Media Releases
Interview with Karl Stefanovic and Leila McKinnon, Today Show
23 March 2022
KARL STEFANOVIC: Well, earlier on the show, we heard from the man who wants to be the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. Now let's speak to the man himself. Prime Minister, good morning to you from Townsville. Thanks for your time this morning.
PRIME MINISTER: G'day Karl. Good morning Leila.
STEFANOVIC: Well, you accused Anthony Albanese of being gutless for not ordering an inquiry into the bullying allegations and then later, following the death of Kimberley Kitching. This was his response just minutes ago.
[EXCERPT PLAYS]
STEFANOVIC: OK. Your reaction?
PRIME MINISTER: That's complete rubbish. When I went to Lismore, I did go and to speak directly to those on dairy farms. I spoke to people in their homes, I went to their businesses. I just didn't think it was good to put cameras in their faces because they were going through terrible trauma. No, I didn't go and talk to the Green protesters. I didn't go talk to those people. I went and spoke to the people in their homes, in their businesses, on their farms to understand what they needed. And we put $1.7 billion worth of help in to New South Wales, particularly in the majority of that has been up in the northern rivers, a one in 500 year flood.
So, you know, it's just Anthony Albanese making stuff up again, trying to distract from the fact that he won't stand up to the bullies in his own party. If he can't stand up to the bullies in his own party, how does he think he's going to stand up to the bullies in our region?
LEILA MCKINNON: It feels like this is getting personal. We don't even have an election date yet. Is it getting a bit ugly?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I think the judgements people are going to make at this next election is going to be about who's best able to manage the economy because the economy determines the future that Australians will have. Who's best able to manage the very serious national security interests? Now you can't have a weakness in a leader, weakness in someone on those issues when it comes to securing Australia's future. And if Anthony Albanese just is going to dismiss very serious issues in his own party, about bullying in his own party, well, he can't be trusted to show the strength that is needed in international relations and making the tough decisions you have to make about our economy.
And our economy, our economic plan is working and we've got unemployment down to four per cent. We've got 220,000 apprentices in trade training and today we're announcing a massive project coming up here in Townsville, $5.4 billion, 100 per cent funded by the Commonwealth to build the Hells Gates Dam. Now this is going to transform this entire region. It's about four times the size of Sydney Harbour. These are the projects that transform nations and open up jobs and opportunities for decades and decades to come.
STEFANOVIC: I think it's long overdue that project. Look, Bob Katter, he's very happy about this. He's been campaigning for this for 265 years. But are you just greasing the wheels in case there's a hung parliament? That's what it looks like.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we started with Bob on this project many years ago. I met mean, back in 2018. I mean, it's not an easy thing to build a dam. We started the feasibility process and then we've taken that into a detailed business case. And so that is taken us since 2018 to get where we are today. And in a few months time, that detailed business case will be made public and will be out there. And I know it's fair to say this is a big go ahead project. And so now we all have to get is the environmental approvals of the state government. They don't have to put a cent into this. They've just got to get the big approved stamp out and put it on it and that on the water allocations. And then we can get on with building Hells Gates Dam, which is going to transform this region and is going to create jobs for generations to come.
STEFANOVIC: What if they don't play ball?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I think that would be, you know, an act of absolute self-harm for the Queensland Government to say no to this project, and I believe they'll say yes to it because I believe they'll understand the massive benefits that are here right across this region. I mean, what this does, is use one of our most precious resources in this country, which is water and unlocks an agriculture goldfield when it comes to seeing the jobs flow from that. And when you're tied into big projects, another one Bob and I have been working on is the Copper String project, and that is basically connecting up Townsville all the way up there to Mount Isa. And that opens up and gets electricity and power into the western minerals province of northern Queensland. And that's another game changing project. These are the things that you have to do to keep the economy strong to secure that future.
MCKINNON: Okay, you're making Bob happy there. But a lot of people at home are struggling with the cost of living, affordable housing. That's a lot of money for a dam. What can you do to make life easier for people who are struggling with those things? The prices of fuel, groceries.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, fuel in particular, and we know that that's been caused by the terrible war that is occurring in Ukraine. But next week's budget, the Treasurer and I are putting the final touches on that now and addressing those cost of living pressures will be a key priority of that budget. And we've been carefully designing our response, because Leila, what we do is we don't have knee jerk reactions on things like the economy. What we do is we carefully design our responses. You'll remember that we did that work on JobKeeper and we were careful about its design. We knew when it started and we knew when to stop it and that saved 700,000 jobs and took the Australian economy through the pandemic, saved the Australian economy. And in the same way, we've been careful about our economic decisions. They're responsible, they're targeted, and I know they will make a great difference to people who are really feeling the pressures of these cost of living. You know, the Hells Gates Dam project isn't just about Bob Katter. I mean, I'm glad Bob's happy, but I'm happy for the 10,000 people who will get jobs. They're the ones who will be happy.
MCKINNON: Great. What about the fuel excise? Will you cut that? And if so, by how much?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the Budget is in less than a week now.
STEFANOVIC: That's a yes.
PRIME MINISTER: And I'll be standing, maybe not at the same place, not the same place, but I'll be standing with you, talking about budget in a week's time and we will be doing that. We'll be able to be outlining all the important measures which will be addressing the cost of living pressures, but also to ensure that our economy continues to strengthen. A strong economy means a stronger future. And if you can't manage the money, if you can't manage the nation's finances. Yesterday, we heard from the Labor Party that they thought they could just spend forever. Well, you can't do that and keep your Triple A credit rating, keep the pressure down on inflation and otherwise you see interest rates skyrocket. And we remember what last time we had a Labor Government that let interest rates skyrocket. Many viewers will be too young to remember, but many will remember those 18 per cent interest rates under Paul Keating.
STEFANOVIC: Look, it's difficult to accept some of what you're saying about cutting spending when you're spruiking the benefits of a $5.4 billion dam in the lead up to an election. But I want to ask you this, but this, by the way …
PRIME MINISTER: But Karl, you make a good point. Sorry Karl, you can't make this point and then just let it drop, mate. You've got to let me address it. $5.4 billion is investing in jobs. It's investing in real infrastructure. This is creating value. This is not putting money up against the wall. It's building a wall. A big dam wall, absolutely, but is actually about creating jobs because when you grow your economy, that's what grows your revenue base. That's what pays for the National Disability Insurance Scheme. That's what pays for the pension. That's what pays for Medicare. It's what is going to pay to reduce our debt. But to do it, you've got to transform regions like this so they can become big earners for the country.
STEFANOVIC: Just really quickly before we go, Bob Katter, he loves this attention. He gets it every, every ten years or so. Who's Bob Katter going to choose, if there's a hung parliament, you or Albo?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I'm working to ensure that he won't have to make that choice as we were able to do at the last election, because at the at the end of the day, look, Bob Katter knows who I am, Bob Katter knows what our economic policies is. But more importantly, the Australian people know what my economic policies is. No one asked me a question whether I'm woke or not. And you know, if they're asking you about whether you're woke, you probably are. And if you think you have to go on television to give interviews telling everybody that you're not the person you were for the last 30 years in public life, well, I know a leopard doesn't change their spots, and when the pressure comes on, they always go back to type.
STEFANOVIC: A bit of sting in the tail on that one. Good on you PM, thank you for your time.
$5.4 billion in federal funding for Hells Gates Dam
23 March 2022
Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Federal Member for Herbert, Special Envoy for Northern Australia, Senator for Queensland
The Morrison-Joyce Government has locked in $5.4 billion to build the Hells Gates Dam in North Queensland that will create thousands of jobs while delivering water security for the region, particularly for the agriculture sector.
Through the 2022–23 Budget, the Government will guarantee funding to build the dam, subject to the completion of the final stage of the business case, expected in June this year.
Hells Gates is anticipated to open up as much as 60,000 hectares of irrigation across three agricultural zones in the Burdekin, supported through a 2,100-gigalitre dam and bolstered by three downstream irrigation weirs.
The project is expected to create more than 7,000 jobs and inject up to $1.3 billion of Gross Regional Product (GRP) into North Queensland’s economy during construction alone.
During operations, new and expanded agricultural opportunities are expected to support more than 3,000 regional jobs and generate up to $6 billion in GRP.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said delivering water infrastructure in North Queensland was vital to securing a strong economy while supporting farmers and industry.
“We need to build more dams in Australia. Building dams makes our economy stronger by supporting our agricultural industries to realise their true potential,” the Prime Minister said.
“Water is a precious resource and we need more dams to better use that resource.
“We’ve done the homework on Hells Gates Dam and it’s now time to get on and build it. We have put our money on the table, so let’s cut the green tape, get the approvals and get it done.
“This dam will help turn the Burdekin region into an agricultural powerhouse, helping our farmers to stock supermarkets and feed Australia while also securing North Queensland’s water supply and security.
“This investment will kick off a jobs boom across North Queensland for years to come, creating thousands of jobs while generating work for small businesses across the entire north, including in Townsville.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the Government’s investment would help North Queensland realise its full potential.
“North Queensland holds enormous agricultural opportunity and this funding for Hells Gates is part of our plan to unlock this major irrigation expansion,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“Irrigating the regional soils of the Burdekin will help the region realise its full potential as a producer of the food Australians and the world needs, driving us closer to taking agricultural production to over $100 billion a year by 2030. This will create more jobs and generate more wealth for our nation.
“The sooner water flows in the west, the sooner we can sell more products to the world and earn the money that will help make Australia as strong as possible as quickly as possible.
“We have put the money to build Hells Gates in the bank and we are ready to get on with the job.”
Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson said the project would have a significant flow-on effect for Townsville.
“We've backed this project right from the start because it is something that will create jobs and drive the economy forward,” Mr Thompson said.
“The Townsville Port is well-placed to handle exports from the region, especially after our forward planning and investment into the channel widening project.”
Special Envoy for Northern Australia and Senator for Queensland Susan McDonald said the Morrison-Joyce Government is serious about big-ticket projects in Northern Australia, not only to store water but to drive industry, agriculture, renewable energy and provide jobs to grow regional populations.
“The focus on our north has never been greater, and this focus has been backed by real action and a renewed vigour in how we provide the funding and regulatory framework needed to drive mining, grow business confidence, boost primary production and increase Indigenous involvement,” Senator McDonald said.
“We’re building roads, streamlining environmental approvals processes, and encouraging our mineral sector, making it easier for business to recruit workers and ensuring communities can thrive.
“The Northern Australia agenda is a significant undertaking that we are committed to seeing through.”
Today's announcement builds on the suite of dams and water infrastructure projects the Coalition is already investing in and delivering across Queensland, including:
$600 million towards the restoration of Paradise Dam;
$505.65 towards the delivery and construction of Urannah Dam;
$183.6 million towards the Rookwood Weir;
$180 million towards the Hughenden Irrigation Scheme; and
$30 million towards the Big Rocks Weir.
$63 Million To Support Great Barrier Reef Science
22 March 2022
Prime Minister, Minister for Science and Technology, Minister for Defence Industry
The Morrison Government is investing $63.6 million into the vital science and research infrastructure that helps to protect the Great Barrier Reef and support the thousands of jobs and businesses that rely on the natural wonder.
The funding package will significantly bolster the scientific capabilities of Australia’s world leading Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), which has been studying the Great Barrier Reef continuously for 35 years. The $63.6 million includes:
$26.5 million to remediate AIMS' Cape Cleveland wharf, south of Townsville, and an additional $1.5 million in ongoing funding to maintain the wharf.
$37.1 million over three years to increase AIMS’ capability to deliver the critical marine science that protects and preserves oceans and coral reefs.
This includes $5.3 million for design work on a replacement for the AIMS research vessel, the RV Cape Ferguson, which has been in commission since 2000.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new $63.6 million investment builds on the Government’s more than $3 billion investment under the Reef 2050 Plan.
“Australia’s leadership in reef management and reef science is second to none, and this new investment will ensure that we continue to lead the way,” the Prime Minister said.
“This investment will allow our marine scientists to take their research to the next level, and continue to work alongside other scientists, farmers, traditional owners, local communities and tourism operators in our shared endeavour to understand and protect our iconic Great Barrier Reef.
“The remediation of Cape Cleveland wharf will mean scientists can access the research vessels directly from the AIMS site, rather than having to board up in Townsville. It also means that after research trips scientists can seamlessly unload sensitive scientific research samples, including coral, rapidly from the reef to the aquarium complex.
“My Government has a deep commitment to the reef and the evidence based marine science that will protect it for generations to come and support the almost 64,000 people who drive the $6.4 billion reef economy.”
Minister for Science and Technology Melissa Price said the wharf upgrade and the design of a new research vessel would meet essential needs.
“The wharf is critical to delivering AIMS’ science activities, including important Government priorities like the Reef 2050 Plan,” Minister Price said.
Remediation works will be done by raising the sea wall, extending it further into the harbour and construction of a new wharf in deeper water.
“This will minimise the environmental impact as required under the environmental guidelines for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area,” Minister Price Said.
“The wharf is vital to the work of AIMS, allowing its vessels, and research partners, to have direct access from the reef to on-site laboratories and the SeaSim research aquarium.
“A new coastal research vessel will also be needed to replace the aging RV Cape Ferguson. Our support for the design of a next generation vessel will ensure a replacement can be constructed before the RV Cape Ferguson needs to be retired.
“These initiatives will support the critical science and research of AIMS that helps Australia manage threats to the health and future of the Great Barrier Reef.”
Interview with John Mackenzie, 4CA
22 March 2022
JOHN MACKENZIE: This is wonderful news, indeed. We've got the Prime Minister of Australia, he's just flown into Cairns and this is, I think, the second time in about three months. He's on the line now, Scott Morrison, good morning.
PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, John. It's great to be back in Cairns and it's great to be here and to make some important announcements after my last visit, where I was listening carefully to the challenges being faced by the local tourism industry. No part of the country depends more on international tourism, I know that from my own experience, than far north Queensland and so it was good to listen last time and to to be up in town to make some important announcements.
MACKENZIE: I've got to say this. This is how it reads on the Cairns Post front page: Tourism booster shot for far north Queensland. Now it is a $15 million shot in the arm that you're announcing today, which is extremely timely. As you know, our community up here is in so many ways on its knees. We've had people desperate for tourism activity. Not only that, we've got operators going out to the reef and they can't get staff on the decks. They can't get divers, people in restaurants, cafes can't get workers. Everybody's out of town. Now this money, this injection of funds will be spent how to reactivate our tourism industry, Scott Morrison?
PRIME MINISTER: Yeah. Well, this package is all about understanding and recognising what one of the principal, if not the principal driver of the far north Queensland economy, is particularly in Cairns. That is international tourism. So the plan is here. Just add tourists. Get the tourists back and then we will see not only those tourists back in and spending, but that will also obviously encourage many of those who were in the area, coming back, taking up jobs, doing all of the things that make the tourism economy work in far north Queensland.
So it's $15 million specifically for Tourism Tropical North Queensland. When I was last up a few months ago, I sat down with the TTNQ leaders and they took me through a plan as to how they could see our international tourism restored up in Far North Queensland and then involved them being able to go out and reconnect with the international travel industry. And that involves direct joint marketing promotions with those who bring people from all around the world into Far North Queensland. But it's also importantly about reconnecting with all those important travel companies and trade travel trade wholesalers that you bring so many tourists back into Far North Queensland. So that's what they asked for. It's $15 million. I would strongly encourage the Queensland Government to match it.
MACKENZIE: Yes.
PRIME MINISTER: Because all of those benefits will flow directly into TTNQ and into Far North Queensland. It's an issue I raised when we met some months ago. So this funding isn't contingent on a state contribution. They're getting it and they're getting it directly too, I should say. And and that will help them just get on with the job. No one knows better how to engage the international travel industry, than our operators and the great professionals up there in TTNQ.
MACKENZIE: Yeah. Interesting with your background, used to head up TA. And this is very important given that we've got all these smarties, these commentators saying to us now and breaking the hearts of some, we will not get back, we will not be in recovery mode for at least three years until we get the good, the flow of international visitors back again. What are your thoughts? Look into your crystal ball with your tourism background and tell us, what do you think about the term of recovery here?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I'm more optimistic than that, and we're already seeing across Queensland the rebound starting to occur. Now it does take a while for the wheels and the momentum to be moving to ensure that we can achieve all that. But that's why the $15 million that we're putting in as a government, it is in the budget for TTNQ. We put $45 million into Tourism Australia more broadly, and that is also about partnering with airlines, with other travel and trade operators around the world. And then there's further money within that $45 million. There's money around business events, there's money about the consumer marketing initiatives. But what we have to do is, the whole world knows that Australia and in particular, Far North Queensland is one of the most amazing tourism experiences you can have anywhere in the world. The job of this money is not to convince people of that. We want to talk to the people who already know that. People who have been locked up in their homes during the pandemic. People who've been caught, you know, not being able to have a holiday or time with their families properly all around the world, Europe, North America, Japan, South Korea, etc, and say, come now. This is about putting price, product in front of a willing customer who wants to come and have a holiday. And that is a very sharp edged marketing that we'll be doing through Tourism Australia and specifically through TTNQ. So it's all about putting, pardon my expression, bums on seats. It's all about getting people on planes, who love Australia and and putting something in front of them which is compelling, and that means great tourism product, and no one's got better tourism product than Far North Queensland.
MACKENZIE: Yeah. This is really encouraging. I don't know if you're going to have time with Warren today to walk through our CBD. It's on its knees. I think you've probably been told it's shop after shop…
PRIME MINISTER: I've seen it, it's heartbreaking.
MACKENZIE: Well there you go. I'm so pleased you, we need we need a hand up, we need a hand up and a lot of that has to do with infrastructure. I watched you on television last night, South East corner, a big infrastructure rebuild coming up. That's the Olympics. And good on them. That's great. But we need a bit of a hand too. We specifically need a stadium. Our situation here and you know, it pours rain in summer. It's very hot. It's central. We've got capacity at Barlow Park for, say, 10,000, it says at 1,700 in the grandstand. Well, actually it's 1,400 because the others are out in the in the sun, etc. as well. We're desperate for a bit of a bit of a boost and as you know, Warren's probably told you, we need probably something like, now the State Government's promised $40 million heading into the Olympics, another 50 or 60 would get us over the line for a genuine grandstand, not a big one, 12,000, 14,000 or something, but we're now up against people like Toowoomba that don't even have a footy team, as far as I know. We're up against places like Darwin. I mean, they're not even in Queensland. They after a 25,000 seat stadium and they're expecting to secure some Olympics 2032 action as well. So we really are in a battle here, Scott. So any support via Warren Entsch, you can head and send our way would be greatly appreciated.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, you know, Warren's been a champion for infrastructure in Far North Queensland, and our commitments, particularly to the road infrastructure projects, has been significant and we've been doing a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to infrastructure, on health infrastructure as well up in Cairns. And we've been delivering on all of those things, but we also have a 50/50 partnership with the Queensland Government when it comes to Olympic infrastructure. Now I understand that up in Cairns, there is the proposal for them to play a role within that broader Olympic setting. And this is why I always said that our support for the South East Queensland Olympics are more than that. They're an Australian Olympics, they're a Queensland Olympics.
MACKENZIE: Yes.
PRIME MINISTER: We want the benefits of that to be spread far and wide. That's why we're involved as a Federal Government because we want to see it to be everybody's Games, just like the Sydney Games were magnificent and the many other Games that have been on to have had wide benefits and Olympics can do that. And so we're in a 50/50 partnership with the Queensland Government on the important Queensland infrastructure that needs to be built for those games. So we'll continue to work down that path with them. You know, the Premier and I still got a bit more work to do with establishing the OCOG board and the range of other things and getting the infrastructure agencies in place to go and set these priorities. But when I said 50/50, I meant it when it came to this type of infrastructure for the Games. And it's not just 50/50 funding, it's 50/50 shared stewardship, ownership, governance down to how we lead the contracts, how are we making sure this stuff gets delivered. That's the 50/50 responsibility that we're taking, and I understand that. You know, the Cowboys, they're on a good roll, aren't they?
MACKENZIE: Oh, aren't they?
PRIME MINISTER: [inaudible] see them play a few games up there in Cairns. They had a great win on the weekend. So congratulations to the boys there. They're off to a great start.
MACKENZIE: You don't miss much. I watched you on TV last night at the Sharks down at Shark Park. You love your footy, don't you?
PRIME MINISTER: I got a bit excited. I was there. My daughter was with me and you know, I have a habit of embarrassing my daughter. But she was enjoying it too, because she's a Sharks fan, the whole, Jen, both Abbey and Lily are and they love coming to the footy when they can, but it was a very exciting day. Isn't it good to have the footy back on?
MACKENZIE: It is. By the way, I notice in Sydney too, quite a few of your grounds are getting upgraded with the Rugby League's doing a wonderful job down there, so it's timely we're having this discussion. By the way. Shark Park…
PRIME MINISTER: I should stress, that's being done by the State Government…
MACKENZIE: I know, I realise. I'm not putting you in a corner...
PRIME MINISTER: I wouldn't steal their thunder.
MACKENZIE: No, but I'm just saying Shark Park's got a history of needing upgrades. Did you know that was a rubbish tip once before it began, back in '66 I think it was?
PRIME MINISTER: Yeah.
MACKENZIE: And what happened was they just bulldozed the rubbish tip, put the bulldozers over the top, put about four inches of soil in. And when you got tackled, you'd actually try and work out, where are you going to land. Because all the bits of tin and glass pushed through the dirt. You can't imagine Shark Park like that now, can you?
PRIME MINISTER: No, I can't. It's a great place to watch footy, and one of the things about our home stadium, our home park, I should say, is that it it's owned outright by the club and they're doing a lot of property development there, which probably people might have seen from the games site, which means they're making their own way to make all this add up and so good for them for doing it. It only has a capacity now of just over about 10,000 with all that going on. But you know, if the footy is great, that's what matters most, I think. I don't think people mind too much of how long they have to wait for a pie, if your team's winning all else is forgiven.
MACKENZIE: You just talked about the deal with Queensland 50/50 basis. After our discussion, would Barlow Park Stadium qualify on that basis, on a 50/50 basis?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, it all depends what decisions are made within the Olympic authority. So I look, I'm not getting ahead of myself there and I'm not looking to, you know, overstate where we are on those things. But that's the channel we're in at the moment in how we would look at something like that. But we do understand how important infrastructure is to Far North Queensland. We also understand how important things like getting insurance is. That's why, you and I've spoken about this many times the establishment of the $10 billion reinsurance pool that is one of the biggest game changers for Far North Queensland and not just there, by the way, right across the north of Australia. And no one championed that more than Warren Entsch. And can I tell you on this announcement today for tourism, $15 million out of the $60, a quarter of it going directly holus bolus to TTNQ. Warren championed and that he made sure when I came up, I sat down with the team and they took me through it and we went out to Green Island on that day.
MACKENZIE: Yes.
PRIME MINISTER: And we had a really good discussion and that really informed how we're going to spend the rest of the money because it's all about, you know, we don't need to tell more people how wonderful Australia is. They know. And in tourism promotions and marketing, I understand that, but sometimes you just got to focus on converting that into people buying seats on planes. Product and coming and spending money in TTNQ. So in Queensland, in Far North Queensland, so I'm looking forward to that because TTNQ know what they're doing. I've always respected them as a very capable Regional Tourism Organisation.
MACKENZIE: It's very encouraging news for the operators and their workers, of course, are going to be very, very grateful for that. Thank you, Scott Morrison. Great to talk again.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks a lot, John.
Additional funding to attract international visitors
22 March 2022
Prime Minister, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism, Assistant Minister for Children and Families, Member for Leichhardt
The Morrison Government is investing an additional $60 million to bring back international visitors to the regions hardest hit by international border closures.
Australia’s tourism recovery is bouncing back strongly, with high domestic vaccination rates, our international and state borders open, international arrival numbers growing, cruise ships returning to Australian waters, and confidence to travel ramping up.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia remained a world-leading tourist destination because of its unique attractions, high-quality tourism operators and lifestyle.
“Our Government is backing Australia’s tourism industry with a $60 million plan to bring back international visitors, especially to the regions that have been hardest hit,” the Prime Minister said.
“As the world reopens, and travellers get out and see the world again, we want to ensure that at the top of every must-see-list is Australia.
“I have been listening to tourism industry operators about what they will need to rebuild their international tourist businesses and this funding boost will deliver on these needs. The package is about getting people on planes and getting them here. It’s about converting the strong interest in Australia to actual businesses.
“The return of our international tourism market will support hundreds of thousands of tourism jobs, strengthen our economy, and back our world-class tourism operators and the many regions reliant on international visitors, like tropical North Queensland.”
To help attract more international visitors to Australia, the Morrison Government is investing:
$15 million for Tourism Tropical North Queensland to get tourists back to North Queensland and to promote the Great Barrier Reef.
$45 million for Tourism Australia (TA) to undertake additional targeted activities to get international tourists back in to key regional destinations heavily impacted by the loss of international tourism, of which:
$15 million for advertising in crucial international markets to support regions most reliant on international tourists;
$25 million for direct partnership activities for TA to work with trade wholesalers, the airlines and the media to drive international demand back to key regions; and
$5 million to extend Business Events Australia’s highly successful bid fund – which has already helped win 57 events for Australia.
Since March 2020, the Australian Government has provided more than $20 billion in assistance to the tourism and hospitality sector, through JobKeeper, the Cash Flow Boost, and targeted sectoral programs including the Consumer Travel Support Program, Zoos and Aquariums, Business Events Grants, Recovery for Regional Tourism and Tourism Aviation Network Support.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said the additional funding would complement the work already underway to strengthen our tourism recovery.
“Since our international borders fully reopened, Tourism Australia has been promoting Australia to the world through a $40 million international marketing campaign,” Minister Tehan said.
“This campaign is just the start of a long-term strategy to restart tourism to Australia, with further investment in tourism marketing campaigns internationally to come in the second half of the year.
“Our Government is working with the sector on a long-term strategy to grow the value of the visitor economy to $230 billion by 2030.”
Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism Michelle Landry said the Australian visitor economy is ready to welcome back more international travellers into the country.
“The Coalition Government’s additional funding for Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Tourism Australia is proof of our commitment to the tourism industry and our desire to see it bounce back,” Assistant Minister Landry said.
“Tourism operators have shown great fortitude and resilience throughout the pandemic and this additional investment will go a long way to seeing regular international visitors be welcomed back into the North Queensland region.
“As confidence continues to grow, the Coalition Government is ensuring Australia is front and centre when international tourists consider their next destination to travel to.”
Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch welcomed the additional investment.
“The $15 million for Tourism Tropical North Queensland will allow us to use our local knowledge to best promote our region to the world,” Mr Entsch said.
“Australia is the best country in the world and Tropical North Queensland is its best part, we're excited to be sharing it with the rest of the world again.
“Our local tourism operators are looking forward to being busy and showcasing our wonderful region to international visitors.”
Australia-India Virtual Summit
22 March 2022
The Honourable Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, and the Hon Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister of Australia, held the 2nd India-Australia Virtual Summit on 21 March 2022.
Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). They welcomed the substantial progress in deepening political, economic, security, cyber, technology and defence cooperation. They underscored that the bilateral relationship has prospered on the strong foundations of trust, understanding, common interests and the shared values of democracy and the rule of law. They committed to holding Annual Summits to drive closer cooperation.
Leaders looked forward to India’s 2023 G20 presidency and reiterated their commitment to work closely on economic issues of global interests and concerns.
Economic and trade cooperationLeaders committed to deepening the economic relationship under the CSP, including through the Australia India Business Exchange. Prime Minister Morrison was pleased to refer to the launch of the Australia India Infrastructure Forum and Australia’s intention to open a new Consulate-General in Bengaluru and the announcement of new initiatives to drive two-way trade and innovation, including cooperation on standards, future skills and a new Australia‑India Innovation Network.
Leaders welcomed the considerable progress made in the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) negotiations. They expressed satisfaction on the large degree of convergence on many of the elements which are close to finalisation. Leaders re-committed to concluding an Interim CECA at the earliest and work towards an ambitious, full CECA by the end of the year to enhance trade and investment ties and deepen the CSP. Leaders also welcomed the renewal of the Australia India Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation.
Leaders emphasised the importance of an early resolution of the issue of taxation of offshore income of Indian firms under the India‑Australia Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA).
Leaders reiterated their commitment to a free, fair, inclusive and rules-based trade environment. They reaffirmed their commitment to uphold and strengthen the rules‑based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, and looked forward to MC12 which has been agreed to be held in June. They noted the importance of working together to build, strengthen and diversify supply chains and avoid supply chain disruptions.
Climate, energy, science, technology and research cooperationLeaders recognised the significant breadth of science and technology cooperation between the two countries. They welcomed the extension of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) – a pillar of collaboration on science, technology and research – and the commitment to build on the successful 2021 India‑Australia Circular Economy Hackathon.
Leaders underscored their commitment to encouraging nationally appropriate actions to reduce emissions to address climate change, energy security and job creation, and continuing international collaboration, including through the Quad, the G20, the UNFCCC and International Solar Alliance. They noted the contribution of sustainable consumption and production, and resource-efficient, circular economies towards combating climate change. In this context, Leaders noted the importance of mindful consumption, more sustainable lifestyles and reducing waste. Prime Minister Modi reiterated the call for a global mass movement for sustainable lifestyles that promote mindful consumption and reduce waste.
Leaders welcomed the fourth India-Australia Energy Dialogue held between Minister Singh and Minister Taylor on 15 February 2022, supporting wider energy and resources collaboration. They welcomed the Letter of Intent between India and Australia on New and Renewable Energy Technology, which aims at driving down the cost of low and zero emissions technologies to be cost competitive with higher emitting alternatives, and committed to intensify cooperation on clean technologies, including through research and development for the required breakthroughs and through forums like Mission Innovation. Leaders also welcomed further multilateral energy cooperation ahead of the 2022 International Energy Agency (IEA) Ministerial meeting, including Australia’s funding contribution of $2 million to the IEA Clean Energy Transitions Programme to support enhanced IEA‑India activities and to progress a pathway to IEA membership for India. Leaders looked forward to India’s participation in the Sydney Energy Forum on clean energy supply chains in the Indo-Pacific to be held in July 2022.
Leaders noted that the global low carbon transition requires rapid development of clean technologies and equitable access to critical minerals. Leaders reiterated their shared commitment to cooperation on critical minerals and building secure, resilient and sustainable critical minerals supply chains. They expressed satisfaction on the progress made in taking the Implementation Plan forward by the India-Australia Joint Working Group, including technical exchanges between research and scientific organisations, and a bilateral business and investment roundtable. They welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between India’s Khanij Bidesh Ltd. (KABIL) and Australia’s Critical Minerals Facilitation Office (CMFO) for joint cooperation on critical minerals projects.
Leaders welcomed the inaugural India-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Cyber Framework Dialogue held between Minister Payne and Minister Jaishankar on 12 February 2022. They welcomed cooperation on cyber governance, cyber security, capacity building, cybercrime, digital economy, and critical and emerging technologies. They emphasised that technology should be designed, developed, governed and used consistent with our shared democratic values and respect for human rights. They reaffirmed their commitment to an open, secure, free, accessible, stable, peaceful and interoperable cyberspace and technologies that adhere to international law. They condemned attempts to use cyberspace and cyber-enabled technologies to undermine international peace and stability. They committed to working cooperatively to strengthen mutual cooperation in various multilateral fora, including in the United Nations in developing international standards, norms and frameworks for cyberspace.
Leaders recognised the importance of close cooperation on critical and emerging technology, and on establishing diverse and trusted technology supply chains. They welcomed the agreement to establish the India-Australia Centre of Excellence for Critical and Emerging Technology Policy in Bengaluru.
Leaders underlined the importance of India and Australia’s space engagement including Australia’s ongoing support of India’s Gaganyaan Space Program. Leaders encouraged expansion of bilateral space cooperation arising from India’s space sector reforms. Prime Minister Morrison was pleased to announce a dedicated India stream of the Australian Space Agency’s International Space Investment initiative.
People-to-people tiesLeaders acknowledged the strong people-to-people links between India and Australia. Prime Minister Morrison announced the establishment of the Centre for Australia‑India Relations, to be based in Australia, in addition to the new Maitri Scholarships Program, the Maitri Grants and Fellowships Program and the Australia‑India Maitri Cultural Partnership. Leaders’ welcomed the Letter of Intent on Migration and Mobility and called for the early conclusion of a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement, which will support enhanced mobility for students and professionals. Prime Minister Modi welcomed the return of 29 artefacts by the Government of Australia. Leaders also welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation and Collaboration on Broadcasting between Prasar Bharati, India and SBS, Australia.
Leaders recognised the work of both countries to advance gender equality and agreed to continue working together to advance the empowerment of women and girls, including through addressing the gender gap in science, technology, engineering and maths disciplines.
With a view to expanding and optimizing the long-standing India‑Australia education and skilling relationship, and acknowledging the different systems in the two countries for the recognition of education qualifications, Leaders welcomed the arrangement to establish a Taskforce on Education Qualifications Recognition. The Taskforce will deliver a cooperative mechanism, within six months of its establishment, to improve arrangements for the recognition of qualifications (including those earned through diverse delivery modes) for access to higher education, and to support employment opportunities.
COVID-19 cooperationLeaders agreed on the importance of the global interoperability of vaccination certificate solutions. Prime Minister Morrison welcomed India’s Vaccine Maitri Initiative and India’s significant role in global vaccination efforts.
Recognising their strong cooperation through the Quad and COVAX, Leaders reiterated their resolve to promote fair, timely and equitable access to high quality, safe, effective and affordable COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and critical medical supplies globally. They emphasised their ongoing cooperation to ensure delivery of high-quality vaccines to Indo-Pacific and global partners.
Security and defence cooperationLeaders agreed to deepen cooperation to address security and defence threats and challenges and welcomed the establishment of the General Rawat India-Australia Young Defence Officer Exchange Program. They welcomed enhanced maritime information‑sharing and maritime domain awareness. They affirmed their commitment to build upon defence information‑sharing arrangements to coordinate more closely across the Indo‑Pacific. They looked forward to India’s participation in Australia’s Indo‑Pacific Endeavour exercise later this year.
Leaders underscored the importance of reciprocal access arrangements in facilitating deeper operational defence cooperation and its contribution towards free and open critical regional maritime corridors. Leaders reaffirmed following up on opportunities for further defence cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Recognising that terrorism remains a threat to peace and stability in our region, the Leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and the use of terrorist proxies for cross-border terrorism. They reiterated the urgent need for all countries to take immediate, sustained, verifiable and irreversible action to ensure that no territory under their control is used for terrorist attacks, and to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks. They agreed to continue to share information and coordinate on counter-terrorism efforts bilaterally, and in Quad consultations and in multilateral fora.
Regional and multilateral cooperationLeaders expressed their serious concern about the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. They reiterated the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities. They emphasised that the contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, international law and respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of states. They agreed to remain closely engaged on the issue and its broader implications for the Indo-Pacific.
Leaders expressed their shared commitment to a free, open and rules-based Indo‑Pacific, supported by a robust regional architecture, with ASEAN at its centre. They reaffirmed their commitment to an inclusive and prosperous region in which the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states is respected and countries are free from military, economic and political coercion.
Leaders underscored their commitment to the cooperation between India, Australia, Japan and the United States on advancing the Quad’s positive and ambitious agenda to promote regional stability and prosperity. They welcomed the virtual meeting between Quad Leaders in March 2022 and looked forward to the next in‑person Leaders’ meeting in the coming months. They also welcomed the close cooperation between India and Australia on the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
Prime Minister Modi appreciated the briefing by Prime Minister Morrison on the Australia-UK-US (AUKUS) partnership. Leaders recognised Australia’s commitment to not develop nuclear weapons and to uphold the highest standards of non‑proliferation.
Leaders affirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation in the Indian Ocean region and with other Indian Ocean countries, including their support for the Indian Ocean Rim Association. Prime Minister Modi welcomed Australia’s enhanced engagement in the Indian Ocean in maritime and disaster preparedness, trade, investment and connectivity.
Leaders discussed their ongoing cooperation to support the Pacific’s resilience and recovery. Prime Minister Morrison welcomed India’s assistance to Tonga in the wake of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption and tsunami and to Kiribati in in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Prime Minister Modi acknowledged Australia’s role in supporting the delivery of Indian HADR to these Pacific partners.
Leaders underlined the importance of being able to exercise rights and freedoms in all seas and oceans of the Indo-Pacific region, consistent with international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including freedom of navigation and overflight. They emphasised that resolution of disputes should be carried out through peaceful means in accordance with international law without threat or use of force or any attempt to unilaterally change status quo and that countries should exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that could complicate or escalate disputes affecting peace and stability. They reiterated the importance of adherence to international law, particularly as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to meet challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the South China Sea. They called for any Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to be effective, substantive and fully consistent with international law, not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of any nation, including those not party to these negotiations, under international law and support existing inclusive regional architecture.
Leaders called for the immediate cessation of violence against civilian populations in Myanmar, the release of all those arbitrarily detained, including foreigners, and unhindered humanitarian access. They urged Myanmar to implement ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus and encouraged the international community to work together to support an end to the violence.
Leaders reiterated their firm commitment to provide humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, in view of the deteriorating humanitarian situation and also reaffirmed calls on those in positions of power across Afghanistan to adhere to counter‑terrorism commitments and human rights, in accordance with UNSCR 2593. They reiterated their call for protection of rights of women and girls and their full participation in public life. They agreed that a broad-based and inclusive government is necessary for long term peace and stability in Afghanistan.
The meeting reinforced the warm, close bonds between India and Australia and the Leaders reiterated their commitment to driving the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to new heights.
City Deal to transform South East Queensland
21 March 2022
Prime Minister, Premier of Queensland, Minister for the Olympics, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Deputy Premier of Queensland, Queensland Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics Infrastructure, Council of Mayors (SEQ) Chair, Lord Mayor of Brisbane
The Morrison and Palaszczuk Governments and the Council of Mayors South East Queensland (SEQ) have today signed the SEQ City Deal – a joint commitment to deliver $1.8 billion worth of infrastructure that will transform the region.
The SEQ City Deal will deliver a significant package of investments that will generate thousands of local jobs, boost digital and transport connectivity, enhance liveability and support one of the fastest growing regions in the country.
The City Deal is supported by a $667.77 million investment from the Commonwealth, $618.78 million from the state and $501.62 from the SEQ Council of Mayors, plus $75 million from industry.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the SEQ City Deal was all about delivering for the people of South East Queensland.
“This is a partnership for Queensland jobs and Queensland investment to deliver a stronger economy and a stronger future,” the Prime Minister said.
“South East Queensland is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, and with the population expected to continue to grow, it is crucial that we invest in the infrastructure it needs to thrive for decades to come.
“From Brisbane to Toowoomba, Ipswich to the Sunshine Coast and everywhere in between, this Deal delivers for South East Queenslanders.
“We all share a vision of a more connected, liveable and export-competitive region, and this brings that vision to life.
“The economic impact of this major investment will be significant, with more than 30 projects set to generate more than 2,000 jobs, while ensuring that the state is in the best position possible to host a successful 2032 Olympics.”
Queensland Premier and Minister for the Olympics Annastacia Palaszczuk said the cooperation between all levels of government would ensure that the region has the right infrastructure in place as the population grows.
“I have always said we work best when we work together,” the Premier said.
“The City Deal provides vital infrastructure to plan for our growing population.
“That includes new transport links for the Gabba in time for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“The winners are Queenslanders.”
Key projects in the City Deal include:
$450 million for the Gabba Brisbane Metro Station, to deliver enhanced transport connections and support the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games;
$285 million for the SEQ Liveability Fund to deliver projects of social and economic priority for the councils;
$150 million for the SEQ Innovation Economy Fund to support capital projects that promote and grow the region’s innovation economy;
$105 million for resource recovery infrastructure to develop a region-wide approach to managing waste and progress the region to a circular economy;
$70 million for digital connectivity projects to support place based telecommunications infrastructure and improved digital connectivity.
Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said he was very pleased that the sustained work of deal partners over the past three years had now resulted in a deal being concluded.
“With three quarters of the state’s population already living in South East Queensland, it is vital that we plan and invest in the urban and social infrastructure that this region requires to support sustainable growth over the coming decades,” Minister Fletcher said.
“The investments that we are making through this Deal, in partnership with the State and local governments, will leave a lasting legacy on the region by providing improved transport links, important community infrastructure, and high quality jobs across multiple sectors.”
Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said the cooperation between all levels of government will ensure that the region has the right infrastructure in place as the population grows.
“We have seen a recent surge in people looking to call SEQ home, and by 2041, the region is set to grow to 5.4 million residents,” Mr Miles said.
“A new Gabba Metro Station will improve linkages between cross-river rail and the Brisbane Metro at the Woolloongabba Olympic venue that create long-term improvements to the public transport network and transformational city shaping opportunities.”
Council of Mayors (SEQ) Chair and Lord Mayor of Brisbane Adrian Schrinner said the deal is a critical step towards ensuring the south-east corner can cater for a booming population and is ready when the world’s biggest sporting event arrives in just over a decades’ time.
“This deal demonstrates what great things can be achieved when all levels of government work together,” Cr Schrinner said.
“There might not have been a time in our region’s history when such co-operation has been so critically important. SEQ is experiencing significant population growth as more and more Australians discover our unmatched lifestyle and want to call our region home.
“We’re also a decade away from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games which presents a unique chance to showcase our region to the world while establishing a legacy that can continue to deliver for the generations to come.
“This City Deal puts us on a path to manage population growth, deliver the best-ever Games and, importantly, improve the lives of all of our residents through ongoing co-operation.
“We look forward to continuing to work closely with industry and the other levels of government to empower the SEQ City Deal to deliver the needs of our rapidly growing region.”
For more information on the SEQ City Deal, visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/city-deals/SEQ.
Interview with Neil Breen, 4BC
21 March 2022
NEIL BREEN: The Prime Minister, Scott Morrison is in Brisbane today for this big $1.8 billion infrastructure overhaul for South East Queensland. I've been telling you about it on the show. Interestingly, though, he'll be there shoulder to shoulder with the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Good morning to you, Prime Minister.
PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Neil. Looking forward to being up there soon.
BREEN: Well, yourself and the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. You haven't exactly been best of friends over the last couple of years, but you've come together for this announcement after some tense negotiations, we believe.
PRIME MINISTER: Yeah. Well, it's a $1.8 billion investment across state, local and federal government governments, it is a super partnership for South East Queensland. And these are projects we've been working on for some time. And you know, the Premier and I, we just get on with the stuff that we, we, we have to do. We work together to deliver important projects. Always have. I mean, down to the Gold Coast, in addition to that, we've still got the Coomera Connector, that's a billion dollars alone and there's upgrades to the M1 and Varsity Lakes like too, that's $680 million. It's almost two billion in projects also down there on the Gold Coast, which aren't specifically part of this deal, but we've been getting on with those for some time. But the Brisbane city, the South East Queensland city deal, this is all about liveability. It's everything from waste management to improving local amenities to major transport infrastructure particularly out there at the Gabba Hub. And it's also about the jobs of the future and jobs and jobs and jobs.
BREEN: Yeah, the Gabba Hub is central to this. It'll get most of the attention today. It's a $450 million Olympics 2032 driven commitment for the Wollongabba metro station. It's the big interchange that'll be between the busway and Cross River Rail, so all the questions today will be about the Olympic Games. Has the state government spoken to you about the Gabba knock down rebuild? Is that going to be central to an Olympic Games or are we a way off that?
PRIME MINISTER: No, I wouldn't say, we're way off that, I mean, we've been working together ever since winning the bid for the Games. And in fact, the bid for the games was happening in parallel to bringing together the South East Queensland city deal that was originally the mayors who brought forward the idea of going to those Games. We were quick to get on board and we were up there in Japan, actually arguing very strongly for the Games and then working with the Queensland Government. We're thrilled about it. But to that all going ahead and we've got our infrastructure partnerships, as you know, that's a 50/50 arrangement on the major pieces of infrastructure. And we're sticking to that deal and the Premier and I, I'm sure we'll have more discussions about all that. So that's all proceeding and we're working together well on that. And the South East Queensland city deal comes in and connects to that programme, I think in a real positive way to the connectivity reasons you mentioned it. So it is really providing the platform for the Games.
BREEN: That's right, because people have to be able to get around easily, if we do have the Olympic Games. There's plenty of other things on the agenda. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, you'll be asked about all these today. The Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has done an interview with news.com.au and he he's hinted, he's hinted at a fuel excise cut, a temporary one in the budget next week. Do you think we'll be seeing or are we going to be seeing relief at the bowser?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the budget's just over a week away and we're still putting the final touches on all of that. We're very conscious of the cost of living impacts particularly caused by the war in Europe, which is obviously driven up our petrol prices very significantly. And we know that people are feeling that we know that, it won't go forever those spikes in petrol prices, but we know they're having a real impact on people right now. So we've been conscious of that. But what we do as a government, Neil, we don't have knee-jerk reactions. We think through carefully how we can best provide the sort of support that we believe the federal government can deliver. We think that through, we get the design right, we think about the broader issues in the economy and that's what the budget will be next week. It'll all be about that plan to keep our economy strong, for a stronger future, addressing those cost of living impacts where they're really putting pressure on families, keeping our small businesses going and ensuring that they can continue to grow out of this pandemic. Because Australia has an unemployment rate now four per cent, and whether it's on how many jobs we've been able to create the strength of the economy, a stronger economy than all the G7 countries Italy, Germany, France, United States, United Kingdom, Australia has outperformed all of those economies during the pandemic, while at the same time saving over 40,000 lives.
BREEN: Because cost of living has kind of emerged very late as a big election issue in 2022, we had all the other issues bubbling along COVID and everything. Everyone knows what they were. But pensioners, Prime Minister, pensioners are really doing it tough at the moment. And there's this push is being led by Gina Rinehart and all sorts of people about maybe allowing pensioners to work a bit more to supplement their incomes, is that in the government's thoughts?
PRIME MINISTER: Well what is in the Government’s thoughts is today the pension goes up, it goes up by a 15 bucks for a couple and 20 (sic) bucks for a single. And those pension increases, I think, will be welcome. We've already had pension increases up until now, but we understand that living on the pension is not an easy thing and that's why we support at significant cost, and we're very happy for that to be able to done. But you can't support pension increases unless you have a strong economy. And that's why the budget will focus very heavily on keeping that economy strong. We cannot take it for granted and we know our opponents, the Labor Party, they don't manage the economy well, they don't manage budgets well, and Australians know that and that's what's at risk and that's what's at stake in this election.
BREEN: Considering the pressure the Labor Party put on the Coalition over the last 18 months when it comes to the issue of women and Parliament and Parliament House, and the whole thing, is Anthony Albanese a hypocrite for not launching an investigation into the allegations of the late Kimberley Kitching?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, you're right mate, it's Kimberley's funeral today down there in Melbourne and extend to her family and all of her friends who will be there. And there'll be many Coalition members there today, including the leader of the Government of the Senate, Simon Birmingham. He's representing the Government. There'll be many others there. So first and foremost, today my thoughts are with Kimberly's family and friends. It will be a very difficult day. But on the other matter that you raise, Neil, well, the Labor Party and Anthony Albanese in particular has been very quick to throw stones, very quick to make accusations, but when he has to do with the same issues in his own house, well, he shuts up shop and gets into the basement.
BREEN: Penny Wong did the same thing. She shut up shop as well. Does she have questions to answer here?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, principally it's about Anthony Albanese. He's running that shop, he's running that show, and there are serious questions that have been raised and allegations, not made by the Liberal Party, by the way. Not made by Anthony Albanese's political opponents. They have been raised by his own members of Parliament, unions, others in the Labor Party and and it goes to senior people in the Labor Party. And these are not things that have happened a long time ago. These are things that have just happened within weeks, within weeks. So I mean, it really is up to him to address these things and take them seriously. At the moment, he appears to have just dismissed them out of hand.
BREEN: Prime Minister, just quickly, because I have to go. Does it look like President Zelenskyy might address Parliament next week? I know negotiations are underway.
PRIME MINISTER: Oh, we're in regular contact with the President and the Prime Minister. And yesterday, you know, we made some significant announcements about further support, 70,000 tonnes of coal, which they need to power about a million homes there. And to fuel up their amazing resistance, we've put further resources some $20 million extra into our military support and $30 million going into humanitarian aid. And then we're providing the temporary protection visas for those who have come. 5,000 people have already applied to come, just normal visas to come to Australia, which we’ve approved. 750 have arrived and they'll be getting that full settlement service support, access to health care, accommodation support and able to work as well. So we're doing all the things that the President, the Prime Minister asked for me to do and very pleased to be able to do it and keep encouraging them and would welcome any opportunity for him to speak to the Australian people.
BREEN: Prime Minister Scott Morrison, thanks for your time.
Plastic recycling solutions right for Australia
21 March 2022
Prime Minister, Minister for the Environment, Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management
The Morrison Government is driving new investment in sophisticated recycling technology and infrastructure, boosting the Recycling Modernisation Fund to $250 million with a $60 million new funding stream targeted at advanced plastic recycling technology that will tackle problematic plastics like bread bags and chip packets.
The investment, included in this month’s Federal Budget, builds on the $190 million Recycling Modernisation Fund (RMF) which is driving a $1 billion transformation of the waste and recycling sector.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government is committed to stopping harmful plastics from entering our oceans, choking up our waterways and destroying our marine life.
“This new funding stream, dedicated to helping solve the problem of hard to recycle plastic waste, demonstrates our determination to invest in Australian industry, to growing the recycling sector and to creating a stronger economy and stronger future for Australia,” the Prime Minister said.
“Three years ago I made a commitment at the UN to stop plastic waste from entering our oceans, a commitment that has sparked a recycling revolution in Australia.
“That same commitment has supported investment in state-of-the-art recycling technology across Australia, technology that protects the environment, boosts the economy and creates jobs.”
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said the new round of funding will fast-track access to new innovative waste technology, supporting a pipeline of plastic products ReMade in Australia.
“The time to act on hard to recycle plastics is now - fast-tracking advanced recycling infrastructure will help the industry recycle more of the 1 million tonnes of plastic packaging waste we generate every year -creating valuable new products while keeping problematic waste out of landfill,” Minister Ley said.
“This Government has placed waste firmly on the national agenda, through our transformation of the recycling sector, landmark waste legislation, National Plastics Plan and through our leadership at the recent UN Environmental Assembly on stopping plastic waste from entering our oceans.
“Australia has set a high bar as the first country in the world to ban the export of waste plastic, we will continue to take strong action on plastics in our own backyard by investing in technology, manufacturing capability and jobs.”
Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management Trevor Evans said the new round of funding will help increase plastic recycling rates with more access to plastic feedstock.
“The latest round of funding under the Recycling Modernisation Fund will create new demand for recycled materials, giving consumers the confidence that the products they buy are made from recycled content,” Assistant Minister Evans said.
“It will also help drive progress on our targets to have 70 per cent of our plastic packaging recycled or composted and 50 per cent of average recycled content in packaging by 2025.”
Additional support for Ukraine
20 March 2022
Prime Minister, Minister for Defence, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Women, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Minister for Resources and Water, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs
The Morrison Government will expand its support to Ukraine and impose further punitive actions on Russia in response to its unrelenting and illegal aggression against Ukraine. These additional measures will help ensure Russia pays a high price for its blatant violation of the UN Charter and its disregard for international humanitarian law.
Ukraine is showing remarkable courage and resilience as it endures Russia’s unprovoked war.
Following discussions between the Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence and their Ukrainian counterparts, it is clear that Ukraine’s need for military assistance remains urgent and ongoing. In response, Defence has developed an additional $21 million support package of defensive military assistance for Ukrainian Armed Forces, which will bring Australia’s total military assistance so far to $91 million.
To meet Ukrainian priority requests, this package will comprise additional material from Australian Defence Force stocks.
The Government will continue to identify opportunities to provide further military assistance where it is able to provide required capability to the Ukraine Armed Forces expeditiously.
Russia is targeting civilians, causing immense suffering. Today, the Morrison Government commits to an additional $30 million in emergency humanitarian assistance. This contribution will focus on protecting women, children, the elderly and the disabled, and takes the total we have so far committed to $65 million.
To help address education and critical protection needs for children, people living with a disability and those facing risks of gender-based violence, Australia will provide $10 million through non-government organisations under the Australian Humanitarian Partnership.
We will provide $8 million to the United Nations Population Fund to protect displaced women and girls from gender-based violence and ensure access to sexual and reproductive health services.
To help address increasingly severe food shortages, Australia will also contribute $10 million to the World Food Programme.
And to enhance the response of Australian NGOs and their partners in the region, we will provide $2 million to the Emergency Action Alliance Ukraine Appeal – funding which will attract matched private donations.
To encourage Australians to respond to the crisis in Ukraine, we will also amend the Overseas Aid Gift Deduction Scheme’s list of eligible countries. Donations to approved aid organisations that are directly supporting Ukrainian refugees in Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary will be tax deductible.
Australia will continue to impose high costs on Russia. We have so far imposed a total of 476 sanctions on 443 individuals, including many oligarchs close to President Putin, and 33 entities, including most of Russia’s banking sector and all entities responsible for Russia’s sovereign debt.
The Government has overnight imposed an immediate ban on Australian exports of alumina and aluminium ores (including bauxite) to Russia, which will limit its capacity to produce aluminium – a critical export for Russia.
Aluminium is a global input across the auto, aerospace, packaging, machinery and construction sectors, and a critical input into armaments industries.
Russia relies on Australia for nearly 20 per cent of its alumina needs.
The Foreign Minister has imposed the export ban under Australia’s autonomous sanctions against Russia. The Government will work closely with exporters and peak bodies that will be affected by the ban to find new and expand existing markets.
This significant step demonstrates the Morrison Government’s absolute commitment to holding the Putin regime to account for the egregious way in which it is flouting international law and the law of armed conflict by invading its neighbour without justification, and targeting innocent civilians.
Furthermore, Australia will support Ukraine’s energy security by donating at least 70,000 tonnes of thermal coal. This follows a request for assistance from the Government of Ukraine, supported by the Government of Poland, and discussions with other European partners.
The assistance will help keep the country’s coal-fired power generators operating and supplying electricity to country’s power grid, supporting the Ukrainian people by keeping lights on, homes heated, and factories running at this very difficult time.
The Australian Government has worked with the Australian coal industry to source supplies. Whitehaven Coal has quickly arranged a shipment, and the Government is now working with Whitehaven and the Ukrainian and Polish Governments to deliver the supplies at the earliest available opportunity.
The cost of the coal and its delivery to the destination port will be met by the Australian Government.
To help Ukrainians forced to flee from Russia’s military invasion, we will also make available a temporary humanitarian visa to Ukrainians who have arrived in Australia.
This visa will be valid for three years and allow people to work, study and access Medicare.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, the Morrison Government has issued almost 4500 visas to Ukrainians. Over 600 Ukrainians with these visas have arrived and more are coming every day.
The Government will continue working closely with the Ukrainian-Australian community to ensure those arriving from Ukraine will be provided support throughout their stay in Australia. We have provided a grant of $450,000 to community groups to facilitate their ongoing work.
Australia stands with the people of Ukraine, and again calls on Russia to cease its unprovoked, unjust and illegal invasion of Ukraine.
New support package for Northern NSW
18 March 2022
Prime Minister, Acting Premier of New South Wales, Minister for Regional NSW, New South Wales Treasurer, New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience
The Commonwealth and New South Wales Governments will provide $742 million to further support primary industry, businesses, rural landholders, councils and residents affected by the catastrophic flooding event across New South Wales, as part of the next round of support.
This is in addition to the almost $1 billion in emergency response and relief already provided through joint funding packages between the Commonwealth and NSW Governments. Direct Commonwealth disaster relief payments are in addition to these packages.
The fourth phase of support for jointly 50/50 funded programs includes:
$100 million for a Small and Medium-sized Businesses Package in the seven highly-impacted local government areas (LGAs) of Lismore, Ballina, Byron, Kyogle, the Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley and Tweed through two packages:
Support for medium-sized (21-199 full time employees) businesses ($20 million), with grants up to $200,000 available to assist with clean-up, essential repairs and replacement that are not covered by existing insurance.
Support for eligible small businesses that have suffered a 40 per cent or more downturn in their income ($80 million), with grants of up to $10,000 to help meet their operating costs so they can survive during the period in which the local economy is depressed.
$35 million for Rural Landholder Grants of up to $25,000, for impacted landholders state-wide, who are not eligible under existing support mechanisms, including insurance or special disaster assistance, and are able to demonstrate losses and damage beyond the vicinity of the residential dwelling.
The Rural Landholder Grant can be used for clean-up activities, damages or losses that are beyond the vicinity of the residential dwelling. This includes the removal of debris and deceased livestock, maintenance of livestock health, and repairing or replacing fencing.
$150 million for the primary industry sector targeted at assisting primary producers to protect supply chains, and boost recovery and rebuilding efforts.
This includes funding for Critical Producer Grants providing rapid support for significantly impacted primary producers (in addition to existing mechanisms) for recovery and rebuild, and funding for Primary Industry Recovery and Resilience to provide targeted grants for medium to longer-term projects that support supply chain efficiencies and recovery and rebuilding efforts.
$142 million to provide assessment of properties and the demolition of those found to be uninhabitable across disaster-declared LGAs.
An extension of the Recovery Grants currently available for primary producers, small businesses and councils in further disaster-declared LGAs.
The Commonwealth Government will also solely provide the following assistance in the Northern Rivers as part of the fourth phase package:
Up to $50 million for large businesses and major employers in key industries to provide immediate financial assistance in the Northern Rivers.
This package will provide funding to help the recovery of big businesses that are major employers in the region.
In addition, direct Commonwealth financial support through the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) for the disaster-declared seven LGAs in New South Wales, including extra payments of up to $2,000 for residents of Lismore, Ballina, Byron, Kyogle, Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley and Tweed LGAs.
As at 17 March 2022, $653 million has been paid directly to support 596,000 individuals in New South Wales through these Commonwealth Government payments.
The New South Wales Government will also provide the following:
$120 million Local Council Support Package, including:
$40 million to provide grants to councils to address urgent and immediate operational challenges.
$80 million to establish a working capital fund to supplement councils with flood and disaster recovery where residents are unable to pay their rates.
$145 million for the urgent repair and replacement of water and sewerage critical infrastructure capacity in the Northern Rivers disaster-declared LGAs.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Federal Government was following through on continuing to support the entire Northern New South Wales community as they continue to recover.
“We will continue to support thousands of residents and businesses in Northern New South Wales, by giving them the support they need to get back on their feet,” the Prime Minister said.
“This support package gets money in the hands of our small and medium-sized businesses and our farmers so they can rebuild and support the whole community to recover together.
“To date, my Government has provided New South Wales with $1.7 billion in direct funding to help communities rebuild and we will continue to back in those businesses and residents that need support.”
Acting New South Wales Premier Paul Toole said our regional communities are resilient, but they need the right support to rebuild and bounce back stronger than ever, and they need that support now.
“These regional communities provide vital resources for a huge part of the NSW population, so it’s critical money lands in the hands of local residents, our farmers, and business owners impacted by the floods to help keep the engine room of our state moving,” Mr Toole said.
“This latest package will provide valuable support to the hardest-hit communities of Ballina, Byron, Lismore, Kyogle, Richmond Valley, Tweed Shire, and Clarence Valley.”
Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience Bridget McKenzie said that this new support package for NSW will assist businesses in flood-affected communities to get back on their feet.
“The floods have had a devastating impact on our communities in Northern NSW, causing enormous upheaval to lives and livelihoods. This new package will support businesses and communities to repair the damage, stimulate local economies, and help communities to move forward,” Minister McKenzie said.
New South Wales Treasurer Matt Kean said the Government was committed to providing support to the many families, businesses and communities that have been so severely affected by these terrible floods.
“Many of these communities have been hit by a full spectrum of disasters these past two years. Now as the clean-up continues in earnest, this package will deliver support for their immediate recovery,” Mr Kean said.
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the seven most heavily impacted areas of Lismore, Richmond Valley, Tweed, Ballina, Byron, Kyogle and Clarence Valley would receive $150 million worth of funding support to assist businesses and employers within the Northern Rivers region get back to work.
“This commitment includes $100 million for small-to-medium sized businesses and not-for-profit organisations,” Ms Cooke said.
“With the clean-up continuing in earnest, we are also pleased to extend the Clean Up and Recovery Grants to the additional 13 disaster-declared Local Government Areas (LGAs).”
This latest package for NSW focuses on support for businesses impacted by the flooding and is jointly funded through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
There are now 58 LGAs in NSW eligible for assistance under the DRFA. This includes the additional LGA of Port Stephens.
People in NSW requiring disaster recovery support are urged to contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or nsw.gov.au/floods.
Two new University Departments of Rural Health for WA
18 March 2022
Prime Minister, Minister for Regional Health, Minister Assisting the Minister for Trade and Investment, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, Member for Forrest, Member for O'Connor
More nurses and allied health workers will be trained in WA’s South West and Goldfields regions as part of a $36 million push from the Morrison Government to boost local health workforces through new University Departments of Rural Health (UDRH).
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new additions would encourage more graduating health professionals to practice in the South West and Goldfields regions.
“University Departments of Rural Health boost the rural primary care workforce, improve health outcomes in rural and regional communities, and give students a taste of what it’s like to work in the bush,” the Prime Minister said.
“I welcome Edith Cowan University as a partner to the Program, as the 22nd university to provide increased rural and remote training across Australia under the program.”
Curtin University will build on its existing medical training presence in the Goldfields region, establishing a UDRH for nursing and allied health training to complement its rural clinical school.
Today’s announcement builds on the recent Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program expansion, which included ongoing funding for a new UDRH to be located in Emerald in Central Queensland.
A former regional doctor, Minister for Regional Health Dr David Gillespie said the RHMT program was a key part of the Government’s commitment to addressing health workforce shortages outside the cities.
“We know from an independent evaluation that the RHMT program supports universities to deliver teaching and training to an equivalent, or higher, standard than that of metropolitan settings,” Dr Gillespie said.
“We also know that health professionals who graduate from rural placements are more likely to stay in the bush, where they are sorely needed, because they appreciate the professional and personal benefits of working in those communities.”
Member for Forrest Nola Marino and Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson welcomed the two new UDRHs.
“This is a very important initiative that will help address health workforce shortages in the South West – the fastest growing region in WA,” Mrs Marino said.
“Access to health care is a huge issue across the Goldfields so this commitment is a game changer for our region which I have been fighting hard for,” Mr Wilson said.
“A UDRH based in Kalgoorlie means we can grow our own workforce and create more local jobs in health.
“It is fantastic that Curtin University with local partners will deliver the program out of the School of Mines and I thank them all for their commitment to make this happen.”
The 2020 RHMT evaluation also found the program has direct economic and other benefits for regional and rural communities.
The new UDRHs will focus training activities in Modified Monash (MM) 3 to 7, or large rural towns to very remote communities, and strengthen the ongoing participation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations in activities across the RHMT program.
The Prime Minister said the new UDRHs would have a real impact on health workforce numbers in the regions.
“The program extension we’ve announced today will result in 3,000 additional placement weeks per year at full implementation – that’s up to 500 more students gaining rural clinical experience in Western Australia,” the Prime Minister said.
In 2020, more than 14,200 nursing and allied health rural placements were delivered across Australia, equating to over 65,000 placement weeks.
This initiative expands the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training program, which will now support 22 universities, forming a national network of 19 Rural Clinical Schools, 19 UDRHs and 26 Regional Training Hubs.
Government awards Major Project Status to Kalgoorlie Nickel Project
18 March 2022
Prime Minister, Minister for Industry, Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Minister for Resources and Water, Member for O'Connor
A new critical minerals mine and processing plant in Kalgoorlie will be given Major Project Status in a move by the Morrison Government to streamline approvals and coordination and bring thousands of jobs to the Eastern Goldfields region.
The $1.165 billion Kalgoorlie Nickel Project will produce cobalt-nickel ore which will undergo a process to produce Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate, which is used as raw material in the growing international battery market.
Projects awarded Major Project Status have access to extra support from the Major Projects Facilitation Agency, including having a single-entry point for Australian Government approvals, project support and coordination.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said declaring Major Project Status would bring the operation to life sooner.
“With 1,500 jobs each year for the three-year construction and 500 jobs a year for the 25-year operation, this Project is a major project and will get every support possible from my Government,” the Prime Minister said.
“It’s projects like this that help build a stronger economy and secure a stronger future for the region and for WA.
“With the project in its early phases now, declaring it a Major Project will get more tradies on site, and more workers into town sooner.”
Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the Morrison Government was backing local industries which were investing in and supporting technologies to help Australia and the rest of the world meet emissions reduction targets.
“This proposed facility has huge potential to contribute to the growing international demand for lithium-ion battery minerals that will underpin a range of emerging clean energy applications, including electric vehicles and everyday items such as smart phones and laptops,” Minister Taylor said.
“Unlike Labor, the Morrison Government is supporting a balanced approach to driving down emissions that will generate new jobs and not tear them down, all the while keeping power prices low for households and businesses.
“The Morrison Government recognises the enormous economic growth and job opportunities these projects provide for regional Australia. We have now granted Major Project Status to 12 significant critical minerals projects across Australia which will inject more than $8.7 billion into our economy and support over 7,500 construction jobs and over 3,800 ongoing.”
Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt said granting Major Project Status for the Kalgoorlie Nickel Project was another step forward for Australia playing a major role in the global critical minerals market, which is expected to grow exponentially over the coming decades.
“This project directly contributes to our Critical Minerals Strategy by increasing the supply of highly sought-after materials for the lithium-ion battery supply chain and has the potential to boost Australia’s sovereign capability,” Minister Pitt said.
Federal Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson said he welcomed significant projects like the Kalgoorlie Nickel Project that bring jobs and investment to the Goldfields region.
“Providing support to this project will help boost Australia’s position in the global critical minerals processing industry and add to regional WA’s reputation as a major contributor to the nation’s booming resource sector,” Mr Wilson said.
Today’s commitment follows a $119.6 million investment by the Morrison Government this week to build an integrated Nickel Manganese Cobalt battery material refinery hub in the Kalgoorlie region – the first facility of its kind anywhere in Australia.
Major Project Status still requires the project to meet all relevant Commonwealth and State regulatory approval processes.
More information on the Major Projects Facilitation Agency and the full list of current major projects is available on the Major Projects Facilitation Agency website.
Virtual Annual Leaders' Meeting with the Prime Minister of the Republic of India
18 March 2022
I am pleased to announce that I will host the Honourable Shri Mr Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, for a Virtual Annual Leaders’ Meeting on 21 March 2022.
This will be our second Annual Leaders’ Meeting since Prime Minister Modi and I announced the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020.
Australia and India’s strong bilateral relationship is based on mutual understanding and trust, a commitment to democracy, and a shared vision of an open, inclusive, resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
Prime Minister Modi and I will discuss deepening our trade and investment relationship and harnessing new economic opportunities to support our mutual economic recovery and growth.
Central to these endeavours are strengthened cooperation in defence and security, science and technology, and critical minerals and clean energy.
We will also discuss a range of regional and multilateral issues, including the situation in Ukraine and its implications for the Indo-Pacific, and Myanmar.
I look forward to reaffirming our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and advancing our shared bilateral and regional agenda.
Major boost for the Perth City Deal
17 March 2022
Prime Minister, Premier of Western Australia, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Western Australian Minister for Transport, Planning and Ports, Vice-Chancellor of Edith Cowan University
The multibillion dollar Perth City Deal is set for a major funding boost by the Morrison and McGowan governments to bring the centrepiece inner city campus of Edith Cowan University (ECU) to life, and to deliver the iconic new Swan River Bridge.
Both Governments have announced an additional $49 million for the ECU campus while ECU has also provided a $60 million boost, taking the value of the landmark project to $853 million - with the Australian Government investing a total of $294 million, the Western Australian Government $199 million, and ECU $360 million.
The major construction contract for the new ECU campus has also been awarded to Western Australian builders Multiplex; while a consortium made up of companies Civmec Construction and Engineering Pty Ltd, Seymour Whyte Constructions Pty Ltd and WSP Australia Pty Ltd, will construct the bridge.
The Swan River Bridge is being jointly funded by Morrison and McGowan governments on a 50:50 basis, with each providing an additional $25 million to the project, bringing the total $100 million.
Today’s funding announcements take the total value of the City Deal to $1.69 billion.
The additional City Deal funding is required to address the current challenging construction environment and labour market, allow design improvements, and enable more manufacturing work to be undertaken locally.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Perth City Deal was already helping to transform the city.
“The Perth City Deal was a long term partnership between all three levels of governments and the private sector to bring more jobs, more investment to WA that will create a stronger economy and a stronger future for Perth,” the Prime Minister said.
“ECU project is a key to the Perth City Deal that would inject 7,500 construction jobs and 2,300 ongoing jobs into the city.
“The new ECU campus will not only reinvigorate Perth’s city centre, but it will redefine Western Australia’s higher education offering by bringing together more than 10,000 students plus staff generating tourism, filling up bars, restaurants and hotels and bringing more people to local shops and businesses.
“The new Swan River Bridge, which will be built and manufactured locally in Western Australia by Western Australian workers, will become an iconic part of the Perth skyline across the river, providing better transport connects to and from the CBD.
“This injection into the Perth City Deal means boots on the ground and tradies on site even sooner, with major works expected to start later this year.
“We’re bringing the jobs and opportunities from the Perth City Deal to life to deliver the stronger economy that secures a stronger future for WA.”
Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan said these job-creating projects were part of the extensive investment his government was making in infrastructure and transport for the future.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime transformation of our city centre, attracting thousands of people into the heart of the city during the day and night, creating activity and vibrancy throughout our CBD,” Premier McGowan said.
“We believe ECU will attract investment in Perth, boost the visitor economy, provide benefits for CBD businesses and further cement Perth’s reputation as a great place to live, work and visit.
“The Swan River is an iconic part of Perth, and it’s only fitting that we deliver a bridge constructed locally by Western Australians.
“This project will create and support hundreds of local jobs, while providing a new walking and cycling opportunity for our local community.
“This is a key part of the Perth City Deal that will see more than $1.6 billion invested in projects across our CBD, supporting local jobs, local businesses and encouraging people back into the City.”
As well as the new ECU campus and Swan River Bridge, the $1.69 billion Perth City Deal includes:
Investment in Curtin University's Historical Heart Cluster, including the expansion of the Graduate School of Business and Law School and the creation of a healthcare and clinical training facility.
Investment in Perth's cultural attractions, including the Perth Cultural Centre rejuvenation, the Perth Concert Hall Redevelopment and the WACA redevelopment and public swimming pool. These investments will create vibrant, safe and attractive offerings delivering improved liveability, cultural and tourism outcomes for the city.
Investment towards the celebration of Western Australia’s rich Aboriginal culture and history, including important community consultation and engagement, feasibility studies and preliminary design work for the Perth Aboriginal Cultural Centre.
The CBD Transport Plan, an investment to improve active and public transport accessibility and safety in the CBD, increasing the attractiveness and sustainability of the city for residents and visitors.
Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the additional funding and contract award for the ECU campus paves the way for construction to begin on the world-class creative industries, business and technology campus, with schematic designs now complete.
“The Morrison Government is providing significant support for the new ECU city campus, with $294 million now committed to make sure we can deliver the full project scope and meet forecast cost pressures in the construction market,” Minister Fletcher said.
“The economic impact of the development will also be significant, with the project estimated to provide a $1.5 billion boost to the WA economy over the next four years.
“This is yet another example of the Perth City Deal, now worth nearly $1.7 billion, delivering for Western Australians, creating jobs and economic stimulus while securing the long-term prosperity and liveability of Perth.”
Western Australian Minister for Transport and Planning Rita Saffioti said the new bridge would be six metres wide and significantly higher than the current Causeway Bridge, with dedicated pedestrian and cyclist lanes providing safer access for the more than 1,500 cyclists and 2,000 pedestrians who use the path on the existing Causeway Bridge daily.
“Civmec has delivered some of our iconic bridges, including the Matagarup Bridge and the Kids Bridge, next to the Perth Children’s Hospital,” Minister Saffioti said.
“Set to become another iconic structure, the new Swan River Bridge will be fabricated locally in Henderson.
“With an estimated 540,000 cycling trips undertaken on the current Causeway Bridge, the new structure will provide a safer, easier option for cyclists and pedestrians.
“As we have seen with the Matagarup Bridge, the new bridge will become a meeting point for cyclists, pedestrians and families, while also providing a new tourism experience.
“The design of the structural elements of the bridges derive inspiration from the stories of Fanny Balbuk and Yagan - two key figures associated with Heirisson Island.
“Development work and early engagement with key stakeholders including Aboriginal representatives, recreational and commercial river users, local businesses and key local government agencies is currently underway.”
ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Chapman said this was an exciting milestone for the ECU city campus – Multiplex’s extensive experience in large and complex construction projects both here and abroad will help us realise our ambitious vision of a landmark for Western Australia.
“The construction of ECU City will also offer rich and diverse opportunities for local subcontractors, as well as exciting student outcomes, including apprenticeships, work integrated learning and mentorship programs for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students,” Professor Chapman said.
“Our city university will definitively change the heart of Perth and be one of the most digitally-advanced campuses in the world.”
Q&A, Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA
16 March 2022
AARON MOREY, CHIEF ECONOMIST, CCIWA: Prime Minister, it is great to have you back here in this glorious kingdom that is Western Australia. We are really excited to have you here and the message from you today is really clear, you want to partner with the WA business community and we don’t think you could choose any better partner. I mean a faithful, hardworking, mutual respect, maybe not physical affection but nonetheless just about every trait you’d want to see in a partner we’ve got it here for you. So it’s great you’ve got that vote of confidence in the WA business community. Because CCIWA are certainly very passionate about the ability of the WA business community. Last year we comprised 60 per cent of national exports, largely thanks to Rio Tinto and its peers and the legion of SMEs that support them. Let's just go to your announcements today, and indeed yesterday, so significant announcements in defence, supply chain resilience, advanced manufacturing. Most of the questions coming through on Slido does relate to that geopolitical situation, Prime Minister and in particular, China. You mentioned wheat, you mentioned rock lobster, these are sectors, I mean rock lobster, 95 per cent of our exports go to China. What's the endgame here Prime Minister? Many of these men and women will be wondering, do they continue to invest in those relationships and in that country going forward? What can you tell them about our prospects for maintaining a trading relationship with China or are they wasting their time?
PRIME MINISTER: Very important question. Australia has to be resilient in a different world, and no business, I think, seeks to put all of its eggs in one basket. A conscious strategy and risk diversification is a sound one and there have been significant opportunities in the Chinese market in the past. But the China we're dealing with today is very different to the one that John Howard dealt with, and many of my predecessors did. It has taken on a very different tone. And most distressingly, we've seen that in the course of this outrageous invasion of Ukraine. I was the first to call out, frankly, the lack of response from China in relation to what's happening in the Ukraine, and I'll continue to do that. And the reports that we see reported in the media are very concerning and the United States have been very clear about their position. If there's any suggestion of Chinese military support for Russia and our view is exactly the same, we are in lockstep with our allies and partners when it comes to that issue. The sheer fact that there would be even a suggestion of that is deeply concerning.
Now I say that in answer to your question, because I think the context is important and I’d be encouraging businesses not just here in Western Australia, but right across the country, to bear in mind that as they manage their risk, what markets they’re in. And I'd love to tell you that there will be a massive change in that relationship in the next few years. But, I can’t do that, and that's not because of Australia. I mean, we're not the ones who have chopped off diplomatic discussions at a leader level or ministerial. We're not the ones who are applying bans on their export of products. We're not the one who is insisting that they open up to more foreign investment in their country. We have a liberal democracy and a liberal economy that is facilitating investment on our terms, on our national interest terms and will continue to do that. And I'm very grateful to Australian industry and particularly in those producing sectors that have borne the brunt of the economic coercion and bullying that we've seen from China. And they have responded in many ways. And I would encourage them to continue to manage their risk in that way. But that said, when you look at the volume of trade between Australia and China, I think that what it says is, in large part that has continued because it's in their interest for that to continue. And trade always requires both sides of the table to be benefitting and where that continues to occur well I imagine that trade will continue and the ongoing engagement between private industry and business with markets like China is very important and I would continue to encourage that. But obviously, the political and diplomatic level, the situation is very, very different because Australia has faced very real coercion, threats and foreign influence here in this country, which we have called out and as an Australian I'm very proud of the role that our government has played in calling this out. I've talked about the arc of autocracy. We've been clear-eyed about threats Australia and the broader world faces and we've been one of the prime movers in waking the rest of the world up to that.
AARON MOREY, CHIEF ECONOMIST, CCIWA: Thank you for that Prime Minister, that’s a really useful sort of insight from you on that. Let's sort of go to the announcement today in a bit more detail, as well simply around the development of those critical minerals. You mentioned the Quad, the importance of the Quad. I mean, in terms of the, so we've talked a lot about your activities very much on that supply side, getting the market ready, getting the business community ready. What about the demand side, what role will your government play in, let’s say, facilitating business discussions with United States investment partners? That sort of activity as well.
PRIME MINISTER: A strong one and we already have, and we're already- I've been in those discussions for several years now. I raised it with President Trump when he was in the White House and continued those conversations with President Biden and their administration. We've had the same discussions and made progress, whether it be in Japan with quite a number of the European economies, which are obviously in need of the sorts of things that Australia produces and have raised these issues in India as well. And as part of the Quad, the beauty of the Quad is it brings together in the four of us, both the producers and the end users and processors. And this is what I think is one of the most practical, important jobs that the Quad has. The Quad obviously addresses security issues around our pandemic response in the region, humanitarian issues and all of this. But a big part of what we have put on the top of our agenda in engaging with the Quad has been where are the rare earths critical minerals supply chains because as we know, there is one big player. In critical minerals and rare earths, they control, dominate and intervene and disrupt the market for their own benefit. And it is in the interests of other countries to have a robust, sustainable supply chain alternative to the current monopolistic practices we're seeing. And that's what we focussed on in the Quad. So the answer to that is yes. We've told our partners in this area that, you know, the resources industry here, which is the best in the world, has a number of things it can choose to process and to take out of the ground and for rare earths and critical minerals to stack up, there has to be the assistance that we're doing as a government to support the scale that is necessary to meet those markets. But that has to be met by the certainty of offtake agreements which justify and back up that investment for the long term and offtake agreements that aren't distracted by the price of the cutting and monopolistic behaviour of our competitors.
AARON MOREY, CHIEF ECONOMIST, CCIWA: That's a really good point. We believe in democracy here at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA so we will be asking the highest rated question or most liked question on Slido so thank you from an anonymous source.
PRIME MINISTER: I'm not going to play the ukulele, I’m not. I know they want me to.
AARON MOREY, CHIEF ECONOMIST, CCIWA: No they’ve asked you to get a state daddy tattoo. No, only joking. So the question Prime Minister, all the plans mentioned today supporting much larger businesses. Your core support comes from small business. How are you planning to support them?
PRIME MINISTER: Well I can go through the litany of tax cuts and other incentives we've already put in place through the pandemic. And there's nothing that makes me frankly more proud than to walk into manufacturing businesses and other businesses around the country and see two things. One is, the first thing they do is they take me to that new piece of plant equipment and I'm talking about businesses with five people, 20 people, and they take me to that and say we bought that because of the instant asset write off that you put in place and what thrills me about this? In the middle of a pandemic, when their revenues were down, they look past the pandemic and the opportunities on the other side and they invest. The thing I love about the instant asset write off that we put in place is it backs the confidence of Australian small businesses. It's not a grant. They have to get the loan, they have to do the procurement, they have to take it on. We just allow it to be written off in one year and that helps. But that sort of support backs in the decision and confidence of Australian small and medium sized businesses, and it's been an enormously successful initiative. The other thing they do then is they then take me to the apprentice or the ten that they have in their business because at the start of the pandemic, Michaelia Cash, and Josh and I, the thing we were most concerned about right at the start was that we were going to lose a generation of skills as apprentices would have been laid off and they just wouldn’t have come back and we would have lost a generation of skills. And the record investments that we made in training and skills and apprenticeships and the Boosting Apprenticeships programme and similar programmes means we have 220,000 in trade training today, which is the highest number on record and those records began in 1963. So whether it's lower taxes down to 25 per cent, whether it's lower taxes delivered through the instant asset write off, whether it's the support for training and skills that enables those small businesses to keep those apprentices on, which means right now I am meeting apprentices who have finished their apprenticeship in their fourth year, which is still in the business, which means those businesses can now take advantage of the opportunities that are coming their way. The last point I would make on that is on that is, you know, it's one big economic ecosystem, and the big projects we're seeing in Henderson, they’re not likely to be done by a prime, this work goes all the way through that supply chain down to the smallest businesses. And I think whether it's the defence industry, Melissa Price will tell you this, it's the connectivity in the defence industry supply chain. Now, the large primes can't do what they do unless the small firms that are here in Western Australia can do what they do and benefit from that and in sharing in that benefit is critical to the success of the defence industry.
AARON MOREY, CHIEF ECONOMIST, CCIWA: Thank you Prime Minister. Let's go to the economic reform debate. I mean, you responded to questions on this last week at the AFR business summit. Obviously, there are still reforms that we can undertake, whether it's around permanent immigration. I know you responded on that issue last week, but whether we can make it easier around streamlining labour market testing, that sort of thing, taxation reform, workplace relations reform. I mean we are losing more days to industrial action now than we have been in a decade. Obviously, next term we'll get two types of government, the type of government that leaves those fundamental challenges in the too hard basket or the type of government that rolls up their sleeves and has another crack. Now clearly the DNA of your government is in the latter. You had a crack on company tax with Mathias last term, you had a crack at workplace relations this term with Christian Porter. Obviously, you were let down by the Opposition on those issues, leaving the Opposition aside for a moment. Can you basically promise to these people, these men and women trying to do the best they can for business, that you will continue to push for those reforms should you win government into the next term?
PRIME MINISTER: You make a very good point. People know what we stand for, they know we stand for lower taxes. They know we stand for sensible, practical, responsible changes to how the industrial relations system works. And during the pandemic, we sought to work with the unions and across the aisle, in the middle of a pandemic, where you would think there was some national bipartisan commitment to actually move on a number of these things, EPBC Act changes, the same thing. But there wasn't. So we haven't changed our spots. Sadly, the Labor Party hasn't changed theirs, and the Labor Party continue to resist all of the things you just mentioned, as you highlighted yourself. On the tax front, having Mathias and I fought that battle together, and that's what enabled us to at least get the tax rate down to 25 per cent, ultimately, for businesses under $50 million in turnover. Having not been able to go down the broader route we changed direction and started focussing on investment allowances and the R&D tax concessions and found other ways to bring down the effective tax rates on businesses in this country so they can invest, and we will continue to look for opportunities to do that. But on industrial relations, you asked me about small business before and you know, big companies, and there are a number here, Rio, and others here today, I mean they have the big legal teams and the human resources departments that can get engaged in these issues and try and sort this all out. But for small and medium sized businesses they will be at the mercy of an often militant, union driven government backed in by the Greens as well. And what does that mean? Well, we did get through the reforms that were positive to deal with the casualisation issues, and that was our highest priority and we did deliver that. But there were so many other things. And what you can see in that is that a Labor government supported by the Greens and a militant union movement will see the Australian Building Construction Commission gone. So if you think it's hard to build something at the moment, the labour shortages you've got now, well add a premium to that for a Labor government here in Western Australia. But I will give Mark McGowan great credit on this. Mark and I, as I said, agreed on those EPBC Act changes, we wanted them done. Don't make the mistake that federal Labor under Anthony Albanese is the same as state Labor under Mark McGowan. They are not the same thing, they are just not the same thing. Mark McGowan is going to be Premier after this election, regardless of who you vote for. But if you vote Labor, you’ll have Anthony Albanese as the Prime Minister, and that is a very different outcome for the people of Western Australia.
AARON MOREY, CHIEF ECONOMIST, CCIWA: Thank you, Prime Minister. We are already 10 minutes over time. CCIWA we do respect people's time, we could ask questions all day, but I do have one final line of questioning for you, Prime Minister. When we shared the stage last year, you boasted of your ability to keep your family's chickens alive, as people would know the Prime Minister famously built a chicken coop one weekend in the early stages of the pandemic, and you were very proud last year, Prime Minister, that all chickens lived and were producing many eggs. My final question Prime Minister, do the Morrison family chickens still live?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, sadly my daughters probably won’t want me to say this publicly, but sadly, we lost one to illness, which was a shame but the other three are going well, producing famously well, and Buddy and Charlie, the cat and the dog are also doing incredibly well as well.
AARON MOREY, CHIEF ECONOMIST, CCIWA: I'm sorry to hear that one died, but luckily keeping chickens alive is not a necessary precondition for being an effective Prime Minister, but nonetheless very sad to hear about the chicken’s welfare. Prime Minister, the demands on you are relentless. I mean, for some people, it doesn't matter what you do, it will never, ever be enough. I think it's important at this stage of the parliamentary term to recognise everything that has gone right and everything that your government has achieved. You mentioned, obviously the GST reform, which is significant for Western Australia. But I think for me personally, what stands out very much is the response of the government when coronavirus ripped across the world and in particular, JobKeeper. While other countries around the world, including the United States, made significant policy errors, JobKeeper kept the fabric of the economy together. There's been talk of a mental succession here in Western Australia. I can assure you that on behalf of all the men and women in this room that we all Australians first, thank you for being our Prime Minister. Ladies and gentlemen, please thank our Prime Minister.
PRIME MINISTER: Thank you.
Doorstop - Burswood, WA
16 March 2022
SENATOR THE HON. MICHAELIA CASH, ATTORNEY-GENERAL: Well, ladies and gentlemen, good morning, and it is great to be here today at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia breakfast joined by, of course, my Western Australian colleagues Linda Reynolds, Melissa Price and Ben Morton. But the man we are here to see is, of course, the Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison. It is great to have our Prime Minister back in Western Australia, as he said this morning at the breakfast, he has been a long time visitor to our state, even before he went into politics. And now that the borders have reopened, it is great to have him back on the ground and certainly at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Breakfast this morning.
The Prime Minister reminded us all, governments don't create jobs. Businesses do. Employers do. Governments put in place policies that under Scott Morrison and his team, enable businesses to prosper, to grow and create more jobs for Australians. And certainly, we're able to highlight today that economic support for businesses in Western Australia that the Morrison Government provided throughout COVID 19, over $14 billion of federal support was provided to Western Australians, whether it be by JobKeeper, by JobSeeker or other policies that were put in place to ensure that Australians maintain that connection with their employer. But of course, we're also able to talk about the return of the fair share of GST to Western Australians. We can never forget that our Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, was the Treasurer at the time that the GST deal was sealed, and it wasn't just about delivering a fair share of GST back to Western Australia. It was about bringing all the other states in Australia with us, and we were able as that strong WA federal team to do that. And again as the Prime Minister said today, this is not a one off. This is a deal that is signed, it is sealed and it is delivered. And in 2019/20 and 2021/22 alone, Western Australia, as a result of the GST deal, has received almost an additional $5 billion. It's $5 billion we did not have before we returned WA’s share of GST back to them and over the next forwards, we can look forward to as Western Australians around $2.6 billion each year that we would otherwise have not received if it was not for the Western Australian Federal Liberal team, and at that time Scott Morrison, as our Treasurer, now as our Prime Minister working with us to deliver this deal for Western Australia.
And of course, two major announcements have been made whilst the Prime Minister has been on the ground in Western Australia, which again just go towards backing Western Australians each and every step of the way. And of course, yesterday, out at Henderson, an investment of up to $4.3 billion in Western Australian shipbuilding with our first dry dock. And then today at our breakfast, critical minerals. As we know Western Australians, we want to be front and centre of any investment in critical minerals, and the Prime Minister today was able to make some incredibly important announcements. So it is great on behalf of the Western Australian federal Liberal team to have our Prime Minister Scott Morrison back in Western Australia and Scott over to you.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, thank you, Michaelia. It's tremendous to be here with so many of my Western Australian team and many more like Ken and others are out there right now, Vince Connolly and so many others, Andrew Hastie who I was with yesterday, who did a great job here from Western Australia and Michaelia, you've made the right point and that is because of my Western Australian team and because of the closeness of the Western Australian team of Liberals that form our government, we've achieved a lot for Western Australia in just the last three years. Just the last three years, including the pandemic, we've delivered an extra $20 billion to support Western Australians through this crisis that some more than $14 billion directly in economic supports and economic support through JobKeeper and cash flow assistance and all of those measures. There's been over $800 million directly that we've put in to support the WA health response through the 50/50 partnership on hospitals and the many other measures from vaccines to mental health. And then on top of that, the $5 billion, the $5 billion that has been delivered already in the additional GST that has come through the fair GST deal, which I initiated, which I legislated as Prime Minister with the full support of my Western Australian team, but not just my Western Australian team, because we were able to carry our whole team, our national team, not as some favour to Western Australia. It wasn't about a favour to Western Australia, it was about fairness for Western Australia, and that fairness was in the national interest and we took that on and we succeeded. And Western Australia now going forward is $2.6 billion on average, better off every single year in additional payments being made to ensure GST is a fair deal for WA, that’s some $13 billion over the next six years. That's more money for hospitals, it's more money for schools, it's more money for police and nurses and teachers. That is what that GST fair deal means for Western Australia, and I think it's going to continue to make a big difference. It's not a one off. It's a forever deal for Western Australia that we've secured and that we've legislated and it will never, ever change under my government. We built it. We'll keep it because we know how important it is.
But that's not the only way we're backing in Western Australians. As Michaelia has just said, we understand that Western Australia is a powerhouse of the Australian national economy. One of the important reasons why Australia has fared better than all of the G7 nation economies, the most advanced economies in the world during this pandemic, with 260,000 more people employed after the pandemic than we had before. And the fact that we've saved 40,000 lives in Australia, including here in Western Australia, one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, and Western Australia now leads that pack across the country and that we can say that under the global index, Australia is the second most prepared country in the world for pandemic preparedness. All of this has happened by backing Western Australians in Western Australia's economy being such an important part of the national economy. The unemployment here in Western Australia has already gone below four per cent, and that's going to happen for the rest of the country under our economic plan.
But one of the ways you achieve that here in Western Australia is you're serious about backing in the resources industry, in the mining industry here in Western Australia. Now we don’t just say that as Liberals, we mean it, whether it's our agreement with the Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan, we wanted to change the Environmental Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act, the EPBC Act, to ensure that it was simpler, that it was fairer, that decisions could be made quicker and investments could flow into Western Australia. The Premier and I agreed that we had to do this, and so we put the legislation forward. Labor and the Greens opposed it at a federal level. Federal Labor under Anthony Albanese is not the same as state Labor under Mark McGowan. There are two very different animals, and we've worked very closely with Mark McGowan here in Western Australia to deliver and support the path he has been on and to ensure that the economic dividend, especially in our resources sector, continues to be realised.
And we've done the same with our defence industry investments. Just in the last two days yesterday, $4.3 billion up to that and investment in the dry dock facility we discussed yesterday. Today, more than $400 million investment in realising Australia's critical minerals and rare earths industry, and that's especially here in Western Australia. Two companies specifically benefiting from direct support to ensure that they can realise their potential. This is how you grow a strong economy. This is how you get a strong economy for a stronger future. And in this election, that is the choice. The choice is who can best manage our economy going forward, who can best manage our national finances. It is our government that has kept our Triple-A credit rating throughout the pandemic and over our entire time in government, and we've done that by making sensible, responsible decisions and you'll see that in the budget in a fortnight's time. Sensible, responsible decisions, but at the same time, address the need to grow our economy and support Australians with the cost of living pressures that they are facing. The budget will be there to support Australia's ongoing recovery, but not just that, but to build our economy for the future in the same way we have, which has made Australia one of the most resilient economies in the world through this crisis. And that is in no small part due to the very outstanding efforts here in Western Australia. Happy to take some questions.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you have spoken about the importance of your West Australian team. Is your friend Ben Morton, he's standing behind you, going to still be a part of that team after the Election Day or is he going to the lose his electorate?
PRIME MINISTER: I have great confidence in Ben in his seat. Ben has done outstanding work in his seat and he's best placed to go out there and advocate that. And will and I have absolutely no doubt that he will be supported because of the work that he has done and what he's been able to deliver everything from support to basketball stadiums to ensure that the support is happening in apprenticeships and trainees and mental health support and hospital and health care support throughout his electorate. So we have the record of delivering these things when we've got record levels of health and hospitals funding. Our hospitals funding for Western Australia since we've come to government has increased by over 80 per cent, over 80 per cent. Now that is almost double what the increase has been at a state level. So we've been delivering for Western Australia from GST to hospitals to pandemic support, to backing in the important industries that create the jobs here in Western Australia. And if you're by choosing and choosing to re-endorse Ben Morton as the Member for Tangney, you're choosing to endorse and support these outcomes that they know that they've been experiencing.
JOURNALIST: The latest polling suggests Tangney is in danger. If you lose four seats in WA, it's going to be very hard to retain government, isn't it, if you lose WA?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, this only highlights the importance of the choice between the Australian people. Now, Western Australians know that it was our government that delivered the fairer GST deal. It's our government that has supported the resources industry. It's the Labor Party that didn't move on GST when they had the opportunity. We did. It's the Labor Party that has not backed the resources industry here in Western Australia at a federal level. The state level, very different, state Labor completely different to Albanese Labor at a federal level. It's not the same thing. At the next election, whoever you vote for, Mark McGowan will be the Premier the next day and if we're returned at the next election, I will continue to work closely with the Western Australian Premier to get the right outcome for Western Australians and the national scene as well, and we've been a good partnership to that end. But what you would have if the government is not returned is Anthony Albanese as the Prime Minister of this country. Someone who has never held a financial portfolio in all of his time in government, never done a budget, never held a national security portfolio. And this is someone who is seeking to be Prime Minister at a time when we face the biggest global shocks not only to our energy economy, but also our broader global economy and the national security challenges that we face in terms of what has occurred all [inaudible] in Europe. But most significantly, here in the Indo-Pacific.
Now we've demonstrated the experienced steady hand on economic management and national security. These are things that Labor often pretend to but never deliver on. And probably the best example of that on national security is if we kept defence spending as a share of the economy on what was set up by Labor when they were last in power, which was the lowest level since before the Second World War, then there would have been $55 billion less invested in our Defence Forces from that day to this. $10 billion less in this year alone. So you can't claim to have the same views when it comes to national security when you've done that. You can't claim as Labor does that you have the same experience on managing the nation's finances when they, we've already demonstrated, would have spent $81 billion more during this pandemic than the government. That's not how you keep a Triple-A credit rating in the middle of a pandemic.
Labor knows how to start spending, but they never know how to stop. We knew we had to spend during the pandemic to get the economy through, but we also know when it's the responsible time to stop that and start returning the fiscal management, the money management of our economy and of the government back to more normal settings. And the Treasurer will have a bit more to say on that.
JOURNALIST: The National Security Committee is meeting today. Is there any consideration being given to sanctions on China, for its silence over Russia?
PRIME MINISTER: One thing that has disturbed me from the outset, apart from the obvious in terms of Russia's violent and illegal invasion of Ukraine, has been the chilling silence that we saw from China. And I think there is a real lack of transparency in the relationship between China and Russia. Now, at a time when the rest of the world is applying sanctions to Russia and seeking to impose a heavy price on them for their violent and aggressive actions, China actually relieved trade restrictions or trade measures on Russia on wheat, for example. Now that sends a terrible message. China seeks to present itself as playing a positive role in global affairs to maintain peace and stability. The lack of transparency in relationship with Russia is a great concern in our region, not just to liberal democracies. And I think it's time for these sorts of issues to be made clear.
JOURNALIST: Is there potential for sanctions on China for its silence?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we will move in lockstep with our partners and allies on these issues, and the United States has made some very clear statements about this and we support those statements. We support those statements and we support them because we think it's important that the whole world comes together to put an end to this terrible violence and aggression by Russia in Ukraine. There is no there is no equivalence, as China has seemed to have present between the claims of Ukraine and Russia. There is no equivalence. The rest of the world is not gone anywhere to suggest that. And I have been concerned that there has been some implicit support that has been there for the claims of Russia in Ukraine by China. I don't agree with that. Australia doesn't agree with that. Our partners and allies and liberal democracies around the world and Europe and other places in North America do not agree with that. And so I think it's very important for China to be very transparent about what is their relationship with Russia, what is their relationship with Russia when it comes to throwing them an economic lifeline during this global crisis? And potentially what, if any, support has been discussed for military support for Russia? Because that would be an abomination.
JOURNALIST: What do you say to claims that Kimberley Kitching was bullied by members of the Labor Party before her death?
PRIME MINISTER: These are very distressing claims, and I don't think they can be just dismissed. But more significantly, I feel terribly for Kimberly's family that at the time that when they are grieving so badly and her close friends and there she had close friends on both sides of the aisle and her funeral will be next week, as I understand it. I know there will be many Coalition members there as well. Kimberley Kitching was unique. She was a true patriot, and the reason she had so many friends on our side is because she stood up very strongly for issues of our national security and sovereignty. And she worked closely with members like Andrew Hastie here in Western Australia, who became a good friend of Kimberly. And so these reports of her treatment are not ones that I can confirm, obviously, as the leader of the Liberal Party, but there are certainly things that I would expect not to be dismissed and to be taken very seriously and addressed.
JOURNALIST: Should the Labor Party launch an investigation?
PRIME MINISTER: Look, I'm going to leave those matters to the Labor Party. I deal with matters in our party, both as the leader of the parliamentary party and as the Prime Minister, but I don't think they can be dismissed. They obviously need to be addressed and particularly out of respect for the late Senator Kitching and, of course, her family and her friends. But my main message is to them, it is just a terrible shock. It was a terrible shock to us all that it was like when we lost our dear friend Don Randall many years ago here in the West, almost in very similar circumstances, and died of a heart attack while he was in his car. And for many of us, it brought back those memories as well. So I do understand how so many in the Labor Party would be feeling at the moment. But these are the stories that have come forward. They have come forward from the Labor Party and the union movement. And clearly, they need to be addressed. And I'll leave that to the leader of the Labor Party to address.
JOURNALIST: [Inaudible] has warned against a cash flush in the upcoming budget to avoid furthering inflation. Is that something you're considering and will it be a more reserved budget outlook?
PRIME MINISTER: I think we have to be very careful about those issues and that's why we have to take responsible decisions and always have. The reason we've kept our Triple-A credit rating in Australia is because ratings agencies have understood what we were doing in our budgets, that they understood that we'd been targeted. And this is one of the key principles that we articulated at the start of the pandemic. We said we would be targeted in the supports that we provided, that they would have a start date and they'd have a stop date. That there'd be a pathway in and there'd be a pathway out. And we were very clear about that. And the Labor Party, they opposed us on that. They said they supported JobKeeper, but then they attacked us when we turned it off. And if it had been left to the Labor Party, they would have spent $81 billion more during the pandemic on these measures. Now, to give you an understanding of the scale of that, that is almost three times what we spend on Medicare every single year, and this is the risk that Labor presents. They know how to start spending, but I don't know how to stop because they aren't able to accept that responsibility for financial management. People know Labor can't manage money. We've seen it every time. And in this pandemic, our government has both done what we've needed to do to support the economy, so it had its strength to rebuild after the pandemic. But now that process is well underway that we continue to must be targeted in the things that we do, so we don't add to those inflationary pressures. And the headline inflation in Australia was running around at 3.5 per cent, about 2.6 per cent on underlying inflation. The average under my government, by the way, is around 2.1 per cent. Now what we're seeing overseas inflation over five per cent in the United Kingdom and approaching eight per cent in the United States. And so managing inflation is incredibly important, and that means a lot of this election because inflation rising means higher interest rates and high interest rates for the millions of Australians for whom that is a major part of their of their weekly budget.
And so as we go into this election, there are many, many pressures and who's best able to manage inflation? Who is best able to manage the pressures on rising interest rates? Who's best able to manage the budget and ensure that we get our economic supports right? And particularly here in the West is who's going to support the resources jobs? Who's going to support the mining jobs and stand up for the mining industry here in Australia, like the Liberals and the Nationals here across the country? Because that's what we've always done. Thanks very much everyone.
Supercharging critical minerals manufacturing
16 March 2022
Prime Minister, Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction
Australia’s critical minerals sector and the job-creating industries that rely on it are being supercharged under the Morrison Government’s $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative.
The Government has today announced over $243 million in support for four projects under the Collaboration Stream of the Modern Manufacturing Initiative, which will create over 3,400 jobs over time and cement Australia’s place in the rapidly growing critical minerals, electric vehicle and battery markets.
This includes:
$119.6 million for Pure Battery Technologies’ $399 million Western Australian pCAM Hub, in partnership with Poseidon Nickel, will build an integrated nickel manganese cobalt battery material refinery hub in the Kalgoorlie region. The site will become home to a growing workforce with 380 construction jobs and 175 initial permanent jobs from 2023.
$49 million for a $367 million project led by Australian Vanadium, to process high-grade vanadium from its Meekatharra mine in WA and transported to its Tenindewa plant powered by clean hydrogen from partner ATCO Australia. This highly sought-after critical mineral will then be transformed into energy-storing batteries to fuel the growing domestic and overseas market, with more than 740 jobs to be supported.
$30 million for Arafura Resources’ flagship Nolans Project near Aileron, in Central Australia, the first of its kind rare earth separation plant in Australia and only the second outside China. The $90.8 million project, located in the Northern Territory, will leverage Australia’s mineral processing expertise to develop rare earth separation technology not currently available here now, creating 650 jobs at the peak of construction and new high-value export opportunities.
$45 million for Alpha HPA’s $330 million project with Orica to construct a high purity alumina production facility near Gladstone that will help meet the rapidly expanding demand for lithium-ion batteries and LED lights, with more than 300 jobs to be created from this year.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the projects were key to securing manufacturing in Australia and the thousands of jobs that come with those industries.
“Projects like these make for a stronger economy and a stronger future for Australia,” the Prime Minister said.
“These projects are about manufacturing the products and materials Australians need and the world needs, by making them right here at home.
“We’re helping grow the local critical minerals processing and clean energy industries and locking in the future of those industries by backing manufacturing projects in Australia.
“The $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative is a key part of my Government’s plan for a stronger economy and a stronger future for our country.”
Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said these projects would help us capture even more parts of the global supply chain, while at the same time helping us power our lives here at home.
“The things we use every day like our smartphones, computers and rechargeable batteries need to be made with critical minerals. They are also needed to make solar panels, electric cars, defence technology and many other high-tech applications,” Minister Taylor said.
“Australia is lucky to have some of the largest reserves of the critical minerals and metals which drive the modern global economy. But China currently dominates around 70 to 80 per cent of global critical minerals production and continues to consolidate its hold over these supply chains. This initiative is designed to address that dominance.
“These projects are not only game-changers for the local region with the creation of new jobs, they will also open up incredible export opportunities.”
Australia is a global leader in resources technology and can build greater capacity in critical minerals processing by leveraging our vast natural resources, huge investments in R&D and proximity to the growing global market.
Under our Modern Manufacturing Strategy, Australia’s regional manufacturers are playing an important role in seizing this opportunity.
Investment To Unlock Potential Of Australia's Critical Minerals Sector
16 March 2022
Prime Minister, Minister for Resources and Water
As part of our plan for a stronger future, the Coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to support the growth of Australia’s critical minerals sector, announcing a package of measures to help unlock the industry’s significant potential.
The measures, which are part of the 2022-23 Budget, include a $200 million Accelerator grants program, $50 million to support research and development and an updated industry strategy.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia’s resources companies were leading the world in developing new critical minerals markets.
“The world is becoming a more uncertain place and we want to secure Australia as a reliable partner for local and global businesses that need the critical minerals we have right here,” the Prime Minister said.
“We’ll dig them up right here. We’ll refine them right here. We’ll look to make the products that use them right here.
“These suite of initiatives are about backing our home grown resources industry just like Liberals and Nationals always have.
“As the global economy changes, there are exciting new growth opportunities emerging in areas such as rare earths and critical minerals that ultimately mean we can deliver a stronger economy for Australia and secure a stronger future.
“Critical minerals are used in more and more essential products. That means there are huge opportunities to backing the Australian critical minerals with programs like these, to be a partner whose products are high quality and consistent. A partner people can trust to deliver.”
Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt said the Accelerator initiative will provide grants to strategically significant critical minerals projects at the early to mid-stage to fast-track them to market.
“By backing these important projects, we are also driving private sector investment to enhance Australia’s strong international reputation as a reliable supplier of the resources the world needs,” Minister Pitt said.
Minister Pitt said the 2022 Critical Minerals Strategy, launched today, sets out to grow our critical minerals sector, expand downstream processing and help meet future global demand.
“The Strategy will cement Australia’s position as a leading producer of critical minerals, while contributing to our national security and economic prosperity,” Minister Pitt said.
“Developing and diversifying our resources sector strengthens our national economy, delivering jobs and growth opportunities, especially in regional Australia.
“While the Greens openly talk about partnering with Labor to destroy Australia’s resources sector, the Government strongly supports the industry and today’s announcement builds on our strong record of delivery.
“A strong economy means a strong future for Australia, and resources are a significant contributor to that.
“Our resources and energy exports hit a record high value of $348.9 billion, and are projected to hit $379 billion in 2021-22.
“Australia is blessed with extraordinary reserves of the critical minerals needed by sectors including defence, aerospace, automotive, energy, telecommunications and agritech.
“We produce around half the world’s lithium and we are the second-largest producer of cobalt and the fourth-largest producer of rare earths.
“We have the potential to do so much more and we are taking action to grow Australia into a critical minerals powerhouse.”
Minister Pitt said Australia’s large critical minerals reserves, our technical expertise and track record as a reliable and responsible supplier, enable the sector to respond to increasing global market demand.
“We can also expand into downstream processing and embed Australia in global supply for technology ranging from mobile phones to fighter jets,” Minister Pitt said.
Minister Pitt said the Government has also committed $50 million over three years to establish the virtual National Critical Minerals Research and Development Centre, which will draw together expertise from CSIRO, Geoscience Australia, and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.
“This Centre will build Australian capability in critical minerals processing, target technical bottlenecks in strategic supply chains, and drive breakthrough collaborative research,” Minister Pitt said.
“The Centre’s projects will help unlock new sources of economically viable critical minerals, and diversify supply chains of strategic interest to Australia and our allies.”
The 2022 Critical Minerals Strategy is available on the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources website.
Multi-Billion Dollar Large Ship Infrastructure For Henderson, Western Australia
15 March 2022
Prime Minister, Minister for Defence, Minister for Finance, Senator for South Australia, Minister for Defence Industry, Minister for Science and Technology
The Morrison Government will invest up to $4.3 billion to deliver Western Australia’s first large-vessel dry berth, creating a world-class precinct at the Henderson shipyard and supporting thousands of local jobs.
The Henderson dry-dock will enable the construction and sustainment of large naval vessels in Australia and support an even stronger commercial shipbuilding and sustainment market in Western Australia.
Government-owned Australian Naval Infrastructure will oversee the design and build of this nation building infrastructure, with work to start in 2023 and initial operations to commence in 2028.
The Commonwealth will work closely with the Western Australian Government and industry to develop a comprehensive master plan for the defence precinct at Henderson to ensure this investment fully supports our national naval shipbuilding enterprise effectively.
This project is likely to create at least 500 direct construction jobs at its peak and thousands more through local sub-contracts and the national supply chain. Once completed, this infrastructure will help support at least 2,000 direct shipbuilding jobs at Henderson, particularly as continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia comes to fruition as part of the national naval shipbuilding enterprise.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that Western Australia was a central pillar to the Government’s commitment to growing sovereign capabilities and turbocharging our national naval shipbuilding.
“This is a $4.3 billion vote of confidence in Western Australia’s shipbuilding capabilities, jobs, training and the critical role that Western Australia plays in defending Australian and powering our national economy,” the Prime Minister said.
“This multi-billion dollar infrastructure investment will transform the Henderson maritime precinct into a world-class shipbuilding powerhouse, and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to naval capability in the West.
“This investment in WA’s future will ensure we can build, as well as sustain larger vessels in Australia, turbocharging our national naval shipbuilding endeavour and creating thousands of job opportunities for West Australians.
“Henderson, HMAS Stirling and Fleet Base West all form a key part of our maritime capability and our nation’s security, particularly given the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean, and will continue to do so for decades to come.”
Minister for Defence Peter Dutton said the project builds on the Government’s previous $1.5 billion commitment to infrastructure improvements at HMAS Stirling and the Henderson maritime precinct.
“The Morrison Government is committed to delivering the sovereign shipbuilding outcomes outlined in the 2020 Force Structure Plan and the 2017 National Naval Shipbuilding Plan, and Western Australia is central to them,” Minister Dutton said.
“This decision will ensure that we can meet the Navy’s future requirements as we undertake the enormous investments in the maritime capabilities we need to keep our nation safe in the decades ahead.”
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the investment would generate economic and jobs growth in Western Australia, building sovereign defence industry in the region, with Australian industry requirements being built in from the beginning.
“This is a significant infrastructure project that Australian industry is already supporting through concept work and there will be significant future job opportunities for Australian industry throughout design and construction, and once it’s up and running,” Minister Price said.
“The project will build the capacity and capability of sovereign defence industry in the region, particularly in the advanced manufacturing sector, with Australian Industry Capability requirements in contracting arrangements.
“The infrastructure will also support Defence’s $90 million Regional Maintenance Centre due to be operational in Henderson in the second half of 2022 to enable a level of maintenance to be conducted on all surface fleet units and creating 40 jobs.”
Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham said that utilising Australian Naval Infrastructure for the design and build of this advanced facility would be crucial to maintaining sovereignty in our shipbuilding and sustainment infrastructure.
“Using ANI as our partner in the Henderson dry dock ensures we capture their experience from the Osborne Shipyard and maintain maximum sovereignty and flexibility in design, construction and management of this future facility in the decades to come,” Minister Birmingham said.