly fully.

Journalist: It was very full. Chris Uhlmann. 

Journalist: Prime Minister, Chris Uhlmann, 9News. The cost of living is a daily concern for most Australians. You talked about the dream of home ownership, with the median house price hitting a million dollars in three cities, that's become a nightmare for many young Australians. Is there anything you can conceivably do about that? The cost of petrol rose 30 per cent last year, now that's set by international marketplaces, but you do control excise. Would you, like John Howard, consider pausing excise if it continues to rise. And what about the price of gas? You must have considered the possibility that Russia will invade Ukraine, cut Germany's gas supply and the price will skyrocket. Can you conceive of making sure that Australian gas prices don't follow world prices by having some of the market kept here? 

Prime Minister: Well, you've rightly set out Chris, the economic uncertainty that we're facing globally, and that's very true. The global economic situation is full of challenges and plenty of surprises and many threats to Australia. And that's why economic management, I think, is more important than ever. So I mentioned the inflationary pressures on Australia are building, but they are not like we are seeing overseas. And how you manage inflation principally is, particularly how you manage the national finances. They are things that we have control over and the fact that in the course of this pandemic, we've been able to maintain our AAA credit rating despite having to spend significant amounts. Those who have looked at our fiscal plans and made assessments about it, could see what we were doing, how we were seeking to target it. It was time limited. Others wanted us to keep spending. They wanted us to extend JobKeeper. That was running about $11 billion a month. They wanted us to pay for things that people were already doing on vaccines. They wanted us to just spend money some $13 to $18 billion on things that were better targeted to those who needed concessional access and need it on those tests. So how do you manage your budget is very important about how you control inflation, and we have a good track record on that. 

On home ownership, it's always hard to buy your first home. It's terribly hard and particularly in the city, in Sydney. I remember it. Jen and I remember it ourselves. It's hard and it's still hard and I'd argue even harder. And that's why at the last election we came up with, I think, some very effective programmes. We can't manage what happens to house prices, but we can help people get into homes. And our Government has helped 300,000 Australians to get into homes. 300,000. And Australians have wisely built up their own store houses during this pandemic to deal with the shocks that are coming. They are 47 months on average ahead of their mortgage payments. That's discipline. That's wise. And so Australians together with the government are going to continue to, I think, to exercise responsible judgment about our finances, invest in the things that help grow our economy because a strong economy then enables you to guarantee the essential services that Australians rely on like the NDIS, like health, like aged care. If you don't have a strong economy, you cannot pay for the NDIS, so that's why these things are important. So I acknowledge, Chris, that these are great pressures. An eight per cent fall in electricity prices. Who was predicting that three years ago? But we said we were going to get electricity prices down and the measures we put in place have helped that outcome. So we'll keep pursuing those policies and there'll be more to help people get that first start in their home, as we have seen, and to ensure that we keep downward pressure, whether it's on inflation or interest rates, to ensure that Australians can continue to get a go. If you lose control of the financial and economic management levers, then Australia's worst fears on the economy would be realised. 

And the issue of Ukraine, of Ukraine, I should say. This is a very distressing and concerning situation. You've asked specifically about what it means for gas prices, well we have the security mechanism here in Australia and we know how that can be used. Australian gas must be for Australians, but there are also opportunities for our gas producers who have invested billions and so on both of those issues, I think we will manage them carefully and in Australia's national interests. 

Journalist: Clare Armstrong.

Journalist: Thanks Prime Minister. Clare Armstrong from The Daily Telegraph. Many Australians viewed the responses to the events in Parliament last year as representative of the experiences in the treatment of women everywhere. You've had multiple reviews. You've got the Jenkins Report on your desk. There's been a staff training video and a hotline. But what actually makes Parliament and political offices more safe for women now than they were 12 months ago? 

Prime Minister: Well, I'd say the most important thing that has happened is we now have an independent complaints mechanism. This was one of the key recommendations and the one we have acted on, and we've done that together as a Parliament together and that I think assists everybody who works in that building, not just the politicians and their staff. That process that we examine closely that let down so many a year ago and before has been significantly changed and for the better. And we have learnt from those times and I believe it's safer today than it was a year ago because of those changes and the brave stands that people have taken on these issues. And I've listened carefully to them and reflected on them and will continue to work to ensure that those processes work for people. Because if you find yourself in that situation, it's incredibly important that there are those out there to help you and support you to be able to make good decisions for you and to address the things that you need addressed to make the place safer. And so the independent complaints mechanism that we've put in place and the counselling support and the other things that sit around that, I think provides an environment, should, God forbid, that ever happen to anyone again, that they will find the situation very different to the one Ms Higgins found herself in.

Journalist: Just before we go to the next question, Prime Minister, are you happy to keep taking questions? 

Prime Minister: Absolutely. 

Journalist: Thanks. And for our viewers at home after 1:30, the ABC News, the ABC main channel will cut out, but you'll be able to continue watching on ABC 24. 

Journalist: Mark Riley. 

Journalist: Prime Minister, Mark Riley, 7 Network. Are your bonuses for aged care sector workers, which have been generally accepted as a good thing, although some suggest in the shadows of an election, they sound like how to vote cheques. The sector says, the workers say what they really need is an increase in their base rate of pay. These are appallingly low paid workers doing extraordinary work, not just in the pandemic, obviously much more obvious during the pandemic, but every day for our older citizens. Labor says it will intervene in the Fair Work Commission case to argue for an increase in their base rate. Why won't your government do that? 

Prime Minister: Well, let me address your first question. The $400 payments, retention payments, that's what they effectively are. We've already done this once before. And we know it works. And with the the workforce challenges we've had, particularly Omicron, that's why this has come about, not for any other reason suggested. What we're doing here is helping the aged care providers give that support to aged care workers during this pandemic to be able to keep them there working in those facilities, which is incredibly important. That's what it's designed to do and we know it was effective last time and we believe it will be effective again and it needs to happen now. And it has been done in consultation with the industry as well. One of the things that they have called for as we've responded to the Omicron variant. So that is why we're doing this. We've done it before and we’re doing it again, and we believe that will help manage the significant demands on those workers themselves as well as the aged care facilities. 

Now the other matter, I've noticed the suggestion made by the Leader of the Opposition. I haven't heard how he proposes to fund that. I don't know what he estimates the cost of that will be and how he would work that through. So that's for him to explain as to how he can pay for the things he tells Australians he thinks he can do. I've always been, I think, pretty upfront about that sort of thing, and there's a process underway and we will let that process follow its course and we'll of course, have to absorb any decision that is taken there. And that's the way I think these things should be dealt with. But you know, we've all had experience with those who have worked in aged care, particularly if you've had a parent who's been in palliative care, end of life care. And we're incredibly grateful. And there are many things we want to do in this country and we want to encourage them to do that. And the aged care workforce strategy, which has been worked together by the Minister for Health and Aged Care and the Minister for Workforce Stuart Robert, will further address our plans to support the aged care workforce. We'll have more to say about that, and I can assure you our plans will be costed, our plans will be funded and we'll know how they work. 

Journalist: Andrew Clennell. 

Journalist: Andrew Clennell from Sky News, Prime Minister, we've got up to 100 Australians a day dying with COVID, a low booster rate, inflation, indoor businesses in Sydney and Melbourne on their knees without your support. What are you going to do about these problems? Have you lost touch with ordinary Australians? And on that theme, off the top of your head, can you tell me the price of a loaf of bread, a litre of petrol and a rapid antigen test? 

Prime Minister: Well, let me talk to you about a couple of things on that point. First of all, through the pandemic, you can't pay for everything, because it all has to be paid for. Over the course of this pandemic, we have provided over $100 billion in economic support. JobKeeper being the most significant and that has saved businesses across this country. And we're doing that at a time with the COVID disaster payments as well, when we had shut businesses down. Not the virus. The Government took decisions to shut businesses down. And of course, in those circumstances, one of the things we have to be very mindful of Andrew is that this thing isn't over yet. It's not over. The next variant could have any number of permutations to it. And so when we decided to do JobKeeper, we said it's going to start and it's going to finish. And people asked the Treasurer and I the same question that you are asking me now, why are you pulling JobKeeper away? Because that's what you do when you're responsible and running a government. You can't say yes to everybody all the time, and you have to do things which ensure that you've got your government and your bank balances of government able to deal with the next challenge. I mean our opponents wanted to keep it going. They would have spent $11 billion a month to keep going, they would have spent $6 billion paying people to have a vaccine they already had, and $13 to $18 billion on tests when free tests were already available to those who needed them and those who were on concession cards who needed them and have equitable access to them. 

So these are hard choices, Andrew. They're very hard choices and you make them every day in a pandemic. Now, I'm not going to pretend to you that I go out each day and I buy a loaf of bread and I buy a litre of milk. I'm not going to pretend that I do that and I'll leave those sort of things to you mate, and you can run it. But the point is, I do my job every day to ensure that those things are as affordable as they possibly can be for Australians every single day. As I said, our inflationary pressures in this country lower than what we're seeing in other countries. And it's important that we ensure that people are able and have the resilience to deal with those economic pressures coming, just like my answer earlier. It's going to be tough in the months and years ahead. There's going to be strong economic challenges. And you've got to make decisions in real time and ensure that you've got the capacity to deal with the challenges that are yet to come. And that's what people will get from me. That's what responsibility looks like. Not saying yes to everybody and telling them everything they want to hear, saying one thing to them in weone part of the country and another thing to them in another part of the country. You don't get that from me. I've got it from both of my previous opponents politically, and I think Australians make a judgment about that, about whether they actually have the responsibility and the discipline to carry what is a very weighty office. 

Journalist: And I just remind my colleagues that we are asking one question each, thank you Andrew Clennell. And Andrew Probyn. 

Journalist: Andrew Probyn from the ABC. As you've indicated in your speech, you recognise that people are very disappointed, angry over summer. Your colleagues say the anger with you is very high on the ground, too, and that your disapproval rating recognised in the Newspoll was on 58 disapproval, to remind you, net negative 19 percent approval rating and that you are a drag on the Coalition vote. Why are you the best person to lead the Coalition to the next election? 

Journalist: I have a great trust in the Australian people. I think they're very wise, and I think they're very discerning. I think they take elections very, very seriously because they know the consequences. And there's a difference between answering a phone and walking into a ballot box and making a decision that has consequences. And I know from my own experience that they will weigh these things up in the months ahead, and I will make careful judgements about what's important. And they know that the times we face are very challenging. They know that the security situation we face in the world today is very challenging, and they'll be saying "who has the economic plan and economic management experience to ensure that I can stay in my job and my business can succeed, that can get electricity prices under control and bring them down, that will best support me in saving for my retirement, that will ensure that my kids are getting those skills training like those record apprentices in trade training that we've been able to put in place, and who has that experience and who has that understanding of the complexity of these challenges to make all that work and the way that unfolds”. And they’ll weight that up. And they’ll wonder with what we're seeing in our region and the threats to our security, well, who's shown that they're able to stand up for Australia's interests, whether it's standing up to other countries in our region, standing up to the big tech companies, standing up to the banks and the energy companies? That's my form ... 

Journalist: And thinking here of your colleagues or voters? 

Prime Minister: I understood the question. And so I'm talking about Australians because they're the ones who will be voting and as they assess all of these things they will make this choice, Andrew, at that time, and between now and then, they'll have the opportunity, not to vote in a referendum this year, it's not a referendum on the government. This is a choice about who's going to lead the government after the election, and there are two choices and they'll be able to see the differences between those two choices and I think, weigh up the consequences of those two choices and they'll carefully consider it. Australians, you know, in between elections, they tend not to focus that much on politics because they are focused on what matters most to them, not the political goings on of this place. They're focusing on getting their kids through school. They're focused on running their businesses and staying in their job and paying the bills and looking after and caring for family members. And that's what they're focused on. But the time for the election will come, and when it does, they'll weigh these things up and they'll quietly go about their business.

Journalist: Peter van Onselen.

Journalist: Peter van Onselen, Network 10. Prime Minister, at the start of your speech, you mentioned your close friendship with Marise Payne. I wanted to ask you about another close friend, Gladys Berejiklian, and that’s somebody that you wanted to run actually at the next election. I've been provided with a text message exchange between the former New South Wales Premier and a current Liberal Cabinet Minister. I've got them right here. In one, she described you as, quote, ‘a horrible, horrible person,’ going on to say she did not trust you and you're more concerned with politics than people. The Minister is even more scathing, describing you as a fraud and, quote, ‘a complete psycho’. Does this exchange surprise you and what do you think it tells us?

Prime Minister: Well, I don't know who you're referring to or the basis of what you’ve put to me, but I obviously don't agree with it, and I don't think that's my record.

Journalist: Katharine Murphy.

Journalist: Apologies, that changeover was less than, less than elegant. Prime Minister, I want to take you back to aged care, which you referenced a moment ago. Now, more than 400 aged care residents have died of COVID since the beginning of January. There are active outbreaks in about half of residential aged care facilities as we sit down to lunch today, and the booster program for aged care is running behind where it needs to be. Now, a second ago you acknowledged the problems in aged care in the first wave. Obviously there were hundreds of deaths then, and you presented aged care as a, as a lesson learned.

Prime Minister: Yeah.

Journalist: Doesn't this suggest that the lessons haven't been learned? And in terms of taking responsibility, that was an important theme in your speech. You've got to know what you’re responsible for and what you're not. Aged care is absolutely the responsibility of the Commonwealth. You fund it and you regulate it. So why do these errors keep being repeated for a cohort of Australians who are frail, vulnerable and at risk during the pandemic? 

Prime Minister: Well, thanks Katharine. As of now, 90, let me say this first, every single death, some 3,750 of Australians that we have lost, is a terrible loss. Every life saved is a great blessing, as I said, also. In the course of this pandemic, many lives have been lost. In the course of this pandemic, many, many lives have been saved. That is the reality of a global pandemic. And I think Australians understand that. You made some points regarding the booster shots. Ninety nine per cent of aged care facilities, I'm advised, have been and will be around today, will have been visited to offer those booster shots. We have not mandated the taking of boosters by aged care residents. We have for aged care workers, but not for aged care residents. Some 61 per cent, as you, as you know, and every death is tragic in aged care, have been with those residents who are in end of life care, and the balance also have other serious underlying health conditions. And so that creates a further challenge. We've had it from memory around 566 deaths in aged care since our first Omicron case. In the first terrible wave we had back in 2020, there were, there were more, but I suspect there’ll be more now, and that is terrible. And so the booster shot, we encourage people to take. But where families have decided and where individuals have decided not to take it, then it's not for me or the government to tell them about the decisions they're making in that very sensitive time of their life. I've been in that situation, you may have too. They’re they’re sensitive situations where families make decisions, so I'm going to honour and respect their decisions. With aged care, with the boosters, as I said, 99 per cent out there and visiting, and they'll be going back again and encouraging them to get those booster shots. And in the outbreaks themselves, the provision of the testing kits that have been an important part, the acquiring of the additional PPE to support the aged care facilities, I think has been incredibly important in what we've been able to do. Some 12.8 million masks, five million gowns, 14.7 million gloves, 3.6 million goggles and face shields and 7.7 million rapid antigen tests have been sent out there over the course of 2021 to aged care facilities. So that's they're the tools you have to try and ensure that these outcomes don't occur. And that's what we're doing each and every day. People going into these facilities - whether it's the aged care workers, those running the centres or others, making sure we get the workforce. But it's very difficult and it's very challenging. And so we're going to keep fighting away on this and trying to save every life that we can.

Journalist: Phil Coorey.

Journalist: Thanks, Laura. Prime Minister, just a quick question. You've talked today about lessons learnt, things you may have done better, and you you had your time again, and so forth. Would you be open to the prospect, should you prevail at the federal election, to some sort of national assessment of how, of the way the nation has handled COVID, like a royal commission or some other enquiry, as Anthony Albanese flagged in this venue a week ago. 

Prime Minister: Well, right now we're fighting the pandemic, and that's where I'm very focused. And there'll be a time for that. One of the first things we did in the start of the pandemic, and I offered it to the Leader of the Opposition, is we set up the Senate Enquiry. So we've actually had a Senate Enquiry effectively following and enquiring into our handling of the pandemic right from the start, concurrently. So not something after, we actually set up a parliamentary enquiry. We have, you know, those who are not our, are on our political opponents, who’ve had the opportunity. There have been some 56 hearings of that Committee, some 211 hours of cross-examination of health officials and others who've been involved in our response. So I would say that has set up, I think, a very transparent process. Everything from vaccinations to aged care to the important challenges of addressing the needs in our Indigenous communities. So we have shown right from the outset a preparedness for that to be available. So we're already doing that and have been. What will be required into the future, well, I think we can deal with that at a later time because, right now, I think those two things in place are doing that job - accountability through the Parliament, through the Senate Committee, and us getting on with the job each and every day of fighting this pandemic.

Journalist: Sam Maiden.

Prime Minister: But, you know, what, we haven't ruled that out Phil, as, to the point. It's just not a decision for now. 

Journalist: Samantha Maiden from News.com.au. You made the point that it's pretty tough purchasing property in Australia right now, but it's a lot easier if taxpayers are paying you $291 a night to sleep in your own home, which is how the current system works for MPs. So most of the MPs and Ministers in this room, if they stay tonight, they'll be paid $291 a night to stay, not necessarily in a hotel, but in their own home. Now, if you work for the Defence Force, you're not allowed to do that. It's described as suitable accommodation. You can't claim that money. So how is it fair that you're prepared to pay up to $800 bonus in two tranches to aged care workers who have been literally working among the dying and the dead during the pandemic, but you're going to pay all of these politicians $873 to sleep in their own beds for three nights when they come to Canberra. 

Prime Minister: Well, for the record, I only own one home, the one that Jenny and I own back in the Shire. I don't own three homes, I don’t own five. I don't have a problem with owning homes, people investing, trying to do things for their future. That hasn’t been my experience. We've rented all the time I've been here in the Parliament, so this is not something that I've had any direct involvement with. Others may have, and I make no judgment about that.

Journalist: Why not?

Prime Minister: Well, because what I would expect to happen is that the independent process that is set up to look at Members’ entitlements - and that's the wrong way to talk about them - that the support that is given to Members and Senators to come and do their job and be here in Canberra and so on, that is done independently of government, and it should be done independently of government. It shouldn't be a matter of of of of of political football. It should be one where those who can look at the circumstances fairly and make judgments about it. And then this is not something that just I have done as a Prime Minister. I think every Prime Minister has done that and certainly has moved towards that to make these decisions, you know, one step removed from politicians …

Journalist: So you won’t ask your MPs not to claim the money if they own their own home?

Prime Minister: I expect all of my Members and Senators to comply with all the rules that are in place. I do, I expect them to do that.

Journalist: Thank you.

Journalist: David Crowe.

Prime Minister: If those rules need to change, then I'm sure those who are responsible for ensuring those rules are fair and reasonable would bring forward recommendations to that end. That's what I would expect them to do, as that's their job. 

Journalist: David Crowe.

Journalist: Thanks, Laura. Thanks, Prime Minister for your speech. David Crowe from The Age in Melbourne and The Sydney Morning Herald. One of the symbolic issues around the summer outbreak for many Australians, a practical and symbolic issue around preparation, was a shortage of rapid antigen tests. What went wrong at the federal level last year? Because you've always said that future waves would arrive, future variants would arrive, there would be new challenges with this pandemic. And yet, there were not enough rapid antigen tests in stock in Australia when that, when that threat arrived over summer. And related to that, do you have any intention, willingness, plan to invest in local manufacturing of rapid antigen tests? And if so, would that actually be able to help ease the shortage before the federal election?

Prime Minister: Let me start with the last one. Already happening. It's already happening. I mentioned one of them in my speech today where that's already occurring. There are a couple of companies up in Queensland that as yet haven't received TGA approval for that, and they were the subject of of some issues over in the United States, but the TGA have been working through that, so people can't manufacture something that isn't approved by our regulators. In fact, as I said before, the TGA only first approved first home self-testing of rapid antigen tests on the first of November last year. So prior to that, and in many states, they were actually outlawed. They were outlawed.

Journalist: Were the TGA too slow?

Prime Minister: The TGA have been doing their job, and they've approved more rapid antigen tests for home testing than they have in the United States. I think some 47 or so tests off the top of my head, and that is a large amount to get through. They've also been approving vaccines, they've been approving oral treatments, they've had a work load like none other. And they're still doing all the other things that aren't related to the pandemic. So no, I wouldn't I wouldn't make that criticism. I think Professor Skerritt and his team have been working under enormous pressure, but having they're not, rapid antigen tests, the medical advice going back to October of 2020, both the CDNA and AHPPC, the medical expert panel, recommended against the use of rapid antigen tests. That happened again in February of 2021. The medical advice to the government was not to use rapid antigen tests, and then we in August commenced a trial and purchased rapid antigen tests for aged care. So we began that in August of last year. As the cases, and then in November, as I said the approval came through on the 5th of November. National Cabinet met soon after that, a few days after that to consider what should then happen. Now,  remember, at that time there was Omicron. The medical advice was that the right testing process was PCR tests, not rapid antigen tests. No medical body, no state government, no one anywhere came forward and said these tests should now be used for this purpose, who were responsible, providing that advice to government, okay. And the reason for that was we were in Delta and we were focused on getting the vaccinations in place because that what was that is what would prevent the transmission because it was effective against transmission. What happened with Omicron is that flipped it completely and it did it within a matter of weeks. And so there had been no suggestion that rapid antigen tests from any official health advisers to the government was was something as a priority over children's vaccinations, over the booster shots, which was our primary tool to stop the spread and enables to go into that summer. Now Omicron changed all that and it changed in almost in an instant. And there were many other complications, particularly for workforce. And those early weeks in December were very difficult because we were trying to get from the medical advice, and there wasn't a lot of data around at that point was is this virus actually less virulent? Is it is it less impacting, severe than the Delta strain? And until we could know that we kept the rules in place around its seven day close contact and all of these things? And that then impacted the workforce. But we hadn't yet got the health advice definitively, and we were asking every meeting because we were meeting weekly and we were saying, is it less severe, is it less severe, and when we learnt that it was, then we could start to address those changes in its seven day arrangements close contacts, essential workforces. Had they not done that then and it had proved to be more severe or as severe, you'd be asking me different questions today. So the rapid antigen test challenge was one that was brought on by the Omicron variant because the PCR tests couldn't keep up with the rapidly increasing cases. There had not been leading up to that time at the end of November an expectation that cases would soar to those levels, under the Delta strain, and under the Delta strain that wouldn't have occurred.

Journalist: But anybody would have seen that, that coming wasn't, isn't that the point of government at a state level, at a federal level to plan for that, to plan for another outbreak? 

Prime Minister: Well, no country did pick that. Which country did?

Journalist: The UK had plenty of rapid antigen tests.

Prime Minister: This is the difference. The UK had already been dealing with very high case numbers, very, very high case numbers through the Delta strain and the earlier strains. And in the UK, the volume of that challenge had already moved into rapid antigen tests. PCR tests were still the right standard they had to, during the early phases, which Australia did not have to do because we didn't experience the waves that the previous countries had done previously. That was a a step they took in the early strains because the virus had spread far more widely. That didn't happen in Australia, so we could keep using the right tests, the PCR tests. The reliability of rapid antigen tests is not the same as PCR. The South Australian Government has been able to keep their focus on PCR tests, and I commend Steven Marshall for that. They've been able to keep that gold standard. Rapid antigen tests are things that you only go to when you have a volume challenge that we had not had and we would not have had under Delta because of our high rates of vaccination. That's why that wasn't anticipated, but became the issue when Omicron struck. As I said, Omicron was like dealing with a completely different virus. It changed so many of the rules and it had its impact. And that's what we experienced over summer and over the summer, we'd been all working to turn that around. There are more rapid antigen tests available now. There are more treatments available, and the case numbers have been peaking in many of our states and territories, and our supply chains are being restored. 

Journalist: Final question is from Greg Brown.

Journalist: Prime Minister, Greg Brown from the Australian. Ahead of the 2019 election, the Coalition like now was in real political trouble and you successfully exploited two advantages. You were a more popular leader than Bill Shorten, and Labor had a lot of big, scary policies for that you tore apart. Three years later, you're an unpopular leader, and Labor has got a small target strategy. So where does the political winner come from? Can we expect, can voters expect tax cuts over and above what's already been announced, or will there be a big spending commitment?

Prime Minister: Well, it's a similar answer, Greg, to what I gave before. As to our policies and commitments going forward, people know we're a low taxing government, people know we want people to keep more of what they earn. They know that because they're experiencing it. We said we'd do that and we're doing it and they are receiving that now and they're keeping more of what they earn. And so if you want taxes to remain low, then vote Liberal and National, don't vote Labor, because they're form on taxes is the opposite. They've already opened the batting on their higher taxes, and they've already started that. And once they get started, you know, they can't stop when it comes to taxing you. But this election again is a choice, and every election is and this choice isn't about a referendum style choice. A yes and no on the government. It's about do you want the Liberals and Nationals, myself as Prime Minister with our record on economic management and national security, it keeps Australians safe, keeps our economy strong, that pays for the NDIS that pays for aged care that enables us to battle this pandemic. That shows responsibility even when responding to those challenges with the nation's finances, which means your job, your business and all of these things are more secure. Or do you want, Anthony Albanese as Prime Minister and the Labor Party and their policies and their record on having an each way bet on the budget, and each way bet on national security. That is the choice of an election, and Australians will have the time to weigh these things up, and they'll make that decision very carefully. They'll be very aware, I think by the time we get to the election about the world we will face and the country circumstances that we will face in the years ahead. They've been quietly getting about their their lives these last three years. The things that we said we do, we've done, we have. But we will get on with that job and they'll make their judgements about who they think is best able to deliver them a strong economy and a stronger future. And our government's record and my record as Prime Minister and as Treasurer, I think speaks to both of those things. When you talk about experience, well, I've delivered three budgets as Treasurer. I've delivered three budgets as a Prime Minister, with the Treasurer. I've sat around the national security table dealing with some of the biggest challenges this country has faced over the last eight years. I've sat around the Expenditure Review Committee of Budgets for the last seven budgets. That experience counts when it comes to dealing with the challenges that Australia is going to face. And it's not just me. I look around this room at Marise, Peter,  Karen, Angus, Barnaby. I look around the room of people who've been in the trenches battling this pandemic in the hard circumstances we're facing regionally over these last, particularly three years. Standing up for Australia, standing up to those who would seek to injure our interests. It requires strength, it requires a calm experience, and Australians will make that choice. And I'm looking forward to it.

Journalist: Prime Minister, thanks for your time today. As is often the case, we will be giving you this very nice card as a guest speaker to be a member of the club. 

Prime Minister: Thank you. 

Journalist: And we're just wondering whether you will take up the opportunity of debating Anthony Albanese here or in any other place during the campaign?

Prime Minister: Well, it's interesting you ask, because I remember standing right here with Bill Shorten and Sabra was, it was over here, was it? And and Sabra asked me, would you agree to have a debates commission? And I said yes. And Bill said yes. Now, Special Minister of State is sitting at the back there, Ben Morton, and he has developed such a proposal and has been working as I'm sure you probably know with the media and and with others, the political parties to seek to establish such a commission. I support it. Anthony Albanese doesn't. So I'm sure there will be debates and we will have to go through the usual process that happens. I think it's better to have an independent process like the one that we were recommending to avoid all those shenanigans and games that opposition leaders like. I don't know why he doesn't support an independent debate commission. I think it's a good idea. I said I'd do it. Bill said he'd do it. Anthony says he won't. 

Journalist: Will you do a debate though?

Prime Minister: Of course I will. Of course I will. We'll be debating lots.

Journalist: Please thank the Prime Minister. 

PRIME MINISTER: Thank you.

https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-43768

Australia's Economic Accelerator To Propel Economy

1 February 2022

Prime Minister, Acting Minister for Education and Youth, Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Minister for Science and Technology, Minister for Defence Industry

A new $1.6 billion economic accelerator will turn Australia’s leading research into world-beating businesses as part of the Morrison Government’s focus on building the country’s resilience.

Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) features as part of a $2.2 billion package to focus the commercialisation of the six national manufacturing priority areas – resources and critical minerals, food and beverage, medical products, recycling and clean energy, defence and space – bringing the country’s brightest business and academic minds together.

Together with a new $150 million expansion of CSIRO’s Main Sequence Ventures, the AEA will reshape research funding to emphasise projects with high potential for commercialisation that are directed at National Manufacturing Priorities and industry engagement.

The Prime Minister said the AEA would invest in projects as they progressed through the stages of their development.

“Stronger commercialisation of research and ideas will mean a stronger economy and a stronger future for Australia,” the Prime Minister said.

“This is about funding projects to bridge the ‘valley of death’ where early-stage research is often not progressed due to higher levels of risk and uncertainty.

“The AEA will drive our universities and businesses to work hand-in-glove through the stages to prove projects’ viability and potential.

“Expanding the CSIRO’s Main Sequence Ventures program then takes this further, incentivising the additional venture capital investment support needed to progress innovative new products and technologies through to market to become the new businesses and employers of the future.”

Acting Minister for Education and Youth Stuart Robert said the AEA would boost investment in two critical stages of experimental development: proof of concept and proof of scale.

“The AEA will become a critical source of competitive funding support for innovating new projects with high commercial potential, and will take a lot of the risk and uncertainty for universities out of the equation,” Minister Robert said.

“We will start with a big range of contenders – a contest of ideas.

“But as we progress to stage two, the number of applicants will diminish and the value of the funding to each will increase.

“For example, stage one will involve nearly 100 grants a year of up to $500,000. Recipients will be required to engage industry through in-kind support or even co-location.

“In order to be one of the 36 recipients attracting up to $5 million in funding as part of ‘stage two’ projects, industry will need to put more skin in the game with a 50 per cent co-investment.

“At stage three, up to 50 companies will be supported through the Main Sequence Venture, where we are providing $150 million in two successive co-investment funds.

“This investment is about new jobs, increased wages, and creating products that make life easier, more efficient or even more interesting,” Minister Robert said.

Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the grants were an investment in Australia’s future industries and smart manufacturing within the Morrison Government’s National Manufacturing Priorities.

“By working with industry and researchers, the government is helping to ensure our economy benefits from our world-class research, both now and well into the future,” Minister Taylor said.

Minister for Science and Technology Melissa Price said the $150 million expansion of the CSIRO Main Sequence Ventures program would back start-up companies and help create commercial opportunities from Australian research.

“The Morrison Government is prioritising investment in research and action to turn Australia’s best ideas into new industries and strengthen our future prosperity,” Minister Price said.

“The expansion of the Main Sequence Ventures will further support the development of spin-off and start-up companies with high commercial potential arising from local research.

“Over the past four years, Main Sequence Ventures has invested in 39 companies that are commercialising deep tech opportunities that have created more than 1,200 technology-related jobs.

“Our new investment in this program will ensure it can play a bigger role in our economy and help develop the next generation of great Aussie companies and products.”

Minister Robert said the Morrison Government would also invest $296 million in industry focused PhDs and fellowships to support its research commercialisation goals and drive greater university-industry collaboration.

“This new scheme will generate 1,800 industry PhDs and over 800 industry fellows over 10 years to fundamentally reshape the workforce of Australia’s universities,” Minister Robert said.

“PhD students will benefit from the experience of undertaking research within industry settings, creating employment pathways beyond academic roles.

“Industry will benefit from the opportunities to host PhD students, bolstering their ability to harness ideas and concepts for innovation, as well as to open the pathway to the recruitment of high-calibre graduates. This will be further enhanced by a new suite of ARC Fellowships that will recognise and reward our academics who collaborate with industry, helping to drive the translation of their research, creating new pathways for their work.

“These initiatives will change the culture and the focus of research across Australia’s universities – building greater engagement with industry and ensuring that innovation is at the core of our economic future as a nation.”

https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-43766

Record $50 million for koalas

29 January 2022

Prime Minister, Minister for the Environment, Federal Member for Fisher

The Morrison Government will invest a record $50 million to boost the long-term protection and recovery efforts for Australia’s koalas.

The Prime Minister said the funding would bring together the best of the best researchers, land managers, veterinarians and citizen scientists to protect one of the most special species in the world.

“Our $50 million investment will enhance the protection of koalas by restoring koala habitat, improving our understanding of koala populations, supporting training in koala treatment and care, and strengthening research into koala health outcomes,” the Prime Minister said.

“Koalas are one of Australia’s most loved and best recognised icons, both here at home and across the world, and we are committed to protecting them for generations to come.”

The additional $50 million investment over the next four years includes:

• $20 million for habitat and health protection projects – grants for large-scale activities run by Natural Resource Management and non-government organisations, industry, and Indigenous groups, as well as state and territory governments.

• $10 million for community-led initiatives – grants for local habitat protection and restoration activities, health and care facilities, and citizen science projects.

• $10 million to extend the National Koala Monitoring Program – to identify trends over time, increase the number of sites sampled, and support the participation of citizen scientists.

• $2 million to improve Koala health outcomes – grants for applied research activities and practical application to address health challenges such as retrovirus, herpesviruses, and chlamydia.

• $1 million for Koala care, treatment and triage – expanding and continuing national training for veterinarians and nurses to care for and treat koalas.

This new package will take the Morrison Government’s koala investment to more than $74 million since 2019.

Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said the $50 million package would also provide significant flow on benefits for other native species.

“Importantly, the extra funding will build on work already happening across the koala range to restore and connect important habitat patches, control feral animal and plant species, and improve existing habitat,” Minister Ley said.

“Current funding is already supporting eight strategic habitat restoration projects that target thousands of hectares in significant koala areas in Eastern Australia.

“Dedicated teams are working side-by-side with landholders and using drone and Artificial Intelligence technology to seed habitat, with another two projects to begin soon.

“Research is underway to reduce the disease threat facing many animals including a world first genome sequencing program to determine the genetic strength of populations and how unique DNA variants can provide resistance to diseases such as chlamydia.

“More than 3,200 vets and veterinary nurses have received specialist bushfire trauma training, with new programs to be funded as we continue to work with major zoos to support research and treatment.

“Our $200 million bushfire response has provided a catalyst for science based, long term initiatives to help native species and highlights the particular importance of protecting our most iconic animals, and the Koala is clearly one of those.”

The Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace welcomed the announcement.

“Whenever Australians think about the Sunshine Coast, they think about our beaches, our lush hinterland, and the native plants and animals that live here,” Mr Wallace said.

“Like me, I know that the Morrison Government is determined to see that unique environment protected.

“With the Federal Government’s support, Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital is one of the busiest facilities of its kind in the world and is renowned for its treatment and rehabilitation of injured koalas. I am sure that with this important announcement dedicated Australians like the Irwins all over the country, will be able to do even more to preserve our native wildlife.”

https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-43764

Interview with John Mackenzie, 4CA

28 January 2022

John Mackenzie: Now we're very fortunate because on the line, actually he is in Cairns here today, is our Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Good morning.

Prime Minister: G'day, John. It's great to be back up here in far north Queensland. 

Mackenzie: Well, it's a pity about the weather you brought with you, but you know, it's interesting news. I've got to say it once again, jobs up here. You would be fully aware of the crisis we've got in accommodation, the tour boats going out. In fact, I've just had a call when I said you were coming on from one of the operators who said, please tell the prime minister, go down to the Reef fleet terminal and just see all the boats tied up. Nobody's out on the reef because there's fundamentally nobody to take up there. So we've got those crises. Look, can I just ask you firstly, what was the motivation for this commitment over nine years of 1000 million dollars to the Reef?

Prime Minister: To protect the Reef so we can protect the jobs and we can protect what is a national treasure. And that's always been our motivation. This billion dollars comes on top of the $2 billion we've already invested in all the programmes you were talking about in your introduction. Water quality is a huge part of this and you've run through those issues, as well as reef management and conservation funding to research reef sites, which demonstrates that our Reef is well cared for. It's well looked after, it's well looked after by those who work on it, who visit it, whose livelihoods depend on it, and it is one of the world's leading environmental attractions. And so important for this part of Queensland. But also, John, there's important funding there for partnerships with traditional owners and community led projects, for species protection, habitat restoration, citizen science programmes, all of this. So it's really about enlisting the whole Far North Queensland community, the science community, the tourism community, the agricultural community, working with the cane farmers who do a fantastic job providing jobs and exports and everything we need in this country. So it's about maintaining and supporting the way of life in Far North Queensland. At the end of the day, that's what it is. 

Mackenzie: Now here's a big whack of this, $580 million for water quality. I've got to say we've been focusing on this for years now, and the cane farmers were certainly under the pump here. They seem to, seemingly have done very well in adapting. Now it does say here, yes, it's going to be reducing nutrient. Yes, it's going to be reducing pesticide runoff. There's been a lot of work done there already and more to come, but this is interesting too, remediating erosion. Every time we get these huge floods out here, people are horrified, they look at them filthy water, look at all the mud running down the rivers and out onto the Barrier Reef. There is going to be a focus, though, on remediating erosion in this money. 

Prime Minister: Yeah, that's right. And that's incredibly important. And you do that by working with those who are working the land. That's how you do it and you do it in partnership and you achieve both objectives. For those who are farming on that land and caring for it and ensuring that, you know, we've got the right sort of programmes in place to put in place their strategies, which means that the soil erosion, that doesn't help farmers either. And so we have a shared objective in keeping that good soil on the land and not running out into the Reef. So I mean, that's a shared project. 

Mackenzie: There was, of course, this business, it's come around again. We've got to get our all, our information and everything in line for UNESCO because they're going to be requiring another progress report. Apparently, that's got to go in next month ahead of the next review. When this was happening, not that long ago, people in North Queensland were holding their breath. Why? Because as soon as UNESCO says, oh well, there's real doubts about the health of the Great Barrier Reef, their jobs are very much under question, under a cloud. So how are you feeling about this report that's about to be submitted? That's a preliminary report. Are we looking good enough to hang on to our status? Because I've got to tell you, there's a lot of people up here desperate to get their jobs back. 

Prime Minister: Well, we believe so, and we've had a lot of success on that, as you know, to date, John. Not just on this most recent occasion that you referred to, but previously as well, Sussan Ley has done a great job, she's up here with me today making these announcements, when Greg Hunt was the Environment Minister he achieved the same outcome. So it's a, you know, it's a constant battle. But what we keep demonstrating, you know, when we get to the science, when we get to the facts, when we get people seeing what we're actually doing, then they can see the great job that our reef managers are doing. They're the best in the world and we are leading the world in reef management around the world. And you know, we're showing the world how it's done. And so the Great Barrier Reef is a great story about how you deal with the challenges of what's happening in climate and how you adapt to that and you protect this incredible natural asset.

Mackenzie: I've got to say, I saw your Minister, Environment Minister Sussan Ley on, I think it was ABC television just after five o'clock this morning. My God, is she a quality communicator or what? 

Prime Minister: She's great. She passionate too, and she's been up here many times. And the great thing about Sussan is, like Warren, you know, everyone loves up in Far North Queensland is they listen, they understand and then they act. And that's what today is. I mean, Sussan has pulled this package together with great input from Warren in particular, who knows this place backwards. And that has led to this. I mean, I mean, last, time before last I was here, I think, when I was up here, you know, we announced the big reinsurance pool for insurance and reinsurance up here in Far North Queensland, I mean, that was, you know, that was Warren working away knowing what people need in this part of the world and us listening to him and getting these very big changes in place. So well done Warren and well done Sussan. 

Mackenzie: I'm glad you touched on this because Warren Entsch not that long ago invited out to Australia these officials that were prepared to make decisions without having seen the Reef. He took them out to the Reef off Port Douglas. They went into the water, they snorkelled around or even dived on the Barrier Reef, came to the surface and said, Warren, we had no idea how beautiful it is, and the condition it’s in. Let me finish this point too, because we've got the legendary Ben Cropp. I think he's 88, if I remember rightly, maybe 86. He's still active. He's still out there diving on the Reef. He was on the programme this week and he said, John, it's never looked better. At the moment, the Great Barrier Reef is in beautiful, pristine, recovered condition. So if we can get that word out to UNESCO etc, hopefully we're going to be safe for another year or two of our job security up here, attracting international visitors to North Queensland in big numbers again.

Prime Minister: Well, I believe that's right. And that's why getting the positive science I think out there, John, is very important. I mean, that is the truth of the matter. I mean, we found that, you know, when it comes to emissions reduction, we've reduced emissions in Australia by over 20 per cent on 2005 levels, and that's five times what they've done in Canada. It's more than 10 times what they've done in New Zealand. And when you actually get this information to people around the world, particularly in Europe, they're surprised to hear it. And many Australians might be surprised to hear it. Emissions aren't increasing. They're falling under the policies we've put in place to reduce emissions, which is good for the Reef as well. I mean, we're achieving those outcomes, and we're going to keep doing it because we're passionate about it. 

Mackenzie: Now this is, this is the only one that really took me by surprise until I talked to Warren Entsch and he went to a lot of detail about water quality involving a much better sewerage, sewerage system, whereby at the moment we're putting in too much phosphorus out onto the Barrier Reef and nitrogen. So that's going to have to be eliminated. But that was fairly complex. But illegal fishing, why is that such a prominent part of this programme? 

Prime Minister: Well, that's all about maintaining species diversity within the Reef. But that said, we've always had a keen ear to the practical suggestions from, you know, the commercial fishing industry in Far North Queensland and to understand that getting the balance right between supporting livelihoods and supporting the health of the Reef. Because the two go together and smart commercial operators have always understood that, you know, my connection with the tourism industry up here going back 20 years, they've always understood that too. They understand you look after the Reef, it looks after you. And that's our approach to this challenge. But you've got to do it together. The Government doesn't do it all. You know, we've had partnerships with the Reef Trust. I mean, they've pulled in. I mean, you remember we were getting bagged for giving money to the Reef Trust, the Reef Foundation. We gave them $443 million. They've leveraged another $217 million from outside of government into that investment. And they've got 425 partners with over 200 projects. The Labor Party wants to get rid of that. Well, they just want to throw that extra $200 million away, which goes into the reef help just because they've got a problem with working with people who aren't in government. 

Mackenzie: Now, I'm glad you just brought up your background in tourism many years ago. I just had Perry Jones on the line. Perry runs Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom out to the Barrier Reef normally every day. At the moment, he said, if you're talking to Scott Morrison, ask him to drop by the reef fleet terminal because he'll see all the boats are in port. Why? Because there's nobody here at the moment. They've got to survive through till Easter these operators, not just the operators, to the reef people taking tours up to the Daintree, etc. all the accommodation. It's slim pickings. There's no doubt about it. He even said to me a few minutes ago, he said, "you know, I just borrowed $800,000 over the last two years and it is the last I'm allowed to to borrow and I've got to hang in there and I can't keep my staff, or I'm struggling to keep my staff because there's no money coming in, we've got to get through to Easter, then we've got to get through to the end of the second week in June, can you pass this on to the prime minister, please, we're struggling."

Prime Minister: Yeah, no, we're very conscious of that. I mean, the visitation to the entire Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is down 52 per cent and for many operators far worse than that. And we have put some programmes in which you'd be familiar with. As part of this package, we had that $3.2 million in the tourism industry activation reef protection initiative that's been now extended by $15 million. But the other thing we've done recently, John, is we've lifted and opened the borders to students. We've opened the borders to backpackers. And we've also now providing a rebate, if they come in the next three months, that is the backpackers, then they will get their visa application fee refunded when they get here. So we're encouraging them back. I mean, it's difficult getting people travelling at the moment. The operators up here would also know that even some of the domestic business has been hard to get because of the borders and all of the other COVID issues and people being cautious about moving around so they'd be aware of that. But we're, you know, we're opening those borders up now and particularly those backpackers, which is great as they travel up here and. they work up here too, which is very important for that. I mean, we will see it turn around and you know, we're looking forward to a stronger year this year. We've got challenges with with Omicron right now. But you know, that will peak. It's peaking further down south now. I was talking to Premier Palaszczuk yesterday and you know, Gold Coast has sort of come through their peak, Brisbane's probably going through it about now and in the north, they'll see it a little later. But, you know, we'll push through that. But getting those backpackers back and I look forward to international visitors more broadly, tourists coming back. And that's our next, that's our next hurdle. And we're working away to just get the timing of that right, and I don't think it's too far away.

Mackenzie: Just expand a little bit more, please, because I was told, you would have dealt with Mark Olsen and he's been wonderful at leading the tourism industry up here. But we were talking yesterday I think it was about the international borders, when the international borders will open up entirely, for example, the tourism visa holders, etcetera. He said well, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, we're already there. How much longer do you think Scott Morrison will be before we can get those international borders completely open for tourism visa holders? 

Prime Minister: Well, I can't give you a specific date yet John, and that's because we're just watching how Omicron is is sort of washing over the eastern states at the moment, but with Omicron peaking, that then starts opening up opportunities, we've got kids going back to school now, now in New South Wales and in Queensland very soon and we want to make sure that goes off successfully. As I said, we've already got those backpackers and students coming back and we're seeing arrivals now back into the country, you know, going back up very, very quickly. And we're seeing it more in the southern ports. And the relaxation of the quarantine arrangements in Queensland will mean more people coming into Queensland directly. At the moment, they're all going into Sydney and Melbourne. And so as those arrangements relax for fully vaccinated arrivals, then you're going to see people coming back. And with that in place, then, you know, international visitors being able to return becomes very possible. So I don't think it's too far away, to be honest, John. But we've just got to get some medical advice further on that, bit more work to do with the states to make sure we're comfortable about it. And then I'd like to see us get there soon, certainly before Easter, well before Easter.

Mackenzie: Music to the ears, Prime Minister. Thank you, it has been a very worthwhile update. 

Prime Minister: Well, it's been great. It's great to be back up here, John. I love being up here. Jenny's with me today too, so it's great to be here together and we've got some very exciting announcements and I'll be checking things out down at the Marina, mate.

Mackenzie: Excellent work. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, thank you for your time, in the studio, on the line today, not in studio, because we can't have people in studio at the moment, but hopefully in a few weeks time that'll be reversed as well.

https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-43762

Billion Dollar Reef investment backs Queensland communities

28 January 2022

Prime Minister, Minister for the Environment, Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef

The Morrison Government will invest an additional $1 billion in protecting the Great Barrier Reef, while supporting 64,000 Queenslanders and their jobs which drive the Reef economy.

New funding will back world leading marine science, the deployment of new climate adaptation technology, major investments in water quality programs, and state of the art on-water management practices to reduce threats from Crown of Thorns Starfish, protect key species and prevent illegal fishing.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new investment would extend the Federal Government’s investment under the Reef 2050 Plan to more than $3 billion.

“We are backing the health of the reef and the economic future of tourism operators, hospitality providers and Queensland communities that are at the heart of the reef economy,” Prime Minister Morrison said.

“This is already the best managed reef in the world and today we take our commitment to a new level.

“Funding will support scientists, farmers and Traditional Owners, backing in the very latest marine science while building resilience and reducing threats from pollution in our oceans and predators such as the Crown of Thorns starfish.”

The additional $1 billion package over the next nine years includes:

• $579.9 million for water quality – working constructively with land managers to remediate erosion, improve land condition and reduce nutrient and pesticide runoff.

• $252.9 million for reef management and conservation – additional support for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to reduce threats from Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS), implement advanced health monitoring systems and the prevent illegal fishing.

• $92.7 million to research and deploy world leading reef resilience science and adaptation strategies.

• $74.4 million for Traditional Owner and community-led projects including species protection, habitat restoration, citizen science programs and marine debris.

Environment Minister Sussan Ley said the record level of investment in the Reef was being driven by the best science and engagement with local communities and industries, and through working with Traditional Owners.

“From breakthrough science in coral seeding and restoration, to improved water quality, the latest on water management and compliance systems, as well as the protection of native species, we are working across every aspect of the reef,” Minister Ley said.

“Our farmers, tourism operators, and fishers are our reef champions and we are supporting them through practical water and land based strategies that will contribute significantly to the health of the reef.”

Federal Member for Leichhardt and Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef Warren Entsch said the Morrison Government was working hand in hand with Reef communities.

“The people in Cairns and Far North Queensland care about the Reef more than anyone,” Mr Entsch said.

“Our tourism operators, local communities and Traditional Owners are invested in the health of the Reef and this funding supports their commitment and the future of the world’s greatest natural wonder.

“The Reef is an amazing place for people to visit and, particularly as local businesses start to recover, I encourage people to come up and see that for themselves.

“This funding will help us keep it that way and ensure that we remain the best Reef Managers in the world.”

Reef vision available on this link: http://downloads.gbrmpa.gov.au/files/fwd6pdjhn

https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-43761

Interview with Neil Breen, 4BC

28 January 2022

NEIL BREEN: In Cairns today announcing a one billion dollar, one billion dollar injection for the Great Barrier Reef, the extra billion will bring funding for the Reef 2050 plan to more than three billion. There's already two billion there. This money will be spent over the next nine years. There'll be three billion all up. It will be delivered over those nine years and go towards improving water quality, fighting crown of thorns starfish. We've been fighting those buggers forever, the crown of thorns. And working with farmers and traditional owners in the area. It's a massive cash splash ahead of the federal election. The Prime Minister joins me on the line. Good morning to you, Prime Minister.

PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Neil.

BREEN: So the Barrier Reef, we know that around the world, some different authorities are looking at its status and everything about how threatened it is. Will this billion dollars protect the reef from those lists?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, I believe so. But more importantly, I believe it will protect the reef, and that's what it's about. And I mean, the reef is, you know, one of the great natural wonders not only of Australia, but the world, but it's also an important livelihood for everybody up in north Queensland, far north Queensland. I mean, there are 64,000 jobs that depend on that reef. And so its health is about the economic health of that region, as well as the natural health of that region. And as you said in the introduction, this billion goes on top of the $2 billion we've already invested. As a government, we've taken our stewardship responsibilities for the reef incredibly seriously, and we've been able to ensure that the reef not only remains protected despite the many challenges, environmental challenges to the reef, but to ensure that its status has been able to be preserved.

BREEN: Is money the only thing that can fix it? Do attitudes need to change as well? If we keep throwing money at everything in Australia, we'll go broke.

PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's why you have to be careful about where you're investing. Your programmes have to be targeted, and that's why we've done the work over a long time with this package to ensure it's been directed where it needs to go. And as you said, water quality is the most important part of this package. So that's working with land managers, people who actually live off the land in this part of the world. Those who are, you know, doing that commercially. Those who do it to care for our national parks and places like this, land managers to remediate erosion, improve land condition, reduce nutrient and pesticide runoffs. There's serious investment going into research. The crown of thorns starfish, I heard you, we have been battling those little…

BREEN: Buggers, the buggers.

PRIME MINISTER: Back when I was a kid, we heard about that and it is a battle. But we've got more than 13,000 hectares of coral reef is protected under this programme. It covers 253 reefs. That is the programme that the crown of thorns starfish control programme focuses on and there's over 275,000 starfish that have been culled since we started that programme back in 2014/15. So there's a lot of work going on up there, and we've got the best reef scientists in the world and we've got the best reef managers in the world. And what we're doing is we're backing them in to ensure that they can do the best possible job they can for their, you know, their fellow Queenslanders up there in far north Queensland, but also for the country and the jobs and and the reef that depends on them.

BREEN: Back in 2018, there's been some commentary about this today, in April 2018, the federal government of which you were a part, but Malcolm Turnbull was the Prime Minister who gave $444 million to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. Do we ever know what happened to that money?

PRIME MINISTER: Yeah, we do. I mean, it's reported on regularly to the government, and they've been able to also draw in private money to support that. And that was one of the many investments that we've made in the reef. See, to keep supporting the reef and ensure its health, you need to bring everybody in. And they're an important part of it. It's not just a job for governments, it's a job for everybody, and they play an important role in building that awareness as well. So, you know, plenty of people who criticised us back then for, you know, investing in supporting the health of the reef. But it's been an important part of keeping the health of the reef. We've just been getting on with it.

BREEN: Prime Minister, one of the things with this Omicron wave, there's a crisis going on in aged care across Australia. Can I asked if aged care was discussed at national cabinet yesterday?

PRIME MINISTER: Yeah, we discuss it at every meeting of national cabinet and and in particular, we got the update that 86 per cent of all the residential aged care facilities have now received their booster visits, which is very important, and the balance of those are occurring over the course of the next week. I mean, aged care and particularly residents in aged care, have been the key focus of the federal government, particularly since the start of this pandemic. And while we grieve the loss of those who have fallen victim to the disease, the fatality rates in Australia compared to Canada, they are 15 times higher in aged care, 15 times higher. And that's, you know, and the reason for that is we've worked so hard on the vaccination in aged care facilities. I remember the first big wave that we had that went through aged care in Victoria. You'll remember it, it was just terrible.

BREEN: Yes, I do.

PRIME MINISTER: There was no vaccine. But even then, only eight per cent of our aged care facilities were affected by those extreme events. And in the UK, it was 56 per cent. So it is a challenge to manage COVID in aged care facilities. I mean, we've sent out some 15.4 million N95 masks, seven million rapid antigen tests that we've been buying since last August to make sure we could respond to these outbreaks. And so what we're seeing this time around with the outbreaks is, yes, there are facilities that have COVID, but the way it's being managed, the use of the PPE equipment, the getting the rapid antigen tests in there, the training of the staff that we did, the boosters to the wages that we provided to keep staff in aged care facilities, getting private hospital nurses involved and bringing them in. All of this has been relieving the pressure. But Neil, I'll be honest, it is a hard challenge dealing with Omicron.

BREEN: Yes and there's no staff, there's no staff. They're all going down with COVID-19.

PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's happening right across the health system. And that's why, you know, we have put in, passed the boost to their wages to try and keep people in. But it's also why we changed the rules for close contacts so we could get more staff back to work. And it's also why we've been opening up the rules on hours that student nurses can work, as well as getting other people in to support that workforce. But it's a tough challenge. And you know, there's no easy way through COVID and in aged care the challenge is the greatest. But I am, you know, we are seeing results there that despite those challenges compared to other countries, the aged care system in Australia is holding up. And I really want to thank all those workers who are there. They're working double shifts. And it's not just the care workers themselves, it's the cleaners, it's those cooking the meals, it's those, you know, assuring that relatives for as long as possible can continue to come and visit their loved ones. And for those in palliative care, which is where 60, over 60 per cent of sadly we've seen fatalities in aged care most recently, we want their end of life, which is a tough thing for families to go through to be as peaceful and as comfortable as possible.

BREEN: The Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck doubles as the Sports Minister as well, and he went to the Test in Adelaide for three days, the Ashes Test and didn't appear before a Senate Committee hearing on the impact of Omicron on nursing homes. Should he have been at the cricket or at the Senate Committee hearing?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, he has appeared, as you know, at that hearing on many, many occasions. And you know, we set up that hearing. We set up that Committee at the start of COVID because we wanted to ensure there was an ongoing oversight and visibility on everything we've been doing. And he's appeared before that on countless occasions. And during the course of that week, I'm aware he was dealing not just issues when it was related to his Sports Minister, but he was having the regular contacts with the aged care sector with the AHPPC and all of those things. I mean, ministers have many responsibilities. I can understand the criticism and I'm sure ...

BREEN: Because it doesn't pass the pub test. Doesn't look good.

PRIME MINISTER: I think Richard has taken that, you know, on board. I have no doubt and but I can tell you, I mean, over the course of this pandemic and I know Richard very well and you know, there's been a few knockers of him, but I know what he does each and every day for the welfare of people living in our residential aged care facilities. And and so, you know, he will take that criticism on the chin and he'll get back to work, which he does every single day.

BREEN: Scott Morrison, did yourself and your wife Jenny feel disrespected by Grace Tame this week with the way she looked at you and didn't greet you at The Lodge?

PRIME MINISTER: Oh look, I've seen all that. When anyone comes to our home, when Jenny and I, we invite someone to our home we greet them with a smile and they're always welcome. And that day was actually about all the finalists that we came to celebrate. And the previous Australians of the year were there. Jenny and I were there, and that day was all about them. And, Dylan couldn't be there that day, he was actually playing at the time. But the others, Daniel Nour and Aunty Val and everyone ...

BREEN: Suppose she made it about herself though and she made a political statement.

PRIME MINISTER: Well look, that's for- I haven't raised any issues about this. All I'm saying is we were there that day to celebrate those who had done an incredible job for our country. And Jenny and I wanted to welcome them to our home and wish them all the best. Look, Grace is a passionate person who's raised important issues. She's had a terrible life ordeal, you know, things happen to her, her ordeals, the abuse. It's just awful. And I know a lot of Australians, me included, you know, support her efforts to ensure that these issues can be raised and addressed. Our government has done more than any other government on this issue, and that is in part because of the strong focus that has been brought to these issues and the response that we've made. So I thank her for her time as Australian of the Year and as I say, when you know, if people come to our house, Jenny and I always greet them with a smile.

BREEN: Well, when you come to our house today, to Queensland, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, you enjoy Cairns.

PRIME MINISTER: I will, looking forward to getting up there, a lot of jobs up there and and the reef is one of our greatest, one of our greatest assets in the country. We are going to take care of it as we always have. Thank you.

BREEN: Thank you, Prime Minister.

https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-43760

National Cabinet Statement

27 January 2022

National Cabinet met today to discuss our response to COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, approaches to test, trace, isolate and quarantine including the use of rapid antigen tests (RATs) and the vaccine rollout and booster programme.

The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, provided an update on the spread of the Omicron variant. Omicron case numbers continue to increase in Australia and globally. Omicron continues to show greater infectivity than the Delta variant, but with much less severity in terms of hospitalisations, ICU and ventilated patients.

National Cabinet noted that since the COVID-19 Rapid Test Concessional Access program began on Monday, approximately 1.4 million Rapid Antigen Tests have been distributed to eligible concession card holders through Community Pharmacies.

Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been 1,816,597 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 3,402 people have died.

Globally there have been over 361.7 million cases and, sadly, over 5.6 million deaths, with 3,357,171 new cases and 9,994 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in many countries around the world.

Lieutenant General John Frewen, DSC, AM, Coordinator General of the National COVID Vaccine Taskforce (Operation COVID Shield) provided a detailed briefing on the major expansion in Australia’s vaccination roll out.

Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out continues to expand. To date, 48 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia, including 82,709 doses in the previous 24 hours.

In the previous 7 days, more than 1.7 million vaccines have been administered in Australia. More than 95.5 per cent of the Australian population aged 16 years and over have now had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including over 99 per cent of over 50 year olds.

More than 93.1 per cent of Australians aged 16 years and over are now fully vaccinated, including more than 97.8 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 99 per cent of Australians over 70 years of age.

Over 7.1 million booster doses have been administered to over 65 per cent of eligible Australians. More than 61 per cent of Australians aged 70 years of age and over have had a booster in the last 12 weeks since the booster program commenced.

More than 34 per cent of 5-11 year olds have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in the first 17 days of their vaccination program.

National Cabinet was briefed by the Director-General of Emergency Management Australia, Joe Buffone, on the work of the National Coordination Mechanism (NCM) and on supply chain arrangements and the improvements in activity as a result of the changes to close contact furlough arrangements.

National Cabinet will meet again on Friday 11 February 2022.

Essential Workforce

National Cabinet noted that recent changes in isolation requirements for essential transport workers have significantly eased the pressure points for transport operators.

National Cabinet also endorsed decisions agreed by the Infrastructure and Transport National Cabinet Reform Committee on 25 January 2022, including:

• agreement in principle i) as an immediate priority, all states and territories will enact arrangements to allow New Zealand citizens to use their equivalent New Zealand heavy vehicle licence in Australia for 12 months (or until the licence expires if sooner), before being required to obtain an Australian licence; ii) the states and territories will extend equivalent arrangements to interstate (Australian) drivers to ensure Australian drivers are not disadvantaged. These measures will be a temporary COVID-19 response measure to be reviewed 12 months after implementation.

• Austroads providing an interim National Heavy Vehicle Driver Competency Framework report by February 2022 to help jurisdictions introduce a competency-based licensing framework for heavy vehicle license class progression, with the final framework due in mid-2022 following consultation on framework development and implementation arrangements.

https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-44155

Free use of Aboriginal Flag secured for all Australians

25 January 2022

Prime Minister, Minister for Indigenous Australians

The Aboriginal Flag is now freely available for public use after the Morrison Government completed negotiations with Harold Thomas.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Aboriginal Flag copyright has been transferred to the Commonwealth.

“We’ve freed the Aboriginal flag for Australians,” the Prime Minister said.

“Throughout the negotiations, we have sought to protect the integrity of the Aboriginal Flag, in line with Harold Thomas’ wishes. I thank everyone involved for reaching this outcome, putting the flag in public hands.

“The Aboriginal Flag will now be managed in a similar manner to the Australian National Flag, where its use is free, but must be presented in a respectful and dignified way.

“All Australians can now put the Aboriginal Flag on apparel such as sports jerseys and shirts, it can be painted on sports grounds, included on websites, in paintings and other artworks, used digitally and in any other medium without having to ask for permission or pay a fee.”

Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt said securing the free use of the Aboriginal Flag was profoundly important for all Australians.

“The Aboriginal Flag is an enduring symbol close to the heart of Aboriginal people,” Minister Wyatt said.

“Over the last 50 years we made Harold Thomas’ artwork our own - we marched under the Aboriginal Flag, stood behind it, and flew it high as a point of pride.

“In reaching this agreement to resolve the copyright issues, all Australians can freely display and use the flag to celebrate Indigenous culture. Now that the Commonwealth holds the copyright, it belongs to everyone, and no one can take it away.”

To ensure the flags themselves are of the highest quality and continue to be manufactured in Australia, Carroll and Richardson Flagworld will remain the exclusive licensed manufacturer and provider of Aboriginal Flags and bunting. While this ongoing arrangement covers commercial production, Flagworld is not restricting individuals from making their own flag for personal use.

As part of the copyright transfer, Harold Thomas will retain his moral rights over the flag and the Commonwealth has also agreed that:

• All future royalties the Commonwealth receives from Flagworld’s sale of the flag will be put towards the ongoing work of NAIDOC.

• The Australian Government will provide an annual scholarship in Mr Thomas’ honour worth $100,000 for Indigenous students to further the development of Indigenous governance and leadership.

• The National Indigenous Australians Agency will create an online history and education portal for the flag.

• An original painting by Harold Thomas recognising the flag’s 50th anniversary and the historic transfer of copyright will be gratefully accepted and displayed in a prominent location by the Australian Government.

Mr Thomas has indicated that he intends to use $2 million to establish an Australian Aboriginal Flag Legacy not-for-profit to make periodic disbursements aligned with interests of Aboriginal Australians and the flag.

Quotes attributable to Harold Thomas:

“I hope that this arrangement provides comfort to all Aboriginal people and Australians to use the Flag, unaltered, proudly and without restriction.

“I am grateful that my art is appreciated by so many, and that it has come to represent something so powerful to so many.

“The Aboriginal Flag design is my dreaming, intertwined with my wife’s family and mine, our ancestral belonging. The land, and the landscape, is indelible in my make-up; it courses through my consciousness and subconsciousness.

“The Flag represents the timeless history of our land and our people’s time on it. It is an introspection and appreciation of who we are. It draws from the history of our ancestors, our land, and our identity and will honour these well into the future.”

https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-43755

Papua New Guinea port upgrades to support trade and connectivity

21 January 2022

Prime Minister, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Prime Minister James Marape met virtually today to sign agreements for $580 million in upgrades and refurbishments to several priority ports in Papua New Guinea, with a loan and grant finance package to be delivered through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP).

The two Prime Ministers recognised high quality, transformational infrastructure projects were vital to Papua New Guinea’s economic development and prosperity.

“This investment will improve trade and connectivity in the region, support economic recovery from COVID-19 and help safeguard the development of critical infrastructure in Papua New Guinea,” Prime Minister Morrison said.

“It builds on Australia’s record of supporting critical infrastructure in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific region."

Prime Minister Marape welcomed the investment and said that this complements his government’s signature project, the “Connect PNG Program” and thanked the Australian Government for its continuous support rendered under the Papua New Guinea–Australia Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (CSEP) arrangement, which strengthens the bilateral relationship.

“Upgrades to these key ports will facilitate trade and investment opportunities for PNG local products to reach designated domestic and international markets, create local employment, stimulate economies of scale, and build business confidence to grow our economy.”

Australia’s investment will help Papua New Guinea Ports Corporation Limited to undertake urgent repairs and upgrades to key Papua New Guinea ports, some of which are more than 70 years old.

We will work together to provide quality, climate-resilient infrastructure that will provide significant economic and social benefits to the people of Papua New Guinea.

Ports are critical for connectivity and economic growth in Papua New Guinea, where coastal shipping is the only access to goods and services, trade and passenger travel for many communities. The investment will also position Lae Tidal Basin, Papua New Guinea’s largest port, to become a regional hub to the Pacific by improving Lae Port’s capacity to service dedicated container ships from Southeast Asia.

The agreements will also see works undertaken on Kimbe on the north coast of New Britain, Lorengau (Manus Island), Kavieng (New Ireland), Vanimo (West Sepik) and Wewak (East Sepik).

The agreements recognise the critical importance of Australia and Papua New Guinea’s bilateral partnership and build on the joint ambition established through the CSEP.

We will continue working hand in hand with our broader Pacific family to advance our shared goals of a secure, stable, prosperous and resilient region.

https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-43752

Hydrogen Industry Marks Milestone With First Shipment Of Liquid Hydrogen To Japan

21 January 2022

Prime Minister, Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Minister for Resources and Water, Assistant Minister to the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction

Australia is exporting the world’s first shipment of liquefied hydrogen, heralding the start of a major new energy export industry.

Australian-made hydrogen will be shipped from Victoria to Japan following the arrival of the Suiso Frontier carrier in Victoria as part of the Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC) pilot project, with the specially-built carrier ready to load super-cooled liquid hydrogen for transit to Japan.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the HESC project was a world-first that would make Australia a global leader, aiming to produce 225,000 tonnes of clean hydrogen each year in the Latrobe Valley.

“A successful Australian hydrogen industry means lower emissions, greater energy production and more local jobs,” the Prime Minister said.

“The HESC project is key to both Australia and Japan and our hydrogen industries. In addition to our Government’s support for HESC, we have recently established the Australian Clean Hydrogen Trade Program and committed up to $150 million to the first round that will focus on clean hydrogen supply chains with Japan.

“Last year, our countries affirmed our mutual ambitions and desire to work together to advance the development of low emissions technologies when we agreed the Japan-Australia Partnership on Decarbonisation through Technology.

“This project demonstrates the benefits of that cooperation.

“The HESC project puts Australia at the forefront of the global energy transition to lower emissions through clean hydrogen, which is a fuel of the future.”

The clean hydrogen will be produced from local brown coal, with carbon dioxide from this process to be captured and securely stored in the CarbonNet project’s offshore reservoir in Gippsland.

To coincide with the milestone, the Morrison Government is announcing $7.5 million to support the next $184 million pre-commercialisation phase of HESC. The Government is also committing $20 million for the next stage of the CarbonNet project. This funding is contingent on additional commitments from the Victorian and Japanese Governments, and the HESC business partners.

This brings the Australian Government’s total commitment to the HESC project to $57.5 million (leveraging $8 dollars for every Commonwealth dollar invested).

It is estimated the 225,000 tonnes of carbon neutral liquefied hydrogen (LH2) produced by HESC in a commercial phase will help reduce global emissions by around 1.8 million tonnes per year, or the equivalent of emissions from 350,000 petrol cars.

Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the arrival of the Suiso Frontier was an important milestone for Australia’s technology-led approach to reducing emissions.

“The HESC project and the arrival of the liquefied hydrogen carrier today cements Australia’s position as a world leader in hydrogen,” Minister Taylor said.

“Today’s achievement is a testament to Australian governments working with industry and our international partners to achieve a shared vision.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the HESC partners and Japan through the Government’s new commitments to the next phase of both the HESC and CarbonNet projects.

“The HESC project has the potential to become a major source of clean energy which will help Australia and Japan both reach our goals of net zero emissions by 2050.

“Not only this, but the HESC project is delivering jobs and economic activity for Victoria, with a clean hydrogen sector potentially able to generate more than $50 billion in additional GDP by 2050.”

Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt said the HESC project combined a number of technology elements, including a new way to use Latrobe Valley coal.

“The HESC project demonstrates the importance that Australian resources, such as local Latrobe Valley coal, will have in development of new low emissions industries,” Minister Pitt said.

“The development of HESC and CarbonNet will build on Australia’s reputation as a safe, stable and reliable exporter of resources and energy to the world, including throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Australia’s resources and energy exports are estimated to reach $379 billion in the current financial year and to continue to support Australia’s economic growth and jobs, particularly in regional Australia.”

Assistant Minister to the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Tim Wilson said: “The International Energy Agency projects hydrogen demand to double by 2030, and today’s arrival of the liquefied hydrogen carrier ushers in a new era of clean energy exports to create new jobs and opportunities for Australians.”

The Government is investing more than $1.3 billion to accelerate the development of Australia’s hydrogen industry, including $464 million to develop clean hydrogen industrial hubs in regional Australia, including a potential hub in the Latrobe valley.

https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-43751

National Cabinet Statement

20 January 2022

National Cabinet met today to discuss our response to COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, approaches to test, trace isolate and quarantine including the use of rapid antigen tests (RATs) and the vaccine rollout and booster programme.

The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, provided an update on the spread of the Omicron variant. Omicron case numbers continue to increase in Australia and globally. Omicron continues to show greater infectivity than the Delta variant, but with much less severity in terms of hospitalisations, ICU and ventilated patients.

Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been 1,514,560 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 2,841 people have died.

Globally there have been over 333.4 million cases and sadly over 5.5 million deaths, with 3,281,678 new cases and 9,162 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in many countries around the world.

Lieutenant General John Frewen, DSC, AM, Coordinator General of the National COVID Vaccine Taskforce (Operation COVID Shield) provided a detailed briefing on the major expansion in Australia’s vaccination rollout.

Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out continues to expand. To date 47 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia, including 332,808 doses in the previous 24 hours.

In the previous 7 days, more than 1.9 million vaccines have been administered in Australia. More than 95.2 per cent of the Australian population aged 16 years and over have now had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including over 99 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 99 per cent of over 70 year olds.

More than 92.7 per cent of Australians aged 16 years and over are now fully vaccinated including more than 97.5 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 99 per cent of Australians over 70 years of age.

Over 5.7 million booster doses have been administered to over 28 per cent of Australians. More than 53 per cent of Australians aged 70 years of age and over have had a booster in the last 10 weeks since the booster program commenced.

More than 21 per cent of 5-11 year olds have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in the first 11 days of the children vaccination program. 

National Cabinet will meet again on Thursday 27 January 2022.

COVID-19 Treatments and Vaccinations

National Cabinet received an update from Adjunct Professor John Skerritt of the Therapeutic Goods Administration on approvals for the first oral treatments for COVID-19 in Australia, Lagevrio® (molnupiravir) and Paxlovid® (nirmatrelvir + ritonavir).

Lagevrio and Paxlovid are oral anti-viral treatments that have been found to be effective in treating people with mild to moderate COVID-19 who have a high risk of progressing to severe disease, reducing admissions to hospital and ICU and potential death. The Commonwealth Government has secured access to 300,000 treatment courses of Lagevrio® and 500,000 courses of Paxlovid® for supply throughout the course of 2022, with the first deliveries of both medicines anticipated over the coming weeks. These oral antiviral treatments need a prescription and are taken every 12 hours for five days. They are designed to interfere with the virus’ ability to multiply.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has further granted provisional approval of Novavax for its COVID-19 vaccine, NUVAXOVID for primary course vaccinations. This is the first protein COVID-19 vaccine to receive regulatory approval in Australia. The Commonwealth Government has ordered 51 million doses of the Novavax vaccine which will be available as a primary course vaccine, with supplies available in coming weeks following deliveries and further batch testing. 

AHPPC Updated Advice on Use of Rapid Antigen Tests

National Cabinet agreed to the new AHPPC guidance on Rapid Antigen Testing for Current High Community Prevalence Environment. Rapid antigen tests are an important diagnostic tool to manage impacts on health system capacity, public health and safety, protect vulnerable Australians and minimise disruptions to daily life.

Rapid Antigen Tests are to be used for three purposes:

1. As a diagnostic test as an alternative to PCR for those at high risk of having COVID-19

2. To manage outbreaks

3. To help early indication of cases in high risk settings

Use of RATs to detect cases in high risk settings is recommended in residential aged and disability care settings where there is high community prevalence, healthcare settings managing very high risk patients (e.g. transplant ward, hematology unit, oncology ward, renal dialysis units) and other critical services (e.g. other parts of health care and emergency services). Rapid Antigen Tests are not routinely recommended to detect cases early for other industries, businesses and organisations.

Essential Workforce

National Cabinet considered the trucking industry’s proposals to support the freight and logistics effort including reducing the age of eligibility to apply for a forklift license, recognition of New Zealand truck driver licenses in Australia and having experience or competency based licencing for heavy vehicle driver licenses.

New Zealand and Australian driver license matters have been referred to the National Cabinet Infrastructure and Transport Reform Committee for consideration and National Cabinet agreed not to progress the industry’s proposed forklift license changes.

National Back to School Framework

State and Territory Governments will release their operational plans for schools. These plans will be in line with the National Framework for Managing COVID-19 in Schools and Early Childhood Education and Care that were agreed and released last week.

As part of these operational plans, and based on the needs of each particular jurisdiction, State and Territory Governments will determine what level of Rapid Antigen Testing is advised in school and early childhood settings. The Commonwealth will support these arrangements through 50:50 cost sharing under the COVID-19 National Partnership Agreement.

While surveillance testing has not been recommended by AHPPC, states and territories will make their own decisions on the best approach for their circumstances. Where States and Territories elect to do surveillance testing, the Commonwealth will negotiate bilateral agreements on payments.

All of this is consistent with our shared objective to get students back to school for Term 1, to keep schools open and to ensure access for vulnerable children and the children of essential workers.

COVID-19 Related Requests for ADF Support

National Cabinet noted the revised Protocol for Defence Assistance to the Civil Community in COVID-19 (DACC) management support that the Commonwealth will apply when assessing requests for ADF support to the COVID-19 outbreak. These conditions and thresholds have been recalibrated following the changing operating environment arising from the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-44154

Interview with Ben Fordham, 2GB

17 January 2022

Ben Fordham: For our first chat of 2022. Happy New Year, PM. 

Prime Minister: Well, happy New Year to you, Ben. 

Fordham: Thank you for joining us on our first show back of the year. We will get through a few matters today, but we can't escape Novak Djokovic. Do you feel at all sorry for him? 

Prime Minister: Well, Australia has very clear rules and Australians have been following those rules. And that's one of the reasons why Australia has one of the lowest death rates, strongest economies and highest vaccination rates in the world. And you know, we apply our rules equally in this country. And, you know, there was a very clear message sent. You want to come, you have to be vaccinated or you've got to have a valid medical exemption, and neither of those were in place. So people make their own choices. And those choices meant you couldn't come here and play tennis. 

Fordham: Should he have been granted an exemption in the first place? 

Prime Minister: Well, he didn't have one, and no is the bottom line to that. I mean, Australians here have been doing the right thing, they've made so many sacrifices. And you know, today we've gone, as of yesterday, gone past 25 per cent of our eligible population over 18 now boosted as well, which is fantastic. Those booster numbers keep rising. Australians are doing what they need to do. This is a challenging part of the pandemic, Omicron. It’s putting real stresses on the system, but we're getting through it. It's tough. But the idea that someone could come and not follow those rules was was just not on.

Fordham: But isn't part of the issue, though, that he was granted an exemption because he said, look, I've had COVID and therefore, you know, I'm able to come and play tennis. 

Prime Minister: Well, he was wrong. Simple as that.

Fordham: Well, were we wrong as well in in giving him an exemption? Or you're saying he wasn't given an exemption? 

Prime Minister: We didn't give, we didn't give him an exemption. The federal government gave him no such exemption. If you come in from overseas and you have a visa, whatever that visa is, you either have to be vaccinated or you have to have a valid medical exemption and show evidence of it. And those things weren't achieved. So they're the rules. 

Fordham: So these rules now last three years, this ministerial order. So unless there's a change of heart, he won't be allowed back for three years. What does he got to do to be welcome back next year? Get vaccinated, I suppose?

Prime Minister: Well. Well, that's a very good point. And I'm not going to sort of precondition any of that or say anything that would not enable the Minister to make the various calls they have to make. I mean, it does go over a three year period, but there is the opportunity for them to return in the right circumstances and that would be considered at the time. 

Fordham: We're joined by Prime Minister Scott Morrison about Novak Djokovic and we'll get to other matters in just a moment. You were concerned, or your government was concerned, that Djokovic remaining here would spark a rise in anti-vaccination talk. But won't this move whip up the anti-vax mob even more? 

Prime Minister: Well, I don't believe so, and because we've made it very clear that the rules are the rules. That has never been considered at any time, conceded at any time, during the course of working through these issues. I mean, for our government, ensuring the integrity of our borders has always been an extremely high priority. And it's not our first rodeo, Ben. Our government has dealt with border issues on many occasions. We've had to deal with them through the courts. They can be very delicate and sensitive and difficult issues to work through. But we've got experienced ministers and we've got a government that is very experienced in dealing with these issues and that's what we've done again on this occasion. And it's important that we've done that because that means that the government is able to ensure that we can put protections at the border and that they can't be overturned by someone seeking to to run it. 

Fordham: Is there a double standard here? Because we're worried about Novak's anti-vax message, we're told. But several Coalition MPs have been spreading anti-vax messages for months and seem to have gone unpunished, and they've been using their positions as Coalition MPs to spread anti-vax messages. So what action are you taking against them? 

Prime Minister: Well, you're conflating two different issues, Ben. In Australia, if you're an Australian, you're a citizen, your resident and you're a citizen, you can be here and you can express your views. If you're someone coming from overseas and there are conditions for you to enter this country, well you have to comply with them. And it's as simple as that. This is this is about someone who sought to come to Australia and not comply with the entry rules at our border. That's what this is about. Now, our government has dealt with those issues in many different scenarios over a long period of time, and we've always been very consistent and very strong and very effective in ensuring that we maintain the integrity of that border. And in this case, that border protection was principally about protecting the health of Australians. Remember, Australia was one of the first countries to close our borders to China at that time. I remember being castigated for it, bagged for it, saying, oh, this was racist. Well, it's one of the things that actually has ensured we saved over 40,000 lives in this country. And so I wasn't prepared to have this issue, our borders being compromised, challenge the way that Australia has been able to manage this virus so successfully. 

Fordham: The Novak Djokovic case has raised another issue. He was kept in a Melbourne hotel that also holds asylum seekers that have been denied visas. There are refugees in that same hotel who have been detained for more than nine years, and taxpayers fork out millions of dollars to keep them in limbo. How is that acceptable? 

Prime Minister: Well, the specific cases, Ben, I mean, it's not clear that to my information that someone in that case is actually a refugee. They may have sought asylum and been found not to be a refugee and have chosen not to return. And that's that's a very, that happens in this country, people aren't found to be refugees and they won't return. And they don't have a visa to enter Australia, then obviously they can't enter Australia. I mean, it comes back to these same issues, Ben. We have very clear rules about who can and who can't come into this country, and our government will always hold the line and could be counted on holding the line. I mean, even over the course of this past week, people were saying, oh, you should just let him stay. No. The border principle here was incredibly important and we were going to hold the line and we did, and it was effective. 

Fordham: Let's talk about Tonga. There are about 30,000 Tongans in Australia who are very worried about the volcanic eruption. A lot of people unable to contact their relatives back home. Australia is helping as of today?

Prime Minister: Yeah, key aid is being dispatched. And I spoke to Prime Minister Ardern yesterday and we're working with them as well. There's been a lot of challenges there with the ash cloud, with the disruption to communications. And so we're working together to get as much support to Tonga as we possibly can. And they're part of our Pacific family, beloved in our Pacific family by all of those island nations that we're always there to support and we certainly will be on this occasion. But obviously, because of the eruption there and what's occurring has made it very challenging, but we'll work through those issues. The Defence Forces are supporting and as our foreign affairs officials and working with other countries in the region to give them every support we can.

Fordham: We'll catch up with some of those relatives of loved ones in Tonga after eight o'clock this morning. On rapid antigen tests, the Australian Medical Association says it warned your health bureaucrats in September that we need a massive supply of RAT tests and now we've got these mass shortages. So whether they're free or sold over the counter, they've got to be on the shelves. Should we have been buying more of them six months ago?

Prime Minister: Well, we were buying them in August, as the federal government, to meet the requirements that we had in aged care facilities, and that's what's being used right now. And remember, back in August and even September, I mean, we were dealing with Delta then and the challenge and what we're focused on then and successfully was to get those vaccination rates up. Now Omicron has changed everything, Ben, changed absolutely everything. We're now dealing with the virus that is far more transmissible, but 75 per cent less severe. And most people listening to this programme now, I'm sure, now know someone or indeed have had COVID. Now, that wasn't true six months ago. It's been a very different virus. It's putting a lot of stress on our critical supplies, and we've made a number of changes to ensure we can try and alleviate that. Whether it's on changing the close contact rules that we've done with driving even harder the boosters into those critical areas, we've been working with our poultry producers and distributors. Josh is down there today with Coles working through more issues with them. They're telling us that the changes we've made are alleviating the situation. The rapid antigen tests are in short supply all around the world. This is not something that is unique to Australia going through it. It's part of dealing with Omicron. Omicron has disrupted everything, so we've changed so much to ensure we can get through what is a difficult period. And I want to thank Australians for their patience and pushing through. This is how we get through. We push through. 

Fordham: PM, you mentioned that most families have been touched by Omicron. Has the Morrison family managed to dodge it so far?

Prime Minister: So far, so far. But I'm receiving lots of news from friends and other family who have not. And that is, I think, a common experience for Australians. And and what they're what they're knowing is, as I'm knowing, is that in the overwhelming majority of cases, we're talking about a very mild illness. First couple of days, pretty unpleasant. But people coming through in overwhelming cases, not having to go to hospital, we're still well within what our hospital system can deal with. But that said, I know that our health workers on the frontline in our hospitals are under enormous pressure. And the reason for that is particularly because of the impact of people getting COVID or being close contacts, which takes them out of the health workforce, which puts more strain on the system. Now, a rapid antigen test doesn't cure you. So what does is the the antivirals that the government has brought into the country and more are coming. What does is is ensuring we're getting those booster shots in people's arms and that's happening, you know, back at those sort of record rates we were hoping to get to and we're already there in early January. So I want to thank everyone for going out there and getting their boosters. I want to thank everyone out getting their young kids 5 to 11. They've had a strong first week. And can I remind everyone who has a child aged between 12 and 15, we're over 75 per cent double vaxxed of that group, and we're very keen to click past that, that 80 per cent with that group who already had their first dose, particularly before school goes back. So we encourage people, not just 5 to 11s, but 12 to 15 year olds, if you have had your second jab, please go and get it. 

Fordham: We've got to run. We will catch up many times this year. I hope a big one ahead. We'll talk to you soon. 

Prime Minister: Well, we can get back to watching the tennis now. 

Fordham: Good luck! Prime Minister Scott Morrison joining us on the line for our first show of 2022.

https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-43748

Media Statement

16 January 2022

The Full Federal Court of Australia unanimously decided to dismiss Mr Novak Djokovic’s application for judicial review which sought to challenge the Minister for Immigration’s decision to cancel his visa.

This cancellation decision was made on health, safety and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so.

I welcome the decision to keep our borders strong and keep Australians safe.

As I said on Friday, Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected.

Over the pandemic, together we have achieved one of the lowest death rates, strongest economies and highest vaccination rates, in the world.

Strong borders are fundamental to the Australian way of life as is the rule of law.

Our Government has always understood this and has been prepared to take the decisions and actions necessary to protect the integrity of our borders.

I thank the Court for their prompt attention to these issues and the patience of all involved as we have worked to resolve this issue.

It’s now time to get on with the Australian Open and get back to enjoying tennis over the summer.

https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-44153

Media Statement

14 January 2022

I note the Minister for Immigration's decision in relation to Mr Novak Djokovic’s visa.

I understand that following careful consideration, action has been taken by the Minister to cancel Mr Djokovic’s visa held on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so.

This pandemic has been incredibly difficult for every Australian but we have stuck together and saved lives and livelihoods.

Together we have achieved one of the lowest death rates, strongest economies and highest vaccination rates, in the world.

Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected.

This is what the Minister is doing in taking this action today.

Our strong border protection policies have kept Australians safe, prior to COVID and now during the pandemic.

Due to the expected ongoing legal proceedings, I will be not be providing any further comment.

https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-44152

National Cabinet Statement

13 January 2022

National Cabinet met today to discuss our response to COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, approaches to test, trace isolate and quarantine including the use of rapid antigen tests (RATs) and the vaccine rollout and booster programme.

The Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly provided an update on the spread of the Omicron variant. Omicron case numbers continue to increase in Australia and globally. Omicron continues to show greater infectivity than the Delta variant, but with much less severity in terms of hospitalisations, ICU and ventilated patients.

Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been 1,195,158 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 2,522 people have died. Australia’s fatality rate continues to be the second lowest in the OECD. Globally there have been over 315.4 million cases and sadly over 5.5 million deaths, with 2,265,922 new cases and 6,606 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The Omicron variant continues to surge in many countries around the world. The latest advice is the Omicron variant is highly transmissible, but significantly less severe than the Delta variant.

National Cabinet reaffirmed the National Plan to Transition Australia’s National COVID-19 Response and continue work to suppress the virus under Phase C of the National Plan - seeking to minimise serious illness, hospitalisation and fatalities as a result of COVID-19 with baseline restrictions.

Lieutenant General John Frewen, DSC, AM, Coordinator General of the National COVID Vaccine Taskforce (Operation COVID Shield) provided a detailed briefing on the major expansion in Australia’s vaccination rollout. 

To date over 45 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia, including 346,349 in the previous 24 hours. This was the third highest daily vaccination total on record with record numbers of 254,112, boosters and 55,570 5 to 11 year old vaccinations.

Almost 95 per cent of the Australian population aged 16 years and over have now had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including over 99 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 99 per cent of over 70 year olds.

More than 92.3 per cent of Australians aged 16 years and over are now fully vaccinated including more than 97.3 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 99 per cent of Australians over 70 years of age.

Over 4.3 million booster doses have been administered. Australia has sufficient supplies of boosters, with 24 million mRNA booster doses in stock in Australia. Yesterday over 242,000 boosters were administered across Australia. Over 48 per cent of those eligible for boosters have had a booster and almost 42 per cent of Australians aged 70 years of age and over have had a booster in the last 9 weeks since the booster program commenced.

Vaccinations for 5 to 11 year olds commenced on Monday 10 January. In only  three days over 140,000 vaccinations have been administered to 5-11 years olds accounting for 6.2% of all 5-11 year olds.

National Cabinet will meet again on Thursday 20 January 2022.

Rapid Antigen Testing

National Cabinet noted that testing for people suspected to have COVID-19 or close contacts will continue to be provided for free through joint funding arrangements between the Commonwealth and state and territory governments, utilising either PCR or Rapid Antigen Testing technologies.

National Cabinet noted that jurisdictions had placed significant orders for supplies of Rapid Antigen Tests with increasing numbers of tests available over coming weeks through state and territory clinics and the private sector. PCR tests continue to be available in all state and territory clinics with significant reductions in testing times across all jurisdictions.

National Cabinet agreed that priority access to the public provision of Rapid Antigen Testing is for health and aged care settings as well as people who are symptomatic, close contacts as well as vulnerable populations, such as remote Indigenous communities. The guidance for close contacts was updated on 30 December 2021, with close contacts defined as household contacts of confirmed cases.

National Cabinet agreed to the final arrangements for the Rapid Antigen Testing Concessional Access Program, funded jointly by the Commonwealth and states and territories.

Through the program, eligible Commonwealth concession card holders will be permitted to receive a maximum of ten free tests in a three month period with a maximum of five tests in any one month through participating community pharmacies. Eligibility will include people with a Pensioner Concession Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card, Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold, White or Orange Card, Health Care Card, Low Income Health Card.

Community pharmacies will be reimbursed a set amount for the unit cost of the Rapid Antigen Tests (which will be $10 plus GST per test initially, with ongoing review of unit prices). For each supply transaction processed for an eligible person under this program (minimum of 2 tests and maximum of 5 tests per transaction), an Administration Handling and Infrastructure (AHI) fee of $4.30 per transaction will be reimbursed to the pharmacy, consistent with current AHI arrangements under the Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement. Community Pharmacies will be responsible for sourcing supply for the program as they do for non-subsided rapid antigen tests.

Further implementation arrangements for the program will be published over the coming days following ongoing dialogue with the pharmacy profession.

The program to provide free Rapid Antigen Tests for concession card holders will become available through community pharmacies from 24 January 2022, noting that individual pharmacies will commence participation in the program as supply continues to become available in late January and early February 2022.

National Cabinet thanked community pharmacies and their representatives for their constructive efforts to date to implement this important program.

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms and close contacts should attend a state clinic for free testing and not go to a pharmacy to receive a free test.

Essential Workers – Close Contact Furlough Arrangements by Sector and Workforce Impacts

National Cabinet received a detailed briefing from Secretary of the Commonwealth Treasury, Dr Steven Kennedy PSM on the impact of the Omicron variant on workforce availability.

Worker absenteeism due to symptomatic COVID-19 illness, identified asymptomatic infection and the required isolation of close contacts is impacting on critical supply sectors and supply chains across all states and territories.

Secretary Kennedy advised that current arrangements could see 10 per cent of Australia’s workforce including many workers in critical supply sectors withdrawn from the workforce. The potential impact of school closures on workforce absenteeism relating to caring responsibilities could see a further 5 per cent of Australia’s workforce withdrawn from the workforce.

The medical advice is that Omicron continues to show greater infectivity than the Delta variant, but with much less severity in terms of hospitalisations, ICU and ventilated patients. Given this it is important to continue to look at testing and isolation settings.

National Cabinet was briefed by the Director-General of Emergency Management Australia, Joe Buffone on the work of the National Coordination Mechanism (NCM) noting that transport, freight and logistics is a high priority. The Permissions and Restrictions for Essential Worker Interim Guidance will assist in workforce pressures across the supply chain.  The NCM will continue to work with all sectors across the Supply Chain to maintain essential goods and supplies.

National Cabinet agreed to the importance of keeping critical sectors open and agreed to extend the furlough arrangements in place for food and grocery supply chain workers to other sectors.

National Cabinet noted that the changes made to furlough arrangements for food and grocery supply chain workers is starting to improve supply chains.

Each state and territory will implement these changes to close contact arrangements for essential workers under respective state and territory public health orders and equivalent arrangements.

Changes will be made as soon as possible, where they have not already been made under state and territory public health arrangements, to include essential workers in:

• All transport, freight, logistics and service stations

Changes will be made shortly, where they have not already been made under state and territory public health arrangements, to include: 

• Health, welfare, care and support (including production and provision of medical, pharmaceutical and health supplies and pharmacy workers),

• Emergency services, safety, law enforcement, justice and correctional services,

• Energy, resources and water, and waste management,

• Food, beverage, and other critical goods (including farming, production, and provision but not including hospitality),

• Education and childcare; and

• Telecommunications, data, broadcasting and media.

A full list of sectors is attached.

National Cabinet agreed to further consider expanding these sectors to priority 2 cohorts, pending further health advice.

National Cabinet further endorsed the AHPPC Permissions and Restrictions for workers in health care and aged care settings to ensure close contact essential workers in these sectors are able to return to safely work and ensure continuity of care and effective operations.

National Cabinet agreed to seek advice from AHPPC on further measures including the role of symptom screening and monitoring in addition to PCR and Rapid Antigen Tests, as the next step towards longer term management of COVID-19 as an infectious disease.

National Framework for Managing COVID-19 in Schools and Early Childhood Education and Care

National Cabinet agreed the National Framework for Managing COVID-19 in Schools and Early Childhood Education and Care. The Framework is based on six National Guiding Principles:

• ECEC services and schools are essential and should be the first to open and the last to close wherever possible in outbreak situations, with face-to-face learning prioritised*;

• Baseline public health measures continue to apply;

• No vulnerable child or child of an essential worker is turned away;

• Responses to be proportionate and health risk-based;

• Equip ECEC services and schools to respond on the basis of public health advice and with support from public health authorities where required;

• Wellbeing of children and education staff to be supported.

All Governments will come back to National Cabinet next week to set out the practical implementation of this Framework so that families can plan with certainty. This will include detailed operational plans, such as mask wearing and surveillance rapid antigen testing, including for teachers.

*The Queensland and South Australian Governments have delayed the start to their school years by two weeks due to the forecast peaks of the virus in those states. These schools will still be open for the children of essential workers during this period.

Further information is available in the attached Framework:

• National Framework for Managing COVID-19 in Schools and Early Childhood Education and Care

• Permissions and Restrictions for Essential Workers – Interim Guidance

https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-44151

$40 million to support McGrath Breast Care Nurses

7 January 2022

Prime Minister, Minister for Health and Aged Care

The Morrison Government will provide an additional $40 million to increase support for breast cancer patients through the expansion of the McGrath Foundation Breast Care Nurse Program.

The funding will ensure we continue to support around 20,000 Australians experiencing breast cancer with dedicated McGrath Breast Care Nurses for a further three years.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the increased support would assist the McGrath Foundation towards its goal of providing a nurse to every breast cancer patient and their family, no matter where they live or what their financial situation.

“McGrath Breast Care Nurses provide vital clinical, psychological and emotional support to people facing their toughest days,” the Prime Minister said.

“Too many families around Australia are affected by this terrible disease, whether it be mums, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, co-workers or friends.

“The additional funding for the McGrath Foundation will help to ensure that as many of these people and their families can receive the support of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse, right from the moment of diagnosis.”

Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, thanked the McGrath Foundation for their exceptional work supporting and improving lives.

“Together with the Prime Minister, I express my deepest gratitude to McGrath Breast Care Nurses who have provided more than 250,000 hours of nursing in the last year alone,” Minister Hunt said.

“This $40 million commitment will extend support for the program for an additional three years and help to increase the number of Commonwealth-funded Breast Care Nurses from 102 to 114 by 2025-26.

“This will help to save lives and protect lives across our nation.”

The McGrath Foundation CEO Holly Masters was grateful for the funding and encouraged people across Australia to continue to support the Foundation.

“Australians will always come together for a good cause, which is why they have embraced the McGrath Foundation and the iconic Pink Test,” Ms Masters said.

“The community’s support is just as important in ensuring we can continue funding McGrath Breast Care Nurses to support people going through breast cancer right across Australia.”

Commonwealth-funded Breast Cancer Nurses have supported over 14,000 Australians fighting breast cancer since 2019. This commitment takes the total Commonwealth support for this program to $123 million.

https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-43744

Australia-Japan clean hydrogen trade partnership

6 January 2022

Prime Minister, Minister for Industry, Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction

The Morrison Government is growing Australia’s clean hydrogen export industry through a new initiative aimed at attracting overseas investment into hydrogen supply chains originating in Australia.

The $150 million Australian Clean Hydrogen Trade Program (ACHTP) will support Australian-based hydrogen supply chain projects that secure overseas public or private sector investment.

The first round of the Program will focus on the export of clean hydrogen to Japan under the Japan-Australia Partnership on Decarbonisation through Technology.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the $150 million program would help to deliver on Australia’s commitment to reducing emissions by working with other countries to get the cost of clean energy technologies down.

“It is critical that we work closely with our international partners such as Japan to deliver on Australia’s low emissions objectives,” the Prime Minister said.

“Clean hydrogen is central to both Australia’s and Japan’s plans to achieve net zero emissions while growing our economies and jobs.”

The ACHTP will support projects to develop export supply chains and commercialise production of clean hydrogen and derivative clean hydrogen-based compounds, such as clean ammonia.

Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said Australia is taking action to create new economic and employment opportunities on the pathway to net-zero emissions.

“Establishing clean hydrogen supply chains will facilitate investment into Australia and will create jobs for Australians, many in our regional areas,” Minister Taylor said.

“Australia is a world leader in clean energy and our high quality resources have long been in strong demand from our international partners. The Morrison Government is positioning Australia to become the international clean hydrogen supplier of choice and we are investing to make this reality.”

“Our Government is providing an innovative and economically viable solution to producing clean hydrogen not only for Australia, but also for our international partners.”

Clean hydrogen is one of the priority technologies in the Government’s Long Term Emissions Reduction Plan and Technology Investment Roadmap.

The Program will be funded over five years from the $565.8 million committed for low emissions technology international partnerships in the 2021-22 Budget.

Clean hydrogen could directly support 16,000 jobs by 2050, plus an additional 13,000 jobs from the construction of related renewable energy infrastructure.

Australian hydrogen production for export and domestic use could also generate more than $50 billion in additional GDP by 2050.

https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-43743

Australia-Japan Leaders’ Meeting Joint Statement

6 January 2022

1. Prime Minister Morrison and Prime Minister Kishida met virtually today. The two leaders reaffirmed the fundamental and enduring importance to both countries of the Special Strategic Partnership, which is based on a shared commitment to democracy, human rights, free trade and a rules-based international order, close coordination to contribute to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific and beyond, longstanding trade and investment ties, and the deep affinity between the Australian and Japanese peoples. They reconfirmed that annual leaders’ meetings play a significant role in strengthening coordination to ensure that the Partnership continues to respond to the evolving strategic and economic environment.
   
   Security and defence cooperation

2. The two leaders today signed the landmark Reciprocal Access Agreement between Australia and Japan (Australia-Japan RAA), underscoring their commitment to further elevating bilateral security and defence cooperation in the interests of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The Australia-Japan RAA will establish standing arrangements for the Australian Defence Force and the Japan Self-Defense Forces to facilitate cooperative activities such as joint exercises and disaster relief operations, including those of greater scale and complexity, while improving the interoperability and capability of the two countries’ forces. They confirmed their intention to pursue the completion of respective domestic procedures necessary to give effect to the Australia-Japan RAA as early as possible.

3. The two leaders confirmed the importance of promoting cooperation between the Japan Coast Guard and Australia’s Department of Home Affairs, including to facilitate information-sharing and cooperation on maritime domain awareness.

4. The two leaders pledged to strengthen cooperation between the two countries on economic security. They committed to deepening collaboration to address illicit technology transfers, build resilient supply chains and strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure. They committed to significantly elevate our cooperation architecture on cyber and critical technology, including for promoting research and development of critical technologies such as AI and quantum, promoting the application of international law and agreed norms in cyberspace, and cooperating on standards setting in international fora. They further underlined the need to strengthen cooperation on resource security, including by developing resilient critical minerals supply chains.

5. The two leaders pledged to further deepen and broaden security and defence cooperation between the two countries to address current and future threats and challenges. In this regard, they looked forward to issuing a new Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation to serve as a compass for the two countries’ engagement for years to come, reflecting the significant development of bilateral security cooperation and the evolution of the regional strategic environment since the milestone Japan-Australia Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation signed in 2007. They instructed the respective relevant officials to expedite work toward issuing the new Joint Declaration at the earliest opportunity.
   
   Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and beyond

6. The two leaders concurred that Australia and Japan will play a significant role in realising a free and open Indo-Pacific, which is also inclusive and prosperous, and in strengthening regional resilience. Amid growing challenges to the fundamental values shared by the two countries and their partners, the two leaders reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to a regional order where the rights, freedoms and sovereignty of all countries, regardless of size or power, are protected by international law, rules and norms. They recommitted to opposing coercive behaviour and to countering harmful disinformation.

7. The two leaders welcomed the strong and enduring contribution of the United States to stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, and the US commitment to close cooperation with allies and partners. They reaffirmed the importance of reinforcing the two countries’ alliances with the United States and promoting Japan-Australia-US cooperation, including the enhancement of interoperability and the promotion of quality infrastructure, with a view to contributing to broader regional stability and prosperity. They looked forward to strengthening cooperation with the United States on security and defence, including through the Trilateral Strategic Dialogue (TSD) and the Trilateral Defence Ministers’ Meeting. They also welcomed the US intention to develop an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.

8. The two leaders welcomed the growing quadrilateral cooperation among Japan, Australia, India and the United States, and looked forward to the next Quad leaders’ meeting this year to drive forward coordinated responses to the most pressing challenges faced by regional countries, including through supporting the production and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines and the development of quality infrastructure.

9. Prime Minister Kishida reiterated Japan’s support for the Australia-UK-US security partnership, AUKUS, the development of which will contribute to regional peace and stability. The two leaders concurred on the vital role of the European Union and European partners in contributing to prosperity, stability and resilience in the Indo-Pacific, and to upholding international law and an open multilateral system based on shared values and shared interests.

10. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to partnering with Southeast Asia in pursuit of shared goals of prosperity and stability in the region, and reiterated their steadfast support for ASEAN centrality and ASEAN-led regional architecture, including the East Asia Summit as the Indo-Pacific's premier leader-level forum to discuss the region’s most pressing strategic challenges. They also reaffirmed their support for the principles of ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and for its practical implementation. The two leaders underscored their commitment to reinforce ASEAN’s efforts on COVID-19 response and recovery.

11. The two leaders affirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation with Pacific island countries to help them respond to the impacts of climate change and recover from the severe and ongoing health and economic impacts of COVID-19, including supporting these countries to safely reopen their borders. Prime Minister Morrison expressed his support for Japan’s cooperation with Pacific island countries under its Pacific Bond (KIZUNA) Policy. They welcomed trilateral cooperation with the United States on the East Micronesia undersea cable project, in partnership with the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati and Nauru, and reiterated their intention to explore further opportunities for infrastructure cooperation, noting that secure and quality infrastructure will serve as a foundation of sustainable and resilient economic development of Pacific island countries. Prime Minister Kishida welcomed Australia’s recent quick response, with Pacific family partners, to the civil unrest in Solomon Islands and its contribution to the restoration of order, following a request from Solomon Islands.

12. The two leaders reiterated serious concerns about the situation in the South China Sea, and underlined the importance of being able to exercise rights and freedoms consistent with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They reaffirmed their strong objection to China's unlawful maritime claims and activities that are inconsistent with UNCLOS. They recalled that the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal decision is final and legally binding on the parties to the dispute. They strongly opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force.

13. The two leaders expressed serious concerns about the situation in the East China Sea, which undermines regional peace and stability. They shared the intention to remain in close communication about the situation in the East China Sea and expressed strong opposition to any destabilising or coercive unilateral actions that seek to alter the status quo and increase tensions in the area.

14. The two leaders also underscored the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.

15. The two leaders shared serious concerns about reported human rights abuses against Uyghur and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. They also expressed their grave concerns over the erosion of democratic elements of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s electoral system and the undermining of the rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Hong Kong Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

16. The two leaders condemned North Korea’s ongoing development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, reiterating their commitment to achieving the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of all nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction, and ballistic missiles of all ranges of North Korea. They urged North Korea to comply with its obligations under the relevant UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) and emphasised the importance of the international community fully implementing the UNSCRs. They called on North Korea to end human rights violations and to resolve the Japanese abductions issue immediately.

17. The two leaders reiterated their grave concerns about the situation in Myanmar and called for the immediate cessation of violence against civilian populations, the release of all those arbitrarily detained, including foreigners, and unhindered humanitarian access. They urged the Myanmar military regime to implement ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus and encouraged the international community to work together to support an end to the violence, including by preventing the flow of arms into Myanmar.

18. The two leaders reaffirmed that the two countries will work closely with each other to maintain and strengthen the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, including through activities in the framework of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI). The two leaders stressed that the 40-year long decline in global nuclear arsenals must be sustained and not reversed. In this regard, the two leaders welcomed the extension of the New Start Treaty by the United States and Russia and looked forward to the development of future arms control frameworks that involve other countries and a wider range of weapon systems.
    
    Trade and economic cooperation

19. The two leaders confirmed their commitment to a free, fair, inclusive and rules-based trade and investment environment, noting that open and transparent trade settings build trust and prosperity and support economic recovery. They reaffirmed their resolve to uphold and strengthen the rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core, and concurred on the need to hold the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference at the earliest opportunity. They opposed the use of economic coercion, which undermines the rules-based trading system and the links between nations fostered by economic engagement.

20. The two leaders looked forward to the continued successful implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and its expansion to those able to fully meet, implement and adhere to its high standards and with a demonstrated pattern of complying with trade commitments. They reaffirmed the importance of the CPTPP to promote free trade, open and competitive markets and economic integration in the region. They recognised the strategic significance of the CPTPP and noted that economic coercion and unjustified restrictive trade practices are contrary to the objectives and high standards of the Agreement. They welcomed the entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement on 1 January 2022 and determined to work towards full implementation of the Agreement. They further committed to continue working with like-minded countries to explore ways to strengthen ties on regional digital trade.

21. The two leaders welcomed the contribution the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA) has made to boosting bilateral trade and investment since its entry into force in 2015, and reaffirmed that they will commit to the full implementation of the Agreement.

22. Prime Minister Morrison confirmed that Australia looked forward to participating in the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, as an opportunity to further strengthen and broaden the trade, investment and people-to-people links between the two countries. Prime Minister Kishida welcomed Australia’s participation and expressed his gratitude for Prime Minister Morrison’s wish for every success in preparations for the Expo.

23. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to close cooperation under the Japan-Australia Partnership on Decarbonisation through Technology towards their common commitment to achieve net zero by 2050. Australia will dedicate funding from its A$565.8 million for strategic international partnerships to the bilateral partnership on decarbonisation through low emissions technology, while Japan will use its ¥2 trillion (A$24.5 billion) Green Innovation Fund to help Japanese companies invest in technologies contributing to carbon neutrality, recognising the potential of international cooperation with relevant countries such as Australia. Japan also welcomed Australia’s establishment of the Australian Clean Hydrogen Trade Program, which will commence with A$150 million to support projects to develop clean hydrogen (and hydrogen derivatives, such as clean ammonia) supply chains with an initial focus on the export of clean hydrogen to Japan.

24. The two leaders also reaffirmed their joint commitments, as well as the commitments of Japanese and Australian businesses, to the Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain project, and noted the importance of the project as a world-leading demonstration of a clean hydrogen supply chain. They also welcomed ongoing clean fuel ammonia projects in order to establish a stable and affordable clean fuel ammonia supply chain. They also reaffirmed their close collaboration on energy transition in the Indo-Pacific, with a particular focus on Southeast Asia, through Japan’s Asian Energy Transition Initiative and the Indo-Pacific Clean Energy Supply Chain Forum to be hosted by Australia in 2022.

https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-44150

Doorstop - Canberra, ACT

5 January 2022

PRIME MINISTER: Well, a very moving time to be spending together here at the AIATSIS. This is a wonderful national institution. It started in 1964 under the Menzies Government. And today, to be taking it into a new phase and a new chapter not just for Indigenous Australians, but all Australians. It is tremendous to be part of this. Again I want to acknowledge Minister Wyatt in particular, to Craig and Jodie and everyone here who has been part of getting us to this day. A lot of work ahead of us. But this is going to be a day I think we'll remember for a long time and when generations come to this amazing cultural precinct, here in our national capital, they will come back to this day. The Government committed, the proposal was cleared, and then we did it together. 

After this, I'll obviously return to Parliament House, I'll be chairing the National Cabinet meeting later today. There are many issues as people are very aware, that we're dealing with at the moment. There's 160 million rapid antigen tests that are on their way to Australia. In addition to that, I want to stress once again that those who are required to have a test, be it a rapid antigen test or a PCR test, those tests are free. They are free. Essential tests - so if you're a close contact, if you're symptomatic, those tests are free to all Australians. Always have been. That has never changed. For what I call peace of mind tests, and others have called them that, these peace of mind tests where people are seeking to get them over and above what the essential requirements are, I'll be putting a proposal to the premiers and chief ministers today, how we can offset the cost for those who are on Commonwealth Seniors health cards and pensioners, and those on health care cards and things of that nature to defray the costs for those that they're seeking to get, where other Australians are buying. And we'll be talking through those issues today, as well as improving the access and supply of the rapid antigen tests. 

The Omicron variant has been a major disruption in many respects, not just here in Australia, all around the world. You'd be aware that in the United Kingdom, the tests that are supplied there, they've had to pull back from in terms of how they're getting to people. This massive demand, which is caused by the sheer volume of the Omicron variant. Under the Delta variant it was very, very different. It was extremely different. The volume of cases with different vaccine protection was different and the demand for testing was different. The Omicron variant was a game changer for that, and that is affecting countries all around the world, not just in Australia. So today, I'll be meeting with the premiers and chief ministers to ensure that we work together to work through these current challenges. They are a challenge, they are a problem. There's no silver bullet. Making everything free is not a silver bullet. There are no silver bullets here. You've just got to work the problem, work it together and push through. And that's what we'll be doing at National Cabinet. 

JOURNALIST: PM, so have you completely ruled out making these rapid antigen tests free, for all Australians, like they are in other countries? 

PRIME MINISTER: Well, that is only true in two countries that I'm aware of. 

JOURNALIST: Three as well as New Zealand.

PRIME MINISTER: There's the United Kingdom, and they are having very significant problems in the supply of those tests. And so that is proving to be very challenging. Singapore is a much smaller country than Australia, as is New Zealand. More broadly across the world, that is not what all the countries are doing. What we're focused on is ensuring that the tests are there for those who need them for health reasons. So if you need one for health reasons, then those tests are free and I encourage people to get that message out. The suggestion that tests are not free is untrue. The tests are free if you require one and are required to have one because you are a close contact or you're symptomatic. The challenge at present sits predominantly around the issue of supply, and as I said 160 million tests both state and federal governments have been out there and we've been in the market since August. We've been able to ensure that we've met all of our obligations and responsibilities for RAT tests to the aged care sector, those sectors that we're responsible for. The states are now working to acquire those tests. As you know, in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, they've all been moving on that. And so we have a challenge in the short term. We will overcome that challenge, like we've overcome all the challenges through COVID, which has put us in the situation where Australia has one of the lowest death rates, strongest economies and highest vaccination rates of any country in the world. 

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, with regards to today's announcement, how confident are you that Indigenous peoples from across the country, not just here in the capital, will be able to be consulted or have been consulted as far as the precinct goes?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, AIATSIS's reputation precedes it. This is where the Government has put our trust, and rightly so in the process that AIATSIS and the Minister will lead. That is what has brought us to this day and that that is what will take us forward. This is being driven by AIATSIS with the Minister, and I have every confidence that they will work through that way that they have for a very long time since 1964. They have the credibility and the reputation to take this project forward, with Minister Wyatt. And so I'm very confident about how that process will flow forward and we can look forward to an amazing precinct here in Canberra, where the shared stories of Indigenous peoples all around the country can be honoured, can be respected, can be learnt from, can inspire us. And of course, it's the stories of loss, but it's also the stories of dignity and hope as well and achievement and ensuring we tell the whole story. And I think it's going to be a very, very special place in Australia. 

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister just quickly on Novak Djokovic, how did he get an exemption to come into Australia and have we see his vaccination passport? 

PRIME MINISTER: Well, that is a matter for the Victorian Government. They have provided him with an exemption to come to Australia, and so we then act in accordance with that decision. 

JOURNALIST: Do you think that's appropriate? 

PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's how it works. States provide exemptions for people to enter on those basis, and that's been happening for the last two years. So there's no change to that arrangement. The Victorian Government made their decision on that. And so I'd have to refer to the Victoria Government about their reasons for doing so. Thank you.

https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-43738

Ngurra: The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Precinct

5 January 2022

Prime Minister, Minister for Indigenous Australians

The Morrison Government will build Ngurra, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural precinct, on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin in the Parliamentary Triangle, on Ngunnawal country (Canberra).

Ngurra, meaning ‘home’, ‘country’ or ‘place of belonging’, will include a learning and knowledge centre, a national resting place to care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestral remains and a new home for the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS).

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new $316.5 million precinct would take its place among Australia’s premier institutions in the parliamentary triangle as a place of national pride and significance.

“Ngurra is the realisation of a long-held desire to have a home for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories at the heart of our nation,” the Prime Minister said.

“It will be a national landmark of the highest order, standing proudly for us all to celebrate, educate, reflect and commemorate.

“It will be built in Commonwealth Place, on the primary axis in the Parliamentary Triangle – between Old Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial - demonstrating the importance and reverence this institution should hold.

“It will be built fully in accordance with the proposal developed by AIATSIS and presented to Government for approval, as a result of their consultation processes.”

“All Australians and visitors to our nation will be able to gain a deeper appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ diversity and cultures, and the richness this offers our country.

“This new world-class facility will contribute to our continuing journey of reconciliation, where Indigenous Australians can tell their stories, in the way they want, for all visitors to have a greater understanding of our shared history.”

Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt said the learning and engagement, exhibitions, research and curation that would occur at Ngurra would be significant acts of truth-telling.

“At its heart will be a national resting place where the remains of Indigenous Australians taken from their country will be cared for until they are able to be returned to their communities,” Minister Wyatt said.

“And in instances where provenance has been forgotten or erased, they will be cared for in perpetuity with dignity and respect.

“As new home to AIATSIS, the precinct will also house and make accessible the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural and heritage items.

“Ngurra will provide a new perspective on our shared history, as a significant moment for truth-telling, and a new place where the diversity of Indigenous Australia and one of the world’s oldest living cultures will be celebrated.”

An architectural design competition will be run in 2022 to develop an iconic design fitting for the location and that reflects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ aspirations, achievements and deep connection to Country.

Further content is available at Ngurra announcement video (Dropbox).

https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-43737