Opening Remarks, COAG - Adelaide
12 December 2018
PRIME MINISTER: Can I start by first of all acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and acknowledge elders past, present and future. Welcome Gladys, good to see you. Can I also thank Steven Marshall, Premier of South Australia, for hosting us here in the wonderful state of South Australia. It was great to be with Steven earlier this morning for our announcement in relation to the Space Agency. So congratulations on that. Can I also congratulate Dan on his re-election as Premier, a very significant win and congratulations to you and your Government and the swearing-in of your ministry, looking forward to working with you, as I am with everyone, as always, as we work through a pretty packed agenda today.
Our agenda today covers the full, I think, spectrum of issues of most concern to Australians. Whether it's on how we manage population, how we support small business, how we deal with domestic violence. Also moving on from the work which was done at the Drought Summit - and I particularly thank all the Premiers and Chief Ministers who I know at a busy time for you came along to the Drought Summit which was very significant and that work has been rolling on since then through Major General Day and Minister Littleproud and we have an important item on the drought today and I appreciate all the work that's gone into that. And of course the usual topics around health and education.
But also, in the second half of today, focusing on the issues of national security and that national security, I think, spans the full spectrum of whether it's keeping in the first part of our agenda items today - our kids safe, whether it’s online from bullying, or keeping Australians protected and safe from terrorism, and that is the full span of our duties to keep Australians safe. I want to thank the all Premiers and Chief Ministers for the strong resolve there has been for excellent working relationships between the Commonwealth and the state and territory governments on these issues. We may have our differences on many things, which has been part of the Federation since Barton and Deakin got together. But that said, when it comes to national security, the working relationship, not only at a political level but amongst our agencies. Whether dealing with the Bourke Street terrorist incident recently in Victoria or working with the Queensland Government when it came responding to recent bushfires - I'm looking for Anastasia, here she is - more recently, our agencies work extremely well together and as we particularly approach what will be, I think, a very challenging bushfire season ahead, there will be a need for continued close planning and preparations which I know is occurring. So with all of that, I propose we get on with it and thank the media for their attendance.
