Media Releases
Interview with Paul Murray, Sky News
1 April 2022
Paul Murray: For those who believe that nothing is happening whatever when it comes to the national debt, what does this Budget actually do to start to tackle the debt?
Prime Minister: Already in the last 12 months, because our economic comeback has been so strong because of what we’ve done, we’re already $100 billion better off. That’s the biggest economic recovery in the shortest period of time that we've seen in 70 years. And when you support the economy, particularly when it's really necessary to do so, you know when to start and you know where to stop - that’s what drives your growth up. And we've been able to get people out of welfare and into work. And that's what repairs your Budget. That's what brings the deficit down year after year after year.
Murray: Now the election campaign is going to get very personal, and I’ll get to that in a second. But just one line that each-way Albo was pushing around in Question Time today was that somehow Medicare was under threat. Now, this Government is going to spend more money on Medicare than’s ever been spent before. And also, something that they always leave out about health, is that you’ve been able to list literally thousands of drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme that means people …
Prime Minister: Yep.
Murray: … are being instantly helped. Yet still, the attack’s going to be that somehow you’ve done something nasty to health.
Prime Minister: Well, that’s a complete lie, and, you know, they do that all the time. Everybody remembers the Mediscare of 2016. Apparently that was the end of Medicare. We have bulk billing now at the highest rate it's ever been. We've got record investments in Medicare, record investments in hospitals. We've had to commit more than $40 billion on health for the public health response to get us through COVID. It's been the strength of our health system that has enabled us to have one of the best, if not the best, health record, pretty much of anywhere in the world, when it comes to death rates from COVID, and saved over 40,000 lives.
But on Medicare, this is what the threat to Medicare is. During the course of the pandemic, yes, of course, we had to lean in. If we hadn’t of leant in and done JobKeeper, 700,000 jobs would have been lost. Businesses would have been emaciated. There'd be no economy on the other side of the pandemic, which many countries are now struggling with. We kept our economy together and to, and we saw it through, but we knew when to stop. You’ll remember that Labor was going, “Oh, you can't take JobKeeper off, you’ve got to keep it there. You won’t have jobs,” and all this sort of thing. Anyway, we just made the hard decision about when to start and when to stop. Now, Labor, had we done what they’d asked, they would have spent another $81 billion during the course of the pandemic. Now, that includes, of course, you know, the $6 billion that they were going to pay to people to have a vaccine they’d already had. Genius, Albonomics.
But putting that together, what that means is $81 billion is almost three times what it costs to run Medicare each year. So that's the threat to Medicare. If you can't manage money, if you can't keep your economy strong, if you don't have an economic plan, you can't pay for Medicare. And you're right about medicines - 2,800 medicines. Now, Trikafta is one of those. We just, we just listed just now. That's for cystic fibrosis. Now I chatted to a lovely young fella, he's just turning 12, and he'll have access to this drug - usually cost you $80,000. Cystic fibrosis is awful. These young kids, they can't breathe, their quality of life is just so, so destroyed. And for many, it's a terrible journey. This drug changes his life. And when I was speaking to him, he says, “I can ride my bike with my mates. I can go and play basketball. I can just be like the other kids.” And these pharmaceuticals, they don’t just save lives, they change lives, they improve the quality of life. And I think one of our best boasts as a country is that we do that. And when Labor were in power and they couldn’t manage money, they had to stop listing medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. If you can’t manage money, you can't deliver on health. So Anthony Albanese, he can say any number of things. He's going to promise to do this, that and every other thing. But the thing that depends on what, determines whether he can do it is if you've got an economic plan, which he's had three years now to deliver. Sorry, too late, mate, buzzers gone, you didn’t have an answer.
Murray: Their Shadow Finance Minister yesterday thought, aha, I’ve found the hole in the Budget, a secret $3 billion cut. Turns out, they don’t …
Prime Minister: Yes.
Murray: … know the difference between a decision that's been not announced versus announced. A $3 billion mistake. Yet it was very barely recognised.
Prime Minister: Yeah.
Murray: What a screaming admission about their inability to manage the country. That's not, that’s not a backbencher. It's not a, somebody freewheeling.
Prime Minister: No.
Murray: That's the Shadow Finance Minister.
Prime Minister: Yeah, and it was sneaky, Jim, too. It was the Shadow Treasurer. He was all very pleased with himself. And I said, “It's really simple, Jim. When you take it out of that column, you put it in to this column over here. One balances out the other. And so no cuts. That's how decisions taken but not yet announced works.” Now, I would know that, as would the Treasurer. Done four Budgets as a Prime Minister, three Budgets as a Treasurer, and an additional Budget as a member of the Expenditure Review Committee. My first budget was back in 2015-16. So that’s eight budgets.
Now, my opponent, Anthony Albanese, he was in government for six years and he wasn't even on the Expenditure Review Committee for anything more than just six weeks right at the end with Kevin Rudd. Now, if they’re not going to trust him when they were in government to sit on the Budget Committee of their Government over six years, then why on earth - if Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard for all that time didn't trust him to sit on the Budget Committee - why on earth should the Australian people have him as Prime Minister to run it?
This election is a choice. It's not a referendum, it's a choice, and choices have consequences. It’s not like deciding, you know, who should be voted off the island on Survivor or something like that. It's not a reality television show. Australians understand the significance and importance of elections. So expressing opinion on a poll or tapping on an online survey or something like that, nothing changes as a result of doing that. You get in that booth, you get the pen out, and you pick the Liberal candidate or the Labor candidate, the Liberal Member of Parliament or the Liberal candidate or the Labor Member of Parliament or candidate. What you do in that box determines the economy you're going to live in for the next decade. It's going to determine the national security of this country.
And that's certainly what happened at the last election when people chose to elect us. When I was elected for the first time as Prime Minister just three years ago, I said I’d keep the economy strong, and we have, despite what we've had to face. I said I’d keep Australians safe, and I've put in place one of the biggest defence agreements the country has seen, the biggest since ANZUS 70 years ago, and we have been at the centre of revitalising the partnership with Japan, India and the United States, which is known as the Quad. I said we’d do these things. I said we'd get people into their own homes - 300,000 Australians have got in their homes.
So people know, and they got the consequences they were seeking, which was a stronger economy and keeping Australia safe. A vote for Labor means weak at leadership. It means weak leadership, which means a weak economy, which means they lose.
Let’s talk about me and my team. So it's me or Anthony Albanese. He said in the Parliament today, he was red and green. And I know what he's referring to, but I said, mate, that's truer than you think. You are red and green. You are really red and green. Labor and the Greens. That's who he is. And so when you look at our team, I mean, it's me or Anthony Albanese as Prime Minister. It is Josh Frydenberg or Jim Chalmers. Pretty easy decision on that one too. The bloke who’s done four Budgets as Treasurer, and the bloke who used to advise Wayne Swan on how to do Budgets. Could you imagine, there he is, Jim, if he was Treasurer, getting on the phone, phone a friend, and saying, “Ah, g’day, Wayne. How do you think I should do that?” Well, you know what Wayne's answers would be. And then you got, who do you want, Marise Payne as Foreign Minister, who has worked with me to secure all these incredible foreign agreements, AUKUS and things like this, or Penny Wong. And then defence. You know, you've got Peter Dutton, who we all know is an outstanding Defence Minister, the cyber security package he's brought down in this Budget, first class, absolutely first class. Or you can have Brendan O'Connor. Now people might go, “Who?” Good question. I'll tell you who. He was the bloke who was the Border Protection Minister in the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd Government. He couldn't keep the borders safe. So how on earth does people think he'd be able to keep Australia safe? But, you know, it seems that he might be for the boot. Even Anthony Albanese doesn't seem to think he's the right person for the job, so if he can't get his own leader's confidence, well, goodness me.
So this is the choice - there’s team with experience and a focus and a record and a plan all backed up by a strong economic plan, or the relics of an old failed Labor Government that haven't learned the lessons. They’ve been in opposition all this time, and they still don't have an economic plan. If you don't have an economic plan, you don’t have a plan.
Murray: That's the Prime Minister, I had a chance to talk to him a little bit earlier in the day.
Investing in Papua New Guinea's energy and roads sectors
1 April 2022
Joint Media Statement with the Hon. James Marape MP, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Prime Minister James Marape have welcomed $158 million (PGK415 million) in agreements under the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) to upgrade key power and road networks across Papua New Guinea.
The two Prime Ministers recognised the importance of working together to deliver high‑quality, transformational infrastructure projects, which are critical to Papua New Guinea’s prosperity, and economic recovery from COVID-19.
Australia will support an $86 million (PGK226 million) financing package to improve Papua New Guinea’s national power infrastructure and connect more than 30,000 households, schools and clinics to electricity. Access to electricity is key to improving development outcomes. This partnership will connect many communities in Morobe and East New Britain provinces to the grid for the first time.
Australia’s financing is part of the PNG Electrification Partnership, and supports the Government of Papua New Guinea’s objective of connecting 70 per cent of PNG’s population to electricity by 2030.
Australia is also investing $72 million (PGK189 million) to upgrade road infrastructure in key economic corridors across Papua New Guinea, connecting communities and supporting improved access to markets.
The financing will enable the rehabilitation and maintenance of approximately 359 kilometres of priority roads, including the Sepik Highway in the East Sepik and West Sepik provinces, and the Wau Highway in Morobe Province.
Prime Minister Marape welcomed the agreements.
“This financing will assist my Government to progress our priority Connect PNG Strategy, increase strategic connections across Papua New Guinea, and build up critical infrastructure in the power sector,” Prime Minister Marape said.
Prime Minister Morrison said the partnership would support the development of critical infrastructure in Papua New Guinea, and provide a significant boost to the local economy.
“Australia is pleased to support the development of high-quality infrastructure across Papua New Guinea’s diverse regions, and build on our strong record of supporting critical infrastructure across the Pacific,” Prime Minister Morrison said.
“This partnership will employ Papua New Guinean workers and use local materials where possible to help stimulate the local economy and assist in its economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The agreements recognise the critical importance of Australia and Papua New Guinea’s bilateral partnership and build on the joint ambition established through the Papua New Guinea-Australia Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (CSEP).
Australia will continue to partner with governments and the private sector in Papua New Guinea, and across the Pacific, to respond to infrastructure needs and support our shared interest for an open, resilient and inclusive Pacific region.
Australia to impose tariff increases on all imports from Russia
31 March 2022
The Australian Government is taking further action to increase the economic costs to Russia following its illegal invasion of Ukraine, supported by Belarus, by applying an additional tariff of 35 per cent for all imports from Russia and Belarus.
On 1 April 2022, Australia will issue a formal notification withdrawing entitlement to the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) tariff treatment and applying an additional tariff of 35 per cent to all imports from Russia and Belarus. This will take effect from 25 April 2022 and will be in addition to general duty rates that currently apply.
This action follows Australia’s joint statement, with other like-minded members of the World Trade Organization, strongly condemning Russia’s actions and committing to take all actions we consider necessary, as WTO members, to protect our essential security interests.
Australia stands in solidarity with Ukraine against Russia’s aggression and the Morrison Government is providing $91 million in military assistance.
To support the people of Ukraine, we are providing $65 million in humanitarian assistance, 70,000 tonnes of thermal coal to support Ukraine’s energy security, as well as temporary protection visas and assistance to Ukrainian community groups in Australia.
We continue to work with partners to impose the maximum costs on Russia, through targeted sanctions on individuals and entities, the prohibition of energy, oil and gas products from Russia, and a ban on exports of alumina and aluminium ores (including bauxite) to Russia.
This includes listing more than 500 individuals and entities to date. Our sanctions on Russia make up the largest ever imposition of sanctions by Australia against any single country.
A prohibition on imports of oil and other energy products will also commence on 25 April.
We strongly support similar action by our international partners to revoke MFN trading arrangements with Russia and Belarus, consistent with their national processes.
We will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure Russia is held to account for its actions.
Australia supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and continues to call on Russia to cease its unprovoked, unjust and illegal invasion of Ukraine.
Interview with Mike O'Loughlin, Tasmania Talks
31 March 2022
MIKE O'LOUGHLIN: Prime Minister Scott Morrison, good morning.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks very much, Mike. Great to be with you.
O'LOUGHLIN: Now, the Morrison Government handed down its 22/23 federal Budget on Tuesday, as we know, and we spoke with Federal Finance Minister Simon Birmingham yesterday about how Tasmanians will benefit from the Budget. But according to the results of the survey conducted by Australian Community Media, more than 60 per cent of respondents declared they wanted an honest and trustworthy PM as well. Almost half, 49.2 too wanted the nation's leader to be accountable and responsible. PM, is this you?
PRIME MINISTER: Yes, absolutely. I mean, because over the course of my time, we've been delivering what I said we would deliver. We've been cutting taxes, we've been supporting apprentices, we've been building the infrastructure, we've been getting people into their own homes. All of the things that we said to keep the economy strong so we can have a stronger future. That's what we said to the people of Tasmania at the last election. And that's what we've been delivering. And we've come through this pandemic stronger than almost any other advanced country in the world. And now we've got a strong plan to go forward. And with Susie Bower there in the seat of Lyons in particular, I know she's been fighting hard for that Great Eastern Drive project, $100 million to support a Great Eastern Drive, which would be like the Great Ocean Road up there in Victoria. And with those investments halving fuel taxes to give people real cost of living relief. I know Pete Gutwein was raising this and I commend, I'm always listening and we've been listening hard to Australian families and businesses who are really struggling with those cost of living pressures. And because the Budget has turned around by over $100 billion and that comes from driving a strong economy, making the right financial decisions, Australians working hard. That means we can do that responsibly. It's targeted and it's helping people get through a difficult time as they're getting to their feet after we come out strongly from this pandemic.
O'LOUGHLIN: Now PM, a lot of your Budget sales pitch certainly would have to be derailed by the scathing speech from Concetta Fierravanti-Wells in the Senate, where she labelled you unfit to be a PM, a bully with no moral compass, an autocrat. It's pretty damning stuff. And of course, as we know, that's just not not all of it.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, and it's not true. And look, I really appreciate you know what John Howard had to say overnight and what Senator Hughes has had to say. And many of my colleagues look, you know, from time to time in politics, you have disagreements and there are disappointments. Connie went to a pre-selection, 500 members of the Liberal Party. I wasn't one of them. They made a judgement about who should represent us going forward. And Senator Molan was selected. And of course, Senator Payne was selected, our Foreign Minister. So there are disappointments in politics from time to time. So I understand that. But, you know, I appreciate that very strong and kind, those strong, kind words from John. He has been a great mentor to me. He knows what this job is like. He knows that you've got to take decisions all the time. And you know, from time to time, people won't like the decisions that you make. But as a Prime Minister, you've got to be prepared to make them.
O'LOUGHLIN: Trust in politics and integrity is at the heart of an unfulfilled 2019 Morrison Government election promise, you might remember, a Commonwealth Integrity Commission. You pledged to legislate a federal anti-corruption watchdog. When's it going to happen, PM? Is a federal ICAC on your list of priorities?
PRIME MINISTER: Yeah, and we developed the legislation. I tabled it in the parliament. It was a comprehensive programme that was well worked up, and the Labor Party wouldn't support it. So that's where we are.
O'LOUGHLIN: Let's look at Defence. I mean, three years ago, it was unthinkable that China would impose trade boycotts on Australia. Three years ago, it was unthinkable that Australia would be organising to get nuclear powered submarines. Three years ago, it was unthinkable that the Australian PM would threaten to impose trade boycotts on China. Well, how things changed in the blink of a war. There's a quote I want to share with you. I like this quote from a US foreign policy scholar, "security is like oxygen. You tend not to notice it until you begin to lose it. But once that occurs, there's nothing else that you will think about". Is this Defence spending better late than never?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, it's not late, and it's certainly not never. And we have been building up our defence forces since we first came into government and when we came to government, our defence spending as a share of the economy, Labor had taken down to 1.56 per cent. That was the lowest level since 1938, before the Second World War. Now you don't, you can't just get your defence spending up to two per cent, which is what we've done and pledged to do, overnight. So we've been doing it year in, year out for all of these budgets and we're continuing to go forward. We've got another 18,500 who will join our defence forces. That's already begun now and that's in this year's Budget. On top of that, we're building up the capability over a quarter of a billion invested going forward on capability. So no government has been more committed to defence spending and what that has meant, and that has required some hard calls, because you know where programmes aren't going in the direction or things change and that particularly occurred with submarines, and that was one of the hardest calls we had to make as a government because the submarines that were being built, they were not going to do the job we needed them to do for the next 20, 30 years ...
O'LOUGHLIN: And we were never going to get them.
PRIME MINISTER: And they're very difficult things to build. So what I did is I said, look, we need a better plan. We need a stronger plan. And we were able to secure the technology for nuclear powered submarines that no other country in the world is able to secure from the United States other than the British. And that happened in 1958. And I'm not the first Prime Minister that was out there seeking to achieve that. But I was the first one to get it done. And then the AUKUS arrangement with the United States and the United Kingdom then enveloped around that. That's the biggest defence partnership agreement we have had since ANZUS 70 years ago.
So, you know, if we kept spending at the same level on Defence that Labor left us, then $55 billion would have been spent less on defence while we've been government and $10 billion less in this year alone. Can I just say, can I thank that great tech company, Elphinstone. They're very involved in all of this. I was down there with the team the other day and seeing what they're doing and how they've, you know, refit up and up in Burnie there, what they're doing to be part of our defence industry. So part of that Defence support is being home made in Tasmania. And of course, one of my favourite defence contractors anywhere in the country are Penguin Composites. You know, a little company there up in Penguin, you know, they're putting the bonnets on armoured vehicles, they used to make kayaks. Now they're got cutting edge technology on composites to put the bonnets on our armoured vehicle.
O'LOUGHLIN: You're certainly, you're certainly doing your homework. How worried should we be about China and the Solomons?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, these are very, very serious issues, and they have changed a lot in just the last five years. We were talking about John Howard before, and John and I talk about this a lot. I mean, he was dealing with a very different China to the China that we're dealing with today and the China we're dealing with today to be honest, they've been coercing, they've been bullying, they've been intimidating in our region. And I've been prepared to stand up to them, and I have a lot of critics for doing that. I remember what I was doing it long before people understood the real, what was the risks were to Australia. This is why we stepped up. Our investment in the Pacific when I became Prime Minister was called the Pacific Step Up. More than $2 billion a year. We are investing in our relationship with our partners in the Pacific, including in Solomon Islands. And as a result, when the Solomon Islands were having their security problems before Christmas, first place they called: Australia. I sent our defence forces in, our federal police and our federal police are still there. So you can't take this stuff too seriously. It is very serious. And if you don't have a strong economy, you can't defend the nation either. If you can't manage money. I mean, this was my eighth budget. My first one I did as a member of the Expenditure Review Committee. I then did three as a Treasurer, and this is my fourth as a Prime Minister. And on Thursday night or tonight, Anthony Albanese has to give us his alternative budget. And, you know, I haven't seen his plan. Australians haven't seen his plan. You've got my plan. People know my plan. They know I'm not pretending to be anyone else.
O'LOUGHLIN: You've actually …
PRIME MINISTER: Whether people like me, that's not the point …
O'LOUGHLIN: Speaking of actually …
PRIME MINISTER: It's whether you can do the job.
O'LOUGHLIN: If I can PM, you actually said Labor thinks it can just sail into government that quote. What what do you mean by that?
PRIME MINISTER: What I meant by that is we're very close to election and what do we know what their policies are? We don't know anything. They say they're going to do a Budget after the election. Well, they should tell us what's going to be in it before the election. And if you don't hear it from him tonight, well, frankly, it's too late. I mean, he's if he thinks he can just slide into government without having had any accountability. You were talking about the importance of accountability and trust.
O'LOUGHLIN: Absolutely.
PRIME MINISTER: And what are his policies? What's his plan for the economy? The guy's never done a Budget, and he was in government for six years. He's been in the Parliament a long time, but what do we know of him?
O'LOUGHLIN: Can I ask, can I ask a question then? Because, it would be lovely to have Tasmania, you know, that little state down below, get an exclusive. How about telling me when the election is going to be. May 14?
PRIME MINISTER: It'll be in the middle of May, which, you know, I've always been pretty upfront about this. I said ...
O'LOUGHLIN: Well, how about being really upfront and letting me know a date.
PRIME MINISTER: When I go to see the Governor-General, everybody will know what that date is and it's not too far away. But you know, I've always been upfront saying you get elected to do a three year term and the election last time was on the 18th of May. So we're getting close to that three year period now. We've had three years to strengthen our economy, which we've done. You know, unemployment has fallen from 5.7 per cent to 4.4 per cent now. When Labor was last in government, it went from 4.2 per cent to 5.7 per cent. And I said this in the Parliament yesterday, and Anthony Albanese chipped across the table, "oh, yeah, but we had the global financial crisis." And I said, well, where have you been for the last two years, mate? We've had the biggest global recession that anyone's had to face since the Great Depression, and we got unemployment to come down. You know, Labor's always got excuses when it comes to the economy. When they say, oh, we were terribly unlucky, that's why it all went so bad. Well, if you want to get unlucky, vote Labor.
O'LOUGHLIN: Well, you're talking, you know, two years, you're talking obviously, you're throwing to COVID. Let's talk health. Reportedly record investment here, what is the $7.3 billion increase in Medicare funding, $9.8 billion increase in hospital funding. But the Australian Medical Association has said this "it amounts to a little more than usual recurrent spending and planned growth, not the new injection of funds our health system desperately needs." I mean, what's your plan for health? This is the important issue for Tasmanians, especially considering our ageing population.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I agree. And that's why under our government, we've increased health funding by 60 per cent, 60 per cent over the course of the pandemic, right across the country and in Tasmania, especially. And we've invested over $40 billion bringing Australia through. Telehealth for mental health, mental health in particular, and we've extended our Head to Health centres and the and the particularly the the that the support for early youth psychosis and all of these issues into Tasmania expanding what was available in the mainline, particularly in the northern parts of Tasmania. And that's something Pat McGorry and I have been working on for some time. So those health supports the things that the federal government particularly focuses on supporting GPs. The other one, cystic fibrosis, Trikafta we've just put on the PBS. I remember the last time before the last election I met a lovely young fella down there, up in Launny, and he was being supported then by the drugs that were supporting cystic fibrosis, [inaudible], I think it was called from memory. And so we've just listed another drug. Trifakta. Now what that does, if you've got cystic fibrosis, I met a young fellow up in Sydney, the other day. It means I can get on their bike and they can ride it with their friends and not get shortness of breath.
O'LOUGHLIN: Can I just ...
PRIME MINISTER: These are the important things. Drugs, Medicare support, bulk billing is its highest level we've ever seen as a government and and so you know on when it comes to health record levels of investment in health that again is produced by a strong economy.
O'LOUGHLIN: Kind of getting the wind up at the moment, I've got a bit to get through.
PRIME MINISTER: Sure, you’re right.
O'LOUGHLIN: I'll try and hurry. I need to get this through. I know President of the Tasmanian branch of the Pharmacy Guild of Tasmania, Helen O'Byrne, said quote "the inclusions amounted to a drop in the ocean in regard to the number of pharmaceutical benefits scheme announced in the Budget." But I want to ask a question about …
PRIME MINISTER: Well, can I address that because that's just simply unfair.
O'LOUGHLIN: Right.
PRIME MINISTER: This Government, my Government, we have listed 2,800 and more, new medicines and new listings on the PBS. And Greg Hunt has been an outstanding Health Minister. We gave a commitment that every single time the recommendation is made from the Expert Medical Panel on medicines to list something, we listed, and we've done that every single time. So everything- the Labor Party didn't do that when they were in government. I remember their Budgets. They said, oh, we'd like to list this. It's been recommended, but we can't do it. You know why they couldn't do it? Because they couldn't pay for it. They couldn't manage the economy. So, you know, you've got to ask yourself the question when you go to this election, who do you think can pay for the things that they're saying they're going to do? We've demonstrated we can as we know how to run a strong economy. Labor doesn't.
O'LOUGHLIN: Got time for one more question.
PRIME MINISTER: Go for it.
O'LOUGHLIN: You're copping a bit of flak for your comments about the lack of relief for renters in the federal budget, saying the best way to help struggling renters is to help them buy a house ...
PRIME MINISTER: I didn't say that, actually. I was asked about these issues. I talked about how we're helping people buy their own home. We've got $5 billion a year we spend on supporting renters, cutting the fuel excise in half, the tax on petrol and half that supports renters, increasing the tax rebates that people are getting on the 1st of July. That ensures that people have more money in their pocket. $250 payment in this Budget immediately for pensioners and others to help them deal with rising costs of living, which includes rent, that helps renters. And for those who are looking to buy their home, we've got 300,000 people into their first home. That's what I promised to do at the last election, I said we were going to help more people buy their own home. So I know how hard it is to buy a home, whether it's in Tasmania or in Sydney or Melbourne or Perth or anywhere else. It's really, really hard. But we have to help those who want to make that change to be able to do that. But for those who will rent, my grandparents rented their entire life, their entire lives, so I know what that's about. I know what that's about, and we provide lots of income support in other areas and the state government, of course, they're the ones who run social housing and public housing in Tasmania, and we provide over $1 billion a year every year to the states to support that.
O'LOUGHLIN: Well I'm getting the wind up.
PRIME MINISTER: Yeah, we're going to have to go.
O'LOUGHLIN: And look, I appreciate the extra time. Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Thank you very much for your time.
PRIME MINISTER: Okay, thanks a lot. Good to talk to you.
Additional military assistance to Ukraine
31 March 2022
The Australian Government will provide further military support to Ukraine in response to Russia’s brutal, unrelenting and illegal invasion, at the request of the Ukrainian Government and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
To meet that request, in partnership with the Australian defence industry, we will provide an additional $25 million AUD of defensive military assistance for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
This will bring Australia’s total military assistance so far to $116 million.
On top of this support is Australia’s $65 million of humanitarian assistance, 70,000 tonnes of thermal coal to meet Ukraine’s energy needs, as well as temporary protection visas and support for Ukrainian community groups in Australia.
The new $25 million package of additional defensive military assistance will include tactical decoys, unmanned aerial and unmanned ground systems, rations and medical supplies.
The Australian Government will continue to identify opportunities for further military assistance where it is able to provide a required capability to the Ukraine Armed Forces expeditiously.
The Government will not disclose further specific details of the package or delivery arrangements at the direct request of Ukrainian officials and our other partners.
Australia stands with Ukraine against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion.
We will continue to impose the maximum costs against Russia through targeted sanctions on individuals and entities, including President Putin and his circle of oligarchs and propagandists, military commanders and members of Parliament.
David Irvine AO
31 March 2022
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of David Irvine AO.
David Irvine was an exceptional Australian and public servant in every sense of the word.
A gifted diplomat, security chief, and chair of the Foreign Investment Review Board, David Irvine was a wise counsel to successive governments.
This is a very sad day because David’s curiosity, wisdom and judgment strengthened our democracy and security over many decades.
He served Australia for over fifty years and held senior diplomatic and leadership roles for the past quarter of a century. Those roles included High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ambassador to China, Director-General of ASIO, Director-General of ASIS, and Chair of the Foreign Investment Review Board.
More recently, he also devoted himself in various ways to training the next generation of defence, security and intelligence professionals.
David had a deep understanding of Australia and the region and the interconnection of diplomacy, security and economics. He also had a deep love of Indonesian culture, expressed through the publication of two books.
He understood the work in democracies of maximising freedom and security. As he said in a 2014 speech, “I believe the threat of terrorism will be with us into the future, but that it should not be allowed to panic us or dominate our lives.”
In his role as chair of the Foreign Investment Review Board, which I appointed him to as Treasurer, he played a seminal role in bringing new perspectives to bear in the face of changing geostrategic dynamics in our region.
To the Irvine family and all who loved him, I extend the condolences of the nation.
David Irvine AO will be missed.
President Zelenskyy To Address Australian Parliament
31 March 2022
Today, the President of Ukraine, His Excellency Mr Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will address the Australian Parliament by video link at 5.30pm Canberra time.
Australians have been inspired by President Zelenskyy’s resilience and courage, as he, his Government and the people of Ukraine defend their homeland against Russia’s brutal, illegal and unjustified invasion.
Australia stands with Ukraine against Russia’s aggression.
We are providing $91 million in military assistance, $65 million in humanitarian assistance, 70,000 tonnes of thermal coal to meet Ukraine’s energy needs, as well as temporary protection visas and support for Ukrainian community groups in Australia.
We continue to work with partners to impose the maximum costs against Russia, through targeted sanctions on individuals and entities, the prohibition of energy, oil and gas products from Russia, and a ban on exports of alumina and bauxite to Russia.
This includes listing more than 500 individuals and entities to date. This is the largest ever imposition of sanctions by Australia against a single country.
Our sanctions target President Putin and his circle of oligarchs and propagandists, military commanders and members of Parliament, as well as those who facilitated the invasion from outside Russia, including the leadership of neighbouring Belarus.
Our listings include 80 percent of Russia’s banking sector and all government entities that handle Russia’s sovereign debt.
Our co-ordinated action with partners significantly undermines Russia’s ability to continue financing President Putin’s war.
Members of Parliament and Senators will be joined for the address in the Chamber by representatives from the Ukrainian Embassy, Ukrainian-Australian community, and Embassies from around the world.
I invite all Australians to watch President Zelenskyy’s remarks at 5.30pm AEDT, which will be livestreamed on APH’s website.
Ministerial Statement: His Excellency Mr Volodymyr Zelenskyy
31 March 2022
PRIME MINISTER: Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr President, Ukraine and Australia are separated by half the Earth. Our languages, accents, histories and cultures are different, but we share an affinity for democracy, for freedom, freedom of speech, expression and a free press. For the right to live free of coercion, intimidation and the brute fist of force. And a belief in our shared human dignity.
Mr President, the people of Australia stand with Ukraine in your fight for survival. Yes, you have our prayers, but you also have our weapons, our humanitarian aid, our sanctions against those who seek to deny your freedom and you even have our coal. And there will be more.
Today, I announce an additional package of defensive military assistance to assist in the defence of your homeland, including tactical decoys, unmanned aerial and unmanned ground systems, rations and medical supplies.
Mr President, our pledge is that when freedom prevails, Australia will help the people of Ukraine rebuild as well. Here today in the home of Australia's democracy, we welcome you, Mr President, as a lion of democracy. We honour you and the incredible courage of your people whom you lead. We are witnesses to it with all of those around the world, as you call them, strong people of an indomitable country and may that be so.
We stand with you, Mr President, and we do not stand with the war criminal of Moscow, Mr President. I know that man. You know that man. We know that man, Mr Speaker. And we know his regime. We have seen them unleash unspeakable horror against your children, your hospitals and shelters.
And we remember the downing of a civilian airliner carrying 298 innocents, including 38 Australians. And we remember them also on this day. In their name and in the name of 25 million Australians and their elected representatives, I welcome you, Mr President. I welcome you to our Parliament. I welcome a great friend of Australia.
Interview with David Koch, Sunrise
30 March 2022
David Koch: Federal Budget Prime Minister Scott Morrison joins us now. Prime Minister, good morning to you. A family sitting around their kitchen tables this morning talking about what is in it for them. What do you want them to take away from this Budget?
Prime Minister: Well, two things. The first is that we know that the cost of living pressures, the impact on fuel prices caused by things a long way away from Australia, with the terrible war in Ukraine, immediate cost of living relief for them, but responsible cost of living relief because the Budget has turned around. $100 billion improvement in this Budget, which means we can responsibly go and provide that help right now. The cost of living pressures are real. The fuel price increases are real and the support that we're delivering is real. And they need it now. And we're delivering it now because we can because we've turned the Budget around. The second point I'd make, David, is that it's also a plan for the long term, the investments in manufacturing, the investments in energy production. The investment in skills in particular. We have 220,000 apprentices in trade training right at the moment, the highest we've seen since 1963. So building the skills, building the infrastructure and establishing and growing our manufacturing capability. A plan for the future.
Koch: Because that's one of the big criticisms of this Budget, that it's supposedly very short term just to get votes for a May election.
Prime Minister: Well, people need to read more than the first page because there's $21 billion of investment in our regions. And that's in particular the transformational investments in ports and dams and roads and other infrastructure in our regions in the Pilbara, up in central and north Queensland, up in the Northern Territory and in the Hunter Valley. Investing in the regions that unlocks the wealth of the nation to pay for the many things that we need to pay for. Be it our enhanced Defence Forces, $10 billion for cyber security or paying for things the ongoing supports for pensions, the National Disability Insurance Scheme. We understand that Australia is bigger than our eight capital cities and territories. More than 80 per cent of our goods exports come from our regional areas. And in this Budget is the single largest transformational investment in our regions and to grow Australia's wealth. The money we make in the Pilbara, in the Hunter up there in north Queensland that supports every Australian. It pays for hospitals, it pays for schools, and we want to see that unlocked even more.
Koch: Yeah, that's that was certainly the underpinning a big bonus in tax receipts, our sales of commodities. But there was speculation in the week leading up to the Budget that you were going to make it easier for older Australians to work more to earn more money. We've got a job shortage. It seemed a no brainer. Why didn't you go ahead with that?
Prime Minister: Well, there's always lots of speculation about issues before a Budget, David, but I can't speak to why that was there. I mean, we want to support people in their retirement. We want to give people of working age the skills they need, and we want to bring people to the country that will continue to add. I mean, just in relation to Ukraine, over 5,000 people and we've been able to get visas to and they're on the way to Australia. So the migration programmes plays an important part, but we want to give Australians the skills right across their working life to add to this country. And our skills investments are so important. I mean, they're seeing these trade apprentices in training, seeing the investments in training for the future. That is what is going to grow our future. For those of retirement age, we want them to enjoy their retirement.
Koch: OK, so so retirement, you're not at working age. Is that what you're saying, though, that you do if …
Prime Minister: No. People can work for as long as they wish to, David. And what we do enables them to do that with lower taxes. No, they don't. They just don't receive as much pension because when you're working, you're earning more and where people want to earn more and work well, of course they can. And but what we're focused on in this Budget is getting people into work. And, you know, about three quarters of the improvements we've seen in the bottom line, the revenues that we've seen comes from simply getting people off welfare and into work. The economy is growing far stronger than we'd anticipated a year ago because the plans we've got in place are working. And we know that because Australians are working with unemployment falling to four per cent and falling even lower, as you've said yourself.
Koch: Yeah. The other thing that worries me is the changes to the the first home buyer incentive scheme, allowing first home buyers just to buy a house with five per cent deposit, for single parents just two per cent. Property prices in Sydney and Melbourne dropping at the moment. So you could see those first home buyers into negative equity really quickly. Banks hate that. They start to talk about closing people down. Will you make sure that doesn't happen?
Prime Minister: Well, the banks themselves are the ones who approve the loans, David, and so they're the ones who make the assessments about the ability to provide those loans, but I tell you what this scheme has done together with HomeBuilder, it's got 300,000 people in just the last three years into their own home. It's always hard to buy a home. It's particularly hard now. It's very hard to do for young people to save for that deposit, and that takes that burden off those particularly single parents you mentioned. The number of single parents, particularly women, particularly those who've suffered terrible violence and had to flee, and they've lived from rented house to rented house, we've enabled them to get in their own home, to stop being a renter and to be a home owner. And that's what this programme does. The checks and balances are there.
Koch: Yeah, what I'm saying is property prices drop, those first home buyers in to negative equity and the banks start to get narky. Well, you make sure the banks don't pull the loans from those borrowers under the scheme?
Prime Minister: Well, they wouldn't because they've they would have provided the loans, understanding all of the things that you just mentioned. They're still doing their due diligence on every single loan. They're the ones extending the loans in the same way they've extended loans over a long time. They know the housing market and they know where they can loan and they know where they can't. What this is doing, I met a young woman down in Melbourne. It saved her eight years, this programme, eight years, she got into a first home sooner. That is a lifetime of saving. And that is great to see. And we're keeping it going 50,000 places every year, doubling it. We're doing that because it's worked. It's successful. Australians are getting into their own home under my Government.
Koch: All right. Just before we let you go, I know you're under real time constraints. Tonight's the state memorial for Shane Warne. Will you be attending and what message do you have for Shane Warne's family, friends and fans?
Prime Minister: Well, yes, I will be there and be heading down there this afternoon, this evening. Look, my message to all Australians, but particularly to Shane's family, is thank you. Thank you for sharing Shane with all of us. And I hope tonight what people will be able to do is just pour out their love for Shane and he and all of his family. That's what I hope that they will see the great celebration of his life and be simply comforted by that. Shane has given us all so many wonderful moments, and he's such an Australian character and an Australian icon. So I'm looking forward to seeing his life celebrated tonight, and I hope the family take away from that a sense of comfort.
Koch: Prime Minister, thanks for joining us.
Prime Minister: Thanks a lot, David.
Interview with Sabra Lane, ABC AM
30 March 2022
Sabra Lane: Prime Minister, thanks for joining the program.
Prime Minister: Thank you.
Lane: One-off cash handouts to pensioners and welfare recipients happen next month. The cut in fuel excise is for six months. How is this anything but an electoral bribe for a government in deep trouble on the eve of the election?
Prime Minister: The cost of living pressures that are being faced by Australians are real. They're caused by the terrible events that we're seeing in the war in Europe. And we've seen the Australian economy improve by $100 billion for the Budget. And what we're doing is giving Australians a shield to protect themselves against those cost of living pressures right now with real packages. So it's responsible, because we've been able to strengthen the economy to pay for it. It's targeted, because we're dealing with the pressures that exist right now, and we're showing the same responsibility that we did through the pandemic. When people needed help, we were there and we want to make sure that people are coming through this latest shock, one of the biggest energy shocks we've seen in a generation, by delivering real cost of living relief right now through tax cuts, through cutting excise. Tax cuts through their personal income tax. And for those on fixed incomes and pensioners, ensuring that they're getting additional support right now because right now is when they need it.
Lane: But less than a month ago, you said it was inadvisable to cut fuel excise, and now you're doing just that. What are voters to make of your change of heart? And what changed your mind?
Prime Minister: The cost of living pressures being faced by Australians are real. And as the prices continued to go up, and as the situation in Ukraine continued to deteriorate. The cost of fuel flows through everything because we're a big country. The transport, logistics costs. All of this means it puts pressure on the price of groceries. So Australians know that they're feeling those cost of living pressures. And this Budget is delivering on that, and it's doing it responsibly. Because we're doing it off the back of the hard work that both Australians have done and the Government has done to strengthen the Budget so we're in a position to provide this. S&P just last night affirmed our AAA credit rating because it backed in the investments, Australians, we're making to protect our economy, protect our recovery to ensure we grow into the future. And the Budget has strong plans for that growth over a decade and more.
Lane: Unemployment is due to drop to 3.75 per cent, the Budget papers show wages still won't eclipse inflation until next year. What happens in September when that excise cut ends? Wages still won't be keeping pace with inflation by that point, are people just on their own?
Prime Minister: What you'll see, and this is what the Budget and the Treasury have estimated, a forecast, is by the time we get to the end of September, they're expecting that oil price to have fallen. And that means that, that need for that immediate relief, which is driven by those fuel price increases we expect to have abated. Now, you know, in New Zealand, they've done it for three months. We think it'll take longer than that and that's why we've kept it in over that six months period. But we always know when to provide that support, and we always know when it's time where people have been able to come through those difficult periods to keep going forward. But the tax cuts continue to deliver.
Lane: But if the war is not over and the fuel price goes back up in September. Will they blame you or possibly Prime Minister Albanese?
Prime Minister: Well, that's a judgement for the Australian people. But you raise the right point because this election is a choice about who can best manage our economy and who can best manage our finances and who can best take Australia through the crises that we've had and the crises that we'll still face. And what we're seeing with the rise in fuel prices, it's affecting everybody. It's real. That is what's driving these decisions because we know Australians have worked hard to come through the pandemic. We don't want to see them now hit by these rising costs of living through no fault of their own. This is another event that we've seen that we've had to deal with as a country, like the many we've already come through. Yet Australia's economy is stronger than all of the advanced nations in the world. And we're ensuring that we’re continuing to invest in that strong economic growth because that's how you grow wages. That's how you increase wages, by driving unemployment down, getting people into work and ensuring that your economy continues to grow in the future. That's the plan for higher wages growth. And as the Reserve Bank Governor says, we're already seeing those wages rise now.
Lane: Well, how confident are you that the one off payments and greater tax relief simply won't add to inflationary pressures and force the Reserve Bank to actually lift interest rates sooner than expected? A million homeowners across Australia have never experienced the Reserve Bank lifting rates.
Prime Minister: Well, what I'm confident about is the fact that when you cut excise in half, that actually reduces the cost pressures. That actually reduces the cost pressures, and it enables Australians to deal with the rising costs that they've already got in front of them. And so that's why S&P, the ratings agencies, have affirmed our AAA credit rating. That's why Treasury have been able to say that by cutting those costs for Australians, you're relieving the inflationary pressures. And that's why you have to do it responsibly. It has to be temporary to ensure that you're not locking in those other longer term impacts that could arise if it didn't show that discipline. We knew when to start JobKeeper and we knew when to end it. Labor would have spent an extra $81 billion during the pandemic, and that would have put extraordinary pressure on the Budget, and it would have meant that we wouldn't have be able to have done exactly what we did last night to afford delivering that additional cost of living relief last night, that shield Australians need. Labor wouldn't have been able to do that because it would have already spent the money.
Lane: The Budget papers show that the Government's delivered $10.3 billion in relief for the current floods, the Black Summer bushfires and the North Queensland floods of 2019, and $1.3 billion to better prepare and respond to natural disasters in the future. Many Australians would wonder why you're not spending more on preparedness, given that that amount is still dwarfed by the costs of these disasters.
Prime Minister: Well, this is why we are investing in climate resilience and climate adaptation. This is why we're investing $1 billion dollars in the reef. This is why we're investing in flood mitigation. This is why we're building dams. This is why we've been doing all of those things, Sabra. Because we've been through a lot of these natural disasters now and every single time we learn how we can do it even better the next time. And our response to the floods this time, take the Brisbane flood, in particular. We ensured that we got four times the number of ADF out almost a week faster than what we saw in the 2011 floods. We've got over $1.3 billion paid out directly into people's pockets, to 1.4 million Australians. That's real support, real fast, right when they need it. And Australians are getting hit by these cost of living pressures now, and they're real. I know I've got critics who say you shouldn't be spending money on helping people during these crises. But we do because we know Australians need it, because we know the need is real.
Lane: You're calling an election soon. Absent a scoop on exactly when, Liberal Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells says that you are a bully, you lack a moral compass and you're unfit to be Prime Minister. Why should you be re-elected, given that assessment from one of your own, someone who used to be a close ally?
Prime Minister: Well, I know Connie is disappointed, having lost the preselection of some 500 members on the weekend. Six years ago I strongly supported her and ensured that she was able to be re-selected. She was very happy at that time, but now, after, you know, being unsuccessful on the weekend, I understand that she's disappointed. And I join a long list of those that she's said these things about at times like this. But if she has very strong concerns about this and has complaints to make, our party has a process for dealing with those complaints and I'd encourage her to make those complaints directly to the federal president and state president of New South Wales, so they can be properly looked at.
Lane: Many voters would think that someone who's been a close and personal ally of yours, and if she thinks that of you, why should you be Prime Minister?
Prime Minister: Well, I wouldn't assess that in the same ways that you have. I mean, she's been very critical of the government and my predecessors as well, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull, experienced a similar commentary. So look, I understand that Connie is very upset about not winning that preselection on the weekend, but I'm very pleased that we've got Senator Marise Payne and Senator Jim Molan who have been doing a terrific job. 500 members of the party made that decision on the weekend, and I respect their decision.
Lane: Prime Minister, thanks for joining the program this morning.
Prime Minister: Thanks a lot, Sabra.
Interview with Oliver Peterson, 6PR
30 March 2022
Oliver Peterson: Welcome to Perth Live.
Prime Minister: G’day, Oly. Good to be with you.
Peterson: Your Government has handed down now its latest Budget. You've been in power for almost a decade, recently steering us through a very tough time. But poll after poll shows you're going to lose this election. Have people stopped listening despite the good news?
Prime Minister: We’ve heard all that before. Previous prime ministers have heard that before, and they've gone on, as they have, to be able to win the support of the Australian people. But that's not what last night's Budget is about. Last night’s Budget is about ensuring that the $100 billion improvement we’ve had to our Budget in just the last 12 months by Australia coming through strongly out of this pandemic, that we can immediately move to provide people with the cost of living pressure relief that we're providing by halving the tax on petrol, by ensuring we're firing further tax cuts when people put in their tax return on the 1st of July, and providing $250 supports to pensioners and others dependent on those payments so they can deal with those cost of living pressures now. It's targeted, it's responsible. That $100 billion improvement we've had enables us to do that and that's what gets the job done.
Peterson: You've really throwing the kitchen sink at Australians right now, Prime Minister. Is it about buying votes?
Prime Minister: Well, I just said, it's about rising cost of living, it's about a war in Ukraine that's driving up petrol prices. That's why we need to take this action right now. Same reason we put in place JobKeeper. We knew when we had to do it, we knew when we had to stop it. And this is what Australians need right now. The cost of living pressures from the fuel price increases have been very harsh, and that's not their fault. It's nobody's fault. It’s the, it's the war in Ukraine and that's driving up petrol prices and that feeds into the price of absolutely everything - groceries and food and all of these things, as well as petrol, the costs for business and doing business. And so providing this relief ensures that Australians can deal with these cost of living pressures. We're coming out of COVID, we’re coming strongly out of COVID. Our economy is stronger than the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Canada, Japan, Italy. And, as a result, we can do this because we've managed the economy well through the pandemic, unemployment's down to four per cent, and that that is enabling us to be able to give Australians support they need right now to shield against these cost of living price increases. And as they're getting up and going forward, we're not going to let them hold that, we're not going to allow them to be held back.
Peterson: And you look at that unemployment figure, it's going to go down even further, to three and a half per cent. Can you see, though, that some people might be confused, because on the one hand you're telling us now the economy is going gangbusters, but then you're spending almost $9 billion to ease the cost of living pressures. If the economy is doing so well, why is there the need to spend?
Prime Minister: There is a need to address cost of living pressures because there's been a war in the Ukraine …
Peterson: Yes.
Prime Minister: … which has driven up fuel prices. All Australians understand that. This has happened far away from our shores, and so they need that support right now. Now, it's not needed permanently. We've got, you know, there’s tax relief that has been delivered out into the future, and and have been delivering ever since we came into government. And so we have been providing that relief so people can keep more of what they earn, and small businesses are paying less tax. In this Budget we invest in the future, and particularly in the area of health. I mean, I was over there on Sunday to announce the the Comprehensive Cancer Centre there in Perth. That's a significant investment of some $375 million. We have the investments in Metronet. We have the investments in the Pilbara, and everybody who lives in Perth understands that what they do up in the Pilbara has a big, big impact on what people earn in Perth and the services that the whole country depends on. So backing in major regions in Western Australia - resources regions, critical minerals, rare earths, all of this is in our plan. See, we've set out our plan. It's in the Budget and this election is a choice, you mentioned about the election. It's a choice between who has got the record of managing an economy, keeping it a AAA level of our credit rating through a global pandemic and recession, and seeing unemployment fall to four per cent. Now when Labor were in power, they went from 4.2 per cent unemployment up to 5.7. We've taken it from 5.7 down to four per cent, and we've had to deal with a global pandemic and recession. Now that tells you something - while maintaining our AAA credit rating - that tells you something about the financial management of my Government. Now, my opponent, he’s never even delivered a Budget, not one, let alone the many that have been done by me and my Treasurer.
Peterson: You announced, as you mentioned there, that Cancer Centre on the weekend. But you’re still requiring support from the State Government. “Subject to a business case,” says Premier McGowan. Is that prudent or just politics?
Prime Minister: Oh no, that's prudent. I mean, I have no doubt that Mark is very keen on this project, and I spoke to him about it when we met when I was there about a week earlier and gave him the courtesy of letting him know where we'd got to on that. They'll go through their process. And I'm pleased, I mean, with, our GST deal means that on average over the next six years, that's two point, $2.5 billion extra that is coming to the Western Australian Government, straight into the state coffers. It's just over two billion that is going in next Budget year as a result. So, you know, we've been delivering for Western Australia so they can make these important investments, and the Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Perth is much needed. It's going to really transform the care and the treatment that cancer sufferers in Western Australia and Perth receive.
Peterson: When you mention the GST deal and even the infrastructure spend, 40 per cent, it is in this Budget, above our per capita share. So you're throwing everything at us. The dry docking in Henderson, the Perth City Deal, money for the Pilbara. Do you think that Mark McGowan actually likes having you as the Prime Minister and would probably prefer you to stay there in the Lodge to keep leveraging the Federal Government for more money?
Prime Minister: Well, you'd have to ask him, but the reason we're doing it is because we understand how we can drive our national economy by supporting Western Australia. Western Australia is a powerhouse of economic activity, and what we invest in together in Western Australia, which Mark and I have done for many years now, it's great for Western Australians, it's great for the national economy, and whether it's the Pilbara, or whether it’s for services that we're delivering in in Perth and across the south south west, we're doing this because it's it's good for the country. And, you know, Mark and I agree on on so many things that are about driving the Western Australian economy forward. That's why I did the GST deal. I did it because it was good for the national interest, not just the Western Australian interest. And and I had to convince and take the argument forward and get it legislated in the, in the Australian Parliament. It wasn't just about coming to Western Australia and agreeing with them. I had to get all the other states and territories on board. And I can tell you, it wasn't easy, and it wasn't a one-off thing, because it keeps delivering for Western Australia year in, year out, to over the next year, six years, it's an average of $2.6 billion extra into the Western Australian Budget every single year.
Peterson: Was consideration made in this Budget to changing the pensioner working allowance, Prime Minister?
Prime Minister: No, we didn't decide to do that. What we did was ensure that we continue to invest in skills and small business tax deductions, which I think is very essential. We've got the migration program firing up again. We've got the agricultural visa and we've just been able to clinch the deal with the Vietnamese Government to ensure that that can feed into the agriculture visa. Skills training that we're doing is very important for all of Western Australia, but particularly the resources industry. And so that's where we’ve put our investments. Australians have worked hard over the course of their life and they they have every right to enjoy their retirement. And so the, if Australians above retirement age wish to work, then of course they can. But if they wish to have that retirement, then then they've earned it.
Peterson: Would you consider changes, though? Is it something you might take to the election?
Prime Minister: No, it's not something we're considering.
Peterson: Were you blindsided by Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells labelling you an autocrat bully and not being fit to be Prime Minister?
Prime Minister: We had a pre-selection for senators in New South Wales last Saturday - 500 members of the Liberal Party had to choose between three senators - Senator Marise Payne, the Foreign Minister, Senator Jim Molan, the former General in the Defence Forces, and Senator Fierravanti-Wells. Senator Fierravanti-Wells was unsuccessful and ran third in that contest. I understand she's disappointed. She's I understand she's been disappointed in the past when other prime ministers haven't put her in the Ministry or or and been in roles that she would have liked to perform in. But politics, on occasion, people have disappointments, and so I obviously don't agree with her assessment. But if she has any formal complaint she'd like to make, in the Liberal Party we have processes for dealing with that, and I'd encourage her to do so. But other senators, Senator Hughes has been very clear today about how she has known me over 20 years, and I understand people get disappointed after they lose [sic] preselections, but there are 500 members of the Liberal Party who made that decision on the weekend, not me.
Peterson: Have you picked up the phone and given her a call?
Prime Minister: No, I haven't. I've been pretty busy with the Budget over the last, since last night.
Peterson: Pauline Hanson's also saying today in the Senate that she was bullied by you. What do you make of her remarks?
Prime Minister: Well, I haven't heard that accusation, and I don't know what the basis of it is. I’ve only ever sought to work politely and cooperatively with Pauline on many, many issues over a very long time.
Peterson: Do you think, though, this might drive voters away from both major parties, considering the bullying allegations surfacing from within the Labor Party as well?
Prime Minister: Well, they're completely without foundation, in my case. I've worked constructively with people. You know, as Prime Minister, though, Oly, you make decisions which people disagree with, and they're disappointed when you do that. And if you can't have the mettle to do that as a Prime Minister, then you can't do the job. There are things you you have to do in the national interest, which won't meet with agreement from everybody. Now that's that's the cost of leadership. And I've always paid the price of leadership because I know it's important to take the country forward. I mean, you can't be, you can't be a petal, if you're Prime Minister. You can't pretend to be anyone else either than other than yourself, like the Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese is seeking to do. You've got to be yourself and you've got to make the calls and you've got to get on with the job. And that's what I've done.
Peterson: The Ukrainian President Zelenskyy will be addressing the Australian Parliament tomorrow night.
Prime Minister: Yes, I invited him to do that and I'm very pleased that he can do that. And we've provided significant support to the people of Ukraine, including sending 70,000 tonnes of coal to Ukraine to power up their their energy system and we’ve been, the Defence Minister Peter Dutton has been working closely with [inaudible] to provide every support that we practically can. And it's it's difficult. I mean, Australia is a long way away. We can't meet all of the things that they're seeking. That's what NATO is is doing, and we seek to support them through, particularly the United Kingdom and the United States. But there, they are showing tremendous courage in the face of terrible adversity, and the illegal and barbaric invasion that we've seen from from President Putin.
Peterson: Are you expecting tonight's memorial for Shane Warne, which you are attending, Prime Minister, to be a celebration of Warnie’s contribution to this country?
Prime Minister: I hope so, and I hope that will be a great comfort to his family and to his friends, of which there is a legion, as well as there is being a legion of fans, and we’ll come together down there at the MCG this evening and and come together as a country and celebrate and give thanks for a great Australian life that has touched so many other Australians through his sheer sporting genius, but also because of his great iconic character that he's been in Australian life. He's uplifted the spirits of the nation on countless occasions. And everyone will have their own Warne story, but for me it's about the inspiration he's given, particularly as a sportsman, and the way he was able to lift his team and lift the country in the process. He never gave up and he always came through.
Peterson: He sure did, and it is a very sad day for the nation to be saying farewell to Shane Warne. Any plans, finally, Prime Minister, to visit the Governor-General in the coming days?
Prime Minister: No, I’ve got a lot to do.
Peterson: You’re not going to be calling an election by the end of the weekend?
Prime Minister: No, I mean, we've got work to do. We’re getting the Budget through this week and we’ll be, you know, very enthusiastically letting Australians know about what's in that Budget, which is incredibly important. The Budget is a, is a real plan. But, you know, on Thursday night, Anthony Albanese has to [inaudible] speak, and I'd like to know, and Australians would like to know, what his alternative Budget is, and that's what people deserve to hear on Thursday night. You know what my plan is. You know what our record is when it comes to the economy and jobs and keeping our economy strong for a stronger future. He's tried to be a small target. Well, now he's just an empty page, and Australians deserve to know what his alternative budget is, what his alternative plans are. They’ve been waiting three years and got nothing. He says he's do a mini budget after the election. Well, they deserve to know what's in that mini budget now. And on Thursday night, he has to tell them what it is, and if he squibs it, well, you can't vote for a blank page.
Peterson: Scott Morrison, I appreciate your time. Thank you very much.
Prime Minister: Thanks a lot, Oly.
Peterson: Scott Morrison, the Prime Minister.
Multicultural media online Budget briefing
Prime Minister, Minister for Immigration Citizenship Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs
Prime Minister: OK, well, good morning, everyone, it's good to be with you, I understand. We'd like me to make a few remarks at the outset. I'm joined, of course, by the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs. And I want to thank him for the great job that he's done in bringing together so many of the elements of this budget that are supporting our many different communities, ethnic communities across the country. And tonight, your last night's Budget address many things, but the most important thing is addresses is the strength of our economy because a strong economy means a stronger future. And regardless of what your background is, regardless of how many generations your family has been here, whether it's the 60000 years of Indigenous Australians or those who have joined us most recently and become part of the Australian family, all of us depend on a strong economy. A strong economy is what supports our pension scheme. A strong economy is what supports Medicare, our migrant support services, our settlement services for those who've come in the most trying circumstances. Even now, as we've seen, over a thousand people already arrive from Ukraine and in 5,000 in total visas have been issued for those from Ukraine to come on the weekend, I announced 2,000 specific places for visas for those who require them, humanitarian visas to flee the persecution and the conflict that is occurring in Myanmar and of course, the sixteen and a half thousand places in the budget we've announced. For those who are coming from Afghanistan and always standing with the people of Afghanistan who have suffered so much and we stood by for so long and I'm very pleased that we're able to continue to provide that support. I said that as we were going through that terrible crisis in the airlift out of Afghanistan last year that our commitments were just a floor. They were not a ceiling. And in last night's budget we're able to confirm the additional support that we're providing into those programs. Australia has a generous migration program, always has. We've always understood the value of migration to Australia and to support our economy, our workforce, but principally because of the richness it brings to our community life. And I want to thank all those community organisations that do such a fantastic job working with their communities on the ground. I'm particularly mindful of Stefan Romaniw at the moment and Ukrainian Association, who have done an outstanding job, and we've provided additional financial support to the Ukrainian Association to deal with the specific challenges that they're facing at the moment with the increased demands that have been placed upon them because of the terrible war in Ukraine. But our communities, organisations and the leadership they have shown, as we've seen through COVID, but as we've seen through every challenge, we've even floods as we see them across New South Wales and Queensland. Currently, the fires that we've seen and the many other impacts our Budget is stronger today, and it's stronger because of the hard work of Australians right around the country. We've got more people in work. Four per cent unemployment, even lower for women in terms of unemployment. A million more women in work. And that is so important in migrant communities that we're seeing more women of ethnic backgrounds coming into work and having those economic opportunities because that gives them choice. It gives families choice, it enables them to plan for their future with confidence. And the stronger economy that we've been delivering as a government means a stronger future by being able to guarantee the essential services that all Australians rely on. It means that we can invest in the Defence Forces and security services that we need to protect Australia's liberty and the freedom that we have in this country that so many from all corners of the world have come here to shelter and be part of and to build on and contribute to when they come to this country and raise their families, build their businesses. The support for small business in this budget is very significant. The support for training and infrastructure very significant in this budget. But I know, particularly in ethnic communities across the country, Australia is the most successful multicultural nation on Earth. And one of the reasons for that, I think, is the high level of entrepreneurialism that exists in the many migrant communities over many generations in this country. So by backing small businesses with lower taxes and in particular to back them in to be employing apprentices, by giving additional skills training to their staff with a 120 per cent deduction on investment in those skills training initiatives. 120 per cent reduction tax deduction when it comes to investments in data and digital expenditure, such as cloud computing and things of that nature, we're helping small businesses be successful in the post-COVID economy. Australia's economy is a standout. We're coming out of this pandemic with 375,000 more jobs than we had going into it. And all of the communities represented across Australia will know from their original home countries that Australia's performance during this pandemic is a standout. We've saved over 40,000 lives. We one of the highest pandemic preparedness of any country in the world, ranking second on the global index with one of the highest vaccination rates in the world. But our economy with more jobs, more growth, wages increasing, growth increasing, unemployment falling puts us in a strong position to capitalise on the opportunities that are ahead and our many ethnic communities across Australia will be in the engine room of that as entrepreneurs are skilled workers, that's what the migration program has brought to Australia, skills entrepreneurship community and we're backing that in very strongly in this Budget, both with cost of living relief and a strong plan for the future. Anything you wanted to add that, Alex.
The Hon. Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs: No thanks PM. I just say very briefly to add to the PM's remarks. The Government is investing heavily from a prime minister who secured Australia's borders in the human dividend of what we can now return as a country in our humanitarian program. So we are going to see more people coming from Afghanistan under this Budget and more people coming from Ukraine. And what's been so pleasing about what we've been able to do is they are getting the best of services and integration into the Australian community. We're going to see them working in Melbourne. I was able to visit members of the Afghan community who are gaining employment in critical skills shortages. We now have people from Ukraine. They'll be able to work, they'll be able to study, they'll help us meet our shortages and integrate well into Australia. But also we're able to help in these very difficult humanitarian crises that we face in Afghanistan and in Ukraine. And of course, in this Budget, you'll see a return to a Liberal National mix of immigration and a long line of immigration ministers, a strong skills mix which will see our ability to meet those short shortages. We're backing the regions where doubling the regional visas. We want people from the community to migrate here and go to our regions and live. There are great jobs there, there is great accommodation there. There is a great life for people in the regions and the Government's Budget, our Budget, the Liberal National Budget, is backing people to get to the regions and we'll get them the work and that integration they need.
Prime Minister: OK, well let's get to some questions.
Host: Thanks PM and Minister Hawke, the first question is from Dinesh Malhotra from Bharat Times. Go ahead, Dinesh.
Journalist: My question is regarding the cuts to fuel excise. How are you going to monitor, is triple ACCC is the only tool that you have to to see whether that is being passed on to consumers.
Prime Minister: The right tool Dinesh, that is the powerful tool that we have, it's backed up by strong laws and stiff penalties for those who would not be passing those halving of the tax on fuel, halving of the excise on to consumers. We didn't do this to line the pockets of fuel companies. We did it to ensure that Australians could keep more of what they earn by halving the fuel taxes in this country for the next six months. That is longer than double what we've seen in New Zealand. We've done that as a temporary responsible measure, and we expect to see over the six months the oil price fall to more normal levels over that period of time. And so while they remain elevated because of the war in Ukraine, then we're providing this temporary relief. So yes, the ACCC is the cop on the beat and when it comes to these issues, they do have the powers and they do have the penalties to be able to enforce that.
Journalist: Thank you Prime Minister, thank you Minister.
Host: The next question is from Cecil Huang, 1688 Group, go ahead Cecil.
Journalist: Prime Minister, staffing shortage continues to be a big issue within our community. What's the government's position on increasing the intake for skilled migrants?
Prime Minister: Well, I'll let the Minister go into the specifics, but in the program itself, there will be increased planning levels for the skilled intake, and that's really important. It is going to take some time as we're coming out of this pandemic, and immigration levels have obviously pretty much been reduced to almost zero that we build this program up again and the wheels of it get moving again. And that's what the Department of Home Affairs is very focussed on doing and getting the processes moving and getting people on planes and getting them here. The planes are there again and to see that build up. But I'll ask the Minister to address that.
The Hon. Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs: Yeah. Thanks PM and thank you Cecil that question. Skilled migration is one of the key questions labour shortages that we're getting as a Government around the country. So far since we've opened the borders. We've seen about half a million people return under our temporary visas in our programs and that's a good number. We're still about half a million people short in our economy, but the Government's put incentives in place. We have a rebate scheme for students that's provided some very strong student numbers in recent weeks. We've seen in some weeks up to 15,000 students coming a week. We have working holiday maker rebates. So for our backpackers, you get you get your money back, that's seen working holiday makers coming in about 1,400 a week, and now we're seeing about 4,000 skilled visas coming every single week. So as the Prime Minister said, we are committed to the economic recovery. We know it's going to take the whole year for us to get back. That's why we're supporting that with rebating visa fees. I'm increasing the caps in this Budget. So for backpackers will now have an 11,000 additional places internationally so people can come, more backpackers will be able to come to Australia and be here, and that's a very significant increase in that. And as I've said, we've returned to a traditional Liberal National skills mix, which is two thirds of the program will now be skills visas for the year ahead in recognition of this fact that we have these skills shortages. So that'll be about 110,000 visas will be skilled visas in the migration year ahead under a Morrison Government, and we're very committed to seeing those skilled people get visas and come here and fill those shortages at the same time, the Government is seeing unemployment hitting now, low rates historically low rates and youth unemployment as well. And the Prime Minister has committed will continue to take unemployment down to three per cent for Australians at the same time as increasing our skills migration program.
Host: The next question is from Jai Bharadwaj from the Australian today. Go ahead, Jai.
Journalist: Thank you. My question is the Minister for Immigration. Thank you for increasing the number for parents visa. However, the partner visa numbers have been reduced and is a big concern. I have talked to a lot of community people ,they are saying is a significant reduce of 32,000 places and migrants are very young and not being able to bring their partner is a big issue for them.
The Hon. Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs: Yeah, thank you for that Dinesh, so the reduction is only about the last year, so we had a record year in Australian migration history on partners so what the Prime Minister asked me to do and what we were able to do while the while the pandemic was on was increase the family program. So for two years, we've had a record level of family visas processed and most of those are partner visas. The challenge we've got and it's a good one to have is partner visas are surging. We have a huge demand for the partner visa program. So this year we still have a very strong number higher than pre-pandemic levels and we intend to meet it. But of course, we are prioritising skills as well. So we were able to do both in this year's program and we'll keep working it through. Partners will be the priority in the family program.
Prime Minister: A very important point, Alex. Through the pandemic, there were many things that were done differently and they were done for temporary reasons and they were never intended to be permanent, and the opportunity to provide additional partner visas was a good one. But it was never going to be a permanent one at those levels. And so the fact that we've now started to normalise the program again but have pattern partner visa levels, as you said, higher than it was in the pandemic. I'd say very, very plainly to you that that means that it isn't a reduction, it's actually an increase on the normal levels that we've seen from pre-pandemic levels. Yes, there has been a few years from the pandemic where we used that space in that time and that opportunity to keep bringing people in. And that was a great opportunity and we're glad we've been able to do that and reunite so many couples.
Host: The next question is from Keith Tan, Australian Chinese Daily.
Journalist: Prime Minister, well, as you've touched on, just with regards to unemployment, we are really looking at the unemployment data being.
Prime Minister: Try again.
The Hon. Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs: Yes, sorry Keith we can't hear you.
Prime Minister: Now he's got, he's right, he's right, Yes, we can go ahead.
Journalist: Yeah. Yes. So with regards to unemployment rate and it been better than [inaudible] did. And on top of what was already answered before. What are, what are the measures? Are the Government prepared to do to continue to promote and improve on unemployment within Australia?
Prime Minister: Well, where we're heading to unemployment with a three in front of it, that's a 50 year low in Australia where we haven't seen and we're currently in an equal low. Going back to the early 70s, you know, when I was about six years old, we haven't, you know, we've seen it at about that level before on other occasions, but it's an equal low. And that's going to keep driving down because we're driving the economy, we're growing the economy and you're absolutely right. The improvement in the Budget position of a more than $100 billion over the forward estimates is a function of getting more people into work. It's a pretty simple proposition. People go from receiving welfare payments to paying taxes that turns your budget around. And that has been significant in what we've seen in the Budget last night, which is what has enabled us to responsibly in a very targeted way pay for this targeted cost of living support in the Budget. But the additional measures investing in skills, Australians need more skilled workers and not just in the migration program. They need to be training Australians here in more skills. So we have the investments five thousand for each apprentice to the apprentice themselves and $15,000 to the employer to ensure that they will keep taking the apprentices on, keeping apprentices in the training. We've just extended out, particularly over the next three months, to ensure that the apprenticeship programs we've been running at elevated levels during the pandemic extend out another three months so we can get more intake and that be about 35,000 odd more apprentices coming in. Skills and access to skills is the most significant challenge our economy faces right now. There are many other challenges, but ensuring we get the skilled workers, we need to do the jobs that are needed in a growing economy. And they're not just in the traditional trades, they're in cyber technicians, they're in advanced engineering, they're in our manufacturing businesses, they're in our mental health support and in our health sectors. And so Australia needs more and more skilled workers, and we're investing in that. But we've also got $120 billion infrastructure program, and that infrastructure building program is connecting Australia better, which is good for our economy. It's ensuring that Australians have got safer roads and we've got faster rail, the faster rail programs in this Budget. There's also a major intermodal hub that has been built in Victoria, which is improving the connectedness for freight, which also drives our economy. There's lower taxes for small businesses, one hundred and per cent tax deductions for both investments in skills training and in addition to that, for investment in taking on new technologies, new data and digital technologies to ensure your businesses is more connected into the future economy. We've got a $21 billion investment in the regions, and Alex makes the great point about regions and for migrants coming to Australia, go to the regions because the opportunities there are significant. We are investing at record levels in regions and particularly those where we're going to see a major wealth unlocking up in the Hunter, up in central Queensland, up in the Northern Territory, the Northern Territory is a great migration state. The Chief Minister up there, more and more people he says, keep sending me more people. I've got plenty of jobs for them and plenty of opportunities, and we'll match them on the services up in the Pilbara. But our regional accelerator program, a $2 billion program which is investing in skills and education and training and infrastructure and medical services that is investing in telecommunications infrastructure. All of this is what drives your economy forward because we're investing in the things that enables our economy to grow. And when you grow your economy, that means you can pay your bills. That means you can continue to have the highest bulk billing rate we've ever had in Medicare in this country. It means that you can invest in the two thousand eight hundred pharmaceuticals that we've been able to put in new and amended listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, breast cancer drugs, drugs to deal with cystic fibrosis and other terrible conditions, to do genetic testing for things like spinal muscular atrophy. Now, all of these things may not be aware, you may not be aware of of those particular conditions but there are thousands of Australians, particularly also in our ethnic communities, who suffer from this every day. And Australia has a very strong social program and to support that, we need a strong economy to fuel it.
Host: Thank you. Next question is from Winmas Yu, SBS Cantonese programme.
Journalist: Good morning, Prime Minister and Minister Hawke, my question is sort of build on just a question earlier regarding the partner visa and family visa quota allocations. So we're seeing a reduction in partner visa to make way for the increasing numbers of skilled migrants. Prime Minister, you mentioned earlier that we actually not reducing it, but it's actually higher than the pre-pandemic pandemic levels. So without increasing the total one hundred and sixty thousand planning levels, is the Government able to guarantee like the waiting time for partner visa as well as parent visa applicants, would remain the same or potentially quicker than before? Or if not, how long were the wait be expected to be.
Prime Minister: I'll ask the Minister to address that. Some 50,000 places to support family reunion in the family stream. You mentioned the 160,000 cap. I don't think we're going to trouble that cap in the immediate future because we're gearing the whole system up again. And people, even those who have been visaed are already in many cases, some of them are still having to remain in their home country. And China is a good example of that in Hong Kong and places like that because of COVID. And so it'll take a little bit of time for the migration program to gather its pace again. But those 50,000 places are there, and the Minister can talk to the processing times.
The Hon. Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs: Yeah, thanks, PM. This is a good question. So in the pandemic, because our borders were shut, obviously, if you go to the website, processing times look large. Since we've reopened, we've been able to bring down week on week those times are falling for people in different programs, including partner visas, depending on different country restrictions and requirements. But the department will be meeting those processing requirements month in and month out. They'll be coming down. You'll see those those reflected in weekly and monthly updates. I just say the partner visa program is very well supported inside the family program. The parent visa program is a whole different program. It's a difficult area of migration, but you're looking at to you looking at a Prime Minister and a Minister, he tasked me originally with the new sponsor parent visa program, which we designed in Government, Coalition Government and implemented so that people could sponsor their parents to come here for three years, five years and ultimately with two visas, 10 years to multiple entry exit. You're familiar with the program. Every country in the world wrestles with its parent program, but we have been innovating and our Government has been innovating to allow for more family groups to sponsor their parents to come here and visit them and stay with them, and will continue to seek those innovations and make sure that's accessible for people's parents to come and go. But obviously, parents are very different to the partner program.
Host: Thank you. The next question is from Rajesh Sharma, Indus Age.
Journalist: Good morning.
Host: We're just we're just having a little bit of trouble hearing you.
Journalist: [inaudible].
Host: Sorry Rajesh, I've got your question in front of me, so I can just convey that to the Prime Minister, if you like, we're having trouble with your connection. With record investment in defence and unstable global security. What roles do you visualise for the Australia India partnership to play? And has Australia invested enough in this relationship from a defence point of view?
Prime Minister: Thank you. Australia's relationship with India is at a whole new level and the wonderful personal relationship that both Prime Minister Modi and I have been able to forge over these last three and a half years has been very important. And and it goes back to the relationship that Prime Minister Abbott was able to have with Prime Minister Modi and former Prime Minister Abbott, I tasked as my special envoy in that trade relationship with India, and that is that is yielded much and the Trade Minister has been working with his counterpart Minister Goyal, now for several weeks, has been working towards a new economic partnership agreement. I only had our rather extensive bilateral virtual meeting when I was in Brisbane the other day with Narendra, and we worked across the full suite of issues that we've been working on. We have a lot of like minded passions and ambitions, not just for our own countries, but how they're complementary that our policies are complementary, particularly in the region. Australia, together with India, Japan, the United States, we have a very re-enlivened the Quad at a leaders level and that is providing us, I think, with a stronger platform to pursue the bilateral relationships within the Quad and with the India relationship, I have focussed far more, frankly in the first few years on the security and defence relationship to build a platform of trust and strength in that defence and security relationship upon which we can build the economic relationship. I know that there are a lot of suitors to India in terms of wanting to get greater trade access into the Indian market. And I think where Australia has been able to stand out in terms of all of those suitors is one, we're like minded. We're on the same page. We believe the same things. We want to achieve the same things for our region, the level of people to people engagement, particularly with the very strong levels of Indian migration to Australia. The care that we provided for those Indian students that have been in Australia, and Narendra was was very quick to say to me at our meeting the other day how grateful he was for the care that has been provided to Indian students in Australia over the last couple of years, especially during the pandemic. But yes, we are have invested heavily in our defence partnership and I think that has provided a very, very strong platform for a much expanded economic partnership with India, and I look forward to being able to say more about that in the not too distant future. We've been working closely on this now for some period of time, and this will, I think, take our relationship even to a higher level.
Host: Thank you, PM. We've come to time this morning. If you'd like to make some closing remarks before signing off please.
Prime Minister: I might throw to Alex as well, but I do want to thank you for joining us today after the budget, there are many interviews and discussions that we have with media, around the country, but this is an important engagement that I've always been keen to keep every year and to ensure that we're communicating the Budget into all of the many communities around the country. Whether it's specific issues that you've been raising today on on matters of immigration and settlement policy, timing of visa applications. And these are these are the practical things that your readers and your viewers, I know are keen to understand. In addition to the headline issues of the Budget around economic supports, tax cuts and other income assistance that is helping people get through. So I really do want to thank through you, the many communities that make up Australia and our big Australian family, the community associations especially that really keep the vibrancy and support of those communities. And we'll always seek to continue to support them and respect the important role that you play. But Australia is the most successful multicultural immigration nation on Earth. I don't say, arguably because I don't think it is arguably, I think we are. And I think daylight is second when it comes to this because we have achieved a level of social cohesion across so many different nationalities, ethnic and language groups and religious groups that I think we are the, the standard that other countries would seek to achieve. And that is because of the good heartedness and good faith of those Australians who come from so many different backgrounds. Australia is a great country because of the Australian people. It's not just that we're a beautiful country and blessed with great resources to support a wonderful standard of living. It's because Australians are amazing and those who have come from so many parts of the world have made Australia stronger. And that's what I believe this Budget backs in, but Alex.
The Hon. Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs: Thanks PM, and to support what the PM is saying under the Budget, we have some more good news for multicultural communities that I'll be unpacking with you and through you to all of the communities in Australia. And we're minded as a Government and the Prime Minister as he's moved around Australia, we will be supporting multicultural communities to resume the fullness of, of community life we've seen, you know, churches are not as full, temples, mosques not as full and festivals have been cancelled over many years and I'm announcing some grants through the Budget from the Morrison Government to support community activity. We want communities to get back to as like normal as possible. We know that it's going to need some support around the country, so we'll communicate some of the details there. But let's get some of those great applications in, we want communities to be back and thriving. Holi, I think the PM agrees it was still colourful, but it was the most muted I've seen it ever in my life because of the pandemic. We need to get Holi back. We need to get these great festivals back and the Government will be practically supporting communities with with some resources to do that, right?
Prime Minister: Great, well thank you very much for your time.
The Hon. Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs: Thanks, everyone.
Interview with Peter van Onselen, Studio 10
30 March 2022
PETER VAN ONSELEN: Prime Minister, thanks very much for your company. Is there anything you'd do differently in this Budget if it wasn't an election year?
PRIME MINISTER: No, there isn't, because what we're doing for cost of living pressures in this Budget is because of the cost of living pressures. The war in the Ukraine has pushed up fuel prices and Australians are feeling that. And it's not just at the bowser, it affects the price of food, the price of groceries, and they need that support now. And the reason we can do that is we've had a $100 billion improvement in the Budget over the over the Budget period, and that's been earned by Australians working hard. So giving them tax relief through lower excise, halving the excise, giving them tax relief in personal income tax and when they put in their tax return on the 1st of July and supporting those who are on pensions and those types of payments right now, the cost of living increases are real. And so is this package.
VAN ONSELEN: Halving the fuel excise was larger than what people were predicting, it goes for six months.
PRIME MINISTER: Yes.
VAN ONSELEN: It's understandably temporary given the overseas measures. Is there any chance it would be extended if the issues overseas continue?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's not our plan. The forecast that we have is that we will see fuel prices in particular the price per barrel of oil to drop back to more conventional levels over that period. But we've done it over six months. In New Zealand, they've done it over three months. So we've provided a greater provision to ensure that people can have the confidence. See, this is about ensuring Australians have confidence. This is giving them a shield against the cost of living pressures that are Australians know are being caused by events far away from Australia. But what this means is it's hurting them now, and I'm not going to have them knocked over again as we're coming out of this pandemic stronger than any other advanced economy in the world.
VAN ONSELEN: But are you open minded about extending it if overseas events require?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's not what we expect. What we did in the pandemic, when we when we went into JobKeeper, and it certainly wasn't an election around the corner back then, because that's what was needed. But what we've demonstrated is we know when to start and we know when to stop. During the pandemic, Labor would have spent an extra $81 billion because they wouldn't have known how to stop. And that means right, right now, they wouldn't have been able to deliver this much needed cost of living support that we've delivered. That's why it’s responsible, it's targeted and it's temporary.
VAN ONSELEN: Labor's intimated that this is a booby trapped Budget that sort of intimates that they think they might win the election, you’re planning to win obviously?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, Labor always gets ahead of themselves. We're certainly not getting ahead ourselves. We're dealing with the real economic circumstances that families and businesses are facing right now. Now, if Labor doesn't think the cost of living pressures are real, if Labor doesn't think that that cost of living support is needed now, well, they should say so, and they should set out their alternative. But we know it is real. And that's why we've been able to respond. And once again, we're doing it from a position of strength. The Budget has strengthened. The economy has strengthened. It has strengthened faster and stronger than all of the major advanced economies in the world, the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France. And that means that's why we can do that and that's why it's responsible.
VAN ONSELEN: One of the economic features at the moment, though, is higher inflation, and that inevitably tends to lead to higher interest rates. How do these spending initiatives, if you like, work at the same time as those pressures that are inflationary that feel like they don't necessarily gel?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, inflation, as you know, is about how quickly costs are rising. This is about cutting those costs. It's about cutting one of the most important costs that actually drive so many other prices. And that's the price of fuel. But because it's temporary, because it's targeted, that's why it's responsible, because we know when to start and when we know to stop. And that's why last night, S&P, the ratings agency affirmed Australia's AAA credit rating because they knew we'd got the balance right.
VAN ONSELEN: Just on the fuel excise cut. How do you guarantee that it gets passed on at the bowser and it just doesn't get gobbled up by the, you know, petrol stations?
PRIME MINISTER: The law and the ACCC, which is our cop on the beat and the Treasurer has done a fine job in ensuring that the petroleum producers and retailers will be will be watched very closely. Now, it'll take us a couple of weeks before this gets to the bowser because, you know, petrol stations have advanced purchase their fuel and they've purchased fuel on the old excise rate. And in rural and regional areas, then they hold those stocks for longer. So it will take a couple of weeks for that to flow through. So I'm not expecting to see that price change dramatically in those first couple of weeks. But I do expect it to change. I do expect it to pass on because Australians have worked hard to ensure that they can keep more of what they earn, whether that's through lower excises or lower taxes.
VAN ONSELEN: What are you most proud of in the Budget?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, there are many measures in this Budget. What I'm most proud of, frankly, that the Australian people who have made this possible. We've come through the last couple of years, principally not just because of strong economic management of our government, but principally overwhelmingly because of the resilience and character of Australians. That's what strengthened our economy. That's what enabled us to achieve this. And we've assumed that at all times we backed them in. That's what our economic policies do. You know, I love Australia because I love Australians and Australians are the ones who've enabled us to do what we did last night, backed in by our strong economic management.
VAN ONSELEN: Last night, one of your Liberal Senators Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, and she teed off hard on you and one of your ministers, Alex Hawke. She said, you're not fit to be Prime Minister. How do you respond to that?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, look, I understand Connie's disappointment. 500 members the Liberal Party had decided that she wasn't going to be on on the two slots on our Senate ticket. She's made similar criticisms of both of my predecessors when things haven't gone that way. I understand her upset. If she has any concerns about those issues, she can take them to the party processes that we've established to deal with those issues with the Federal and State Party.
VAN ONSELEN: The timing is pretty deliberately destructive, wouldn't you agree?
PRIME MINISTER: Look, I understand she's disappointed about losing the preselection.
VAN ONSELEN: Do you worry, though, that this is a pattern of criticism that you faced? I mean, the text messages with Gladys, the Deputy Prime Minister, he's apologised, and now Connie Fierravanti-Wells saying what she said.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, on the first matter, as you know, the Premier herself has not confirmed those matters. But what I can say to you …
VAN ONSELEN: To be fair Prime Minister, I've got the text like ...
PRIME MINISTER: Well, you haven't shared where you got them from and who you got them from. And I'm not taking your word for it, Peter. And I don't know if Australians will, either. What I know is that as a Prime Minister, I've led this country through one of the most difficult times. From time to time, people will disagree with the way I want to do that and they'll say things when they disagree with me. But what Australians always will know is I'll stand up for them. Right now, they need cost of living support, and in the future they need a strong economic plan, which is what this is investing in our regions, making sure paid parental leave is giving families real choice. Ensuring that we're reducing the cost of living, whether it's for medicines or whether it's at the bowser and ensuring that we're delivering for Australia, the infrastructure, the dams and all of this, which will unlock the wealth of this country, which means we can guarantee the essentials Australians rely on for medicines all the way through to paying for our defence forces to keep Australians safe.
VAN ONSELEN: Prime Minister, thanks so much for your time.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks a lot, Peter.
Interview with Michael Rowland, ABC News Breakfast
30 March 2022
Michael Rowland: PM, Good morning to you.
Prime Minister: Good morning, Michael. Those scenes in Lismore are very distressing. And once again, we've got over 3,200 defence forces are up there, obviously in place from the previous floods. But both the trauma of these events, just must be unbearable for people up there in and around Lismore today. And we'll be there with them, as we have been, and will continue to be.
Rowland: It certainly does put everything else into perspective, just several weeks after the last big flood there, you've talked about people on the ground there already. It is going to be potentially very serious. What more can the Federal Government do today to help the people of Lismore?
Prime Minister: Well having the defence forces in place, as I said 3,200 of our defence forces up there in Northern New South Wales, and they'll be working together with the State Emergency Services and providing what support they can. We've got the helicopters in place if there are rescues that are required, they'll be assisting in that respect, and the SES will be doing their job on that as well. But Australians will help each other again in Lismore, just like they did several weeks ago. We can't lose sight of the fact that in these circumstances, it's always, in addition to the support that is provided by state and federal governments and local governments, it is Australians helping each other, which is the great character. But already there has been hundreds of millions of dollars of support already delivered for the immediate assistance in cash support, but also the recovery assistance, which is run by the state government and run and funded 50:50 by us and them together. The rebuilding work will be important. But I'd also say, Michael, that the mental health support is going to be even more needed now, I think, because of the trauma of these events. And that is certainly already funded now and if that needs to be increased, then it certainly will be
Rowland: The trauma is just unimaginable. Hey, I want to get to the Budget in just a moment, but I want to, I really need to start with this extraordinary spray in the Senate last night by your outgoing Liberal colleague, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells. Here's a bit of what she had to say about you.
[EXCERPT PLAYS]
Rowland: Well, here's your right of reply, Prime Minister.
Prime Minister: Oh well, look, I understand that Connie is disappointed that as 500 members of the Liberal Party came to select our candidates for the Senate at the next election that she was unsuccessful. They chose Senator Payne and Senator Molan, also great choices. And, you know, I congratulate them on their success at that selection. There are disappointments in politics. My predecessors, both of them, in fact, have also earned similar accusations. Maybe not exactly put like that, but you know, people get disappointed. But if there are serious issues that Connie would like to raise about these things, then we have processes in our party. We put them in place. Those lessons have been learned over a long time now, and they're there, and I would strongly encourage her to take any matters up with the party organisation. That's the right thing to do.
Rowland: But it's not just her, of course. You've got lots of fire from inside your own team over the years. Gladys Berejiklian, in those texts, described you as a horrible and untrustworthy person. A senior minister has described you as a fraud and a complete psycho. The Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce, has called you a hypocrite and a liar. What should voters make of all of this?
Prime Minister: Oh, look, as Prime Minister, you make decisions that people don't always agree with you on. And particularly, I mean, Premier Berejiklian at the time and since has never confirmed any of those things. And so scuttlebutt goes around. But it is true that I will make decisions that not everyone will agree with. And when they don't, they'll be disappointed. But that goes with being Prime Minister. If you just want everybody to like you all the time, they won't be a good Prime Minister because you won't make the decisions that are necessary. And I've always prepared to do that. You know, I've earned similar replies when I decided that it wasn't the right decision to spend $90 billion of Australia's taxpayers’ money on building French submarines and that we needed to build nuclear powered submarines. I stood up for Australia then. If I believe what I'm doing is right, which is always, then I will stand up for that and occasionally people will be disappointed. And when they're disappointed, well, they'll make remarks like you've seen.
Rowland: OK, I want to look at the Budget and the fuel excise cut in particular. Just a month or so ago, you were pretty sceptical about a temporary cut in the fuel excise, saying, in your view, at that time, any cut would be overwhelmed by movements in the oil price. Prime Minister, what's changed?
Prime Minister: Well, we were talking then about very small changes to the excise. I mean, some were just talking about changing the indexation on fuel excise. That's not what we did last night. We halved it and we did it for six months and we carefully considered our response. And what we did as we prepared the Budget is we looked at the very real cost of living pressures that are emerging, the fuel price issue had become worse. And as you know, when fuel prices go up, it just doesn't affect the price of fuel at the bowser. It affects the cost of everything else, of food and groceries. And as that problem worsened, we noted we needed to have a more comprehensive package. Just tinkering with the fuel excise, that wasn't going to deal with the problem, that's what I was saying. That's why we took a more bold measure. But it's temporary and it's targeted and it's responsible. Just like when we did JobKeeper, it was needed, we did it, we knew when to start and we knew when to stop. And that's what limits the impact more broadly on the Budget. The Budget has turned around by some $100 billion, and that's by getting people off welfare and into work. The Budget has strengthened, the economy has strengthened. So last night we could give Australians a shield, whether they be pensioners or hard working families, those who are paying for prescription medicines, those filling up the car at the bowser. We gave them a shield against those cost of living increases that has been caused by what's occurring in Ukraine we all understand that, it makes it real and the package of support is real and it's needed now and it's responsible and it's targeted.
Rowland: It is real, but it is temporary, as you say. What won't be temporary are these cost of living pressures, which will increase in May, in June, in July. Why should not voters see this close to $9 billion in temporary one-off payments, one-off excise cuts, as nothing short of one big, massive pre-election bribe?
Prime Minister: Well, I've heard those critics and you've made those claims now, and the Labor Party have made those claims, and what, you don't think these cost of living pressures are real? I know they're real. And I know that the oil price is going to come down, and that's what the forecast is.
Rowland: I know they're real, but if the government is serious [inaudible], excuse the interruption, extend the cost of living measures beyond May, June and July.
Prime Minister: Well they do. The excise cut goes for six months. In New Zealand they did it for three months. We've done it for six months, at which time the forecasts that have been done by Treasury show oil prices returning to more normal levels. And so there is a problem we have to deal with right now. You have to deal with it now. So it begins with a fuel excise cut, so that's just basically a tax cut so people can keep more of their own money. And that's important. They need their own money and they need to be able to keep it through lower taxes on fuel. Pensioners and others who depend on those payments get the $250 in the next couple of weeks. But the fuel excise cut goes for six months. The tax relief is ongoing in, particularly we've got the one off support that happens in July, when people can receive those rebates on their tax. So that's them keeping more of what they earn. We're not making a payment to them. We're saying you should keep more of what you earn to deal with these cost of living pressures. But then our ongoing tax cuts, I mean, the tax cuts we've put in place as a government, if you're earning $90,000 right now, if we kept Labor's old taxes, you'd be paying $50 a week and more extra every week on tax. Now they are tax cuts that will deliver into the future. And in the next term we've already legislated to ensure that if you're earning between $45,000 all the way up to $200,000, you will pay no more than a marginal rate of 30 cents in the dollar. And now that's transformational. I said I wanted Australians to keep more of what they earn. I delivered on that promise.
I also delivered on ensuring we get more Australians into housing, in owning their own homes. 300,000 Australians, including single mums who've never been able to even dream about having their own home, have now bought their own home directly as a result of the Home Guarantee Scheme that we put in place, HomeBuilder, all of these. Labor opposed us on HomeBuilder. They said it was wrong. Well, they were wrong. They said we were wrong to stop JobKeeper when we did. Well, I'm glad we did. It was the right decision because if we'd spent the extra $81 billion on all the things they said we had to keep spending it on, we wouldn't have been able to deliver the cost of living relief that we did last night. We know when to start. We know when to stop. That's what responsible, targeted budgeting is all about.
Rowland: When does the election campaign start?
Prime Minister: Well, the election will be held in the middle of May which is when it's due. I don't play games with these things. I've been very upfront about that. I've always said we've had a term to do. We were elected to do that work in that term and we've been delivering on that.
Unemployment is down to four per cent. I mean, the Labor Party themselves said that the key test of the Budget is what happens with jobs. And for once I agree with them. And the proof is in the jobless rate now going down to four per cent. Youth unemployment is a single digit unemployment rate now. Women's unemployment rate is down to the lowest level since 1974. We're getting Australians into jobs, and in this Budget we're investing in their skills for the future. 120 per cent tax deduction for businesses that invest more in the training and skills of their employees. $5,000 for apprentices to go and be apprentices. $15,000 to the employers to help with their wages to help them stay in trades. We've got 220,000 Australians in trade training right now. That is a record. It's the highest level since records were kept in 1963. So getting Australians in training, getting them into work and investing in the infrastructure, the dams in particular, but also the ports and the regions and unlocking their wealth. That's the long term plan for driving Australia's wealth.
Rowland: Prime Minister, have to leave it there, I know you've got other engagements. We hope to see you back on the show during the election campaign, whenever it is.
Prime Minister: Thanks a lot, Michael. Good to be with you.
Interview with Kieran Gilbert, Sky News
30 March 2022
Kieran Gilbert: Prime Minister, thanks for joining us. A difficult sell for you, it's coincided with the farewell for the great Shane Warne. It does make it difficult because everyone is focusing on that today.
Prime Minister: Well, of course, and I think, you know, we're looking forward to joining all Australians around the country to celebrate Shane's life tonight. I hope that brings great comfort to Shane's family, and so I'm looking forward to that. But the same will be true tomorrow morning about petrol prices. The same will be true about the cost of living pressures that Australians are facing, they're real pressures. They're caused by events far away from Australia. And that's why the package that we announced last night to give that immediate relief, it's real relief for a real problem, and that's what's driving the need to provide that relief what has happened and the fact that the Budget has turned around and we've turned it around by some $100 billion by growing the Australian economy, getting Australia through and out of this pandemic means that we could provide the relief we did last night and to do it responsibly in a targeted and a temporary way, and also invest in our plan for the future on skills and infrastructure in the regions in particular and unlock the wealth there. That's how you pay for submarines, that's how you pay for pensions.
Gilbert: We had a focus group last night, live to air, the first gentleman Adam Windsor in the seat of Macquarie, he said these payments look like a bribe. What do you say to him?
Prime Minister: Cost of living pressures are real and Australians need that support now. Just like when we introduced JobKeeper, it was needed then, it was temporary. It was for a particular purpose. We achieved that purpose. We have a real purpose now. We've got to give Australians a shield against these cost of living pressures that could frustrate and break up the momentum that the economy is building. We want Australians getting to their feet and they are and strongly not to be then buffeted by these strong cost of living pressures that are coming from the war in Ukraine. I mean, when the petrol price of petrol goes up, it affects everything. It affects the price of groceries. You know, it affects the price of everything you put on a truck and move around the country. So providing this tax relief, and let's remember that's what it is about. This is just letting Australians keep more of what they earn by not paying as higher an excise at the bowser and the income tax cut is the same. Australians keeping more of what they earn.
Gilbert: You could be giving with one hand and then the Reserve Bank takes with the other via higher interest rates.
Prime Minister: Well, this is why ...
Gilbert: This is potentially driving up inflation ...
Prime Minister: Well as the Budget papers and what Treasury analysis shows, it's actually cutting prices. I mean, it is about reducing the price of fuel. This is about reducing the pressures and that's what's being achieved. Standard and Poor's last night reaffirmed our AAA credit rating. And the reason why it doesn't have those longer term impacts, Kieran, is because it's, it's responsible. I mean, Labor wanted to spend $81 billion more during the pandemic because they wouldn't have been able to stop the spending. We knew it had to stop, they actually criticised us for stopping that spending.
Gilbert: So there's no risk of ...
Prime Minister: And so what it means is what it means is, is if they'd done that, they wouldn't be able to do what we did last night because they would have already blown the dough. And so when it comes to interest rates, yeah, we've got to put downward pressure on interest rates and downward pressure on inflation. And that's what we have been doing. Inflation in Australia is less than half what it is over in the United States.
Gilbert: This Budget doesn't do it, does it? You're putting, what, $8.6 billion in people's pockets in six months.
Prime Minister: And that's to do with real cost of living pressures now, but it's not permanent. It's done to deal with a specific problem, a real need and to those who are criticising these payments, what do they don't think the cost of living pressures are real? We do. We know it is. I mean, people think about politics around an election who are in the business of politics. All Australians sitting around the kitchen table understand is why petrol prices are going up. That's making it more expensive. And if the Government can support us during this time, just like we did during JobKeeper and got the economy through, this is well-designed, it's well-targeted and it's responsible because the economy has been growing.
Gilbert: What do you say to traditional conservative voters who would want to see budget repair as opposed to $8.6 billion out the door in six months?
Prime Minister: What I'd say is a strong economy is what pays for your defence forces. A strong economy is what pays for the essential services that Australians rely on, particularly those who need to pay for medicines. I mean, one of the cost of living relief measures we had last night was making medicines cheaper. 12 less scripts for those on those cards need to have to qualify for the safety net support that's going to save around 80 bucks on their medicines. So what we're doing is delivering the support Australians need and giving the investment to the economy. I know that, you know, Australians are passionate about our regions. This is the single most transformational investment in our region, particularly in places like up in the Northern Territory and up in central and north Queensland, the Pilbara, Newcastle. You know how we pay for things in the budget because we dig things out of the ground and we send it overseas and we grow things in these regions and we're investing in the wealth of the regions so those regions can continue to support all of Australia.
Gilbert: You've been critical of Labor over its treatment of Kimberley Kitching. Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells has has not been preselected by the Liberal Party. Last night, she was very critical. Aren't we seeing another strong woman being marginalised by men in politics and this time by your own man, Alex Hawke? That's her allegation.
Prime Minister: I know Connie is disappointed that 500 members of the Liberal Party, which is a very large preselection, turned up on the weekend and they didn't select Connie. They selected Senator Payne and Senator Molan, and she was selected in the third position. At the last time she went, she had strong support and she was able to retain that. I mean, politics, that's how people get selected to run in these positions.
Gilbert: She says that you're a bully and with no moral compass, an autocrat is what she said. These are her words and and she says, it was your man, Alex Hawke, who drove those numbers.
Prime Minister: Oh, look, it was a pre-selection. Five hundred members of the Liberal Party made that decision. And look, I understand she's disappointed. If there are specific complaints that she would like to make about that, the party has processes and I encourage her to do that. If the issues there that she believes need to be addressed, then I'm sure she'll raise those and she should raise them with the party organisation.
Gilbert: You've got a lot of other commitments. I have to ask you about the aid budget, though. There's a real cut in aid and now we see the Solomons willing to go into China's embrace, it seems. Why don't you lift the aid budget? Isn't this central to what we're seeing with the Solomons, for example, turning their back on us and turning to China?
Prime Minister: We've doubled the aid budget, doubled it to the Pacific. We have doubled the, and that's exactly what you've asked.
Gilbert: Yeah, but to the Solomons specifically?
Prime Minister: Well, the Solomons, we've had RAMSI and we've also had the major cable project. So they've been capital items in the Solomon Islands support budget, and it still is the second largest of all of our aid expenditures in the Pacific region. And just in the letter that I had from Prime Minister Sogavare this week, talking about these very issues, very grateful for the tremendous support that Australia has always given. The Solomon Islands Prime Minister has not raised any issues about the support that Australians have given. In particular, very grateful. I mean, we have Australian Federal Police on the ground in Solomon Islands. The first ones they called were Australia to come and help them provide for their security.
Gilbert: So what are they doing this?
Prime Minister: Well, that is the issue that Pacific leaders are working through, and I've spoken to many of them and will be having those conversations. We're concerned, of course, about the security impacts. I'm pleased to hear that the Solomon Islands Prime Minister has said very clearly that under no circumstances would they be entertaining any naval base or presence on our doorstep, and that would certainly be against Australia's national interests and the region's security interests. So we'll deal with this issue as a family. A Pacific family. A Pacific family that as me as Prime Minister, we have doubled over the course of the last eight years, especially. But over the last three years, the Pacific step up over $2 billion each year, going in support to our Pacific family. No government has ever done that before.
Gilbert: Prime Minister, thanks for your time.
Prime Minister: Thank you.
Interview with Allison Langdon, Today Show
30 March 2022
ALLISON LANGDON: Prime Minister, nice to see you this morning. You reckon it's enough to get you re-elected?
PRIME MINISTER: This is about cost of living pressures that are real and that Australians are facing. And that's why they need the support now. And they've worked hard, just like the government has, to ensure that the Budget has improved by some $100 billion. And that's why last night we were able to meet that need on the cost of living pressures, particularly at the bowser, that Australian families and businesses right across the country are facing. It's caused by events well beyond our shores, the war in Ukraine. But this is a responsible measure because we've been able to grow the economy to support it. It's temporary, it's targeted and it delivers real relief. So it's like a shield for families at the moment, a shield against those pressures of rising costs of living, particularly at the bowser. So as we're coming out of this pandemic strongly, we won't have that momentum broken, we won't have people knocked back down by what we're seeing in the war in Europe. So this is necessary support. The cost of living pressures are real and we've taken our time to get the right package of measures to give the support, both now immediately at the bowser, it'll take a couple of weeks for that to flow through because at the petrol stations, they've already bought their fuel supplies over recent weeks, but also for pensioners and those who need those payments, those $250 payments will be coming through soon. And when people put their tax return in, an extra $420. That's just them keeping their own money, I want to stress. No one's getting a payment there. They're just paying less tax and they're keeping their own money, just like they're keeping their own money by having a lower excise and lower taxes on fuel. Australians need to keep more of their own money to ensure that they can continue to push through as a result of these very difficult cost of living pressures.
LANGDON: Well, with this Budget, are you addressing the cost of living or is it just the cost of winning?
PRIME MINISTER: No, it's about cost of living. In the same way when the pandemic hit and we did JobKeeper. It didn't have to be an election, there was a need. And there's a need because of what has happened with fuel prices. Because when the price of fuel goes up, the cost of food goes up and everything you've got to put on a truck and transport around the country, the cost of shipping goes up. All of this changes. And so as a result of that crisis worsening ...
LANGDON: But these fixed that you're talking about, these fixes, sorry, as you just pointed out, they are temporary. You've got these one-off payments and the timeframe on the fuel excise cut. So are you expecting fuel and grocery prices to be affordable in six months’ time when these relief runs out?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, as the Treasury papers show in the Budget, we are expecting the cost of fuel to drop over that six month period. We've done it for six months. In New Zealand they've done it for three. We believe it'll extend longer than that, and so we've done it for six months. And that's the best estimate that we have and that's when this support is needed and that's why it's being delivered now. But the Budget sets out billions in investments, particularly in jobs. I mean, the biggest reason why we've had $100 billion dollar improvement over the Budget period, and particularly more recently, is because we've got Australians in work. We've got Australians in work. So you've got, someone getting welfare turns into someone paying tax on a job. That's how you strengthen your Budget. And unemployment now at four per cent, youth unemployment now at one of its lowest levels that we've seen in many years with a nine in front of it. It's always been in double digit for almost the entire time over the last 20 years or so. And now a single digit unemployment rate for youth unemployment. Women's unemployment is at the lowest level since 1974. We've got that highest participation rate, that is people who are in the workforce, for women. And so our economy is strengthening and because we knew when to start spending and stop spending on JobKeeper. Labor would have spent $81 billion more. They criticised us for stopping JobKeeper, but we knew you had to do it temporarily. We did that, and that's what this is. It's another well-designed, responsible, targeted measure, and it's allowing Australians to keep more of what they earn to get through the challenges ahead, which are very immediate.
LANGDON: Look, it's been a very delicate balance, of course. You know, you want to be able to put money into people's pocket to be able to pay for things, and you've also got to keep an eye on inflation. So that's been a tricky thing for you to navigate with this one. And many things, what you presented last night does that. Nothing for rent relief, though. Why not?
PRIME MINISTER: It's about Australians getting into homes. The best way to support people who are renting a house is to help them buy a house. And over the last three years, we've got over 300,000 Australians directly into their own home and particularly single mums, where we are addressing the amount of deposit they need from 20 per cent …
LANGDON: I'm not talking about home ownership here, though, Prime Minister. I'm not talking about home ownership here, I'm talking about rental relief for the thousands and millions of people who are renting. And I think that for a lot of places like in regional Australia, rents have gone up about 18 to 20 per cent.
PRIME MINISTER: I know, but that's my point. People who are buying houses are renters. And ensuring that more renters can buy their own home and get the security of home ownership, this is one of the key focuses of this Budget and was one of the key pledges that I've delivered on since the last election. 300,000 people have directly got into their own home as a result of the measures we put in place since then, and we've gone further with those. We've gone further with those. We still provide the rental relief that's delivered through the rental assistance payments by the Commonwealth. We still provide the income support that is provided to people who are renting. This is why we're cutting taxes. This is why we've always cut taxes. You know, if you on the same tax rates that we inherited from the Labor Party and you earn about $90,000 a year, you would be paying $50 a week and more in tax. We've cut those taxes so people are paying less tax as a result of our tax cuts, not just over one Budget, but many Budgets. And that's what's enabling Australians to keep more of what they earn to meet the costs that they have and that they're facing.
LANGDON: Ok, you're now predicting that wage growth is going to outstrip inflation, but I mean, your track record on that forecast has been pretty shaky over the past decade. Why are you confident you've got it right this time?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the assumptions that are made in Budgets are swings and roundabouts, but I'll tell you that the assumptions that have always worked under our Budgets is the revenue has always come in stronger than what we've anticipated. There's nothing in this Budget which is built on assuming that iron ore prices stay over $100, up around $120, $130 dollars now, forever. I mean, that's what the Labor Party did when they were in government. They assumed record iron ore prices would last forever. They spent money based on taxes like the mining tax, which never raised any money. We haven't done that in this Budget. We've been very conservative in our assumptions. And as the Reserve Bank Governor himself has said, wages are on the rise again. But the only way you get stronger wages is through a stronger economy. The government doesn't legislate to increase wages. If the Labor Party think there's a better way to raise wages, I look forward to hearing it on Thursday night. He's got to set out an alternative budget on Thursday night. He can't say I'll do one in September if he's elected. Australians want to know now. He's not a small target, he's a vacant space when it comes to an economic plan. And they've had three years to tell Australians what they're going to do. And the election is just around the corner, and he needs to get up on Thursday night and explain that. We have a plan, we have a clear plan and it's a plan that's working because I know Australians are working, at unemployment rates of four per cent and heading south, and wages heading north.
LANGDON: I tell you what, we are definitely in election mode. So we've had the Budget now. There's a bit of sting in your tail this morning. So the election, when are we looking?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the election has always been due in the middle of May and I've been very consistent about, you know, we were elected to serve a term and we've served that term.
LANGDON: Come on Scott, we're ready, aren't we? We want it all over and done with, don't we?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, you know, we've got the Budget. We will take the Budget through the parliament this week, and it won't be long before we're going to those polls. And I'll tell you what, at that election, Australians will have a very important choice. A choice about who is best able to continue to keep our economy strong for a stronger future. Who can defend our country, who's been prepared to stand up, who has the clear plans, who is known, who was known at the end of the day. You know, I'm not pretending to be anyone else. You can't pretend to be someone else when you're Prime Minister, because when you got to make those hard decisions, you draw on that experience and everything you've believed in over the last 30 years. Because in the crisis, that's what counts. And that's what has enabled us as a government to stay strong, to keep our economy strong, and that means a stronger future. And this Budget delivers on that again. We've been delivering, we're going to keep delivering, with a plan that will ensure a stronger economy for the future. And that's what the election's about.
LANGDON: Prime Minister, one of your own slammed you last night, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells basically saying that you're a bully. Your response to that?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, of course, I don't agree with that. And she's been similarly disappointed in the past with my predecessors. But there was 500 people who turned up from the Liberal Party on the weekend and made their choices about who they wanted to endorse for our Senate ticket in New South Wales. They chose Senator Payne, the Foreign Minister. They chose Senator Molan. I understand she's disappointed about that. And when people are disappointed, then they will, they will say things, and I understand that. And if there are real complaints that she'd like to make then I would encourage her to take those to the federal party and the state party, because we have processes to deal with those sorts of things, and I encourage her to follow those.
LANGDON: All right, I'll tell you what, it was pretty brutal from her last night. But overall a pretty positive response, I think, to your Budget. We appreciate your time this morning. Thank you, Prime Minister.
Interview with Ben Fordham, 2GB
30 March 2022
Ben Fordham: The PM joins us to talk about the Budget. We better kick off by letting him know the latest from northern New South Wales because PM, as we say hello to you from Canberra, I'm just getting images through at the moment for not only Lismore, but also Byron and Suffolk, where you've got cars floating down the streets in Byron Bay. Good morning to you, Prime Minister.
Prime Minister: Well, good morning. And that's dreadful and awful news for the people of northern New South Wales, to be hit so soon after the devastating floods of several weeks ago. There are 3,200 Defence Force personnel up there in that region, and they're there to assist and do things that they do. Of course, those on the ground, those living there will be once again supporting their neighbours and their friends and their communities and the terrific work of the SES will be doing their job as well. And you know. We were just getting underway with the recovery operation and the trauma that this I know will cause to those already dealing with their terrible experience of just weeks ago, this only reinforces why we'll continue to stand with them, not just in the practical financial support, but the support for mental health and the many other things that we needed to help this community rebuild.
Fordham: We will catch up with Jacqui Lewis in Lismore straight after the news at 7:30. If you're in the area and if you're able to call in, please do so. Otherwise we understand that you've got bigger issues you're dealing with at the moment. The PM has announced the Budget alongside Josh Frydenberg. And Scott Morrison, pretty clear that cost of living is the focus of the Budget, and no doubt it will be of the election as well.
Prime Minister: Well, cost of living pressures are real. And Australians know that they're being caused by things well beyond our shores. The rising fuel prices caused by what's of course happening in Ukraine. That's not permanent, but the relief that is needed is real and it's needed now. And that's why we've acted in the Budget. The same way, why we acted back with JobKeeper several years ago. Australia's economy is coming back strongly. The Budget has improved, about $100 billion worth of improvements. And that is what has enabled us to take the action we did last night to ensure that Australians don't get knocked down just as they're getting to their feet coming out of this pandemic. And so that support at the bowser by cutting excise in half, by providing income tax relief that they'll be able to access when they lodge their tax returns on the 1st of July, and cheaper medicines, which will particularly support older Australians for whom having medicines is not a choice, it's a necessity. And to reduce the cost of those medicines is incredibly important. And pensioners as well and others receiving those payments, well, there's a $250 support payment right now to ensure that they can deal with those. But it's responsible because it's targeted and it's for a temporary period as these cost of living impacts are real and they're there right now.
Fordham: Well on the cut to the fuel tax. We called for this to happen in mid-February, and then about mid-March we had your energy minister Angus Taylor, on the line, he said no, it would only make a tiny difference. Do you agree with that?
Prime Minister: Well, if we were only talking about a few cents change and that's what was being contemplated at that time, well no. That's why we've halved it by over 20 cents and we've done it for six months. So we don't do things in a kneejerk way, Ben. We think about these things, we carefully assess how we can best support. And that's why it's not just a cut to the fuel excise, but it's also the support payments to pensioners. It's why we've expanded the tax cut that people will be getting from this year and be able to claim in their tax returns in July. It's why we're changing the prices of the safety net, which means people can get access to more affordable medicines. This is a package of measures. But the Budget goes well beyond that. Yes, we have to get through the six months ahead, but we've also got to build the wealth of the country for the future. And this Budget has the biggest investment in regional Australia that we've ever seen. There's $21 billion, and that includes $7 billion specifically in wealth creating regions like the Hunter and the central and north Queensland, the Northern Territory, the Pilbara. Now people might say, well, what does that mean for me in the suburbs of Sydney? Well, you know how we pay for our hospitals? By what we dig out of the ground in Western Australia, by the resources industries that work right across our regional areas, 82 per cent of our exports come out of regional Australia. And this is the biggest vote of confidence in regional Australia that we've seen, building everything from dams to ports to pipelines and the things that will make a difference to realise that wealth and unlock it in the region.
Fordham: Prime Minister, we went hard on Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party when there were allegations of bullying within the ALP. And last night, the Liberal Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells described you in the Senate as a bully with no moral compass. Here she is.
[EXCERPT PLAYS]
Fordham: That's one of your own Liberal Senators, and she also alleged that you use your faith for marketing purposes. What would you like to say to Concetta Fierravanti-Wells?
Prime Minister: Oh, well, look, I know Connie's disappointed that on the weekend 500 members of the Liberal Party went to a preselection and they didn't select Connie. I understand that. And I understand that there are many disappointments in political life. And you know, when you're Prime Minister, people hold you responsible for many, many things, and there are decisions that are taken over your life as a Prime Minister and that can lead to disagreements. I'm not the only one who's been at the end of those sort of comments from Connie. But look, I wish her well for the future. And if she has specific complaints that she'd like to make, then I would encourage you to do those. We have Party processes, so you know, if there are issues there she'd like to raise than the New South Wales Party and the Federal Party, we'll deal with those issues in the processes that we've established. But I understand she's disappointed with not winning the preselection on the weekend. It was, 500 members came together, I wasn't there, and they were the ones who made that decision.
Fordham: She claims it was a factional fix by you and some of your factional allies.
Prime Minister: Well, you know, when you don't win preselections, there's always someone else responsible for it.
Fordham: She also claims, and I just wouldn't mind getting a response from you on this, because she claims that when you were competing for preselection for the seat of Cook that you were overheard saying, we can't have a Lebanese person in Cork.
Prime Minister: That's rubbish.
Fordham: So she's made that up?
Prime Minister: That's not true.
Fordham: How did it feel hearing that last night?
Prime Minister: I was focussed on the Budget last night, I wasn't focussed on those issues, Ben. As Prime Minister there are lots of people who disagree with you, there are lots of people who say all sorts of things about you. It comes with the job. You've got to have a thick skin and you've got to be able to focus on the things that matter most to Australians. And right now, that's the cost of living pressures. That's the Budget that we delivered last night. It's the strong plan for the future, the essentials we're guaranteeing, the investments in our defence forces, particularly the $10 billion we've invested, I think Peter Dutton has done a great job in pulling that package together. That's the stuff Australians want me focussed on. That's what I am focussed on. From time to time there'll be disagreements and you just move on and get the job done for Australians.
Fordham: I've got 15 seconds to the news, are you calling an election this weekend?
Prime Minister: The election will be in mid-May.
Fordham: You're not answering the question.
Prime Minister: Well, when the election is called, everybody will know. We're not far away now. And you know, our opponents on Thursday night, the Labor Party has got to stand up and say what they would do in a Budget. We've waited for three years for them to tell us what they're going to do. They say there's going to be a mini budget in September. Well, Australians want to know what they plan to do now. And on Thursday night, Mr Albanese has to tell the country what is his alternative plan. He's not a small target. He's a vacant space. And Australians can't afford a vacant space.
Fordham: We've got to run to the news. We appreciate your time this morning, Prime Minister.
Prime Minister: Thanks a lot Ben.
Interview with Neil Breen, 4BC
30 March 2022
NEIL BREEN: Scott Morrison is on the line. That's what's happened in this Budget, isn't it Prime Minister?
PRIME MINISTER: That's spot on Neil, and the only thing I'd add is it's their money. But what we've predominantly got here is to address the very real cost of living impacts. And that's what's driving this. The need to deal with petrol prices going up, which affects not only what you pay at the bowser, but what you pay at the checkout as well, because everything's got to get put on trucks and moved around the country. But what we're doing is letting people, ensuring that they can keep their own money. So we've halved the fuel tax, over 22 cents, we've halved it and we've done that for six months. We've increased the income tax offsets, so people again, tax cut, keeping more of their own money. And we've also for those who are on those fixed income payments like pensioners, $250 to help them. But the reason we've been able to do it is exactly as you've said, kept the economy strong, got people off welfare into work, $100 billion strengthening to the budget, which means we can responsibly do this because it's targeted and temporary. You know, during the pandemic, Labor would have spent an extra $81 billion. They said we were wrong to stop JobKeeper when we did, well, we were right. And the reason we did that means we could do what we did last night because we know when to start. We know when to stop. And we're very disciplined about that.
BREEN: So people earning one under $126,000 will get a $1,500 bonus in their tax return. If you're a couple, you can get $3,000. We know that pensioners et al will get $250 put into their accounts. I had the ACTU president Michelle O'Neill on before, she thinks there it's a waste of time, it's all about real wage growth. Will there be real wage growth in the Australian economy? Because wages have been stagnant, Prime Minister.
PRIME MINISTER: Yeah, we will see that, and the Governor of the Reserve Bank has said the same thing. We are seeing, as we handed down that Budget last night, unemployment falling, underemployment falling, wages increasing and growth strengthening. And Australia's economy stronger, both in jobs and in growth, than the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Canada. Australia is in the Premier League when it comes to advanced economies in the world, and that means we can do what we did last night. Because you've got a strong economy, that means a stronger future. And the future plans that we announced last night, I totally understand why there's a lot of focus on what this means at the bowser and what this means in income tax over the next few months. But the plans that we outlined for regional investments last night, and Queenslanders know this. They know that what we dig out of the ground in Queensland, what we grow on the farms in Queensland, what we manufacture in the regions and places like Gladstone and so on, that pays for Medicare. It pays for the National Disability Insurance Scheme. It pays for our defences, particularly the big investments that I commend Peter Dutton for the great job he did, pulling together those new investments in cyber defence and offence to keep Australians safe. But to pay for it, we've got to invest more in our regions, in the dams and the ports and the infrastructure that is needed to unlock the wealth in the regions, which is what ends up paying for the things that we need to do to guarantee the essentials that Australians rely on your own.
BREEN: You were on earlier with my colleague in Sydney, Ben Fordham, and a lot has been made of this. You mentioned mid-May federal election, so everyone seized on May 14. How are they going?
PRIME MINISTER: Oh, the speculation on this has been going on for months. I've always said we'd go full term as a government. We were elected to do a job over a full term of parliament, and that's what Australians expect and that's exactly what we'll do.
BREEN: So what, that's full term, May 28?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we'll announce the election date when we're ready to call the election.
BREEN: I'm trying to trick you up. I'm trying to trick you up.
PRIME MINISTER: I know. The election will be on the date that it's called for and it's always going to be in May. And you know, last year they were saying are you going to call it this year and no, I've been saying, I could not have been more open about ...
BREEN: No you were, you were open about that. I've ruled out May 7 because Mother's Day is the next day. How's that? Can I rule it out?
PRIME MINISTER: Again, the number of options are obviously condensing as each day passes. But you know, our focus has frankly been on dealing with these cost of living pressures in pulling this Budget together. Because, you know, when when we do things, particularly the Treasurer and I, you know, we don't do them in a knee-jerk way, we think them through. We work on how can we responsibly go and provide support to people when they need it. Because the Australian economy is coming back strongly, but we don't over assume on that. We know Australians are still doing it tough and we, as they're getting to their feet, we didn't want them to be knocked down again by what's happened with the terrible war in Ukraine. And so this shield we've given in this Budget to shield them from these cost of living impacts mean they can keep planning to keep boldly stepping out in Queensland and all around the country. So Australians have worked really hard for this Budget. They're the ones who put the work in, together with us as a government, to be able to do what we've done, but also building for the future.
BREEN: Prime Minister yourself, the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, all the ministers will hit the road now and sell this Budget and then obviously an election will be called at some stage. Unfortunately, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, unfortunately for you, last night, has taken some oxygen out of it with some heavy criticism, personal criticism of you, particularly that you're not fit to hold the office of Prime Minister. Now we know that she slipped down the Senate ticket to fourth and she can't win her seat, but comments like that last night have got to be disappointing to you.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I understand that Connie is disappointed. 500 members of the Liberal Party came together on Saturday and they made their choice. I wasn't there. And they made their choice about who they wanted to be on their Senate ticket, and Marise Payne is number one on that ticket, and Jim Molan was the second one selected. And, you know, in previous times, Connie has had very strong support, but you know, when she's been disappointed, I know my predecessors have also felt those sorts of remarks and, you know, politics has its disappointments. So I know she's feeling about that. So I tend to just get on with the job.
BREEN: It must be hurtful when she says things like you use religion as marketing.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, of course, that's not true, and I think people understand my views on those issues and where they come from. And frankly, you know, my faith is between me and God. And that's what it's about. And I don't judge other people's faiths and, you know, I don't think it's a place for others to judge my faith.
BREEN: Is it personally offensive that she'd say that?
PRIME MINISTER: Look, in this job, you don't have the luxury of being offended, being disappointed. Australians don't back you to be all wounded. They back you to make decisions. Occasionally, I'll make decisions, my predecessors have made decisions about who you put in the ministry, who you don't, that result in disappointment. But more importantly, you've got to make difficult decisions about, you know, when you start spending and when you stop, the relief that was applied and how long. You make decisions about cancelling submarine contracts with the French. I mean the Labor Party bagged me for that and they joined the pile on of countries overseas who attacked me. Well, whose side are they on? It was the right decision for Australia and I don't shy away from making those tough calls. Sometimes I have to say no to Premiers, and sometimes they don't like it either. But you know, if you want to do this job, you can't be precious and you can't be a petal.
BREEN: Fair enough. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, well, you won't be a petal then when the new team, the Dolphins take Nicho Hynes off the Sharks?
PRIME MINISTER: Now you're talking about something that wounds.
BREEN: That would hurt. He's been a superstar.
PRIME MINISTER: I was up with the President of the Dolphins the other day, and Luke Howarth has had me out at Dolphin Stadium on many occasions because, you know, he's invested, he's encouraged us in the facilities there, and I know that's played a key role. JobKeeper also really helped the Dolphins, and that's really exciting for the NRL. I think it's great that there's a fourth team now coming into the NRL in Queensland. And look, Queensland teams are going really well in the NRL so far this year. I know the Broncos had a loss in the weekend, but the Cowboys, they're going off.
BREEN: They were good, and the Sharks have been good with Nicho Hynes. Okay, we're not going to pinch him. Good on you Prime Minister. He's a good signing.
PRIME MINISTER: Good on you Breenie.
2022-23 Budget boost to support Australian women and girls
29 March 2022
The Morrison Government has announced a $2.1 billion Budget package of targeted measures to further support Australian women and girls as part of our plan for a stronger future.
The 2022-23 Women’s Budget Statement builds on our record $3.4 billion investment made last year and the 2018 and 2020 Women’s Economic Security Statements.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it includes funding for new initiatives and to continue existing programs across the government’s key priority areas of women’s safety, women’s economic security and leadership, and health and wellbeing.
“This year’s investment brings total funding across our two Women’s Budget Statements to $5.5 billion and is a further demonstration of the Morrison Government’s long-term commitment to improving outcomes for women,” the Prime Minister said.
“Our approach is working. As of February 2022, women’s workforce participation reached the highest on record at 62.4 per cent, with 1.1 million more women in work today than in 2013. And the gender pay gap has narrowed to 13.8 per cent, the second-lowest on record and significantly lower than the 17.4 per cent gender pay gap when the Government was elected in 2013.”
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Marise Payne said achieving gender equality is a priority for the Morrison Government.
“We are focused on improving the lives of women in Australia, building on record investment already made,” said Minister Payne.
This Budget demonstrates further action to improve the lives of women and girls across Australia now and into the future.
“This is about complementing and enhancing the work being done in partnership with governments, business, the community and individuals to achieve a more inclusive and equal Australia for all women and girls,” said Minister Payne.
“We know that gender equality is the foundation for a safe, healthy, and cohesive community as well as a strong economy.
“That is why we are continuing to focus our efforts on three key priorities—women’s safety, economic security and leadership, and health and wellbeing.
“We know that these priorities are mutually reinforcing. When we achieve better outcomes in one area, we see positive benefits across all areas,” Minister Payne said.
Women’s safety
Improving the safety of women and girls in their homes, communities, workplaces, schools and online is a key priority for the Morrison Government, which is why the 2022-23 Budget includes $1.3 billion to improve outcomes for women’s safety.
Minister for Families and Social Services and Minister for Women’s Safety Anne Ruston said this brings the Commonwealth’s investment in women’s safety initiatives to $2.5 billion to support the transition to and implementation of the next National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.
“The National Plan is the blueprint for the Government’s commitment to end violence against women and children,” Minister Ruston said.
“Our commitment spans the lifecycle of violence because we know that prevention, early intervention, response and recovery are all key to ending gender-based violence.”
To end gendered violence we must prevent it from occurring in the first place. The Government is investing $222.6 million in prevention initiatives including expanding the role of the national prevention organisation, Our Watch, establishing a national consent campaign and extending the Stop it at the Start campaign as well as investing in community-led prevention programs. This also includes funding for ANROWS to continue important work building data and evidence.
Access to frontline services is critical to supporting women at risk of and who are experiencing violence. The Government is investing $328.2 million to expand and establish early intervention programs. This including $127.8 million for trauma-informed national counselling services to support victim-survivors including children impacted by family and domestic violence and behaviour change services for individuals who have or are at risk of perpetrating gendered violence, supporting about 80,000 Australians. We will also extend our investment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Support Services for families who are experiencing, witnessing or at risk of family or domestic violence.
Responding to women experiencing violent relationships with support to help them leave and rebuild their lives is vital. The Government will build on last year’s commitment to response services through an additional $480.1 million commitment including $240 million to extend the Escaping Violence Payment. The payment provides up to $5,000 in financial assistance to establish a life free from violence and the funding is estimated to support 37,500 victim-survivors on a demand driven basis. A further $100 million will be provided for a second stage of the Safe Places Program, which will deliver about 720 new emergency and transitional accommodation places that is estimated to support up to 2,880 women and children annually. A further 30,000 women will be supported to stay safely in their own homes through the Keeping Women Safe in their Homes program.
To support women’s recovery from the trauma of violence, the Government will provide $290.9 million for a range of legal and health services. This includes $87.9 million to provide a national expansion of the Lighthouse Project, which triages FDSV matters before the family court, $52.4 million to prevent victim-survivors being cross-examined by perpetrators and $25 million to establish Australia’s first women’s trauma recovery facility at the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre.
Women’s economic security
Women’s workforce participation is at a record high, women are earning more than ever before, women’s unemployment is at its lowest levels since 1974, and the gender pay gap continues to narrow.
To further improve on this, the Morrison Government is investing $482 million to enhance women’s economic security, focused on maximising flexibility and choice for Australian women and families supporting them into more diverse industries, jobs of the future and leadership positions.
To further remove barriers to women’s workforce participation and provide working families with choice and flexibility to manage work and care, the Government is investing an additional $346.1 million to establish Enhanced Paid Parental Leave (PPL) for Families. Eligible working parents will be able to share up to 20 weeks of fully flexible leave to use in ways that suit their specific circumstances.
Changes to the scheme also include removing disincentives for fathers to take up parental leave by enabling them to take Government PPL in conjunction with employer-funded leave, in the same way women currently can. Practically, this means eligible families will have full control over how they choose to use up to 20 weeks of PPL, empowering them to make caring decisions that work for them.
With more women in work and earning more than ever before, the Government is broadening the PPL income test to include a household income threshold of $350,000 per year. This change will particularly support women who are the primary earner and do not currently have access to employer‑funded parental leave.
Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy and Minister for Women’s Economic Security Jane Hume said every Australian family is different – so our Paid Parental Leave scheme should reflect this.
“Giving families greater choice and flexibility about managing work and care will boost women’s workforce participation, and enhance their economic security. Our reforms substantially improve the Paid Parental Leave scheme,” said Minister Hume.
Further measures in the Budget are focused on helping women into higher-paying and traditionally male-dominated industries. To boost the number of women in trades, the Government is investing $38.6 million over 4 years from 2022 23. Women who commence in higher paying trade occupations on the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List will be provided additional supports, such as mentoring and wraparound services.
Also, the $3.9 million ‘Supporting Women’s Mid-Career Transition to the Tech Workforce’ initiative exemplifies how the Morrison Government is actively creating pathways for women into lucrative careers in industries of the future.
Further lowering the gender pay gap and increasing women’s workforce participation requires collective effort from governments, business, and the community.
In March, the Morrison Government released its review of the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 (the WGEA Review), a commitment from the 2021-22 Women’s Budget Statement.
The Government is working towards implementing all recommendations of the WGEA Review. The 2022-23 Budget provides additional resources to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) to ensure they are equipped to implement these recommendations and other initiatives, including the establishment of Excellence in Workplace Gender Equality Awards.
“As the largest employer of Australian women, the private sector must work in partnership with government to drive change. That’s why we are investing a further $18.5 million to support the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, which will help to focus private sector organisations on finding opportunities to close the pay gap and increase women’s workforce participation,” said Minister Payne.
“These measures demonstrate how the Morrison Government is continuing to improve women’s economic security by breaking down barriers, giving Australian women the choices and chances they expect and deserve,” Minister Hume said.
Women’s leadership
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Marise Payne said we know having women in leadership positions helps reduce gender pay gaps, ensures more balanced decision-making, provides role models and mentors for the next generation of leaders and contributes to achieving gender equality.
“When women reach their full potential, their talents and skills benefit whole communities and deliver a stronger economy,” Minister Payne said
The Morrison Government is making a further investment, building on the success of existing initiatives to improve leadership outcomes for women, by providing an additional $18.2 million for the Women’s Leadership and Development Program.
This includes $9 million from 2023-24 to 2025-26 to expand the successful Future Female Entrepreneurs program to develop and grow women’s core entrepreneurial skills. Funding will continue the successful Academy for Enterprising Girls (10-18 year olds) and the Accelerator for Enterprising Women, expanding it to include all women aged 18+, as well as adding a new Senior Enterprising Women program.
To support women facing unique barriers to leadership and employment, the Government is also investing $9.4 million to expand the Future Women’s Jobs Academy and to support gender balanced boards.
Health and wellbeing
The health of Australian women and girls is critical to their overall wellbeing and ability to fully participate in society. Women have experienced significant health gains in recent years and the Morrison Government is continuing to provide further targeted funding for women’s health and wellbeing.
The Government is investing $330.6 million over four years from 2022-23 to fund initiatives supporting the maternal, sexual and reproductive health of Australian women and girls that will support the National Women’s Health Strategy 2020-30.
The Morrison Government is providing funding to establish a National Women's Health Advisory Council and are making additional investments to support a range of initiatives, including increasing the awareness of cardiovascular disease in women and enhancing bereavement support for families who have experienced stillbirth.
One in nine Australian women are affected by endometriosis, which can affect women's health, fertility, education, and employment outcomes. The Government is investing $58 million to
support women to get a diagnosis earlier. Women with endometriosis will have access to resources to make informed choices for their health, and doctors will be provided with guidance on the best treatment plans.
The Budget also provides funding for breast and cervical cancer screening. Women who missed or delayed breast screening because of COVID-19 will be able to catch-up, with the
Government investing $9.7 million in surge capacity for BreastScreen Australia.
The Government understands that the maternity workforce is an important health pillar for women living in rural and remote areas and is investing $1.2 million to engage with senior midwifery practitioners to consult and map maternity service models and develop options to integrate service models into emerging and current primary care models.
For more information, including the full set of measures and detailed analysis, read the Women’s Budget Statement
Budget 2022-23 delivers record investment in Defence and supporting our veterans
29 March 2022
As part of our plan for a stronger future, the Morrison Government’s 2022-23 Budget continues its record investment in Australia’s national security by building Defence capability and creating jobs, boosting Australia’s cyber resilience, supporting Australia’s sovereign Defence industry and improving the lives of Defence Force members, veterans and their families.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the government’s investments in Australia’s national security spanned air, land, sea, space and cyber capabilities.
“In these uncertain times it is vital that Australia is well-positioned to tackle the challenges our country and our region face,” the Prime Minister said.
“This Budget sets out the investments we’re making that will boost the Defence budget above 2 per cent of GDP not only helping keep Australians safe, but supporting local jobs and industries right here at home.
“The capabilities we’re backing with our investments mean an even stronger Australian Defence Force, an even stronger local defence industry, and an even stronger pipeline of jobs and skilled workers.
“This Budget also continues to build on support for our veterans and their families, in recognition of the service and sacrifice they’ve made to keep our nation safe and secure.”
Minister for Defence Peter Dutton said the Government remained committed to building a strong, sustainable and secure Australia through Defence’s 10 year funding model.
“The 2022-23 Budget continues this Government’s strong investment in Defence and the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD). This includes a $9.9 billion investment over the next decade in new national cyber and intelligence capabilities,” Minister Dutton said.
“Project REDSPICE – Resilience, Effects, Defence, Space, Intelligence, Cyber, and Enablers – is the largest ever investment in the capabilities of the ASD.
“REDSPICE will substantially increase ASD’s offensive cyber capabilities, its ability to detect and respond to cyber-attacks, and introduce new intelligence capabilities. It will also create over 1,900 new jobs, almost doubling the ASD’s size.
“This investment in ASD recognises the deteriorating strategic circumstances in our region, characterised by rapid military expansion, growing coercive behaviour and increased cyber-attacks. It acknowledges the nature of conflict has changed, with cyber-attacks now commonly preceding other forms of military intervention – most recently demonstrated by offensive cyber activity against Ukraine.
“REDSPICE ensures Australia keeps pace with the rapid growth of cyber capabilities of potential adversaries. It provides new intelligence capabilities, new cyber defences to protect our most critical systems, and is a real increase in the potency of ASD’s ability to strike back in cyberspace.”
Assistant Minister for Defence the Hon Andrew Hastie MP said through the $270 billion investment into the capability and potency of our Defence force, we continue to ensure Australia remains ready and adaptable to the changing nature of warfare.
“Project REDSPICE is a critical investment in our digital sovereignty. There are growing cyber threats and we are acting to secure our nation,” Assistant Minister Hastie said.
“This will create highly skilled jobs, and will equip the next generation of Australians to defend our critical infrastructure.
“The Morrison Government’s investment in the ASD will allow our cyber operators to punch back at our adversaries and protect Australia and our interests online.”
The Government’s investment into national security actively protects Australia's borders and offshore maritime interests, and supports Australians in domestic crisis situations.
“The Government will invest $126.4 million for Operation FLOOD ASSIST in 2021-22. At its peak, over 7,000 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel were made available to support flood-affected communities in New South Wales and Queensland,” Minister Dutton said.
“The Morrison Government will also invest an additional $74.7 million in 2022-23 for Operation RESOLUTE to protect Australia’s maritime interests.
“We will continue to support ongoing operations and activities in the Middle East with an additional investment of $104.2 million in 2022-23 for Operation ACCORDION.”
The Government is committed to meeting Navy’s future requirements through Australia’s first large-vessel dry berth precinct and a new submarine Base to be built on the east-coast.
“The development of ship building infrastructure, including a new submarine base, on the east-coast of Australia will see a 20-year investment estimated at more than $10 billion,” Minister Dutton said.
“The Australian Army will be a future ready fighting force with investment into new uncrewed aerial surveillance systems, Ch-47F Chinook helicopters, Abrams tanks and combat engineering vehicles.
“The Government will also upgrade and extend in-service support for the Hawk 127 Lead-In Fighter Training System that will result in a $1.5 billion investment in the Air Force’s future aviation capability.”
To support Defence’s growing capabilities, the Government will increase its permanent ADF and Defence civilian workforce by 18,500 by 2039-40.
“This growth in workforce will enable us to deliver our nuclear powered submarines, ships, aircraft and advanced weapons. It will mean we can build warfighting capabilities in the domains of space, information and cyber,” Minister Dutton said.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the 2022-23 Budget built on the Morrison Government’s commitment to keep Australians safe and secure, now and into the future, by growing our sovereign defence industry.
“COVID-19 and the resultant disruption to international supply chains has shown how vital it is that we ensure Australia has a local defence industry that can build what we need to defend ourselves,” Minister Price said.
“That is why we are not only investing in highly advanced equipment for our service men and women, but ensuring as much of it as possible is being built right here in our own backyard in Australia.
“Our record investment in developing and building the equipment we need to defend our nation is creating more than 100,000 jobs across the country.
“It will ensure our diggers are equipped with the state-of-the-art Australian made ships, armoured vehicles, and other weapons they need to keep Australians safe for decades to come.”
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee said as Australia’s military capability grows, so too will the support provided to the men and women who serve our nation, and their families.
“An initial $22.8 million will fund 90 extra Department of Veterans’ Affairs staff to cut the backlog of unprocessed claims, and this will be followed by a further $73.2 million for additional staff and other measures to further improve the veteran claims processing system and reduce waiting times,” Minister Gee said.
“This takes the total new spending to $96 million with 145 new staff, building on our significant investment in the 2021-22 Budget.
“We will increase the fees paid to providers in the Veterans’ Home Care program through a $70.5 million investment, further improving support for 37,000 Australian veterans.
“There is an additional $22 million to grow the life-changing Psychiatric Assistance Dogs Program, including support for veterans with privately-sourced assistance dogs.
“The successful Kookaburra Kids ‘Defence Kids’ program is being expanded to more regional areas and the service will now be available to Defence and veteran families in Tasmania for the first time.
“A $2 million injection will support the work of Bravery Trust in providing financial counselling to serving & ex-serving members of the ADF.
“We’re also backing in our Invictus Australia athletes participating at the 2023 Invictus Games and bi-annual Warrior Games with $9.0 million in new support.
“This Government continues to ensure those who have fought for our nation and our values are appropriately recognised, and this Budget includes $5.1 million to build a new pavilion at the Sandakan Memorial Park in Borneo to honour WWII Prisoners of War. There is also $4.9 million to create a Remembrance Trail on the Greek Island of Lemnos, in recognition of the Australian doctors, nurses and other service personnel who served there during the First World War.
“The women and men who serve this nation in uniform make incredible sacrifices for our country and we are ensuring that we repay our debt to them by providing the support they, and their families, need.”
Through this record investment in national security and our veterans, the Morrison Government is committed to building a more secure Australia and protecting our way of life for future generations.