Speeches
Press Conference - Kirribilli, NSW
20 March 2022
Prime Minister: I'm joined by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Women, and the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs. Australia joins the international community as we continue to condemn Russia's unprovoked, unjustified invasion of Ukraine. And we continue to call on Russia to immediately withdraw its forces from Ukrainian territory, consistent with the legally binding decision of the International Court of Justice. And to engage in dialogue and diplomacy in good faith. Russia's actions are a gross violation of international law. They're a gross violation of the principles that support a rules based order that favours freedom. And as a result, are a threat to all who rely on that, including here in Australia and in our own region.
What happens in Ukraine does not just affect Europe. As we're seeing here in Australia, it affects, of course, the rules based order upon which our own region depends. But it also is obviously affecting terribly Australians here with family in Ukraine. Some 40,000 Australians of Ukrainian descent. It's having a significant impact on the world economy. So the relevance of what's occurring in Ukraine reaches well beyond its borders and its immediate surrounds. It indeed shakes the whole world. And as a result, we have joined with like minded countries around the world in condemning the actions of Russia and giving them no quarter and ensuring that we are encouraging all others to do exactly the same. To bring this situation, this terrible and awful situation under control.
Russia must pay a very high price for its brutality. It must pay that price economically. It must pay that price reputationally and in diplomatic terms as well. And it is indeed paying that price and the incredible the incredible resistance and courage that has been displayed by Ukrainian and Ukrainian people, by President Zelenskyy, the Prime Minister and his government has been extraordinary and inspirational all around the world, and Australia has played its part in providing encouragement to the people of Ukraine and to their government and the discussions that I and the Foreign Minister have had with senior members of the government, including, in my case, President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Shmyhal. The people of Ukraine have been defiant and they've asked for more help. They have been greatly appreciated, greatly appreciative of the help that Australia has provided and the recognition of what they're facing. But in our discussions over the last couple of weeks, they've made requests for more arms, for more humanitarian support, and they've also asked us for our call to assist help power their resistance to help them to deal with the energy situation and needs in their own country.
And so that is exactly what we are going to do today. The Australian Government announces that an additional $21 million support package of defensive military assistance will be provided to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, ammunition, body armor, things of that nature, and that will be bringing our total military support now to Ukraine to some $91 million Australian dollars. We know that Russia's actions have targeted civilians, and it's disgraceful, causing carnage and devastation, unimaginable suffering and the exodus of over three million people. This is creating a humanitarian crisis, a humanitarian crisis that I have discussed with European leaders, particularly those on the border of Ukraine, and talked about what their needs are. So Australia will provide an additional $30 million in emergency humanitarian assistance to help meet the urgent needs of the Ukrainian people, taking our total humanitarian assistance to $65 million Australian dollars and the Foreign Minister will speak more to those issues in a moment.
To help Ukrainians forced to flee from Russia's war, the Australian Government will also continue to provide support to those who are coming here from Ukraine. Already, we have been able to grant 5,000 visas since I announced that we were putting Ukrainian visa applications to the top of the list. And I want to thank all of those in the Department of Home Affairs who have worked so assiduously. And I want to thank the Ukrainian community here in Australia who have worked closely with us. And I particularly want to thank Stefan Romaniw, who we've worked closely with and all of his state leaders, many of whom I've now met with personally. In order to support those 5,000 already visa'd Ukrainians to come to Australia, and they are coming across a range of different visa programs that are coming on skilled visa programs on family programs. They're coming on student visas, they're coming on tourist visas. In all of these cases, when they arrive in Australia, we will make available to them a temporary humanitarian visa. This visa will be valid for a period of three years. They will have the opportunity and be invited to apply for other longer term visas should they wish to do so. This temporary humanitarian visa will give them the opportunity to work, to study and to access Medicare.
In lockstep with our partners also, Australia will continue to impose high costs on Russia. So far, we have imposed 476 sanctions on 443 individuals and 33 entities. And today, in response to a direct request from Ukraine, Australia will donate 70,000 tonnes of thermal coal. This will help Ukraine's power generators operating and supplying electricity to the power grid at this critical time. They need that before the end of May, and we have arranged the shipping for that to take place and are working with other countries to ensure it can get to the Ukraine. So it's our coal. We dug it up. We've arranged the ship. We've put it on the ship and we're sending it there to Ukraine to help power up their resistance and to give that encouragement. We understand that it can power up to about a million homes and this is incredibly important. This was a request that was made of us, and Australia is in a position to fulfil that request. It was also made to me through the Polish Prime Minister, and we're very pleased to be able to meet that need.
In addition, though, late last week it came to our attention that there was a ship that was due to dock in Australia this week to collect a load of alumina bound for Russia. That boat is not going to Russia with our alumina. Last night we put the sanctions in place, which will prevent that from occurring. The government has imposed an immediate ban on Australian exports of alumina and aluminum ores, including bauxite, to Russia, which will limit its capacity to produce aluminum, which is a critical export for Russia. Aluminum is a global import across the auto, aerospace, packaging machinery and construction sectors. And it's a critical input into weaponry, including guns, ammunition and missiles. Our decision here should say very clearly that to all countries, all companies operating in Australia, we are watching these things very, very carefully. And it's it's vital that we ensure that we diversify away from and not be providing any support to Russia, particularly at a time when they're invading their neighbours. This significant steps demonstrates our absolute commitment to holding the Putin regime to account. And we won't cease until we're doing everything we possibly can. We are identifying new things that can be done every single day, every single day with our partners, with those around the world to put the maximum cost, put the maximum pressure on the Putin government to withdraw from Ukraine and doing everything we can to continue to support the brave and courageous resistance that we're seeing from the people of Ukraine and the government of Ukraine. With that, I'll hand over to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and then the Minister for Immigration, who can speak to those individual matters. And then I'll return to some comments in relation to the election of the new Premier in South Australia. And, of course, make some remarks regarding the departing Premier.
Senator the Hon. Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women: Thank you, Prime Minister, and to reinforce the Prime Minister's views. There is no question that the Russian war on Ukraine is extracting a catastrophic humanitarian toll. It is creating the fastest growing refugee crisis since the Second World War. Currently, we see around 6.5 million people internally displaced and a further 3.3 million having fled to neighboring countries. More than half of those are children. That actually represents about a quarter of Ukrainians forced to leave their homes. The Russian military has bombed at least one maternity hospital. More recently, a civilian shelter, a theater with families sheltering inside, and those civilian casualties continue to climb. The targeting of innocent civilians and civilian infrastructure are war crimes, and President Putin must be held to account. Many people remain trapped in areas of escalating Russian aggression, with essential services disrupted and unable to access sufficient food or water or medications. And we know that the situation in Mariupol is particularly dire. Australia is further increasing our assistance and strengthening our sanctions, as the Prime Minister has mentioned.
We are today committing an additional $30 million in humanitarian support, bringing our contribution thus far to $65 million. That will be directed in the following ways. $10 million through NGOs for education and critical protection for children, for people with disability and those at risk of gender based violence. $8 million to the United Nations Population Fund to protect displaced women and girls from gender based violence and to ensure access to sexual and reproductive health services. $10 million to the World Food Program to address critical food shortages and $2 million for the Emergency Action Alliance Ukraine Appeal, which Australian NGOs and their partners will attract matched private donations to the government contribution. We are also amending the Overseas Aid Gift Deduction Scheme. That means that donations to approved aid organisations that are directly supporting Ukrainian refugees in other countries, so in Poland, in Romania, in Slovakia and in Hungary will soon be tax deductible here in Australia for contributors. And as the Prime Minister has also said, we have imposed a ban on Australia on Australian exports of alumina and aluminum ores to Russia. This will limit Russia's capacity to produce aluminum. That is a critical export for Russia. This demonstrates our commitment for holding the Putin regime to account for its actions. Australia will also support the energy security of Ukraine by donating at least 70,000 tonnes of thermal coal, and that follows a request from the government of Ukraine. As a government, we have consistently reiterated our absolute support for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. We do so again today, and we call upon Russia again to end this unprovoked illegal war and to remove their forces from Ukraine.
The Hon. Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs: Well, thank you, Prime Minister, and thank you, Marise. It's obviously a privilege to add to the Prime Minister's remarks about what we're doing for Ukraine-Australian community here and people who are coming from Ukraine with four million people displaced already and potentially many more in coming weeks, we've been proud to issue visas on a very, very fast basis to 5,000 people now who are connected with Australians who have an Australian connection and want to come here. So far, we've seen about 700 of those arrived, but we now know every day we will see more people coming who are in a very bad way, who need more support and assistance.
So firstly, I want to thank the Australian Ukrainian community for what they've done in recent weeks. Many of them have given up their jobs, they've worked around the clock, they've worked through the night with the department, with the government to support these movements of these people. So from today, we announce that anyone coming here will immediately get access to our generous humanitarian support provisions, which means they will be looked after on arrival. They'll be able to access support through the community and through the government. That will mean they can be looked at for whether it's accommodation need, whether it's a trauma need. And we are now sadly seeing people who are very traumatised by the experience they've had and have gone through some very significantly difficult things. And they will also be able to then immediately be certain about making arrangements for whether it be access to Medicare or health services they need. And as the Prime Minister said when they settle in in the weeks ahead, if they choose to want to go to work and some of the people we're seeing are doctors from major cities there, they're skilled professionals, they're people who want to do something here and we they will be able to then work or study in Australia.
And so further from that, the government has also announced today that we're working with the states to work on those accommodation needs and their access to the hospital system, and they'll be able to access whether it's a hospital and they're in need or their children go to a state school where they're settled. All of those needs will be met and that won't be met from their arrival. We also say today that we are supporting the Australian Ukrainian community to the tune of $450,000 directly, and that's to recognise the fact that in coming weeks, those 5,000 people that we've announced more and more will be arriving in more and more difficult states, and the Ukrainian community will employ people to directly support those arrivals wherever they arrive in Australia. So that will work to support all of the people who again, I just thank for their generosity in giving up their time and working around the clock with the community and the government to support a very difficult and dangerous situation. Thank you, PM.
Prime Minister: Can I thank, of course, all the agencies have worked to bring this package together over at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Home Affairs, of course the Department of Defence. Can I also thank the Ukrainian association, they've done a tremendous job right around the country and we're pleased to be able to provide that support. I also want to thank Whitehaven Coal Company. When we had to put this together, Minister Pitt, who's done a terrific job on this, was able to work with them to access those coal supplies and then to be able to work through to arrange the shipping at very short notice. Much of Australia's coal exports are contracted. And so this this was not a simple matter, and it was able to be resolved quite quickly.
In relation to the election of the Labor Government in South Australia. I've already been able to speak to the Premier-elect Mr Malinauskas and to convey to him my congratulations and his wife, Annabel. It is a significant victory and they are elected with a very strong mandate to move forward with the many issues that they intend to take forward. We had a very constructive discussion about the many projects that are already underway in South Australia and our keenness to cooperate and work on those, whether it's the programs or with the National Space Agency, the defense industry programs that are operating there, our manufacturing incentives and investments. And I look forward to working with him on on those many projects and welcoming them to the national cabinet, which is not scheduled to meet until June.
To my dear friend Steven Marshall, who has been an outstanding premier, I want to wish him all the very best and I want to thank him for the tremendous role that he played in turning around his own state. The entrepreneurial spirit in which he pursued that role, which has seen projects like Lot 14 and so many others bringing industry back into South Australia, bring jobs back into South Australia, seeing people move back to South Australia. These are all significant achievements and I want to thank him for his great leadership. I also want to thank him for the very positive and constructive role he played around the national cabinet table during the course of the pandemic. Steven was there from the first meeting to the one we just had the other day, and at all occasions I think he took a very, very responsible and measured approach to these issues. And I greatly appreciate his support in working through what has been one of the most difficult times for Australia over the last few years. And his contributions in South Australia, particularly. This is how we kept 40,000 people from dying in Australia. We did it together as a team and we continue to do it together as a team. And the Premier-elect will be joining that team now and I look forward to working with him to that end.
Journalist: This is the first incumbent government...
Prime Minister: If we could just focus on Ukraine first, that's the serious issue today. There are other serious issues like the election of the new government in South Australia, but with the Foreign Minister and the Minister for Immigration, who are here with me. If we could focus on that, I'd be grateful.
Journalist: 5,000 [inaudible] so far, how high is Australia willing to go?
Prime Minister: Well, 750 people, I'm advised, have already arrived of that 5,000, we'd obviously expect more to be arriving and we are prepared to meet the demand. We haven't set a limit on this. I've said we'll do what we need to do. What is interesting, though, in my discussions with European leaders and is that many of those who have become displaced, three million people have been displaced. Their intention at this time, as we understand it, is to remain in Europe, largely with the hope and expectation of being able to return to their homeland. That is what they want to do. Now, undoubtedly, there will be a call on both humanitarian visas around the world, including here in Australia, and we will play our part in that. But what we're already seeing is that there are many Ukrainians who are actually applying to come to Australia on the many under the mainstream programs, and we welcome that as well. And with the announcement we've made today, it just means that when they come, particularly if they've come on a tourist visa or something of that nature, then they're being afforded the work rights, medical support and settlement services support, particularly when you think about things like trauma counseling and accommodation, things of that nature. So we'll just keep stepping up on that. But in all the discussions I've had with European leaders, it is not yet clear what the scale of that demand is going to be. And so it's premature to start making estimates of this. What we should be doing is exactly what we're doing and saying you're welcome, please apply. And when you come, you'll get a very warm welcome and a lot of support from Australia.
Journalist: [inaudible re: separated child].
The Hon. Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs: Yeah, thank you for the question. So from the beginning, we were keen to make sure there were arrangements in place to address all of the issues of transit, including vaccination, and the Border Force Commissioner has been applying exemptions since the beginning of the invasion. And the Chief Medical Officer of the Commonwealth as well has been addressing any medical concerns from the beginning, and that process has been very smooth and very effective. In so saying, there are some problems from time to time with different airlines or different posts. But I'm happy to say to you now the Commonwealth stepped in overnight and that child will be flying here in the next day. So that was an airline issue, not a policy or Commonwealth issue. In fact, we were able to work directly with the airline to make sure that child will be flying to Australia.
Prime Minister: I think it's important to just keep in mind that we're dealing with a situation which is a war zone. And so not everything is always going to be as clear as you would hope it to be. And whether it's our consular support, which is being provided through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, immigration support through the Department of Home Affairs, that this will be testing all of their skills in dealing with some very unconventional situations. And as you can see from this case, they will just work the issue, work with everybody, work with the Ukrainian association here in Australia, to give people that confidence and assurance.
Journalist: Prime Minister, 70,000 tonnes of coal today.
Prime Minister: Yeah.
Journalist: Are you prepared to send more if that is required?
Prime Minister: This meets the request that have been made of us, this will arrive there in May and we haven't had any further requests at this point. But as we are constantly liaising with Ukraine's government and and speaking with their Prime Minister and President and the Foreign Minister and other government to government level contacts, as well as our partners and as we identify needs that we think we can, we can meet. Well, we go out there and we meet them.
Journalist: A lot of resources are already contracted before they are dug out of the ground. Was it difficult to [inaudible] without affecting companies [inaudible]?
Prime Minister: No contractual obligations were impacted, and that's why I'm genuinely thankful to Whitehaven for working with us and Minister Pitt. He got onto this. I got off the phone and got straight on to Minister Pitt, and then he went to work and he sourced the coal with the company, and the company did a fantastic job in freeing that up. And and I want to, I really appreciate the speed with which they acted. That's all on Ukraine?
Journalist: Just with regards to [inaudible], do you think that the allegation [inaudible] inquiry? And should that be handled by the Labor Party or independently?
Prime Minister: Well, this is a very, very serious issue. The reports that I have seen of members of the Labor Party, Labor, members of Parliament, senators, members of the union movement coming forward and making some very, very serious allegations against not only the leadership within the Senate of the Labor Party, but more broadly in terms of what involvement there has been in turning the other way by the Leader of the Opposition. Now, these are very serious issues, and they're serious issues that Anthony Albanese has to deal with. This is on his watch. This only happened weeks ago, weeks ago, and he can't duck and run on this. He needs to be able to face up to this and say what he's going to do about it. So far, he seems to just dismiss the issue completely. And so right now, it's incumbent on Anthony Albanese to address these very serious issues and say what he's going to do. That's what leaders need to do.
Journalist: Do you think the Labor Party [inaudible] double standard [inaudible]?
Prime Minister: Well, the Labor Party was always very quick to accuse, but when they have to address these very serious allegations themselves, well, they're very hard to find. I mean, they're living in glass houses. Some might say even a crystal cathedral on these things where they're pretty quick to throw stones. But when it comes to facing up to issues in their own party and addressing what a very serious allegations, and I'm not in any position to to know the veracity of those things. These are things that the Leader of the Opposition that Anthony Albanese has to face up to. I mean, the campaign hasn't even begun, and already when he gets hard questions, he goes running.
Journalist: What are the internal party processes that you currently have in place that would handle a situation like this if it were in your own party?
Prime Minister: Well, we have processes as a government, and we have those processes set out through the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and particularly in the executive wing of the government. And those support mechanisms are already in place. That's how we deal with it as a government and there are processes within the parliament. And if there are any members of the parliament who feel that they have been harassed or in any of these ways, then I would encourage them to access the services that my government put in place to support them. OK.
Journalist: Did Steven Marshall run a weak campaign?
Prime Minister: Steven Marshall turned the state of South Australia around. He turned their economy around. He brought business back to South Australia. He created a new buzz in South Australia, which was drawing investment in technology firms, securing important defense industry for his state. Steven Marshall ran a good show for the time he served as Premier, and I was very pleased to work closely with him on turning the state around, you know, getting people into jobs, getting investment in the businesses and putting that confidence back, even going through a pandemic. And so his record as a Premier, I think, will hold him in good stead in South Australia. Elections are tough and I'm sure that those involved in the specifics of elections, campaigns and how they run will look carefully at the tactics that were employed. I'm not making any comment about that today. I'm simply saying that my good friend Steven Marshall did a great job as a Premier and I look forward to working with the new Premier.
Journalist: This is the first incumbent government to lose power, surely that must make you nervous, Prime Minister?
Prime Minister: I think the lessons from state elections and the new Premier made this very point even before the polls were open, and that was that this issue, this election was being fought on state issues. The federal election will be fought on federal issues. And what I know is that Anthony Albanese is not Peter Malinauskas. He's not any of the other premiers. He's not Annastacia Palaszczuk. He's none of these other premiers. He's the federal Labor leader. And one thing that I've noticed is there is a big difference between Anthony Albanese as the federal Labor leader and what we see in the performance of some of his state colleagues. Mark McGowan's a good example of that. Anthony Albanese is no Mark McGowan. That's that's for sure in terms of focusing on the things that drive the economy of that state. I work with all premiers and chief ministers all around the country, whatever their stripes are to focus on the things that are important to all Australians. And that's what the federal election will all be all about. Who is best able ensure that we secure our strong economy for a stronger future, who can best ensure that in this very troubled circumstances and times globally, who has the experience and the ability to make the calls that keep Australians safe and keep our economy strong. Thanks very much, everyone. Thank you.
Remarks, Multicultural Community Awards Mirrabooka, WA
16 March 2022
Prime Minister: Thank you very much, Vince. Can I acknowledge you, of course. Can I acknowledge my colleagues who are here with me today, the Attorney-General Michaelia Cash, or MC as I call her. Senator Dean Smith, it's wonderful to be back with you here in Cowan. Now, I've been to Cowan many times and I've met many of you before. And usually when we meet you are more less constrained because of COVID rules. And it is usually quite a flourish and there's a lot of activity and there's a lot of movement. But you don't need to convince me of all that because I've seen it before and I know the passion that is in this community, and I particularly want to thank you Dean for the great work you've been doing in Cowan, and teaming up with Vince now. I am so thrilled Vince is standing for our candidate for Cowan after having done such an extraordinary job as the member for Stirling, which he continues to do now.
Can I acknowledge the Indigenous owners of the land on which we meet and thank you Len for your very warm Welcome to Country. Can I also acknowledge any veterans who are with us here today, and serving men and women of our Defence Forces. I’ve just been over with the SAS Regiment to lay a wreath there and had a chat to the team there and thank them for the tremendous job they do on behalf of our country. And just how much we respect and honour their service. The SAS Regiment is a great credit to our country and a great credit to Western Australia too and I know people feel very strongly about that all around the country.
But one such veteran is, of course, Vince himself, and I really want to thank Vince for the way he has conducted himself as a Member of Parliament. And that is what presents him so well to be the next Member for Cowan. The reason for that is Vince is 100 per cent hard and he is 100 per cent determination. He's also been incredibly [inaudible], he’s been able to draw on his experience in so many different walks of life, and his passion for supporting the ongoing care of veterans in this country is second to none. And I know he will seek to continue to serve out that area of passion as the Member for Cowan. But I tell you the other thing, he's also been a great champion of multicultural communities, not only in his current role, but also I know he is very familiar with the community here as well and the great work Dean has always done, particularly amongst the Burmese community. And I want to acknowledge the community down there and particularly the challenges they have been facing in Myanmar.
We have all been seeing what is occurring in the Ukraine, with the invasion by Russia. Sometimes you can allow to pass with our gaze the many other troubled parts of the world. Australia has not allowed that to happen in terms of our gaze and what’s occurring in Myanmar, and the terrible events that have occurred there, and we will continue to do everything we can to support the people of Myanmar. I know that must be terribly devastating to the Burmese community here in Australia. You have dealt with so much, and you have built such a wonderful life here in Australia, and this is your home, as you know, but your homeland is also something you will always feel a deep connection to. You have family there as well and I know you will be concerned.
In speaking, though, also about Ukraine, whenever something happens in the world, there is always a community here in Australia that is directly touched by it. There are some 40,000 Australians with Ukrainian descent in Australia. In Perth, in Sydney, Melbourne and so many other parts of the country. But this is also true when we saw the terrible blast in Beirut in Lebanon - tens of thousands of Australians, indeed living overseas in Lebanon, and also the enormous Lebanese community across Australia was touched by those events. And this occurs without exception as we see terrible events that often play around the world, and they will link back and they will touch a community here in Australia. And Australia I believe is the most successful multicultural and immigration nation in the world. Not arguably, it is. And the reason for that is because of how Australia embraces community.
Now, Vince was making this point, Dean’s made this point. Community is what binds us together. Not governments. Governments have jobs to do and they're important jobs to do in supporting and helping community, but it's actually community in the first instance that actually grabs the greater society. Community built on family. Built on the great aspirations of family and how that is nurtured within a community, and in the various ethnic communities of our country we have seen that over generations and generations and generations. As people have come to our shores, where have they first gone to seek support and comfort? They've gone to their communities of those who have come before, whether it's in my own hometown in Sydney, whether it was the Greek communities or the others who came, they'd be down with the Archbishop or they'd be down there at, whichever Greek Orthodox Church it was or Maronite Church, you’ve got Lebanese or others, and they would go there and they would find their comfort in their community, and they would be able to get on their feet today, and over the last 50 years. The Sikh temples have done the same. The mosques have done the same, and there has been a great work done to transplant and grow that community.
As a Government, we really understand that, and that's why I was pleased to come here today and honour the work that you have done as community leaders, because the stronger you are in your communities, the stronger Australia is. Now governments will do what we do to strengthen our Defence Forces and to do everything we can to get Australians into jobs and build our manufacturing industries. And ensure we have the support services that we can provide, be it the pension or the National Disability Insurance Scheme or the support we provide to support the victims of domestic violence and all of these things. But you know of all of that, because you assist us as the primary interface with the community. And we're at some risk, I think, we're at some risk that community might be handed over to the Government and that we will neglect community and think, well the Government will come in and do this, the Government will come in and do that. No. If we go down that path, Australia will be weaker because our communities will be weaker, and community is based on our fundamental sense of obligation and responsibility to each other. And that's what you live each and every day. The reason you lead a community and the way that you do is because you are motivated out of both your care and compassion and also your sense of responsibility to those sitting alongside you. And that's how you build a great country, and that's why we are a great country.
So it's been good to come here today and to thank you because these communities are the building blocks of Australia. And the fact that they are multicultural communities only highlights, I think, our strength as a nation, and it's with some pride I'm able to say to other leaders around the world, when I speak of them, most recently, the Ukrainian community in Australia. And how devastated they have been. But I've been able to say that they have been comforted by the so many other different multicultural communities here in Australia, because in Australia every community that has often come here has come from a position of suffering or discrimination, and they’ve come here to find peace and freedom and comfort. And so, the many ethnic communities in Australia have an empathy and an understanding of that hardship. And so when one is hurting, then the hand reaches out. And this is what makes our country I think incredibly strong.
And so I would encourage you, I would just encourage you to keep doing it. Keep feeding people, that 3,000 a week you feed isn’t it Margaret, or thereabouts. Amazing work. And so many of you doing so many more. At the Sikh temple, how many are you feeding a week? 3,000 too, we’ve got an auction going on here, but a positive one. See, it doesn't matter what your faith is or what your background is, we all come together in Australia, we all help each other. And that is what makes us strong, and I’m seeing this in my own home state of New South Wales at the moment with the terrible floods. And I say to all Western Australians, I met Western Australians up in the flood zone, up there helping. They're in our Defence Forces, they've been sent up by Emergency Management. They’ve been sent over also as volunteers and they're there and I can't tell you the encouragement that gives to people who have been so devastated by floods. And some will turn and say where are you from, and they'll say, I'm from Perth. They've come all the way across the country, come up from Tasmania, they've come down from Northern Queensland to help each other. This is what makes our country strong. So I want to continue to encourage you to go on that path. And I know that's what gets wins to this [inaudible].
I have seen in many communities. I've been around politics for some time. I know the difference between people who know how to do their job and one who doesn't. And Vince is one of those who knows how to do the job, and he knows that the best way to get results in his community is to knit his community together. To be the one who brings them together, to understand what the needs are. But also, it brings a great resource to the table. See, some think it's just a matter of, ok, here's a need, I'll ring up the Minister for this or the Minister for that. Sure, that happens. But the first response is how as a community can we meet this need. And then how can the Government then support that act and that effort that has been put in place in that community. And that's why Australia's a great multicultural society and why we are such a strong community, so let us never forget that we're strong because of what you do. And I want to thank you for that.
I'm so pleased that Vince you're able to acknowledge that together with Dean and Michaelia. And Mark, thank you for being here as well and part of this. You understand that as well [inaudible]. And I look forward to coming back on many more occasions, next time without the COVID restrictions and there will be much dancing, they’ll be much jumping up and down and playing the table tennis, and goodness knows what else occurred last time, it was quite, it was quite an occasion. But for now, thank you for everything you're doing with COVID. Western Australia will come through this, just like the rest of the country has, and before long we truly will be all together again and the way we really wish to. God bless and thank you all very much.
Address, Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA
16 March 2022
PRIME MINISTER: Well, thank you very much, Nicolle, for that that great welcome, it's great to be back here in Western Australia. You should have heard Joe and Boris say AUKUS for the first time. And they're as passionate as I am.
Can I also thank you Professor Hayward, Aunty Colleen, for your Welcome to Country. Kaya. And if we were in Ngunnawal we'd be saying yuma, and it's great to be here with you all here today.
Can I also thank you, Chris, for your introduction. Can I thank you for the partnership, and I call it that, that we've had with the Chamber here in Western Australia. The thing I really love about the Chamber here is you just don't throw rocks from the sideline and just make daily complaints. You actually roll up your sleeves here in the Chamber and you work with governments. You work with our Government, you’ve worked very closely with our Government, you work with the state governments. You’re a very practical organisation focused on getting the right outcomes for the Western Australian economy. And what I know is what's good for the Western Australian economy is good for the national economy. And so I do want to thank the Chamber for their partnership they’ve had with us. I'm sure Premier McGowan feels the same way, just about the constructive way the Chamber engages. I think it is a national standout when it comes to representative bodies in this country, in the pragmatic, respectful and I think very diligent way that you conduct yourselves. So to you, Chris, and to you, Nicolle, thank you very much for your leadership in that regard.
On the, can I acknowledge, of course, all my colleagues who I can see here with me, and we've already called the role for them today. And so it's a shame we can't have more in the room today. Every time I've spoken here in the West, the Chamber has turned out in large numbers, and I particularly remember the last time up in Kings Park, which was a great time, but we've been through a lot since then and it's tremendous to be back here with you. But to Michaelia, of course, and to Linda and Melissa, who's here, and Bennie Morton and the team who are with us here today, I want to thank you for the leadership. I mean, this is just a fraction of the Western Australians in my Cabinet, in my Ministry. There are many more. Of course, if there were a change of Government, well, there wouldn't be, I'm not even sure they'd be one, frankly. There certainly hasn't been in the past often. And so under our Government, we've had tremendously strong, passionate, dedicated representation from our Western Australia members and they are such an important part of our team.
So it was on the 24th of June in 2019, after the last election, that I made my first major economic speech after that election. And I did it right here in Western Australia, Perth, to the Chamber. And I said to you then that whether it's the GST or other economic debates, the Chamber would always come to the table and express their views in the way that I've already mentioned. So I appreciate that.
I was here, as I just said, at Kings Park in April last year. And so, again, it's great to be here. May I firstly, as I have already, acknowledged Aunty Colleen, but can I acknowledge the traditional owners, the Noongar people, and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
Can I also acknowledge any members of the Australian Defence Force and veterans who have joined us here today. I was out at the SAS Regiment yesterday and was out there thanking them for the amazing job that they do for our country. I'm very proud of the SAS Regiment. I’m very proud of the work that they do. They're proud Western Australians, even if they've come from all over the country. And I know Western Australia’s very proud of the SAS Regiment as well. The SAS Regiment, right now, is over with their other colleagues from the Defence Forces cleaning up what has been one of the worst flood I’ve ever seen in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales. It is absolutely heartbreaking to see what's occurring there, and I've seen Western Australians there in those flood impact zones. Those have come from government agencies here in Western Australia, those who’ve been part of the Defence Forces, volunteers who have just turned up. And, you know, we're one big country and I'm so pleased that we're all together again. And I think that was demonstrated in the presence of Western Australians, Tasmanians and Victorians, South Australians up there, Queenslanders in the middle of those terrible floods. So thank you, Western Australia, and thank you to our Defence Forces in particular.
We find ourselves in very different circumstances, though, to when we last met. COVID, of course, has been the test of our times and the people of Western Australia, I think, can be rightly proud, rightly proud of how Western Australians have met this test. Today, on the other side of the country, as I've said, many, many, many thousands of Australians continue to deal with those devastating floods in both New South Wales and Queensland. Again, an enormous test of national resilience.
And at the same time, we're facing a pivotal moment, I believe, in world history - an uncertain time, a very uncertain time for our global economy and global stability. Russia's illegal, unjustified, unprovoked war in the Ukraine, invading their neighbour is an unconscionable assault on freedom and national sovereignty and a rules-based order that favours freedom. And so we stand with the people of Ukraine, and I met with the leaders of the Ukrainian community yesterday in Mirrabooka, and with many other ethnic community leaders here in Western Australia, with Vince Connelly, who's doing a terrific job as our candidate for Cowan and the ongoing member for Stirling.
And we stand with those in the Ukraine, and we've stood with them in practical ways, not just in words, tangible support from medicines to missiles. That's what we're doing to help Ukraine right now, and we’ve been processing visas of Ukrainian applicants that come to Australia at unprecedented levels. And we'll be welcoming many Ukrainians to Australia in that way.
But I think, more than anything, the people in the Ukraine, and particularly those who have ancestry here in Australia, will just want the best for their homeland and for people to be able to return there in peace and live there peacefully.
But what all this shows is the conflict in Europe means the global economy faces new headwinds, and we're not immune from the negative impact and the fallout from Russia's war of choice and their violent threats and following those through. We are facing the biggest energy shock since the 1970s, and that is likely to depress global growth, and we know high oil prices means greater pressure on family budgets at the petrol bowser. We know that, we're all experiencing that, and we know what's caused it. And the challenges therefore are very great.
But so are the opportunities, and this is what I love about Western Australia. The most optimistic place you could possibly find. And it's why I love coming back here over and over again, and have done so well before I even went into Parliament, because it's such a positive, optimistic place. And I want to commend Western Australians for that positivity. But I also want to commend you for your patience and your perseverance and public spiritedness over the last three years. We're coming through this latest wave in a once in a century pandemic. And while I know in WA case numbers are just peaking now from the Omicron wave, your relatively low hospitalisations, almost completely zero hospitalisation rates at a severe level, and death rates, are a testament to the strength of the public health response here in Western Australia. And WA now has the highest vaccination rates in the country. And I think that's to the great credit of the Western Australian people and the Government's actions. And I'm advised that today Western Australia will reach six million vaccinations, and that's quite a milestone, and I congratulate you.
Here in the West, the virus experience, though, has been different to the rest of the country, especially to the eastern states. You've travelled a somewhat different path, and throughout the pandemic I have always acknowledged and respected Western Australia's unique situation and the path that WA has taken, and I continue to, and I do so. And Premier McGowan regularly acknowledges this. As we've gathered around the National Cabinet table 67 occasions in the last two years, and they aren’t ten minute meetings. These meetings will go for two, three hours, on occasions even longer than that, particularly early in the pandemic, and as particularly as the pandemic moved from a national impact and it became quite specific to the experience in each state, we became very conscious of the need for different pathways because of the way the virus was impacting. And that was particularly true here in Western Australia. And I'm sure Mark would agree, as he has acknowledged that there has been a different path here in WA, which has been necessary.
And we’ve backed this up, though, not just saying that, with direct financial support. In addition to increasing our funding contribution for public hospitals here in Western Australia by 84 per cent since we first came to government, to $2.5 billion now a year, that’s current year 2020-2021. We have so far provided $803 million in funding to support the WA health system to respond to COVID-19 outbreaks - $803 million. We also established 11 Commonwealth-funded GP respiratory clinics, fully funded by the Federal Government, here in Western Australia, and that support just doesn't stop that the borders are now open.
We have stood with Western Australians every step of the way and we will continue to do so. We’ll continue going 50-50 with Premier McGowan and his Government on COVID health costs as the state reopens and faces new challenges. That 50-50 covers everything from the test you have, to treatments that you receive, to containing COVID. And through our Community Health and Hospitals Program, our Government is investing over $140 million right across Western Australia to fund projects and services to support patient care while reducing pressure on community and hospital services. Now that includes $25 million for the expansion of the Peel Hospital Campus and more than $25 million, which I know Melissa Price is very pleased about, for the WA Country Health Service Cancer Strategy, including the oncology, Radiation Oncology at the Geraldton Health Campus.
We've also turned up with more than $14 billion - just think about it, fourteen thousand million dollars - in direct economic support to Western Australia during the pandemic - JobKeeper, cash flow boosts, payments for veterans, carers, other income support. And that's on top of all the health spending that I've talked about - some $803 million, which has dealt with everything from vaccines through to mental health support and picking up 50 per cent of the hospital bills that relate to COVID.
Now, as we were reminded by Chris, that comes on top of the additional GST that WA has been receiving as a result of that fair GST deal that we worked together to deliver, and I was able to deliver back in 2018 as Prime Minister in Parliament, and as Treasurer before that, securing that agreement. Now I always talk about this when I come to Western Australia because it's important we do, because it wasn't a one off. It wasn't just one year when WA got a top up payment. This is a forever agreement. It certainly is under my Government. WA’s top up payments over the last three years over, the last three Budgets - $4.9 billion, $4.9 billion. And from this coming Budget year, out to 2026-2027, WA will receive around $2.6 billion additional revenue every single year on average for a total of $13 billion as a result of our fair GST deal. Now that's a significant change, and it's a fair change. It's the right change. It's not some special concession to WA. That's not my, that's not my point at all. It's recognition of the unfairness of what was there before and what you can achieve when you work together and you take on the argument, you prosecute it, as I did as Treasurer and as Prime Minister, to ensure that Western Australia didn't get some parochial payback. But actually it was recognised that this was in the national interest and that's what carried the day. And that's the argument I was pleased to progress.
And so that's, over $2.5 billion every year is going into the Western Australian Budget to pay for hospitals, for schools, for police forces, for emergency responses, for all of the things that state governments do. And that is as a direct result of the intervention, the initiative that our Government took. Now plenty of other people will say, oh yeah, we agree with that. We agree with that. Yeah we’re just the same as you guys on that. It’s what the Labor Party says - oh, we’re just the same. Well, they didn’t do it. They didn't take it on, they didn’t make the case. They’d say something here in Western Australia - oh, it's very unfair what's happened to you on the GST. And then they go to Tasmania or Queensland, and say the complete opposite, and they're still doing that on so many issues today.
In fact, who knows what they stand for. I don't know. They clearly don't seem to know, and aren’t prepared to tell anybody about it anyway. And the election is not far away, and it's time they started coming clean with the Australian people. But you know where we stand, and particularly on the issue of GST, because we just didn't agree with someone else about it after the fact and after all the hard work was delivered and it was done. We were there at the start. We took on the risks. We made the case. I made the case in my own home state on the east coast, and we took that on. And could I tell you, one of the big reasons that happened was because of the big chorus of WA members and senators that sit in my Party Room. Steve Irons, in particular, who is retiring at this election, who I flatted with, I don't think I could come home on any night for years without Steve raising this issue. And so do not underestimate the strength of the Western Australian voice in my Government. It's big, it's loud, it's determined. It's very Western Australia and it never lets up. But that's how you get results like the change that we were able to deliver for the GST. It happened because of the, of the voice of Western Australian Liberal members and senators who work so well together, and particularly under Michaelia’s leadership, as she is our senior Western Australian member.
So we are one of the few countries that have had a success through the pandemic, that few have also been able to experience. We have saved more than 40,000 lives here in Australia. As I remarked to a group last night, it's the number of lives that were lost by Australians in the Second World War in combat. We saved 40,000 lives in this country in our national pandemic response, working together with the states and territories, working together with the Western Australian State Government here, and National Cabinet cops a bit of a bad rap. But I'll tell you, Mark and I understand its value because we know what it's been able to deliver. How do you measure its success? 40,000 lives saved is a pretty good place to start, and I think that's what it has achieved. Others have been critical of it. Others say it should be abolished. In fact, the Labor Party want to abolish it. I don't know what they’re going to replace it with, the thing that was there before was hopeless, wasn't working at all. And this has enabled us to achieve one of the most significant responses that we've ever seen to a national crisis through the course of this pandemic.
We've stepped up world leading vaccination rates, and WA now leading the pack. We’ve out-performed major advanced economies. Our economy is now 3.4 per cent larger than when the pandemic hit. Around 260,000 more Australians are in work today than at the start of the pandemic. There are more Australians of working age in jobs today. Let me say that again. Of everybody of working age in this country, 76.3 per cent of them are in a job. That is the highest proportion of people of working age in jobs in Australia's recorded history. How do I know our national economic plan is working? Because Australians are working. And that is the ultimate test. Australia's unemployment rate is at a 13-year low at 4.2 per cent. Our AAA credit rating remains intact, one of only nine countries to achieve this. There used to be more before the pandemic. There are a few of us now, and Australia is one of them.
And the WA economy has also shown incredible resilience. State final demand was 6.3 per cent larger at the end of 2021 than its pre-pandemic levels, the highest growth rate amongst all the mainland states, and having entered the pandemic with an unemployment rate of 5.6 per cent, WA now has the lowest jobless rate amongst all states at 3.7 per cent. Now that's a stunning achievement and one of our our Government is driving towards national outcomes as well.
So our goal is an Australia wide unemployment rate now with a three in front of it. This would be the lowest unemployment rate recorded since monthly labour force records began in 1978, and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to seize this, and we can't take it for granted. It just doesn't happen. You don’t just turn up and sit in Cabinet and Budget Committees every day and this is just a natural consequence. You have to do things, as we've been doing, to achieve this, particularly in the middle of a global crisis and a pandemic, as we've seen.
And WA remains the powerhouse of Australia's export earnings, led by the resources sector. WA iron ore exports alone brought in more than $151 billion in 2020-2021, and that's out of record resources and energy exports of $349 billion, which is projected to grow to $379 billion this financial year. Agriculture also - barley, oats, sheep meat, wool, fruit and vegetables, forestry products, wine, wheat, WA rock lobsters and many others, providing excellent returns of hundreds of billions of dollars. All commodities I’ve become closely interested in as we’ve negotiated some of these free trade agreements, particularly with the United Kingdom. Boris and I had dinner at Number 10. I've never had a discussion which has spoken as much about sheep meat and the weight of carcasses than Boris and I had around that table that night. He thought I drove a pretty hard bargain. I’ve got to tell you, I did, and I was really pleased with the result we were able to get for Australian producers.
Our Government's economic plan is about backing Australia's economic recovery out of this pandemic, but one driven by the private sector. This is really important. There are some out there who think this is an opportunity to build back better. Now that sounds good, doesn't it, build back better. I know what that means. I know what it's code for. And that was there was something wrong with how our economy worked before the pandemic. There was, there was too much business-led growth. There was too much market-based support for growing the economy and jobs, and you got to get the Government more in the centre of the economy. That's what that means, whether they call it build back better or build back stronger, it means the same thing. It means government more in your face, in your business, in your life. And that's not something my Government stands for, but that is the path that our political opponents would go down.
Though, them and their progressive fellow travellers in other places see this as an opportunity to rewrite the rules. Now, what we need in this country is business-led growth, and Western Australians understand that better than anyone. Our plan is one to create jobs, support future growth and most importantly, resilience across five core elements: keeping taxes low and cutting red tape. That's the first one. Secondly, investing in the infrastructure and skills that Australians need for a growing economy. The biggest challenge our economy faces today is labour force and the skills that that labour force needs to be able to deliver to our economy. Thirdly, it's about delivering affordable, reliable energy that Australian businesses need. Electricity prices fallen by eight per cent in the last two years as a result of the policies we pursued, while our emissions have fallen by around 20 per cent. You know, other countries can't claim that, can't say they’ve cut emissions by around 20 per cent in the United States, in New Zealand, in Canada, in Japan. Yeah we have, and our plan for net zero by 2050 is based on technology, not taxes. It's based on choices, not mandates. And this is the path we believe which will see us achieve success.
Fourthly, it's about making Australia a top 10 data and digital economy by 2030, and I’ve spoken to you about that before. And fifthly, securing our sovereign manufacturing, our Australian manufacturing capability, so we continue to make things here in Australia, particularly in the areas which are so critical to our resilience, and unlock a new generation of high wage, high skilled jobs.
And in just under two weeks, the Treasurer, who I spoke to on the way here this morning, will outline the Government’s Budget and the next phase of our plan for a stronger Australian economy, because a strong economy means a stronger future for all Australians, and that's what's at stake at this next election. Our economic plan is vital to our nation's economic security, but also to all other goals we have of Australians. It underpins, yes, our defence security. It means we can make investments to strengthen our Defence Forces, like the ones we’ve, we announced yesterday in supporting the development of the dry-dock out at Henderson, the $30 billion of investment in our naval shipbuilding here in Western Australia alone, increasing the size of our Defence Forces by 18,500. And that starts straight away. These are the things that a strong economy enables us to do. It supports the government services and essentials that all Australians rely on.
Plenty of people talk about what they want to do for services, but the reason we have record spending in health and education and mental health and supporting the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the pension increases that put in place this week, which are costing $2 billion a year, is because we know how to run a strong economy, even in the midst of a global pandemic. So it means we can continue to do that. Schools, hospitals, roads and the GST fair deal, particularly here for Western Australia. It buttresses our energy security and sovereign capability. It's about backing our strengths, backing Australians to unlock the opportunities that they see before them, that Western Australians are always so clear eyed about. It is a plan for WA Unlimited, based squarely on backing business-led growth.
Today I want to focus on a couple of things. I want to talk about resources. I want to talk about manufacturing. But, firstly, on resources, let me say this. We know that WA resources sector is a pillar of economic strength for our nation. Mining sector this year accounted for well over 40 per cent of gross value added in WA. Traditional strengths in sectors such as iron ore, gold, LNG, have made WA one of the world's great mining provinces. Our resources companies are world leading when it comes to competitiveness, efficiency, technological innovation and searching for new growth markets, but also in energy transformation and what they're doing in emissions reduction - world leaders.
Our Government will continue to back in the WA resources sector unequivocally, just as Liberals and Nationals always have. And if you want an example of what that means in practice and a comparison with our opponents at this election, here in Western Australia, the Premier and I agreed that we needed to change the EPBC Act. We needed to change it. We needed to get single touch approvals for major projects, in particular, and get rid of all that red tape that was blocking investment here in Western Australia. And the Premier and I said, this is what we have to do, and all the other premiers around the table agreed. So we worked up legislation which we took into the Parliament and I want to acknowledge the work that Ben Morton did on this, who leads our regulatory reform agenda for the Government, working with Sussan Ley, and we said we need to make these changes. We put the Bill into the Parliament. Labor and the Greens opposed it. So if they want to tell you that they're for the resources industry here in Western Australia, why did they vote against the legislation that encourages investment in resources here in Western Australia?
And we're seeing a lot of this as we move up to this next election. We're seeing a lot of, oh, we agree with them on this. We agree with them on submarines, but we just don't agree with them on where they want to have fleet bases and infrastructure built. You know, each way on all of these issues. It's one thing to say you agree with something, it's another thing to do it, and we've been doing it. And I think the scrutiny on the alternative at this election is very important for the future of this country. We know what we stand for. Australians don't know what our opponents stand for, and these are key issues. And when it comes to the crunch, when you can vote for the resources industry in Western Australia by supporting that legislation or voting against it, the Labor Party chooses to oppose it.
I want to particularly acknowledge, of course, the Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt, who is a magnificent champion for our resources industry in our Government. As the global economy changes, there are exciting new growth opportunities emerging in new areas such as rare earths and critical minerals. I think the Greens think they're things you put in the bath. They're not. They're very important to Australia's future and particularly to Western Australia. Australia produces around half the world's lithium and we are the second largest producer of cobalt and the fourth largest producer of rare earths. Western Australia holds the majority of Australia's critical minerals and rare earths resources. Increasing demand for the critical minerals required for the global transition to clean energy will present significant opportunities here in Western Australia for decades to come, but we have to seize them. It won't just happen on its own.
Demand for critical minerals is also increasing due to the expansion of their use in aerospace and defence and other high end technological applications. And it's not just an economic imperative and opportunity for us. It's strategically imperative. It's an area of vital national interest, and not just for Australia. That's why we're working closely on critical minerals and other supply chain challenges with our like-minded partners and allies, especially through the Quad, which is the group of leaders - myself, President Biden, Prime Minister Modi and Fumio Kishida, the Prime Minister of Japan. The Quad dialogue we've ensured and led the debate in focusing on the issues of reliable supply chains, endurable supply chains, and alternative supply chains around critical minerals and rare earths. And our goal is to make Australia a critical minerals powerhouse in the new global economy. And I remember Linda Reynolds making exactly these same points as we began this process some years ago, passionately speaking up for Western Australia.
Our 2022 Critical Minerals Strategy is delivering on this commitment. We have significant reserves across a range of critical minerals, with a notable footprint in mining and first stage processing. For example, WA supplied approximately half of the world's unprocessed lithium last year. A key focus of our strategy is to build capacity in downstream processing to feed new industries across energy, transport, aerospace, defence, medical, automotive and telecommunications sector. We've already made $2 billion available as part of our Critical Minerals Facility to provide large scale debt finance to advance projects that are ready to commence construction. We know we have to get in and give it a big push. Funding is also available through the Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility for advanced critical minerals projects in northern Australia, while the Clean Energy Finance Corporation is providing additional funding nationwide.
And today I'm announcing further significant investments and initiatives as part of our Critical Minerals Strategy. Through our Critical Minerals Accelerator Initiative, our Government, my Government will invest $200 million over the next five years to support strategically significant critical minerals projects. That's what backing the resources industry looks like - following through on the commitments we've already made and doubling down to make sure it becomes a reality. This will back projects at crucial points in their development process to accelerate the market and drive private sector finance and investment. This initiative will consider proposals ranging between $1 million to $30 million for each project, and each project is expected to contribute 50 per cent of co-funding. Now, this isn’t a handout. This is a partnership.
As part of our Critical Minerals Strategy, the Government is also committing $50 million over three years to establish the Virtual National Critical Minerals Research and Development Centre. Now this will drive breakthrough collaborative research, drawing together the expertise from CSIRO, Geoscience Australia and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, ANSTO.
Critical minerals are key to a stronger economy for Australia and are therefore key to our stronger future. And as we face a more uncertain world, we're setting up Western Australia to be the powerhouse and reliable partner that our allies and partners need right here in Australia to develop these resources. We're going to dig them up right here. We're going to refine them right here, and we're going to make the products that use them right here. Every part of that supply chain we want WA to be the partner of choice. A partner whose products are high quality and consistent. A partner who people can trust to deliver, as the world has depended on us for iron ore.
Another key element of our Critical Minerals Strategy is our Modern Manufacturing Strategy. Now the pandemic has demonstrated the imperative of domestic manufacturing to national health, security and resilience. Making things here in Australia is important for our national resilience. And we see WA having a big role in that as well, as they always have. It's about building a strong and durable manufacturing ecosystem for high-skill, high-wage jobs. Now we're already going from strength to strength here in manufacturing in WA. The sector here has made the largest contribution to WA’s real gross state product growth in the last financial year, and that's remarkable when you think of everything else this state does.
Around 90,000 people are employed in manufacturing here in WA, and the Australian Government's Modern Manufacturing Strategy is focused on building scale in six areas of advanced high-value manufacturing: space, medical products, food and beverage, recycling and clean energy, defence, and resources technology and critical minerals processing. Now under this Strategy we've committed $535 million to boost manufacturing capability and supply chain resilience. That's leveraging over $1.25 billion more in private investment. Again, it's a partnership. Western Australia is well placed to capitalise on these incentives, with more than 14,500 manufacturing businesses right here in this state. And growth is not just in the traditional strengths of food, machinery, metals and engineering. WA is developing new advanced manufacturing capability through new precincts and innovation hubs to support start-ups, SME partnerships and technology and knowledge sharing.
And we’ve backed this up with $78.2 million already invested in 20 manufacturing projects under the Model Manufacturing Initiative right here in WA. And we know from lived experience that a strong private sector such as here in WA is our first line of defence for supply chain resilience. $107 million in our Supply Chain Resilience Initiative is providing targeted grants to establish scale in domestic manufacturing capabilities. And I particularly want to thank Melissa, Melissa Price, for her tireless work in supporting the development of critical minerals, space and defence industries, especially here in WA, which are central to our Manufacturing Strategy.
So today, again, I'm pleased to announce that further Government investment will be made, of some $243 million in just four projects, four projects, under the resources and critical minerals stream of the Modern Manufacturing Initiative, and this investment will leverage another $944 million, almost a billion dollars, in private sector investment, delivering an estimated 3,400 direct and indirect jobs across regional Australia. It adds to the $688 million we have already committed to critical minerals.
Now two of these projects, two of the four, are here in WA. The first is a $119.6 million support for Pure Battery Technologies in Coolgardie to build an integrated Nickel Manganese-Cobalt battery material refinery hub. Don’t try to say that too quickly. This will be the first integrated battery material refinery hub of its kind in Australia. The project will support collaboration between Pure Battery Technologies, Poseidon Nickel and a number of local and global industry partners. And the facility will initially support 380 construction jobs, with 175 permanent jobs from late 2023, and an estimated 1,729 indirect jobs out to 2031, many in regional areas.
Now the second WA project will see us invest just under $50 [million], $49 million, to Australian Vanadium to develop Australia's first active Vanadium mine and downstream processing at Tenindewa. I hope I’ve pronounced that right for the Western Australians - I’m getting the nod from Melissa, thank you. The project aims to supply the vanadium redox flow batteries to be installed in industries from agriculture and mining through to residential energy storage and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. And Vanadium represents an opportunity to develop a differentiated product in the battery industry, in addition to lithium batteries.
That's what climate change action looks like, by the way. Exactly what I'm talking about now. That's what it looks like. You're taking that issue seriously, you're doing this, which is what we're doing.
Both projects will strengthen Australia's global position as a battery precursor manufacturer, and underpin increased downstream processing of critical minerals. And these projects take us further up the value chain and unlock downstream investment in industries that will underpin our clean energy transition as we move further into the digital age and new energy age. These projects do more than just create jobs. They build economic diversity and national resilience.
Now, finally, let me just talk a bit about defence industries. Recent events have underlined that Australia faces its most difficult and dangerous security environment that we have seen in 80 years, 80 years. The events unfolding in Europe are a reminder of the close relationship between energy security, economic security and national security. There is a clear threat. The Henderson Maritime Precinct, 23 kilometres south of Perth, where I was yesterday, is the heartbeat of WA’s defence industry. And as our Government invests $280 billion in Australia's defence capability over the next decade, it’s important to the defence of our nation that this only grow. Henderson is one of Australia's two principal naval shipyards and serves as a critical sustainment for the Navy's surface and submarine fleets. We've been investing in Henderson, particularly through our national shipbuilding and sustained programs.
Yesterday I was pleased to announce our Government is investing up to $4.3 billion in a large ship dry-dock at Henderson. This nation building infrastructure at Henderson will support our continuous naval shipbuilding program, enabling the build, as I said earlier, some $30 billion of new naval shipbuilding over the next two decades right here in WA, as well as supporting Henderson to enhance its commercial shipbuilding and sustainment activities. Our nationwide investments in naval shipbuilding will create 15,000 jobs across the country by the end of this decade, with more than 50 vessels being built or upgraded here in WA. And over 2,000 of these jobs will be right here in WA.
The impacts of our investments are already being felt. Luerssen Australia, with Civmec, is building 10 of our 12 Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessels here in WA. They are expecting to have more than 40 vacant roles to fill - almost all of them here in Perth. There are jobs for engineers, jobs in design and configuration management, jobs in integrated logistics support. At its peak, $3.9 billion Offshore Patrol Vessel project will support 295 WA jobs, and anyone who has ventured inside Civmec’s assembly and maintenance hall, where the OPVs are taking shape, will have an understanding of the sheer scale of the construction taking place. Standing at 18 stories tall, the remarkable shed has 53,000 square metres of usable floor area, more than twice the size of the Optus Stadium playing surface. Companies like Civmec don't invest in infrastructure like this without having confidence in the future, and we have provided them with that confidence.
A couple of kilometres north in Henderson, Austal is building 21 Guardian Class patrol boats for our Pacific neighbours - a $510 million project, six evolved Cape class patrol boats to help protect our borders. Some $343 million for the project. And combined they support 630 WA jobs. And there are many other projects too. In fact, more than a dozen major shipbuilding and sustainment programs delivered at Henderson over the coming decades, and there's more than 1,000 businesses being supported by defence projects here in WA. And last financial year, 208 small and medium Western Australian businesses were engaged to perform critical work across the Defence estate, sharing in $109 million in contracts. This included 11 Indigenous businesses sharing in $31 million worth of work. And so far this financial year, the number of SMEs engaged to work across the Defence estate has grown to 215.
So there's a lot going on, a lot going on. And as a Government, we've had to deal, of course, with some of the biggest challenges that governments have seen in the past century - COVID, a global recession, natural disasters, economic coercion, a war in Europe, amidst a heightened geopolitical uncertainty, and the biggest global energy shock in almost 50 years. It's a testing time. It requires resilience. It requires experience to manage through these difficult waters ahead. It requires a Government that knows what it stands for and knows what it's about. A Government that has taken the decisions, not just sought to pretend to follow others, but has had the initiative to do these things and move forward and stand up for Australia. As a Government we have taken some hits, no doubt about it, but we keep coming back, and I can assure you we will, making the big calls for Australia's future, because there's too much at stake. Western Australians understand this. You understand the choice that is before you.
Change governments, change the course of the country. The direction we're heading in is one of a stronger Australia. The direction we're heading in is one of a strong economy for a stronger future. The direction we're heading in is the investments and the belief and the backing of Australian businesses and industry, particularly here in Western Australia, to realise the opportunities that you see, and are seeking a partner in the Government, not a master. Now that's the difference between Labor and the Liberals when it, at a federal level. At a federal level, that is the difference.
With us, you’ll have a path. With those, you’ll have a master. And the ones who are pulling the strings will be the union movements and the Greens in particular, calling the shots from behind the scenes. With us, it's very open. It's very transparent. You can see the plan, you can see the path we’re on, and now is not the time to turn back. Getting the big things right. Keeping our economy strong. Keeping Australians safe. Our future depends more than ever on these things, more than ever. So Australians will have a choice very, very soon, and that choice will have consequences. It’ll have consequences here in the West, it’ll have consequences right across the country. And those consequences will be felt in the economy that you, your business, your kids, your parents will live in for the next three, five and 10 years. It's no time for amateurs. It's no time for those who don't have the experience in dealing with these serious issues in financial management, economic security and national security. These are the things that my Government do every single day, and have done so in a way that few governments before us have.
So it's great to be back here in the West, and feel the energy and the spirit and the optimism that is always here. We’re committed to backing the people of Western Australia. And you know that's true, because you've seen us do it. Thank you very much for your time.
Press Conference - Henderson, WA
15 March 2022
Prime Minister: Well, g’day, everyone. It's great to be here in Western Australia. It's an absolute thrill to be here in Western Australia, and, of course, to be joined by Minister Price, the Minister for Defence Industry and Science and Technology, Minister Morton, and of course, the Assistant Minister for Defence Andrew Hastie.
This is an exciting day for Western Australia, but it's an even more exciting day for the defence of Australia because the integration between what happens on our western coast and on our eastern coast is incredibly important for how we defend our nation, and to have the capability to support those efforts is absolutely critical.
We've just undertaken a tour here with ASC on the latest mid-cycle docking which is taking place here in Western Australia. And one of our Collins, our Collins-class continues to be an incredibly effective submarine and plays a very important role in our operations in the Indo-Pacific region, and is highly respected by our partners, whether they be our AUKUS partners, Quad partners or those who have come from further afield and joined in the many exercises that we undertake. We work closely, hand in glove, with our partners in this part of the world.
And to ensure that we can support that capability into the future, here at Henderson today we are announcing that we'll be moving forward with some up to $4.3 billion in investment to establish a large vessel dry-dock and associated infrastructure here at the Henderson shipyard. This will be used to build and sustain large naval vessels and other commercial vessels. It provides redundancy, importantly, nationally, to the Captain Cook graving dock in Sydney. There's up to almost $30 billion worth of shipbuilding projects planned right here in Western Australia out to 2040. And this will be delivered through Australian Naval Infrastructure, a government business enterprise that is delivering the Osborne Shipyard in South Australia. This work will ensure that we can maintain our sovereignty, our flexibility, and offer long-term value for money outcomes for the Australian public.
We expect construction to commence in 2023-2024 with initial operational capability by 2028, and a final operating capability by 2030. 500 jobs in the construction of this world-class shipyard to put a large vessel dry-dock in place, and around 2,000 jobs for the ongoing works that will be taking place right here in Henderson, which will make and transform this precinct once again.
Last time I was here I think I was at the common user facility, and the investments that are being undertaken there. There's $1.5 billion worth of infrastructure investments going on both here and at Stirling. And we support, there is also support of some $90 million in a regional maintenance centre and the $30 billion I’ve mentioned when it comes to the shipbuilding projects that are going ahead here in Western Australia.
In addition, I want to touch on another announcement in relation to HMAS Stirling and Fleet Base West. Stirling will remain home to Australia's current and future submarines. Now this is a recognition of the enormous expertise that is here in the West, along with the strategic reality of our region and the Indian Ocean. Recent announcements about the east coast submarine base, they’re a critical part of the puzzle in terms of our expanded national operating capacity. But here at Stirling and Fleet Base West, they remain at the heart of our Navy and our submarine fleet, and we'll be investing even more. Of course, already committed more than $1.5 billion to improvements in naval infrastructure at Stirling and Henderson. But we will do more at Stirling.
To that end, I announce that the Government has directed Defence to commence their studies into what infrastructure and services are needed right here in the West to support the more frequent presence of United States and United Kingdom nuclear-powered submarines right here in Western Australia. We expect the results of that work to come back later this year and to get moving as quickly as possible. The ability of US and UK nuclear-powered submarines to be here on the west coast, and ultimately we’d like to see them on the east coast as well, is all part of what our plan is as we continue to push forward our AUKUS partnership - the Australia-UK-US partnership, which we were able to form last year and which is already underway. Admiral Mead has already been out here in Australia as we've been working through those initial phases, as we work towards the selection of the appropriate vessel, which will be part of that nuclear submarine fleet that we will eventually have here in Australia, and I suspect it'll be well before 2040.
But in addition to that, it's about the capability that we’re continuing to put in place in our naval operations, and that includes the Collins-class submarine, the life of types extensions, the mid-cycle and the full-cycle docking that is occurring with that important fleet of submarines. In addition to that, it's the work that we're doing in cyber, the work we're doing in AI, and other critical technologies for defence that is all part of that partnership.
But another part is to ensure that we can bring more of our partners’ vessels here to Australia, have them here for extended periods of time, and ensure that they can maintain and perform operations out of Australia. This is part of the AUKUS partnership, delivering early results to ensure that we can keep Australia safe, and our ability to build the facilities here at Henderson will play an enormous role. There’s enable the service and support naval fleets from all around the world who work with Australia, but particularly with our friends in the United States and UK, and what we're be putting in place over there at Stirling that will ensure that we can maintain those operations and play our role as part of this important partnership that is keeping Australia safe.
Now I particularly want to make mention of the fact that with our submarine operations here out of Western Australia, that they will remain critical to our future. And that is a key reason why I wanted to come here today and make those announcements, not just about Henderson, but also about Stirling. This is very much at the centre of our operations and will always continue to be so. So thank you very much for being here today. I'm going to ask Melissa Price to make a few comments as well, and then we'll be happy to take some questions.
The Hon. Melissa Price MP, Minister for Defence Industry: Thanks PM and welcome to Western Australia. The Morrison Government has a very ambitious shipbuilding program. Already here in Henderson, Western Australia we have got $5 billion worth of naval vessels being constructed. We announced turbocharging that $5 billion to a $30 billion shipbuilding program. Right across Western Australia, here, also in Henderson, shipbuilders doing the best they can, and as the Minister for Defence Industry, I'm incredibly proud of our world-class shipbuilding industry that we have here in Western Australia.
With today's announcement of the building of a dry-dock, what that says to West Australian shipbuilders is that the Morrison Government has full confidence in your abilities and full confidence in what you are able to achieve in the future. At the moment in Australia, if we wanted to build a large naval vessel like an LHD, that would not be possible. So the message to Western Australia and the shipbuilding industry is that we are backing you 100 per cent because these are, these are the types of vessels that we will be able to build here in Western Australia. Yes, more jobs, the creation of more small and medium-sized enterprises to help with this incredible enterprise here in Western Australia. But just as importantly, this announcement today says to Western Australia how important you are to the defence of our nation. Thank you.
Prime Minister: Happy to take some questions.
Journalist: Is it the consolation prize in terms of full-cycle docking, though, that the Government [inaudible]?
Prime Minister: Not at all. This is part of our core operations. This is the role that is played here in Western Australia. We’ve put capabilities where they're, where they're best delivered, whether that's here in Western Australia or on the east coast or South Australia or anywhere else. We operate a national network. And the more than $4 billion worth of investment that is being put here recognises the
need for that capability here in Western Australia. These decisions, like all of our decisions, are made on their merits, in the best interests of Australia's national security. That's how we make these calls, and we've been making a lot of these calls. Let me be clear. I mean, we have lifted defence spending in this country from 1.57 per cent, the lowest level that it had been at since before the Second World War, to 2.1 per cent today. Now, to understand what that means, if we kept our defence spending at the same level we inherited from the Labor Party, that would have meant $55 billion less spending on our Defence Forces than has occurred under our Government - $55 billion. And in this year alone, it would have been $10 billion less than would have occurred under what Labor’s settings were when we came to government. So we've made sure that we've got a stronger Defence Force right now, and have had every single day that we've been in government constantly rebuilding and re-equipping our Defence Forces, and we have the strong plans going out over the next 20 years, of which the announcement we've made today is a key part of.
That's the difference between the Liberals and Nationals and Labor and the Greens when it comes to defence. You know, others can talk about what they might do. I can tell you what we have done, and that demonstrates what our capacity is and what our commitments are to defence. You know, defence is not something that you can just talk about. It's something you deliver, which is what our Government has done.
Journalist: Prime Minister, you mentioned that Defence would look at what additional infrastructure was needed. Paul Papalia said he believed a dry-dock would cost about $2 billion dollars. You’re committing $4.3 billion today. Is that because you're adding a second channel dredging to be able to support the nuclear submarines?
Prime Minister: All of these issues will be worked through as part of the program that we’re now engaged in with partners on how [inaudible].
Journalist: Prime Minister, it's been a long time between visits, largely out of your control. But has that …
Prime Minister: Completely outside of my control, actually.
Journalist: Has that left you open, though, to criticism that WA’s been neglected? Do you get WA?
Prime Minister: Well, the reason I haven't been here has been because the borders have been shut and there has been, I myself had to go into isolation because of COVID. And the minute I got out of that isolation, I went straight to the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, which I think all Western Australians would want me to do because of the utter devastation that has occurred in that part of the country. For those Western Australians who have family back east, it's the worst flood they've seen in 500 years - a one in 500 year flood.
But having attended those important responsibilities, I'm very pleased to be here. But, you know, every single day during that period of time, the amount of GST that the Western Australian Government has been receiving from our Government because of the deal that I put in place has continued to go up and up and up. Over $5 billion in extra GST has been provided to the Western Australian Government since we were re-elected, in the last three Budgets that we delivered. And on top of that, some $14 billion was provided directly here in economic supports to Western Australia, and almost half a billion dollars to support the health system, as the health system has prepared itself for the very phase that Western Australians are now in. Putting the mask on again today - well, have to get back in the habit of that. On the east coast they’re not wearing them anymore, but I'm looking forward to the time where Western Australia similarly will be in that phase. Western Australians have done incredibly well to come through COVID, and we've been investing heavily in Western Australia to support the Western Australian State Government to bring the economy through, carrying that burden equally, and in many ways, more so, particularly when it came to the direct economic supports of some $14 billion.
You know, when you put that together, the $14 billion on support for COVID and and the $4 billion and more when it comes to the GST, extra GST, we're talking about around $6,500 direct support per head of population in Western Australia. That shows I think our commitment more than any have done before.
Journalist: Will you do something to reduce the fuel excise? Will you do something now to ease the cost of living burden that’s happening for families?
Prime Minister: We're very conscious of the significant impact of the rising fuel prices on Australians all around the country. And all Australians understand that that is being caused by the terrible war we're seeing in Europe and the invasion of of Russia on the Ukraine. We all understand that's what's driving oil prices up and fuel prices up around the world. We haven't seen oil price per barrel hit these levels for many years. In fact, it's happened about three times, including this one, over some period. And so the Budget’s at the end of this month. And that's when Parliament will obviously be coming back and the sort of things you’re talking about actually require legislation.
Journalist: Barnaby Joyce says that that the changes to fuel excise are off the table. Is he right?
Prime Minister: Well, I haven't seen those comments.
Journalist: Prime Minister, Australian families are hurting now, though. They're struggling to pay their mortgage now and fill up their petrol tank now. You’re telling them they won’t know what help they're going to get until the Budget in two weeks’ time. Why can't you give some sort of indication about how you're going to help them now?
Prime Minister: Well, let me tell you what we're already doing. I mean, if you're on $90,000 bucks a year right now, you are paying $50 a week less tax under the tax cuts we’ve delivered and the tax system that we put in place, than the tax regime we inherited from the Labor Party. If you're under Labor's tax regime, you'd be paying $50 a week more if you are on $90,000 today. And so whether it's tax relief, the pension next this week goes up by $20 a fortnight for singles and $30 for couples. Electricity prices have fallen by eight per cent in the last two years. And so we've been doing everything we can to ensure that we can keep downward pressure on these increases in prices. The inflation rate in Australia, at 2.1 per cent, compares to almost eight per cent in the United States, over five per cent in the United Kingdom.
But these pressures are real. The fact that it's worse in so many other parts of the world says that in Australia we've handled these issues better, but it doesn't take away from the fact that people are paying more at the bowser. Now we have carefully considered these issues and we are still finalising arrangements for the Budget in a fortnight's time. But I can assure you, the Treasurer and I have been keenly focused on ensuring that we can address some of these immediate pressures when it comes to the cost of living that Australians are facing. But we make these decisions carefully. We do our homework, we make the assessments. We understand the pressures that are there and make sure we can tailor the support in the best possible way we can.
Journalist: The GST deal was struck in 2018. You're heading to the northern suburbs this afternoon. What was the last thing that Vince Connelly or Ian Goodenough talked you into doing for WA?
Prime Minister: Well, I can remember, particularly for Vince. Vince has been, and Andrew will know this as well, Vince - yeah, I’ll come to the dry-dock in a second - but one of the things that Vince has always been a keen advocate for is support for veterans, and particularly support for veterans in his community. Now, all of our local members, Ian and others, they are very active, whether it's on issues of local roads or local health support, COVID arrangements. But I tell you, every single Western Australian Member of Parliament that serves in my team understands the absolute central benefit of this Henderson facility, and what it means for the Western Australian economy. And, you know, it's going to be challenging, of course, because as the economy continues to grow, the competition for workers is going to be very significant, but it's reassuring that those who’ve worked in the mining industry are now here working at ASC, and they're working on fitting out and retrofitting, I should say, and maintaining our submarines and the many other vessels that will be built here, they'll be involved in that sort of work. We have created, as a Government, I think, a pipeline of work which is bringing highly-skilled workers and investments here into Western Australia, which is going to support the Western Australian economy for decades to come.
But all of my members have been so focused on those issues, but I can tell you, it was the Western Australian MPs who were the ones who were most active when it came to ensure that we not only got the GST deal, and I joined with them in convincing our eastern, my eastern state colleagues that this was essential and in the national interest. I argued for it. I delivered it. And about $5 billion more has come into the coffers of the Western Australian State Government to pay for police and for hospitals and nurses and schools. That has been made possible because of the decision our Government, my Government, put in place, strongly supported by the great WA team that I have around me.
Journalist: What do you think of Mark McGowan being in quarantine when he doesn't need to? Do you think that sends the right message to a community trying to come out of the COVID fear factor?
Prime Minister: Well, as a leader that spent plenty of time in quarantine, I can send him a few tips and a few puzzles or, but like me, I don't think he would have, be having much time to be turning on the Netflix or doing anything like that. I'm sure he's remaining hard at work, as I always have been when I've been in periods of isolation or quarantine.
Look, I think Mark, the Premier, is ensuring that he's showing that there aren’t two rules here, and he's seeking to show that example and and I commend him for that. We work very closely together. We were on the hook up the other day on Friday where we made the decision that it was important to move beyond the close contact rule, which will happen first on the east coast states. But I look forward to that coming in place here in Western Australia. Premier McGowan's had the opportunity to have a ringside seat when it comes to what's happening on the east coast in management of COVID, and I'm sure those lessons are being applied here in Western Australia. The hospital system here is managing well and that, at the end of the day, is the purpose of how you're managing COVID - that your hospital system does not get overrun. And on the eastern states, we didn't see those peaks achieved from the modelling that was done as we went through that Omicron strain. And, similarly, I think it will be the case here that the careful, pragmatic management of this will ensure that people can get back to their normal lives, hopefully as as soon as possible. And there won't be the need for the masks and the close contact isolation or any of those things, because that only slows the economy down. Western Australia has done a great job in keeping their economy going strong, and we want to see that resurgence take place as soon as we can get through these next, this next month or so.
Journalist: Apologies, he's not on the ballot, but is Mark McGowan your pseudo shadow challenger in WA? Labor’s pointing out today that he's providing free RATs, but your, you didn't provide any free rapid tests. Are they setting him up as your real opposition in WA, and the face of Labor in WA?
Prime Minister: Well, whichever way people vote at the next federal election, I can tell you one thing for sure. And that is Premier McGowan will be the Premier the next day. That won't change. And Western Australians have made their choice about Premier. Now, Western Australians are being invited to make a choice about who they want their Prime Minister to be. Not who they want their Premier to be. Premier McGowan will tell you himself that he and I have had a very productive and very successful working relationship on so many projects, and that will continue if I'm re-elected as Prime Minister. And those projects are the ones we're talking about here today. And that has been, I think, a very productive partnership.
But, you know, I'm not pretending to be someone else. I'm not seeking to ride on someone else's coattails when it comes to being re-elected as Prime Minister. People, they might not agree with everything I've done, but they know what I'm about. My opponent is trying to pretend to be everything from John Howard to Mark McGowan or even Bob Hawke, and you can't present yourself to the Australian people as something that you’re not. You are who you've been for the last 20 or 30 years, and that's, we've got a Leader of the Opposition in Anthony Albanese who’s not being upfront with people. You know, he hasn't, he's not able to walk the talk when it comes to the things he's spoken about on economic management and defence, because it's, frankly, not his history. He was the one who was in favour of the mining tax here in Western Australia. The superannuation tax, the retirees tax, the housing tax, all of these things. And on border protection, he was the one who said that he couldn't do turn backs because he couldn't ask someone to do something that he wouldn't do himself. Well, as the Minister I was the one who put that policy in place, and put an end to the madness that was occurring on our borders under the former Labor Government.
So leopards don't change their spots, even if they change their glasses and their suits. They're still the same, and he's the most left wing leader of the Labor Party at a federal level we have seen since probably Gough Whitlam, if not before that. And so that's the choice - myself as Prime Minister and my team that have been delivering for Western Australia $14 billion in additional support economically through the pandemic, and around $5 billion of extra GST, which has flowed into the coffers here because of what we put in place - or a Labor Party at a federal level who, frankly, don't measure up to the McGowan model here in Western Australia
Journalist: How do you think Australians will view you charging $14,000 a head for a fundraiser, when they’re struggling to fill up their petrol tank?
Prime Minister: Sorry, I couldn’t hear what you said.
Journalist: How do you think Australians will feel about you charging $14,000 a head for a fundraiser, when Australians are struggling to fill up their petrol tank?
Prime Minister: Well, these are matters that are arranged by the the Party here in Western Australia. I attend numerous events, just like the the Leader of the Labor Party attends many events. So, you know, that's …
Journalist: Do you think it passes the pub test, though, to charge $14,000 a head?
Prime Minister: This is the democracy in which we work. And, as a result, we we seek support for our campaigns. The Labor Party does the same thing. In many cases, they get it from the big unions who take it out of people's fees that they pay to the unions. I’m not sure how they feel about that, either, when they're trying to fill up at the bowser and unions are channelling money from their union dues to pay for Anthony Albanese’s political campaign.
Journalist: Is it a low blow to criticise Anthony Albanese’s glasses and his recent weight loss? You know, are you making appearance a factor here?
Prime Minister: No, I'm not. I mean, I'm sure he's not that precious. Last night, I was having a giggle at myself. I was talking about the fact that I hadn't lost any weight and I hadn't changed my glasses and that I'm still wearing the same suits. But, you know, what glasses you wear and what suits you wear, that doesn't make you a Prime Minister. It's being able to make the decisions to support our Defence Forces. It's about making the decisions to ensure we keep our economy strong. Australia has an unemployment rate of 4.2 per cent. We’ve got 250,000 more people in work today than we had than before the pandemic. We've got one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, and I want to commend Western Australians on achieving that result here in the West. I mean, it was harder to achieve here because you didn't have the same number of cases that we had on the east coast and you had to work harder for it. And I commend Western Australia for that, as I did the Premier when we were on the call the other day. And most importantly, here in Australia we have saved more than 40,000 lives during this pandemic. So on all of those issues it demonstrates that we've made the decisions that’s kept Australia strong, that's kept our economy strong for a stronger future, and we’ve kept Australians safe. And what we're doing here in Henderson is all about that - more jobs, more security, more opportunity for Western Australians. Thank you.
Remarks, Opening of Central Coast Clinical School and Research Institute Gosford, NSW
14 March 2022
Prime Minister: Well, thank you very much, Lucy. It's tremendous to be here with you on this very important day and with so many faces and so many individuals who have been part of this journey over the last decade, as as Lucy has just shared her story. Carol and Alex, and everybody who's been involved.
Can I, before making some remarks, though, also acknowledge the Darkinyung people, and thank you for your wonderful welcome to country here today, and to their Elders past, present and emerging.
Can I acknowledge any serving members of our Defence Forces or veterans who are amongst us, and thank them for their service.
I want to congratulate everyone who’s been involved in delivering this incredible world-class health and medical precinct. Of course, there’s Chancellor Paul Jeans and Vice-Chancellor Professor Zelinsky.
The Gosford Hospital and Central, sorry, I should say, the Central Coast Local Health District, including Scott McLachlan, the Chief Executive of the Local Health District.
The New South Wales Government, and I want to acknowledge as well, they’re a partner in this this great venture. And Adam, to you, who have been carrying this dream along with Lucy over a long time. Congratulations to you, and I acknowledge the Premier, who’s obviously not here today for for obvious reasons, but I know about his passion as well.
There are so many people who have been involved in this, but I think you'd agree with me and indulge me in really thanking Lucy for what she's done here. When my girls were younger, I came home one night and hanging above, I think it was Lily's bed, was this strange, macrame looking woollen thing. I don't know how to describe this. And I said, “Darling, what is that?” And she said, “It's a, it's a dream catcher.” Ok. Well, this is, this is what Lucy's like. She is a dream catcher. I think it's very modest of her to say that it wasn't her dream, but I think she's right in saying it was a dream of the community. And as a local Member of Parliament, she's been catching the dreams of this community for a very long time and she's been turning them into reality, which makes her such a fine Member of Parliament. But more importantly than that, such an incredibly important member of the Central Coast community. And I'm very proud of what she's achieved here, as a dear friend of hers. But I think you’re even more proud than I am, because we are now all standing in the product of your collective efforts, that she's played such a significant role in bringing together here today.
It is true that when, it was Caroline at the time who came and sat in my office with a whole bunch of people as we talked about this project when I was Treasurer. And yes, we did run the numbers up there and it did make sense. I was very pleased that I did say yes, and kept saying yes. And I do look forward to saying yes to stages two, three, four and five, and being there to give you the answer. Because this project is more, even more than just a clinical college and research institute. See, the way we understand, as a Government, how regions fire and how they work is Australia is just not the eight capital cities. It's way more than that. Australia is far bigger than those major cities that we call our capitals, and it extends into the regions. And when I look at the regions, I see the future income and powerhouse of the Australian economy, and the future well-being and livelihoods of countless, millions of Australians who will increasingly take up that dream - where you can go and live and work in a place like the Central Coast. We feel that same way down in the Sutherland Shire. You can live and work there, well, you've got the absolute lottery of life. And I know people on the Central Coast feel that way. I know people in Newcastle feel that way. I know people, you know, down out in Geelong and places like that all feel that way, because such is the passion for living in these parts of our country.
But for that to work, you've got to have a community base of infrastructure and services. And what makes all of that work, is an economy that can support that. And what excited me about this as Treasurer, I wasn't the Minister for Health, I was the Treasurer, and a university sits at the heart of pretty much every successful economic regional plan you care to nominate anywhere in the world, let alone in Australia. But not any university that, you know, keeps itself separate from the rest of the community and walks around in gowns and looks down on everybody. And, you know, only looks at things that are remotely interesting to anyone. It's a university that's very practical and understands the opportunities, whether it's in science or medicine or in any other areas or fields of enquiry and research, and is raising up a workforce and a generation of people that can actually transform the region in which they're living. Now that's what the University of Newcastle’s been doing.
The campus has been here for many years. But what captivated me in that original meeting - I don’t know if ever I’ve told you this - was that vision of the University of Newcastle to be really a, a university for the whole Central Coast Hunter region, and to be firing up the enterprises that are across the Central Coast and the Hunter to bring the best possible researchers into these universities in regional areas that make them world leaders.
And I I agree with you, and Christopher would be over the moon that you mentioned him today, but as for the Members of Parliament they’ll all know Christopher Pyne well, he loves a mention. But Christopher was right. And when I look at our regional universities, I get really excited. I get excited about the University of Newcastle. I get excited about the other universities like University of Western Sydney or the University of Wollongong or or Griffith or all of these, Deakin and so on, because what I find in those universities, and forgive me, Lucy, if this is a bit off topic, is I see a dynamism, I see an innovation, I see an engagement with industry and the community, and I see a connection to the services. And this is what I want for universities in Australia. I don't want them to be remote. I want them to be part of the community in which they sit. And not just, and I mean, the the economy of that community.
One of our most important parts of our economic plan is a sovereign manufacturing capability, and for that to occur in the six areas that we've nominated, and one of those is medical, medical manufacturing, medical instruments and pharmaceuticals, and all of these - exactly what a research institute will be doing. And I want manufacturers, more and more of them, coming here and basing themselves on the Central Coast and making things and inventing things and developing things and selling lots of them, not just in Australia, but all around the world. And that's going to happen here on the Central Coast because this institute is here, and those who will work at this institute and were trained here at the clinical school, who will be caring for patients across the road, they will be moving in and out of companies that will be based here on the Central Coast, and this will become quite a, quite a place for this area of activity.
And I know that Newcastle University gets that, because I had the same conversation with them up the road in the Hunter when we're talking about hydrogen and all of those areas of energy, new energy technologies and research. And so that's why I’m excited about this. This is what sold me - she had me at the University of Newcastle, and because I could see the linkage between that, the service delivery, the economic growth that would come, and you know, at the end of the day, which is what I think makes Lucy so excited about it all, is what it means for young people growing up on the Central Coast. To think you can become one of the world's leading Michael cardiologists - Dr Feneley’s here with us, Dr Feneley, our Liberal candidate for Dobell.
You can achieve anything you want as a young kid growing up here on the Central Coast, and you never have to leave the place to achieve it. And that wasn't always true, it wasn’t true. But that is becoming more and more true for another generation of young people growing up on the Central Coast. So we were really excited to put $45 million into this project. I love investing in things as a Government that works, and that transforms regions and transforms lives, and I think this scores on on all of those points. And I was really excited when we drove up here because I remembered the day when I stood right out the front there with Lucy and we announced the funding for the project. And it was basically a a site full of rubbish and rolling down the hill and into now, I couldn't have even conceived this, what this building would look like on this site. But I had no doubt that those I was with that day would, could certainly see it, and it will look a lot like that [inaudible]. A lot like that in their minds.
So look, I want to thank you, Lucy, for having me on part of this journey over the last five years to see this realised as Prime Minister and initiated as Treasurer. But to those more than 200 medical students, 600 nursing students, 20 graduate and postgraduate midwifery students, the first intake from this site this year, the PhD students that will be here, this, they will create a legacy here which will endure, and endure for generations to come. So thank you for the great privilege of being involved and congratulations to all of you. It’s a, it’s a big deal for the Coast. Cheers.
Remarks, 20th Anniversary Of Kookaburra Kids Afternoon Tea Kirribilli, NSW
12 March 2022
Prime Minister: Well, thank you very much, Chris, and can I also - thank you, Buddy - can I thank you, mate, and everyone who's come together here today to celebrate the start of the 20-year acknowledgement of the wonderful work of what I remember as Camp K, as I was first introduced to it many, many years ago. And, of course, Kookaburra Kids.
Can, I can I acknowledge the Gadigal people, the land on which we meet, their Elders past and present. They had a pretty good view from here, as we can all see, and we want to acknowledge them.
Can I also acknowledge, importantly, as I always do, any veterans who are here with us today, and particularly when it comes to talking the Kookaburra Kids and the parents who are represented here today.
To Patricia, who you'll hear from in a second, to John and Lucy, who I've known forever. You may know them from such things as running Lifeline and the Mental Health Commission and so many other great works that they do. And but they are a fellow traveller. They're both fellow travellers when it comes to Kookaburra Kids as well. It’s been a passion of ours for a long time, and to all the others who are here today, the new Ambassadors we have - Belinda and Ben. To Allan Sparkes and Mark, who, as a Board Member, I’ve known for a long time. Haven’t caught up for some while, look forward to doing that a little later. But, of course, Peter Overton and Jessica Rowe, who can't be with us. I know what those sniffles start like, and I can tell you, it gets a bit worse than that, Pete. So take care, mate, and look after yourself in the days ahead.
Twenty years - you know, a lot can happen in 20 years. But when you look at what's happened with Kookaburra Kids, they really live up to that. It's been an extraordinary achievement. I know Dianne, Dianne introduced me to Camp K all those years ago back in the Shire. Took me down to the camps and and it was just such a compelling idea. I mean, so much of what is done in mental health support, and rightly, is to address the needs of those who are suffering with mental health challenges. But what everyone here understands today is that when mental illness strikes a family, strikes a community, it doesn't just affect those who are directly impacted through mental health. There are all of those who are around them - their kids, their family, their friends, their community, and to work through mental health and the challenge of it and become well doesn't just require the direct clinical support that is provided to the individual themselves. But it's healing and a support that is done through the whole family and the whole community.
And this was Dianne’s genius, and she could understand this better than most because she went through it herself. And that is so often the case. And to play, provide a place of safety, a place of respite, a place of renewal and refreshment, particularly for children. Young kids, as you say, Chris, can get together on their terms and their space, learn from each other, gain strength from each other. This was an amazing idea, and the way that it's been able to be put into practice so professionally, and we acknowledge Di, absolutely, but we acknowledge Pam as well, and through to the work you're doing now, Chris. This is an extraordinary organisation that just brings people into its orbit because it's such a passionate place, and what is being done is just so positive and people just want to be part of it.
I want to thank all of those who’ve supported Kookaburra Kids over these last 20 years. Those who’ve supported it financially, of course. But those who’ve supported it as volunteers, and we have many volunteers who are here today and other volunteers who have gone on to be staff, volunteers who have served in various governance roles within the organisation. At its heart, it's a volunteer organisation and it speaks to how the community responds to challenges and then the the professional and clinical and other supports that come around it only enables it to achieve a scale that we're really seeing achieved here with Kookaburra Kids.
It was a number of years ago, I was Treasurer at the time and we were dealing, of course, with the significant challenges faced by Defence Force families as they were coming back and after many tours, many tours in Afghanistan, and the impacts that was having on our veterans and continuing serving men and women in our Defence Forces. And there were children who were simply saying, ‘my dad has come home physically, but he's not home’. I couldn't imagine saying that as a kid. And I knew there was an organisation that could help those kids, and it was Camp K.
And together we worked up the pilot, first, of the Kookaburra Kids programs for Defence families. And it wasn't just about Defence Force kids coming along to a camp with all the other kids, because Defence Force kids have particular challenges. They have a different experience - they've moved around a lot, they've dealt with, you know, dealing with families in the Defence Forces has its own challenges. And so they needed to be in a place on their own terms, in their own space. And so we did the pilot - several million we put in at that time, as Treasurer.
A couple of years later, we upped that up, because it was working. I love investing in things that work and with Camp K, they just kept working, so we kept investing. And we upped it to almost $8 million.
And now, today, to kick off the the celebrations for the 20th year, I'm pleased to announce today that we will be supporting this program with a further $13.7 million in the Defence Kids program. This this will expand the program into more regional areas. How good’s that? It's going to be in Wagga, it's going to be in Albury/Wodonga, it's going to be in the Mornington Peninsula, Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong. And for the first time, children in the north and south of Tasmania will also have access to these services, and that's incredibly exciting. And I know they're going to do a great job in taking that forward in the future.
I joked with Chris yesterday, people are going to say this, that you're just, you know, showing favouritism to a great organisation coming out of the Shire. I said, well, I'm going to find that really hard to defend. But that's not the case. Whether it's a great community organisation coming out of the Shire that is now helping kids and families nationally, I see that all the time. I see organisations all around the country that start off in a community response to a community need in a town or a city or a suburb, and it's a great thrill to see that go to a national scale.
And, so, congratulations. I am so glad for Jenny and I to be part of this, and we’ll be part of it long after, I'm sure, our time working in parliamentary life is there, because it's just an area of great passion for us, and I want to thank everybody for being involved. And, welcome.
Press Conference - Windsor, NSW
12 March 2022
Patrick Connolly, Mayor, Hawkesbury City Council: Good morning, everyone. I'm Patrick Connolly, the Mayor of Hawkesbury City Council. This has been a devastating event here for us in the Hawkesbury. It's come a year after another devastating flood we had last year, and before that, bushfires. Our community is has been through so much and so many people are struggling. Today and and the last couple of days, we're moving from immediate response into the recovery. And so we're very, very happy to have the Prime Minister here today. We've had a chance to talk to him about what Councils response is like and what we're going through. And and I know Sarah Richards has had a chance today to to show him some of the impacts on the ground. So very happy to have the Prime Minister here with us.
Prime Minister: Well, thank you, Patrick. And thank you for the opportunity to come here today. I want to thank particularly all the local command here, where they've been doing such an incredible job. I'm joined of course by Sarah. But I was also joined today by the State Member Robyn Preston and the Federal Member Susan Templeman, and the opportunity to get briefed across all the agencies and all the services in terms of the impact of a flood yet again here out in the Hawkesbury. It wasn't even a year ago when Jenny and I were here and seeing the terrible damage that occurred on that occasion. Here we are less than a year later, and we're dealing with a flood of a similar magnitude, in fact, just a bit bit more than that, in fact, here in the Hawkesbury.
But wherever I go to these terrible events, I see the same thing every single time, and that is such a strong community resilience and response. And here in the Hawkesbury on this occasion, after the events of less than a year ago, the preparedness, the resilience that even has been built up in the last year - the way that homes have been fitted out to better equip themselves to face a flood, the fact that we've had large containers being put on people's sites so they can get their property into a secure place. One of the families I was talking to this morning on the phone that we met last time was able to do that.
And so that doesn't mean the flood doesn't have a terrible impact. Of course it does. But the readiness and the way that people help themselves or help each other is always a part of the response to natural disasters in this country. It's a conversation I've been having with other leaders across the country - premiers, local governments, and even when I spoke to the Governor-General last night. You've heard it from Peter Cosgrove, former Governor-General, and both of the former heads of the Defence Forces. In Australia, the community response mixes together with the local government response, with the state government response, with the Federal Government response. It's not one or the other. The reason we're able to push through so many of these events is they all come together. And, of course, those who were first here are always going to be the local community, neighbours helping neighbours. That has always been an important part of our natural disaster response, and always will be. State, local and Federal Governments aren't there to replace that, but to aid it, to support it and continue to build on it. And that is especially true once you get past the immediate impact of the flood event itself and you start moving into the rebuilding phase and the recovery phase, which is going on all around us here today.
A couple of things I want to bring to your attention. Across the country, as of this morning, 766,000 individuals have been supported by the Commonwealth Disaster Payments and Recovery Allowance support to date. That's $631 million which has gone out the door and into people's bank accounts and their pockets about the last two weeks. Here in New South Wales alone, $423 million makes up that $631 [million] across the country, and that says something to the scale of the floods that we've seen here in New South Wales. Here in the Hawkesbury alone, there are 8,671 claims and over $7 million in direct support that has gone in.
There are over 4,000 [ADF] boots on the ground here in New South Wales, and we have over 6,000 right across the country, operating as part of Operation Flood Assist. And they're engaged in a myriad of tasks, from the initial phases when they were winching people to rescue, to now, as you see them with boots on the ground, as we see them here in the Hawkesbury out there assisting with the clean-up and the recovery. That presence is a very welcome sight and I know a great encouragement. And I want to thank all those Defence Force personnel who have been out there doing that, and particularly the reservists who have been part of those call outs, and up on the Northern Rivers especially. Those reservists, I want to thank their employers as well. Employers have released them to go and serve their communities and serve their country in the way that they are doing now. It's a very important part of our ability to respond.
In total, here in New South Wales, the Commonwealth and the State Governments have already committed and spending around $1.5 billion to support the flood recovery and response effort. The Commonwealth, that includes the Commonwealth Disaster Payment and so on, has contributed $1 billion of that. And so we are here in a significant way, just as we are in Queensland. The way this flood response funding works is requests are made to the Commonwealth Government, and we have met every request that is being put to us. In particular up there in Lismore at the moment, there is a caravan convoy. There are 20 mobile homes already there as part of the initiatives that we're putting in place to support temporary accommodation for so many who have been affected. Just this week, the Premier announced a further around half a billion dollars in support up there in the Northern Rivers. That is 50-50 funded by the Commonwealth Government. I spoke to the Premier that morning. He announced it later that day, and that includes a $285 million housing package, which the Commonwealth is supporting 50-50.
Also last night, I met with the, with the Governor-General in Canberra, and we declared the state of emergency for New South Wales. The Premier, sorry, the Governor-General had himself been in Northern Rivers during the course of that day, and that gave us the opportunity to discuss firsthand and get his feedback on what was happening on the ground, and I'd obviously been there a day or so earlier. This followed consultation, of course, with the Premier here in New South Wales, and sitting down yesterday morning at Cabinet, the National Resilience and Recovery Agency, the Emergency Management Authority, and looking further, at the further data that has come through. We had considered also doing it for Queensland. I consulted with the Queensland Premier. Her view in our consultation was that the cooperation between the Federal and State Governments have been excellent, and I agree with her. It has. It's been very good in Queensland, and I saw the first, firsthand the rollout of the recovery and clean-up effort that's underway. The Premier didn't believe that was necessary in Queensland. And so I listened carefully to her and our agencies, and that's what consultation is. You listen and then you make decisions, and that's what we've done.
In New South Wales, the situation, particularly in the Northern Rivers, is absolutely devastating. They've had an inland tsunami there and it is as awful as the impact of the flood event here, once again in the space of just one year, here in Hawkesbury is. What I really want, I thank people upstairs, and I want to thank people in flood-affected areas all around the country. Even though as they're cleaning up their own homes and trying to re-establish their own businesses after being impacted by those flood events, it is amazing how they send their best wishes to those who are in northern New South Wales at the centre of what is like a blast and an epicentre, and at a scale of a one in 500 year flood. And I think that says a lot about Australians, that even when they're going through, as they are here in the Hawkesbury right now, Patrick and and your community here, they're also thinking of people in situations like in Lismore and Coraki and all of those areas in the Northern Rivers. So I want to thank Australians for their generous heart when it comes to that, and the practical ways they're seeking to support each other.
So with that, I'm happy to take some questions.
Journalist: Prime Minister, a lot of the people we've been speaking to say, especially along the river here, they're used to floods, they're very aware of them, it's a well-oiled machine in terms of recovery. One of the issues they've always had, though, is insurance companies. What would you say to the insurance companies who are trying to penny-pinch in the months to come?
Prime Minister: Pay out. That's what I'd say to them, and to honour their their contracts, and those who have been able to have that flood insurance expect to be supported. That's why you take it out. And if there are issues there, then I have no doubt that those matters will be raised. And I know Sarah would be happy to hear from them, and the Treasurer and I will be happy to take those matters up. This week, Bridget McKenzie, the Minister for Emergency Management, Disaster Resilience and Recovery, has been meeting with the insurance companies and the banks just to monitor their response to the flood events, not just in the Northern Rivers, but right across the country.
What is also important is, you know, in dealing with climate change, you have to get emissions down, and we've got them down by over 20 per cent. We've got our commitment and the plan to get to net zero by 2050. But I said this two years ago, before the floods that we've experienced here over the last couple of years, and I said, dealing with climate change is about resilience and adaptation as well. And so whether it's up in the Northern Rivers and the resilience works that frankly haven't been done for a long time, there's been a lot of resistance to some of those works. We've got to get that done, because if you do that, then the insurance companies will be in a better position to be able to insure. Now, that doesn't mean they can insure everywhere. But up in the northern part of the country, our Government established the the reinsurance pool of $10 billion. Now the reason we did that was because of the market failure that was occurring in the insurance market, which meant it was very difficult for people to get insurance and then live and run businesses in Northern Australia, and build strata units and things of that nature.
So it's not just a question of calling out insurance companies when they don't do the right thing, but we will. But we also have to work together - councils, state governments and the Federal Government to ensure the resilience and adaptation policies are in place that can make more places insurable. Now, Peter Cosgrove's made some points about that. I commend Anthony Roberts, the New South Wales Planning Minister, and the comments that he's made today. When I spoke to the Mayor of Ballina the other night she was able to tell me that in those parts of Ballina that were subject to the new development approvals guidelines, they were able to avoid much of the damage that occurred in Ballina, which shows that sort of resilience to floods, that sort of adaptation actually can save so much. And I know here in the Hawkesbury, it's a, it's a big challenge for the Council to get all those settings right. And so I I applaud what Anthony Roberts has said today. I think he's spot on.
Journalist: Prime Minister, you mentioned a convoy of about 20 motorhomes going to the ...
Prime Minister: It will be over 100, ultimately, 20 are there now.
Journalist: So over 100, ultimately. We are facing a pretty large scale housing crisis in that region. On top of these motorhomes, what are you doing to make sure people have somewhere to stay and they can stay in accommodation?
Prime Minister: Yeah, well, there's everything from rent assistance and other temporary income support to support those accommodation. It's a $285 million package, which the New South Wales Government has brought together and they're running, and we're funding half of it. So my answer is $142.5 million directly committed in the discussions the Premier and I had to support them address the accommodation crisis that is occurring in the Northern Rivers. So I commend the Premier on the package. And he had me at hello when it came to our support for it. We know it's essential. I've been there, I've seen it, I know it, and the Governor-General, and I want to thank His Excellency for being there and and giving me further feedback in some of the other outlying areas he was able to get to, whether it's business support that is needed. But it's it's going to be a long road back up there, and we're going to be there every day, just like we were there up in North Queensland, just like we have been there in all these floods. People know the payments. I mean, Patrick, Sarah, you know, after the last floods, the support that was provided. It got through. It got to people. It got to the primary producers, it got to the businesses that were directly impacted, and the individuals who need that support. So housing is a very serious issue.
The other big issue up in Northern Rivers is is the, is the water treatment plant, and it's something the Premier and I have been discussing, and I know the local Mayor up there in Lismore, he's, they're very troubled about this, and I'm very keen to see that that gets sorted out. That will, that will create health issues, if that's not sorted out as well. And I know the Premier has that high on his list, and I'm I'm sure they'll they'll get it sorted.
Journalist: On the emergency declaration, just to be clear, why did you change your mind about declaring a national emergency in parts of South East Queensland? Was it after those discussions with the Premier?
Prime Minister: Yeah, I mean, the way you do this is you consult. And it was our intention to do it in both states. But after consulting and listening, and particularly listening to, as we got further information in from our agencies, the National Recovery and Resilience Agency, who, where more damage assessments had been completed. We were just talking upstairs, I mean, damage assessments are still being done here in the Hawkesbury right now. And so as you get more data, that better informs your decision, and it also followed my discussion with the Queensland Premier. So when I say I'm going to consult someone, I mean it. I'm not, I'm not, I'm not so stubborn to, as to not listen. And when the Premier tells me she doesn't think it's necessary, well, of course, I'm going to listen to that.
Journalist: But a week ago she did think it was necessary. She just said it was too late.
Prime Minister: Well, if she thought it was necessary a week ago, she could have written to me and asked me to do it, but she didn't. That's that's the way it works. If the state wants it to be done, then they can request for it to be done, and no such request was made by the Queensland Government. The first person to talk about putting it in place was the Federal Government, and but the rule says, and I think it's a good rule, that you should consult. And I did, and I listened to what she had to say.
And I should stress, the state of emergency declaration has no connection to the deployment of Defence Forces or payments or any of that. All of that's flowing. And as as Premier Palaszczuk noted, that was working incredibly well in Queensland, and the cooperation was outstanding. What the state of emergency does, and this will be particularly helpful, particularly up in the Northern Rivers, where the situation remains drastic, it helps with things like having the waiver on our regulations for Commonwealth agencies so they don't require a signature on a bit of paper. I mean, people won't have documents, they won't have access to, they could have lost everything of of their their backup storage on their computers, and all of these things. And under our laws, there is a requirement to ensure that certain declarations are made, and and that's normal process. But when you're in the middle of a one in 500 year flood, it makes sense to have some flexibility about that.
So the state of emergency declaration at a Commonwealth level, at a federal level, is to deal with those things. So the money has flowed, the boots have been on the ground. And as I said in Queensland, back in 2011 when the big flood hit Brisbane, this time round we had three times as many ADF out, and a week earlier.
Journalist: Just on COVID, Prime Minister.
Prime Minister: Sure.
Journalist: Nat Cab yesterday.
Prime Minister: Yeah.
Journalist: Sounds like COVID's almost over.
Prime Minister: Well, we did have a good discussion about the National Plan yesterday with premiers and chief ministers. And you'll know, Phases A, B, C and D, and we believe we're pretty much in Phase D now. There are few exceptions to that. Phase D, remember, means living with the virus like the flu. And, you know, our airports are open again, international arrivals can come, there's the waivers now on quarantine and so on with people returning. So we're pretty much in Phase D. Western Australia's, you know, a month or so behind where the rest of the country is. And so they'll continue to be some different arrangements there for for the next while. But I know the Premier there is as keen for, to get to that next phase as the rest of the country, but he's obviously got to do that at their pace, because they've been in a different cycle on COVID. Similarly, up in the the Northern Territory, there are discrete communities up there, Indigenous communities, where they will continue to have to exercise some real caution. So there are some exceptions to where we're at at Phase D, but pretty much, especially here in New South Wales and and Victoria and I'd argue Queensland as well. We're pretty much there in South Australia. I mean, South Australia, all the, the Premier has taken off all of those remaining restrictions, I think, last night.
The other big change we talked about yesterday is getting rid of the close contact rule, which makes a lot of sense, and that's that would be done only with further advice from the medical expert panel. And so we gave them some some tasking yesterday and said, look, it's, for for a whole range of reasons, it's important that we remove this close contact rule because it's it's it's starving businesses of staff, of hospitals of staff, and all of these things - although for the health sector, there have been some exemptions. And for people who are running hospitality businesses and things like that, the close contact rule, particularly with the kids back at school. I mean, we all know what it's like with kids and flus and and other things that, you know, they bring it home, and then then the whole family has to stay home and can't go to work. So that rule is is becoming, we believe, as leaders, redundant. But so we've tasked the medical expert panel to say, want your urgent advice on this as soon as possible, because we'd like to say goodbye to that rule as quickly as we can.
Journalist: And how worried should we be that this could be the first winter that we're going to get COVID and the flu potentially hitting at the same time?
Prime Minister: Well, this is the challenge going into winter. I mean, we've had obviously COVID the last few years, and but the fact that we've had so many of the social restrictions means that we haven't had bad flu seasons the last couple of years. In fact, we've had very few fatalities from flu. They they dropped dramatically during that period. Now that we're living with the virus, it means we're living with everything again. And that means there'll be a flu season. And, so, vulnerable people should be getting their flu shots, and even more broadly than that, we said that, again, that the flu shot should be mandatory in those aged care and disability care and places like that, which is something that has to be renewed by the states. The joint testing process that deals with both flu and with COVID, with PCR tests. So we went through our preparedness plan for winter yesterday. I thought it was a very constructive discussion and the states are well-prepared. I mean, we've come through the Omicron wave, the hospital system has stood up to it in every part of the country.
Journalist: Do you see a world in which we could regress in restrictions? Regress back to the old, old COVID ways of restrictions here, there and everywhere?
Prime Minister: No.
Journalist: Do you see a world in which that happens at all?
Prime Minister: Well, I certainly hope not. Oh no, I can't, I can't see that. I think, well, I mean, you can never know what the next variant may be. And I know there's, we discussed the mutations of the existing variant with Omicron yesterday, but we're largely talking about the same virus. The difference with Omicron and Delta is like a completely different virus. That's when you get a variant of of really significant concern. What we've seen with these latest permutations of this variant is it doesn't need to change our settings. We can keep doing what we're doing. We may see some more cases, but as we've known now, and I've been trying to be, trying to say for a long time, cases is not the point. How your hospital system is going is the point, and our hospital systems have held up extremely well.
Journalist: Prime Minister, have you considered what you'd do if there's an outbreak with media staff or your staff while on the campaign trail?
Prime Minister: Well, I'll just follow the rules. Same as what would happen in your staff or or anywhere else. I've had it and I isolated for a week, and I'm back and on my feet. It wasn't that pleasant. But what I'd say is this, is make sure you get your booster. One of the key things we we were briefed on yesterday, if you've had your booster, even after you've had COVID, the evidence is starting to say that that reduces the risks of long COVID effects on your health. So just if you've had COVID, you don't have superpowers. You still need to get your boosters, and you still need to look after those things. And so I'm pleased I had my booster.
We we have discussed and are already acting on where we need to get a fourth shot into those who are more vulnerable, immune deficient, things like that, aged care and so on. And that is progressing. But my advice to everybody is get that booster because you still might get it. But I can tell you, I know what I had, and I wouldn't have wanted to have something a lot worse than that. It's no fun. It's not pleasant.
Journalist: Prime Minister, the ABC's been receiving reports this morning that nine refugees have been released from the Park Hotel in Melbourne. Are you able to confirm whether they've been given bridging visas?
Prime Minister: I'll leave that to the Home Affairs Minister to to confirm those arrangements.
Journalist: There were emotional scenes in Darwin yesterday when the police officer Zachary Rolfe was acquitted of murder.
Prime Minister: Yes.
Journalist: What was your reaction to that and what is your view on calls to ban guns in Indigenous communities in Darwin?
Prime Minister: Well, look, I'm not going to provide a a response without getting further information on this. I can understand just how high the emotions are running in the Northern Territory about this case right across the community. And it is a very difficult time for that community. But we have a justice system in this country. A justice system that looks at the evidence and makes decisions through our courts. And that's what I respect and that's what I trust, is that that justice system to do its job. And I think the traumatic circumstances here that the court would have had to work through, the court officers, the families, the communities impacted. This has been a really difficult time, and I think what we have to do is give the community some space, give them some time to comprehend all of this, deal with this, and and seek to heal and move forward together. This has been a terribly traumatic event, and so that's where our focus will be, supporting the communities ... One of our ADF assets out doing it's job, which is great ... But our our task is to support the Northern Territory Government to support communities to help them work through what is a very, very difficult time for them. These are not simple issues. They are, they are not straight forward. And and so our response will reflect that complexity. Ok, thanks very much, everyone.
Press Conference - Gympie, QLD
10 March 2022
Mr Llew O'Brien MP, Federal Member for Wide Bay: It's great to be here today at Nolan Meat, which is an iconic local business here in Gympie. I wish I was here under better circumstances, but we're here in the recovery phase of one of the most significant floods, well one of the most significant floods, we've had in this century. It's a real big thank you to Terry, Tony and Michael, the brothers, the Nolan boys, who have got the show running here. It's been an incredible effort by their staff to get this up and running and become partially operational in the time that they, that they've had. So a huge, huge thank you to them.
Of course, it's great to have the Prime Minister here today to have a look around, survey the effects of this major weather event and have a talk to important people. It's the biggest local employer in town. It's really important that the Prime Minister comes and looks and listens. I do want to say a big thank you to my hairdresser, and there's a reason why I say that, and it's not just to make this make this rough head look good before the Prime Minister comes to town. I want to say thanks to Tash and Sharon at Talking Heads because they had to move all of their equipment out of their salon for this flood. And last night, when I went in and I said, I better have a bit of a trim before my boss gets here, it was all laid out there, they were working, they were back into it. So I'd just say to everyone, everyone, if you've got a chance to support a local business who's been affected by these weather events, please do it. Please do it. Don't get on the internet and order your stuff from overseas or somewhere else. Buy locally, help the people who have, who have been through this major weather event. So look, it is really, really good to have both Bridget and the Prime Minister here, I'll throw over to him now. Thanks very much for coming along, PM.
Prime Minister: Thanks Llew. Thank you very, very much and you're looking sharp. Look, I want to thank you first Llew, Llew O'Brien is a fantastic local member here, working with his community. We were in touch last week and he was just going 'no, we're all good. We're just focused on doing what we need to do. If I need something I'll sing out.' And we were in contact, I know he was talking to Bridget as well. I want to thank all the local members, all the local councillors and for the tremendous work they've been doing to get the community, getting them back on their feet.
But Terry and the Nolan brothers and everyone here at Nolan Meats, Bridget and I have been through some pretty, pretty devastated places over the course of these floods. But I'll tell you what, coming here today, I just got a sense of great hope about the spirit of Australians and what can be done and to Terry and all of your team to think we are standing here right now. We'd be up to about here, I think. And having walked through all the elements of this plant and to see it all just going full-bore and there's a bit more to come yet. There's still some machinery that needs to be fixed and that's getting fixed and they're doing it. They're doing that out of their own pocket. They're getting on with it. And the other thing that has really impressed me while I've been here is the attention to the little things. I mean, to lift the spirits, the fact that all of these areas have been washed down, that the lawns have been mowed. These details are about lifting the spirits of a of a very strong workforce here at Nolan Meats. And what I see in Terry and the Nolan brothers, the whole team is just how much they care for their workforce and how important this plant is to the local community here in Gympie. This is a resurrection story we're seeing right here, and it happened in absolute record time. And there are so many of those stories that we have to make a reality all around the country. And particularly where Bridget and I were there yesterday down in the Northern Rivers, which was so heavily and devastatingly impacted. But that impact here has been so very big and Gympie, there's only been one flood bigger and you've got to go back to the 1800s to find that. So this is a massive flood. But people are getting back on their feet, and I do really want to congratulate the Nolan family for their commitment to this community. But most importantly, their commitment to their workers. As I walked around with them, they knew every name, they knew when they came here as an apprentice, they knew only trades they got, they knew what the last order was that they've been able to clinch, and, you know, that's an amazing family business. And I said to Bridget, this is what as a government we're trying to see realised and we're backing in food and beverage manufacturing.
And I know I came here to talk about floods and the response. But what I'm seeing happening shows what can be done in manufacturing and food beverage manufacturing in a regional part of this country. And that's why we've put $1.5 billion into supporting manufacturing businesses to ensure that they can realise the scale and achievement of what we're doing right here in Gympie and particularly to do that and still be doing it after this devastating flood is incredible.
A few other matters. I can confirm that I spoke to the Premier of Queensland, this afternoon, as I said I would today. We went through a whole range of issues from the Olympics and infrastructure and of course, to issues around the flood response, and we both agree that there has been a tremendously cooperative spirit between the Queensland Government, local governments across Queensland that have been affected and the Federal Government. I've seen that on display on the ground here today, and we're both very thankful for the partnership we've had with local government, local communities. We're very thankful to the SES and the Defence Forces and the tremendous job that they're done and the tremendous job they're doing as the flood event moves into the recovery phase. We obviously talked about the state of emergency declaration. I consulted her on that today and I'll be having a meeting with the Governor-General when I return to Canberra tonight. I'll see him tomorrow and we'll be, we'll be advancing those issues having undertaken the necessary consultations with the Premiers of Queensland and New South Wales.
Also today, the New South Wales Premier announced a joint funding package that was particularly focused on that on housing support, which we're in with them 50/50 on and supporting up to 25,000 households in those most devastated affected areas within New South Wales and those Northern Rivers areas. That's on top of the more than $450 million we've already committed as part of a joint initiative there. Up here in Queensland that's been around $550 million that we've both committed to as a QLD Government and as a Federal Government and that's helping people get back on their feet. There's a lot more to do though. There's a lot more to do.
And tomorrow my Cabinet, our Cabinet, will be meeting back in Canberra and we'll be looking at the response and the reactions we've had to that response and how we have to fine tune it further. We are still advancing important issues with the New South Wales Government, especially on issues around infrastructure, there's major challenges in those Northern River sections on things like wastewater treatment plants and so on, which I know the State Government is working closely with the local government on, and there are other issues there that we need to address together. And so there's a lot more to go. And I want to say to all of those communities that continue to be affected by these terrible floods, whether they be flood events that people have seen before, or they are the absolute catastrophic events. The only way I can describe what I saw in Northern Rivers yesterday, and I'm sure people in Gympie felt a bit like this as well over a week ago, it's like an inland tsunami, an inland tsunami, just destroying everything in its wake and just leaving devastation in its wake. And so we will have to stand and will gladly with those communities as they go through the rebuilding process. We'll be adding more and more to that economic infrastructure rebuilding effort as we learn more and more The councils that been supported through the state programmes have been extended, and what Premier in New South Wales said today and we've also supported those initiatives. So with that Bridge, there was a couple things you wanted to mention, or you're good? You're good. Okay.
Journalist: The Queensland Premier said it's too late for the disaster declaration in Queensland, should have been done a week ago.
Prime Minister: Well, the Queensland Premier was, had every opportunity to write to me and ask me to do that a week ago. And she didn't choose to do that. I think there's been a bit of a misunderstanding about what the state of emergency declaration entails. It does not impact on the flow of funding and support, or Defence Force assistance or any of those things. That is all flowing, that is already flowing. It doesn't require that. What it does is it assists the Commonwealth Government in managing the regulatory issues in a more streamlined way, which particularly becomes more relevant as you move through the recovery phase. So a state of emergency doesn't mean there's extra funds coming from the Commonwealth Government. Those funds are already flowing. Half a billion in payments have already been made directly to people both in New South Wales and Queensland. The ADF is already on the ground in their thousands, and so it was a good opportunity for me to talk through what this involves. And as a result, we've done those consultations and it will assist. But I agree with the Queensland Premier that the cooperation we have had has been outstanding. It's been tremendous and will continue to be so, and this will further assist the Commonwealth Government in streamlining those issues.
Journalist: Will Gympie and Maryborough get the catastrophe assistance that's been in place now in New South Wales, parts of New South Wales?
Prime Minister: Well, these things are being assessed. As I said yesterday, we moved firstly on those three areas in New South Wales, where we're talking about a flood event that was two metres higher, actually more than two metres higher than any flood that had ever occurred, ever in recorded history. That is not what has occurred in many other parts of the country and even as we walk through today, I mean, if we were talking about that slide same flood event here, it would have been several metres higher than what occurred here. So while that's why that's why we put the billion dollars of funds, a billion dollars of funding support, including over half a billion here in Queensland, that's the money that is supporting.
In addition, there is the funds through the Commonwealth disaster plan. So the normal flood response has been provided and has been done to the to the T, in terms of the request made to the Commonwealth by the Queensland Government, as has happened in New South Wales. What we're talking about yesterday was a very specific area that has suffered a flood like none have seen in Australia's history. This was a one in 500 year event officially declared, for that part of Australia. So we just want to be very clear. We're dealing with some incredibly exceptional circumstances in those areas and the level of devastation there is like nothing I've seen. Okay. Thanks very much, everyone, and congratulations to the team here at Nolan Meats. You guys are an inspiration to all of us. Thank you very much.
Press Conference - Enoggera, QLD
10 March 2022
Julian Simmonds MP, Federal Member for Ryan: Alright, good morning. Thank you, everybody for being here. I'm Julian Simmons, I am the Federal Member for Ryan. It's within my community here that the Gallipoli Barracks are situated. It's great to be here with the Minister for Defence and of course, the Prime Minister. I just want to start by, first of all, welcoming you all here to the Gallipoli Barracks and to thank the Prime Minister for his commitment to my community.
My community was the first one he came to when the border reopened with Queensland late last year. I know he was up here in the Disaster Coordination Centre with the Brisbane City Council last week during the floods, and now he's come back during our recovery and rebuild phase here in the community. So thank you, Prime Minister, for your commitment to our community.
As we're sitting in the Gallipoli Barracks. I really want to acknowledge the 500 serving men and women who have come out of the Barracks to help my community when they were in need. When we went through the flood last week, they were some or if not the first on the ground. They were there before the mud army. They were there before a lot of the other government agencies, particularly in areas like St Lucia. They were there helping out clean out flooded basements and clean out flooded properties. When I was, I was there when they arrived in St Lucia and we had an elderly lady who was volunteering, who had her house flooded fall over in the flood waters and the medic was right on her. So thank you to those ADF men, women who have been helping with the flood. It meant so much to our community. They were in tears when they saw those serving men and women arrive. And then finally, I just want to say thank you as well as I'm sure the PM and the Minister for Defence will, to the families of the servicemen and women who have been helping out. I was cleaning out a flooded community group on Tuesday. I was with a partner of a Defence Force member. She lost her house during the Townsville floods when they were out there. Now they're stationed down here and her partner is currently on a humanitarian deployment and she's going through this flood. Having gone through the Townsville one by herself, and that is the kind of sacrifices that our families of our Defence Service men and women make, they do it with a smile because they know how important it is to our country, so thank you to those families as well. Thank you to the Prime Minister for coming and seeing the rebuilding effort and for deploying the ADF in the way that you have. It has been a tremendous help to our community, and I'll hand over to you.
Prime Minister: Thank you very much. Well to Julian, he was one of the first calls I made when I came through this last Sunday, a week ago and he was out delivering water bottles door to door in his community. And so I want to thank all the local members of Parliament here from right across the aisle, state and federal who've done a great job, I think, in supporting their communities here in south east Queensland. Over the course of this very difficult past two weeks as the weather bomb, as it was described by the Premier, fell on the city and fell on the surrounding areas up to Gympie, Maryborough and other places. And of course, the devastation that I've only just witnessed yesterday down there in the Northern Rivers, which is a terribly, terribly difficult scene as it's been very difficult here in Queensland. So thank you, Peter, for your great leadership in your role as Minister of Defence and to all of the senior commanders who've been involved in leading the defence effort here in responding to these not just this natural disaster, but over the last three and a half years, time after time, whether it's been flood, whether it's been drought, whether it's been cyclones, the pandemic, supporting people in aged care facilities, responding to any number of difficult natural disasters and other situations. We've called on our defence forces time and time and time again, and they have never failed us and they never will. And I will salute them for the tremendous service that they have offered, not just as they've gone about their first job, which is always to defend our country. They are out there in Tonga at the moment. They've been in many places around the world doing a very dangerous job, but they have at all times been available to support the civilian effort here in Australia when it's come to defending our own homeland against the national natural disaster threat that we're faced on too many occasions here in this country. So thank you, Peter, and thank you to all of those who are here today.
I was only here just over a week ago as they were ready to deploy and support that effort here in Brisbane with the cleanup efforts, and I am pleased that I'll be speaking with the Premier after this press conference and we'll be speaking about a number of issues. Of course, the flood issues being very significant in those and moving to the state of emergency declaration, which I spoke to the New South Wales Premier about yesterday. I'll speak to the Queensland Premier about that today and hopefully that will enable us to press forward with that tomorrow when I see the Governor-General in Canberra, I want to thank the Brisbane City Council and Mayor Schrinner for the great job that he's done together with Premier Palaszczuk, I got to say that the coordination, the integration, the cooperation which we've seen here in Queensland has been tremendous. Queensland are very used to dealing with natural disasters, whether it's up in the flood crisis some years ago around Townsville in northern north western Queensland, most recently here with these weather bomb events that we've seen in south east Queensland, I want to thank everybody for the integration and cooperation that has occurred here in Queensland.
It's been a tremendous effort and to give you an idea of the scale of change, and this is not meant as a criticism I want to stress. In the 2011 floods, Prime Minister Gillard rightly went out and deployed the ADF to support the Brisbane flood effort, using every capacity that they had at that time to do that. The difference between 2011 and today is we've been able to deploy here four times the number of ADF and do it a week quicker. Now that's because of the build up of our defence capability that we've been able to put in place over many years now. And it's a testimony to the skill and the experience and the lessons learned from many natural disasters by the people who joining us behind the cameras here today in our defence forces. What they do, I just met a young woman whose job it is to get skip bins. I mean, it's pretty hard to get skip bins sometimes at the best of times. But you can imagine how hard it is to get skip bins in south east Queensland at the moment and in other parts of the country. These are the practical everyday things that defence forces are doing through the course of this incredibly difficult flood event.
An update on a couple of those points, then on what's occurring with the flood response. Some 400,000 claims through Services Australia have now been processed, and that's $480 million that has gone out into the pockets of Australians who need that emergency financial support right now. And that's occurred since the last time I stood before you here in Brisbane. So that's not a long period of time and Services Australia has surged to 5,000 people to ensure, and we pulled Services Australia volunteers from other departments right across the public service to ensure that we can get what has almost been half a billion dollars out the door. And as I announced yesterday, down in the northern rivers, where the flooding is not just a flood event, this is a natural disaster catastrophe beyond anything they have ever seen at any time in any flood in history in that part of the world. And those three local government areas in particular, and we're looking at other impacted areas in those districts to see how we might extend some of that support. I spoke to the Mayor of Ballina yesterday, last night about those issues. And just like in any natural disaster like we've seen here in Queensland, you define a couple of LGAs early on the most impacted. And as the damage assessments come in, you will add others to that list when you go through the proper process and that's what's still occurring. And even now, we are continuing to provide support here in south east Queensland as well. Here in Queensland, specifically, $170 million has been put in the pockets of Queenslanders to support them as they go through this very difficult flood event here. And in New South Wales, $309 million has been already provided in those areas.
Right now in across the defence forces, there are some 5,000, this will be achieved by the end of today, 5,748 defence Force personnel deployed across Navy, Army and RAAF. That's 1,289 here in Queensland and 4,459 in New South Wales, which includes 2,918 specifically in northern New South Wales. And so that is an extraordinary deployment of force as they've been able to be staged and moving into those positions and doing an incredible job. And in all of those places, particularly if you indulge me for the sake of those who are listening in from New South Wales, particularly in the northern rivers, we are providing continuing aviation support, relief task plant task recon for future engineering works, heavy plant operations in Lismore. Food loading at the food distribution points where that's been tasked, aerial route reconnaissance is underway, continuing to assist with helicopter operations out of Southern Cross University. That's for food distribution, particularly now and ensuring supply chains. There's an ADF presence in Casino now. There's ICR surveillance on flood damage regions that's being conducted and a 500 personnel camp construction is commencing in the vicinity of Lismore, as we speak. There are many other points we can go to, if that is the questions people would like raised.
The other very important reason I'm joined here today by the Minister for Defence is to make a significant announcement, which means the biggest increase in the size of our defence forces in peacetime in Australian history. This is a significant vote of confidence in our defence forces, but it's a significant recognition by our government, which has always been clear eyed about the threats and the environment that we face as a country, as a liberal democracy in the Indo-Pacific. Today, I'm announcing that we will boost our defence forces by some 18 and a half thousand, which will take our defence forces to 80,000 in number. This will cost some $38 billion out to 2040, and this is a significant investment in our future force. We have an outstanding defence force and that is recognised, I believe, not just by Australians here, but it's I know it is recognised by our allies and partners around the world. The reason we have been able to secure incredible agreements with the United States and the United Kingdom in particular in AUKUS, is because they know what our defence forces can do and they know what our government is investing to ensure they more and more capable. We don't leave our tasks of defence to others. We don't leave it to them. We take it up ourselves. And that means we're a contributor. And with this investment, we're going to make sure that the Australian Defence Forces are a big contributor for generations to come, as more and more people take up those careers in our defence forces.
To give you some perspective, when we came to government defence force spending as a share of our economy was 1.57 per cent. It was the lowest level since the Second World War. If we had kept defence force spending at the same rate as what the Labor Party left us, there would be $55 billion less spent in our defence forces today. Just ponder that for a minute. And this year alone, there would be $10 billion less being spent on our defence forces this year. Now, when you think about it with a Defence Force annual budget of just over $40 billion, it would be a quarter less than it is today if we stuck with what Labor thought was the commitment to defence that was necessary in peacetime. That's not a false gap. That's a real gap. That's a yawning gap. That's a chasm when it comes to the difference between what our government believes in when it comes to the support of our defence forces. $55 billion would not have been spent on our defence forces and our capability if we'd kept the settings as we inherited them. That's the last time we heard from a Labor Government about what they thought about investing in our defence forces. And it's an indictment. There is a big difference when it comes to these issues.
Now across the services, these additional 18 and a half thousand will be supporting future submarines, the Arafura class fleet, the Hunter class maritime targeting, long range fires, information warfare, warcraft. The Minister for Defence will go into more detail on these issues. Airlift, air base capabilities, missile defence space and in particular, cyber. We're building and continue to build a future defence force because their first job, let's not forget, is to defend Australia. That is their first job, and that's what we're equipping them to do. We greatly appreciate the extraordinary work they've done to support us in civilian tasks. But their first job is to defend this country. And the decision that we've made as a government after much planning to lift our defence force to a whole new level is designed to achieve that purpose to keep Australians safe. Peter.
The Hon. Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Defence: Thank you very much, PM. Thank you to Julian as well. I know that from having spoken to some friends and family in his electorate and with Trevor Evans and so many others. Kevin Hogan and and on both sides of the aisle, I know local communities are really pleased and proud of the efforts and the leadership provided by MPs like Julian Simmons. So thank you very much, Julian, for the work that you've done and also for your continued support of our people on base here at Gallipoli Barracks. I'm really conscious of the fact that we've got men and women in uniform here today, and I'm incredibly proud. In fact, I couldn't be prouder of the work of the Australian Defence Force that's been undertaken here on the base. The leadership provided, the response locally. The impact on their own families and the way in which they've been able to deal with that reality, whilst at the same time helping out other households when they know that they can't go home clean out their own. And that is an enormous sacrifices made by volunteers, it's made by those within the reserves. And it's made of course by those who's in the regular three services of the Australian defence Force.
We've been positioning, as you know, in the lead up to the floods, and we've done that in Queensland and New South Wales, and we've done it in a faster fashion, as the Prime Minister points out, than even was the case in 2011 and the work, the effort, the expertise, the skill and frankly, the confidence that the Australian Defence Force brings to local communities to help lift those spirits. Because we will get through this as the Prime Minister, I think rightly pointed out yesterday the devastation that we experienced in North Queensland, north-western Queensland, cattle being washed down rivers, the horrific scenes. Those communities have recovered because of the support of our nation, because of the support of the Australian Defence Force and with the support of the Australian Defence Force and those volunteers and those communities and those groups that are working on the ground now, we will rebuild better and we will make sure that we invest into those communities and that's what's happening. We can't do that without a very significant investment into the Australian Defence Force. When you look around the Gallipoli Barracks here, it's similar to other sites around the country, including across the north, where we're spending $8 billion. But the new accommodation to new facilities here would have been possible if we hadn't been taking out that $55 billion over the course of recent years.
Let's be very frank about it. We wouldn't have the professionalism, we wouldn't have the vehicles behind us, the upgrade in Land 400, the investment that we're making in the submarines and across the three services if we had continued to flatline and to take money from Defence, in fact, we wouldn't have as many people standing in the audience today if we didn't make the decision early on and make the decisions within the budget and manage the budget as it's been managed over recent years during the course of COVID, we wouldn't have the numbers within the Australian Defence Force today, and we certainly wouldn't be in a position to make the announcement that we're making today to augment those numbers and to build them because the capability that we will achieve over the course of the next decade is significant, internationally recognised. And it's absolutely necessary when you look at what's happening in Europe at the moment.
People who believe that President Putin's only ambition is for the Ukraine don't understand the history that our military leaders understand. If people think that the ambitions within the Indo-Pacific are restricted just to Taiwan and that there won't be knock on impacts if we don't provide a deterrence effect and work closely with our colleagues and with our allies, than they don't understand the lessons of history. And so it is going to be necessary to supplement, particularly in space, in cyber, in our naval assets, our underwater capability, our autonomous vehicles, both on the land and under the sea because that provides a deterrence. And it makes us a more credible partner with the United Kingdom, with the United States and with NATO, with Japan, with India and many other partners in the southwest Pacific. And if we are to rely on them, they need to rely on us and we have the best trained men and women in the world filling the ranks of the Australian Defence Force and today the supplement of 18 and a half thousand extra will talk to the capacity that we need in the future, and it will build on the incredible skill set that we have at the moment.
So I'm really proud to be part of a Government, Prime Minister, I have to say that has turned around the fortunes of the Australian Defence Force. The reality is to be very, very frank about it, the Labor Party lost control of our borders. And if you can't protect your borders and if you can't stare down people smugglers, how on earth can you pretend that you're the same as this government that not only can you deal with making sure that we continue to stop the people smugglers, but that you can stop adversaries and those that would seek to do harm to our country in the coming decades. So we have made conscious decisions, not just today, but since we were elected to put more money into our men and women more money into the investment in the Australian Defence Force. And this is our latest downpayment, our latest investment back into the ADF to recognise the incredible effort that they provide and they are providing now right across Queensland and New South Wales in the flood affected areas. And I want to say thank you very much to the work that they do.
Prime Minister: Happy to take some questions.
Journalist: Prime Minister, a lot of people are saying that the threat from China is now. The 80,000 troop buildup won't happen until 2040. Is that too little, too late?
Prime Minister: Well, you must have missed the point I was making before. We've increased investment in our defence forces by $55 billion …
Journalist: I understand that, but I'm asking about …
Prime Minister: I'm answering your question. $55 billion of increased investment in our defence forces means we are already more reinforced now than we previously would have been. I mean, defence spending as a share of our economy is 2.1 per cent today. That's up from 1.5 per cent. When I became Prime Minister, it was 1.9. It's now 2.1 and specifically the additional capabilities that is enabling us to achieve to be defending Australia right now and into the future. The purchase of the Tomahawk cruise missiles and the Hobart class destroyers, the purchase of joint air to surface standoff missiles, extending our range for our hornets and our Joint Strike Fighters. The purchase of long range missiles for our Hornets. The doubling down on our investment in hypersonics. And accelerating our guided weapons enterprise by years to ensure we can making missiles here in Australia. This is all the additional capacity this government has delivered. We would never have been this ready if we'd stuck where the Labor Party had it in, not in just neutral, but actually gearing down when they left office.
And so Australia is more prepared, more capable, more able to not just do what we need to do as a defence force in our own country and for our own interests, but to join the capability that is delivered by allies and United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and India, as Peter has said, but also many others right now with the Singaporeans, they've got two helicopters in the air supporting our flood operations. And I want to thank Prime Minister Lee earnestly. This wasn't something we even had to ask for. They were just seamlessly joined in. We have built a web of alignment among like minded countries in our region to defend this country. We're putting the boots on the ground. We're putting the planes in the air and we're putting the ships out to sea and the submarines also below the surface. But in addition to that, we have formed the alliances. We have formed the webs of alignment, which is keeping Australians safe. So we're better prepared today. We are more ready today than I think many could have imagined would have been possible given the legacy that we inherited from the Labor Party.
Journalist: Speaking, speaking of the submarines, the Queensland Premier has declined so far to engage in any conversations about the submarine base, saying more detail is needed. Can you give us more detailed timelines, perhaps of when studies or conversations will happen?
Prime Minister: That process has already begun. And there are three locations we're looking at for the east coast base for the submarines. They are here in Brisbane, port of Brisbane I should say, as opposed to the Story Bridge. That's obviously not being contemplated. And in addition to that in the Hunter and in the Illawarra. Now I have noticed, to be fair, that there have been a number of Labor voices that haven't been very supportive of this initiative. The same has been true down in the Illawarra, in the Shadow Minister for Home Affairs, Senator Keneally has not been supportive of this, so I'm not quite sure whether this view comes about that there's some sort of equivalence between the government and the Labor Party when it comes to the defence. Their record doesn't demonstrate it. And even on our most recent announcement, they um and they uh and they equivocate and they wrestle with themselves. Our position is instinctive. We need an east coast base for the submarines to translate to our nuclear-propelled submarine capability. You need to operate as Prime Minister Hawke understood on both coasts. So we get that and we move into it instinctively and deliberately and decisively. Because, you know, commitment to defence isn't just about the dollars you invest and the support you provide. It's the instincts you have.
Plenty of people can support what we've done in AUKUS, but only this government would have initiated. Only this government would have taken the steps to achieve it, and it was an enormous undertaking undertaking no other country has been provided with the technology, the nuclear propelled submarines by the Americans other than the British, and that occurred in the late 50s. And Australia has achieved that under this government by taking the initiative. Defence is about taking the initiative and when it comes to that issue, there is has not been, sadly, the bipartisanship that you would expect. People can catch up later. But that what that tells you is they weren't there in the first place.
Journalist: Why is the Port of Brisbane being considered given it's privately owned and has the Government had conversations [inaudible].
Prime Minister: Peter, do you want to talk about that as well, because this has been quite an extensive process. I mean, we went through in and out of the 17 locations before settling on those three and and there's quite a process now to finalise where the most appropriate location is. And, you know, Brisbane is in the mix for that, but Peter may want to speak to that.
The Hon. Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Defence: Thanks, PM. Look, I think the first point to make is if you say that you are supportive of the AUKUS agreement and you say that you're supportive and that you're in lockstep with the Morrison Government when it comes to the acquisition of the at least eight nuclear powered submarines, then it's passing strange that you don't support having a port to dock these submarines, I mean, they don't just lurk out in the bay and not coming to shore at some point. So when you've got Kevin Rudd, you've got Kristina Keneally and others out there, that are trying to undermine what we're trying to do on the submarine program. I think it needs to be called out. And I mean, the Premier here in Queensland has a very strange position compared to, say, the Premier of New South Wales. The Premier of New South Wales, on the same available information is committing to what he sees as an opportunity for New South Wales, thousands of jobs. So the industry that's behind the submarines, it's the sustainment, it's the money the visiting platform spend in a local economy when they come to visit. And when you've got an enclosed reactor, it's not being refueled. It's not a technology of the 1980s. This is a cutting edge technology. This technology allows the submarine to work for months at the bottom of the ocean and give our adversaries doubt about whether or not we could strike them. Now ...
Journalist: But has the Government had the conversation?
The Hon. Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Defence: Now the government has obviously, with the work that's been done by Navy and by their consultants has shortlisted three sites, in some cases they will have had some discussions, but in some cases they haven't, because this is a report that at the time was top secret for the government until the decision had been made to shortlist three. And those negotiations and discussions will be ongoing now. I don't have any doubt that the Port of Brisbane, given we've been dealing with them for a long period of time and in Newcastle and the Hunter would see the opportunity not only for their own precinct, but for their state as well. I don't understand, and the Premier is running from the cameras as to whether or not she supports something that could create thousands of jobs for Queenslanders and something that is an integral part of the delivery of our AUKUS commitment and the commitment to the nuclear submarines. So I mean, Labor, you know, talks a big game when they're in opposition, which is what Mr Albanese is doing. But it's clearly the case that behind the ranks in Labor, they have a real problem with our decision to acquire the nuclear powered submarines.
Journalist: Civil defence struggles to meet current recruitment and retention targets. How do you think these ambitious numbers can be achieved?
The Hon. Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Defence: Well, Defence is very conscious and I've had a number of conversations before with the CDF and VCDF about how we can retain. I think we lose people at way too young an age after we've invested an enormous amount in them. I am very conscious of people being posted for two years and their children being dragged from school to school. I'm conscious of the impact on predominantly mothers, wives in that arrangement, where a generation ago it might have been okay to up the family and to move them to a new location every two or three years. But in the modern age, we've got to be conscious of the career of both peoples in that relationship. And so I want and I've asked Defence to look at ways in which we can stabilise that workforce so that people can pursue their respective careers so that their children can have greater stability so that they can have a greater connection. I don't want to see the rate of separation that we have within ADF families. I don't want to see the pressure that that puts on people when their estranged from their children. I don't want to see the financial pressures that are brought to bear when families separate. So I think there's a lot more that we can do in relation to retention. And we'll listen to the men and women, as I do as we move around the country about ways in which we can improve it to improve retention. Because I think that is a fair point to make.
In terms of recruitment. I think as we've seen over COVID, we have significant interest in people coming into the ADF. When we get a mining boom, we lose people from the ADF and other spikes in the economy. All of that will be dealt with and we will look at ways in which we can improve both those coming, the numbers coming in and the retention piece, which I think is incredibly important.
Journalist: Can we just go back to the submarines quickly. They are, I guess deep water is needed. An east coast base in Brisbane would involve the submarine traveling on the surface. Also, a Defence report in 2011 noted that one of Brisbane's strengths was the existence of the Barracks, which has since been sold. So so what has changed to make Brisbane in the top three locations for the base?
Prime Minister: One of the most important things of establishing a future for nuclear submarine capability is the people you need to be on those boats and the people who are supporting those boats. And that means you need to be able to base these operations close to a very major population centre, whether that be in Brisbane or indeed in the Newcastle-Sydney-Illawarra-Wollongong precinct of New South Wales. That means you're drawing on academic capabilities, scientific capabilities, universities, defence industry. All of this is critical for the successful operation of a nuclear propelled submarine base and not just for our submarines, as I'm sure Peter would agree because we would be looking in the much near term to be able to have visiting and even basing nuclear powered submarines from our allies and partners within AUKUS as well. And beyond our AUKUS partnerships. And so this capability is necessary, and to draw from that workforce will be essential to the support.
Now, there's no doubt that in Brisbane, there are some logistical and technical issues and they have been identified through this process as there are issues with the other two other sites, and they would have to be worked through in coming to an ultimate decision. But having considered 17 locations, these were the three that were shortlisted by the Defence as to the ones that can be best progressed. Now which of those ultimately be's the site? You could be right. It could be that the limitations of the Brisbane option means that it doesn't become the preferred option. But I can tell you another thing that's going to be important in the government's decision on this, well at least a decision my government would take. And that is the support that there is coming from state and local government to support the basing of such an operation. Now I've been, I've got to say, in terribly, terribly encouraged by the conversation that I had with Premier Perrottet about this. I've also been excited, I’ve got to say, by the more local response we've had from the Hunter in New South Wales, who seem very keen on going ahead with this, there's been from Labor councillors and Greens and others down in the Illawarra, a lot of noise that have come back in response to these things. And these are not irrelevant issues. You want to be able to working in a location where people and governments want to work with you to establish this capability.
So if local governments and state governments don't want to be involved, well, they'll be doing themselves out of a potentially very significant investment and capability and jobs in their own communities. If that's their choice, that's that's their choice.
Journalist: Is that the vibe you're getting from Queensland, then?
Prime Minister: Well at the moment, it's pretty quiet, but I'm looking forward, and I have no doubt that will come up in discussions I have with the Premier today, and I look forward to those being practical discussions. I must say the discussions I had with Premier Palaszczuk are always of that nature. We'll talk about the Olympics today and we've been looking to have that conversation for a couple of weeks. But obviously, the impact of floods and other events in Ukraine and so on has prevented that. So I'm looking forward to those discussions. That's following this press conference. It'll be over the phone. We don't have the opportunity to meet in person today because of other scheduling. But we'll have that conversation today and I'm interested to hear what her view is about these issues. I was in contact with her before we made the announcement to give them a heads up that Brisbane had been shortlisted and so they're now engaged. So we're in that process. But the very technical issues you raised are the very things that have to be worked through. We don't we don't discount that. We don't think they're not issues. They they are issues. There are issues with other sites as well. But you need to be able to work with people who are prepared to resolve them to put it in place.
Journalist: On the announcement today, it seems to be mostly targeted towards uniformed personnel. What about the civilian workforce that's going to be needed to [inaudible] $270 billion?
Prime Minister: Yeah, there's several thousand in that commitment as well. On top of it ...
Journalist: [inaudible] continue to rely on heavily paid consultants.
Prime Minister: No, there is a [inaudible] about 3,000,
The Hon. Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Defence: So it goes back to Tim's point earlier as well about the ramping up the workforce, which in many cases is tied to the acquisition and delivery timetable. So there are people in uniform and people out of uniform who form part of those programs and the management of them. So you'll see in some of the numbers that was the dramatic increase, as you say, is in the number of people in uniform. There is an increase in the ASL of the Australian Public Service, so that, we'll give you those numbers afterwards. But that increases. But as I say, not at the same rate because we want to increase the numbers in uniform, but it increases the accord with the acquisition of those those programs.
Prime Minister: It's about two and a half thousand.
Journalist: But the number of consultants the Government [inaudible], will that number decrease?
The Hon. Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Defence: Well, I think if they were involved in essential work with Defence, no, it won't. And you'll see many people with expertise that leave Defence and go and work for different companies that we engage because they've got a skill we want in a particular program. And so where it's unnecessary, of course we won't continue, but we engage those people because they add value to the program and hopefully end up saving a lot of money and time.
Journalist: Prime Minister, the Queensland Government has highlighted the flood mitigation program. Out of 20 they applied for only three were given the funding. Can you tell Queenslanders why more of those projects weren't funded?
Prime Minister: The flood mitigation works in Australia are a primarily a state responsibility, so you may well ask the same question. Why isn't the Queensland Government funded those? We have been seeking to get a whole range of dams built in Queensland for the last eight years, and we've had an enormous amount of frustration to get dams built in this state. We have offered billions and billions for dams here in Queensland, and we would love to get on and build those dams. I know the Deputy Prime Minister is even more keen to go and build those dams. Our focus as I said yesterday, there has been frustration in the necessary mitigation, and other works, in the northern rivers of New South Wales. Those decisions at a local level have been frustrated for a generation, and I gave our commitment yesterday that we would be committing heavily to putting those works in place because we now have a Mayor in Lismore who is prepared to get on and do that, and I think that's fantastic. I gave him that support yesterday and the New South Wales Premier, I know will be doing the same. So, you know, we work with all governments around the country, but the primary responsibility for these issues rests with the Queensland Government. I mean, all through the pandemic, I was reminded every single day by premiers and by the media about what the responsibilities of state governments had and and the restrictions they could put in place and how they could tell people to live their lives and they were their responsibilities.
Journalist: This is federal funding that could have been made available.
Prime Minister: The federal funding was allocated across a large number of projects here in Queensland and other states and territories. It wasn't an unlimited fund and priorities were set and decisions were made. But when it comes to particularly urban water management and things of that nature, these are responsibilities of local authorities and the state government. So I think the question I could equally put to you, why haven't they funded them? Why, why do state governments constantly come to the federal government to pay for things that are responsibilities of state government?
Journalist: Do you understand the frustration of people out there who might be listening to this press conference, and they've all they've heard and going to the pandemic as well, is governments blaming each other about whose responsibility is what?
Prime Minister: No, I think that's a I think that's a dialogue that has been focused on by others. But the truth is, you've raised the pandemic. We've worked very closely together in the pandemic. We have the strongest economy in the advanced world. We have had higher jobs growth and higher economic growth than any of the G7 countries over the last two years. We've got one of the highest rates of vaccination anywhere in the world, and we've got one of the lowest death rates from COVID in the country, in the world. So I would say that that's a trifecta of achievement for all governments across this country. And so while some might want to focus on the odd disagreements, the actual results, as they say, if you look at the scoreboard, the scoreboard says we'd saved 40,000 lives together. The scoreboard says that we've got 250,000 more jobs than we did before the pandemic. The scoreboard says that we have one of the highest vaccination rates. It's around 95 per cent double dose vaccination of the population aged over 60. That says that the cooperation actually does take place. And if there was more focus on the cooperation that's occurring just like the cooperation we've seen here in Queensland right now in dealing with these flood responses. I mean, particularly with Premier Palaszczuk and and specifically more recently with the event in Brisbane with Mayor Schrinner. We have worked closely together and the flood response here in south east Queensland, I want to thank everybody for as I started this media conference today, we have worked closely together and that's what Australians do want to see and that's what's happening despite the odd report of a disagreement here or there. I can tell you that is not the overwhelming experience of governments working together. We're focused on the cooperation, not the differences. Thank you very much.
Press Conference - Goonellabah, NSW
9 March 2022
The Hon. Kevin Hogan MP, Member for Page: Well, look, thank you everybody, and I am here to welcome, obviously, the Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison here. We also have the Minister for Emergency Services Bridget McKenzie, and we’ve got two Mayors here, Steve Krieg from Lismore City Council and Robert Mustow from Richmond Valley Council - two of three very affected councils for this event.
Obviously you’ve all been here for some time, some of you live here. What we have had happen in this region is quite a traumatic event. Everyone in this region is going through great trauma. We’ve had some great visits today with farmers in our region, with householders in South Lismore, and we went to a number of small businesses in the region, as well. This, as you know, has been an unprecedented natural disaster. We are not saying this is a flood. This has gone beyond a flood. We know how to deal with floods in Lismore and the Richmond Valley and elsewhere, but this was a natural disaster of unprecedented destruction.
Beyond Lismore, I do want to note that I was in the lower Richmond yesterday, as Woodburn and Broadwater and Coraki become, where the floodwaters had receded and the devastation down in the lower Richmond is as severe as it is in parts of Rich, in parts of Lismore.
Announcements today, I just want to make some [inaudible]. The Prime Minister and the Minister will go through today's announcement and what's in it. But I do want to make the very important point that today is not the end. These announcements today are not the end, it's just a part of [inaudible]. The Prime Minister’s here today, day one out of COVID, to come here and survey the scene. Everyone knows, everyone tells me that you cannot know what has happened here until you see it physically. This is why the Prime Minister’s here and today is just part of that. Three focuses of mine with the Minister and the Prime Minister is ongoing income support, help to get families back into their houses, and also business support so they will reinvest in this community.
This is going to be not a week or a month. This is going to be a multi-year journey for this community and we are aware of it. We have issues like homelessness, rebuilds and flood mitigation that we need to deal with. We are hurting and we are hurting bad. And this today is about getting everyone on the same page, aligning it, we identify what we need to do and to make sure that we do this, so our communities have faith in that they will, they will reinvest and they will stay to live and thrive in this community. And on that, Prime Minister, welcome. And I thank you for being here.
Prime Minister: Thank you. Well, thank you, Kevin, in particular for the great work you've been done here in your local community. Can I acknowledge also the many other local members, I know you’ve been working closely with Janelle, who we were able to be with earlier today, and the others who are working right across the Northern Rivers area. Major General Thomae who's here with us of as well, who is the Major General heading up the Joint Taskforce, not just here in the Northern Rivers, but right across the country - in New South Wales, in Queensland, and coordinating the ADF effort, and he’ll make a few comments in a few moments, and is obviously available to take questions. To Minister McKenzie, who I’ve, this is not her first visit during the course of these floods, it’s her second and certainly won't be her last, and I don't suspect it will be mine either.
It was just over a week ago when I was in Brisbane and I was there at the start of that major, what was described by the the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk as a ‘weather bomb’, that had fallen on Brisbane at that time, but it was moving fast towards the Northern Rivers. And while I was still there in Brisbane, that event was already unfolding here as the rain was pouring down, particularly on that Sunday night, which was the most devastating night here in the Northern Rivers that has ever been seen when it comes to a flood event. There is no flood event that has occurred in this part of Australia like this in anyone's living or recorded memory, and that is a profound statement. You don't make those things lightly. I'm advised it's a one in 500 year flood. And so we're talking about not just a flood event, because here in the Northern Rivers people prepare for flood events, and in the Northern Rivers here people prepared for a flood event on this occasion, whether it was where they moved their dairy herd to, whether it was how they shift their stock and their supplies up to a higher shelves, or move things from downstairs up to upstairs, expecting what the flood heights might be. That's not what happened. It overwhelmed everything, and it did it in an alarming and disturbing pace. And so that is the catastrophe, that national catastrophe that we're now dealing with here.
And I also want to thank Steve Krieg and Robert Mustow, the Mayors of Lismore and Richmond Valley. Sadly, last time I met with Robert was on the occasion of bushfires at Rappville. And here we are again. There was another occasion when it was about the completion of the Pacific Highway, but that was a more pleasant day. And to you, Steve, talk about a baptism as a, as a new Mayor. And I want to thank you for your leadership here on the ground, and particularly as I've just learnt from speaking to those directly involved in the response effort here. So many, whether they're working for the Council or State Emergency Services, even those in the Defence Forces called up as reservists - they're not just dealing with the flood and the catastrophe here, they're dealing with it themselves personally. They've lost their own homes, they've got their own family members who have been affected, and they're tired. And it's an emotional time. But they continue to press on and their endurance is nothing more than inspirational.
Already, through the course of this terrible flood event right across New South Wales and Queensland, the Commonwealth Government, together with the Queensland and state governments, have committed a billion dollars, and that is for the normal flood event response at a very severe end, called Cat C and Cat D funding, and that involves providing grant support, delivered through the state governments, of small businesses of up to $50,000, up to $75,000 for primary producers. This is the high end of the normal Cat C and D response that we provide in response to natural disasters such as this. That will not be enough here in the Northern Rivers, as we assessed this as a National Security Committee over the past week, and in particular as we came together as a Budget Committee, what’s known as the Expenditure Review Committee of Cabinet, yesterday.
We know very clearly that what we're seeing here, particularly in Clarence Valley, Richmond Valley and Lismore, is on a whole another scale to the floods being experienced in other parts of the country. As bad as they are, whether that be in Brisbane - I'll be up in in Queensland tomorrow - or down further south in Sydney and out in the Hawkesbury and Nepean, where they’re also used to floods. What has been seen here as I toured around the town centre today and many other areas, was nothing more than heartbreaking. And Kevin is absolutely right. You have to see it. You have to smell it. You have to feel it. And most importantly, you have to feel the incredible emotion.
I stood in a dairy farm today that they have worked on and bought together for about 30 years, wasn't it? This is a dairy farm where they raised their kids and would have run around that milking shed. And today that milking shed is a disaster zone. They no longer have a farm. They showed me where they buried 60 head of their dairy cattle. And as people who know dairy farmers know, they know them, they call them out by name, and to talk to the dairy farmer, who said he had to sit there and watch as his, as his herd suffered, it broke me up. And when I speak to businesses, when I speak to neighbours who knew there were elderly people trapped in roofs - this is a tough town and they've responded in an incredible way in compassion towards one another.
So the Commonwealth has responded - a billion dollars in what we’d call, I would call what is the expected normal response to a natural disaster. But we must go further. The Commonwealth Disaster Payments that we've paid around the country now total some $385 million. That's money already paid by the Commonwealth, 100 per cent, directly into people's bank accounts, and that’s some 330,000 claims that has been done in one week, and that will continue as those claims continue to come forward.
But in the, in the first instance, in the council areas of Richmond Valley, Lismore and Clarence Valley, we will be extending those Commonwealth Disaster Payments for a further two payments. So those who have already received that $1,000 payment or $400 for their children, for each and every child, automatically from the 15th and and the 22nd of this month, they will receive exactly the same payment again into their bank accounts. Now, on average, those who have received payments on each claim are pulling in $2,300 to $2,400 in those Commonwealth Disaster Payments. So that will be a further two on average payments of that order for those families. For those with more children, obviously the payments are higher. For those as an individual, it would be $1,000.
Now that will be an extra $33 million that will be put directly, we estimate, into cash flow, income support for those most affected through the inundation and impact of these floods. That's on top of what is already the $16.5 million that has already been paid. So that's $50 million directly going into the pockets of those most affected in just three council areas. The National Recovery and Resilience Agency will be assessing whether that would be extended to any other council areas in this, what we call this high impact zone, this high catastrophe impact zone, and they will make further assessments, and the Minister will make announcements subsequently as to how we might do that.
In addition, I'm announcing today that we will be providing, together with the New South Wales Government - and I've spoken to the Treasurer, to the Premier about this - support for Norco in northern New South Wales on a bespoke business support package. We are identifying and will be working with the local councils to identify what I'd call other anchor businesses that are so critical to the future of the Northern Rivers economy to help them get back on their feet and ensure we're providing tailored economic business support.
We've done this before in other parts of the country, most notably when I think of the North Queensland floods back in 2019 and late 2018. That was an area that was devastated by floods. They lost almost their entire cattle herd, and they were looking at the future. Not unlike I know people in the Northern Rivers are looking at their future today and wondering whether there will be one. What I want to tell them, there is a future for you, just as there was a future for those in North Queensland. They are now back on their feet. They are farming again. They are exporting again. Their towns are alive again, and they've pushed through with the support of the Commonwealth Government, the local government and the State Government in Queensland. That is what will happen here in the Northern Rivers.
In addition, there'll be $10 million of support for mental health of school aged children in the Northern Rivers. There's some $5.5 million dollars to boost existing legal assistance services, which will be matched by the state governments, for operating within affected communities. There's a lot of legal support you need to go through when you're dealing with a disaster such as this, and we'll be providing that support.
There's $25 million additional to the emergency relief and food relief and financial counselling services. These are supports going over the entire New South Wales and Queensland flood affected areas. There's $31.2 million to deliver immediate and longer term mental health support services in for individuals, families and communities. There are other measures that just set out in the statement, which I won't go into detail about.
The point is, economic support, mental health support, helping businesses get back up on their feet, providing that immediate cash flow assistance right now over the next few weeks. Why are we doing that? We're doing that to give the breathing space so people can have the confidence that tomorrow morning they'll be able to put food on the table in those most affected areas. They'll be able to put petrol in the car, if they indeed have a car, or they'll be able to make some other arrangement, and they won't be completely devoid of economic resources to do those things over the next couple of weeks.
Over the next couple of weeks, that will enable the Federal Government and the State Government to put in more sustainable arrangements for income support, for business support, to see those grants processes flowing. The National Recovery Allowance, the Disaster Recovery Allowance, which is a 13-week payment for those who actually can't work because work's not there or they can't get to work because they're cut off, that payment is already in place now, and we'll be looking at its adequacy over a longer term period.
The next steps, as we've discussed with the, with the Mayors today, and I've discussed with the Premier - he and I have been in constant contact and he's still here in the region and has been for many days now - is that we need to get the economy back on its feet and that is through the payments that I've referred to, the income support. We also need to get all of the rubbish off the median strips and get that taken away. I think that's going to be a major lift for the community once we can do that. The estimates I have, speaking to the Council today, is that we're still looking, that'll probably take around about a month, we expect to achieve that, and we're going to need even more trucks. The ADF has rolled all of those in, but the ADF on its own will not be able to complete that task. In fact, it will need far more than what even the ADF can bring to this task to achieve that. And so getting those trucks in to remove all that rubbish, but I've got to tell you, to all of those, what they've done in these last few days to clear out those homes in such an incredible rate of speed has been extraordinary, and I commend everybody for that work that they've been doing, which has, of course, involved the ADF, SES and many others, and just neighbours helping each other, people travelling up from other parts of the state to help family members and friends, and I thank them for doing that.
We've also got to give people hope about the future of the Northern Rivers. Now these issues have been debated in in and around Lismore for a very long time. I’ve spoken to it with the Mayor and the Minister and the Premier. We need to get this sorted. We need to ensure that once we can finalise the works that need to be done as part of managing the flood mitigation impacts here in the Northern Rivers, get done. Enough of the talk. People have known what needs to be done for a long time. That needs to be driven by the local decisions here, by the Council. If further hydrology work is required, then we will support that with additional funding to get that completed. But this isn't about if, this is about what and when, and that's where we need to get to and we need to get there.
The Emergency Response Fund of the Commonwealth will be used to support doing those works, and I'm not talking tens of millions. I'm talking more than that. And those costings will be settled between the Commonwealth and the State Government and the local governments, to the extent that they're able to contribute to those works, because we have to get this done, because this is how this works. I've seen this in North Queensland, as well in other parts of northern Australia. If you can't insure, then people can't build houses there. If you can't insure, people can't run businesses there, people can't rebuild and restock their dairy farms if they can't insure. And for the insurance companies to be able to insure, then we have to be able to increase the certainty that they have about how these types of devastating floods can impact this region. That's the future I want for Northern Rivers. That's the hope I want to give, and I can give you an absolute commitment on behalf of my Government that we will fund those works, together with the State Government and the local government, to ensure that people can have confidence about rebuilding here in the Northern Rivers. Sorry to take so long, I'll take some questions in a few moments. Bridget, did you want to say a few words?
Senator the Hon. Bridget McKenzie, Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience: Just briefly, PM, thank you. It's great to be back in Lismore. One of the things Steve, the Mayor, said to me when I was here on Sunday, when we were discussing about next steps, what are, what is the Commonwealth's role? What is the local government's role? What is the State Government's role? And there was debate around, you know, are we going to rebuild in this fabulous community? And the Mayor said to me, Lismore loves Lismore. And so I've taken that back to Canberra and to the meetings that I've been in since Sunday about how do we ensure that Lismore that loves Lismore, and wants to stay and rebuild a sustainable future here in Lismore, is able to do that. And I think the Prime Minister has outlined some ways, some first steps that we're taking as a Federal Government to provide that certainty to individuals, to households, to businesses that you have a bright, sustainable future in this region, not just Lismore. But I do want to give a shout out to Coraki, to Broadwater, to Woodburn, to Wardell, those smaller outpost communities who are also devastated by this event in the Richmond Valley.
We've decided that three LGAs are going to be able to access specific and special support, and the Prime Minister has outlined some of those. Didn't matter whether I was in Gympie and Maryborough on Saturday, or Lismore here last Sunday, wherever I go in this particular event, mental health is raised time and time again. What we have to remember in many of these communities is the compounding impact of disasters - of drought, of bushfire, of COVID, and now in this community, a catastrophic natural disaster - and the impact that that has not just on communities’ confidence, but long-term mental health impacts. I'm particularly excited that we're investing in a resilient kids program. This is a program that we know works on the ground with school aged children. It's for children who are experiencing anxiety, who have autism, to really get that specialist targeted care they need, not just in the immediate aftermath of the event, but in the years that follow it. We know that most of the people impacted at the moment are running on adrenaline, and the till will get open, and the shopfront will be furled, and then it'll be bang, the impact will be felt on their mental health. So we are committing for the long-term here.
I've been tasked, obviously this is the first step in what's going to be a long, long road to recovery. And I'm excited to be part of a Government that's going to partner up with the New South Wales Government around that flood mitigation strategy going forward with the Lismore Council to make sure that primary producers, businesses and householders can invest in confidence. We're going to give you that confidence. I'm going to be working on more of those packages, as outlined by the Prime Minister, with the New South Wales Government, and I'm confident that we'll be having more to say about that shortly. But PM, that's it for me for now.
Major General David Thomae, Australian Defence Force: Thank you, Prime Minister. I'd just like to start by acknowledging the efforts of all of the emergency response forces, the Australian Defence Force, the SES, and the local community here in Lismore, who responded to that catastrophic event. From an Australian Defence Force perspective, we were here actually before the event occurred, and our local reservists from the 41st Battalion of the Royal New South Wales Regiment have been on the task from that first day. Additionally, we had aviation assets conducting search and rescue operations in those days, saving 113 people off the roofs in south east Queensland and northern New South Wales. Those reservists often did it at considerable personal cost. The Commanding Officer of the 41st Battalion is a helicopter rescue pilot, and she has stood aside from that responsibility to support her community and come from that community to support.
The Australian Defence Force has ramped up its presence in the Northern Rivers. As of today, we will be 1,800 people, building up to 4,000 in the coming days. That will be a combination of engineers, general duties, people to support each of the communities, and I have nine aircraft helicopters to get around and push people into those most needy communities as we move forward. Our engineers have been on the streets of Lismore and conducting assessments and, across into those remote communities to find out where the need is. We've been conducting airdrops of food and water, and supporting the Indigenous communities south of Lismore, and we will continue to do so. Thank you, Prime Minister.
Prime Minister: Now the other thing I should have mentioned, it's already been flagged earlier today, that the national state of emergency declaration, which was established after the Black Summer bushfires and the Royal Commission that was held, I announced my intention to recommend to the Governor-General a national emergency declaration, covering the severe weather and flooding events across both New South Wales and Queensland, to ensure all our emergency powers are available and that we cut through any red tape that might be faced. That's the principal purpose of that declaration, and that declaration requires me to consult both with the New South Wales Premier and the Queensland Premier. I've spoken to the New South Wales Premier today. The way this occurs is they both write to me requesting that that be put in place, and I've had that a positive discussion with the New South Wales Premier today. I’m meeting with the Queensland Premier tomorrow when I'm in Brisbane, and all of that being in train, I intend to meet with the Governor-General on Friday in Canberra to be able to complete those formalities. So that would be the first time a national emergency declaration has been put in place for a natural disaster since those powers were established after the Black Summer bushfires.
Journalist: Why was the media banned from the tour this morning?
Prime Minister: Sorry?
Journalist: Your tour of the farm this morning - why was the media banned? No cameras were allowed there.
Prime Minister: Out of respect for the privacy of those I was speaking with. I came to speak with them and, you know, in disasters like this, not everybody wants a camera shoved in their face while they're trying to share their heart with you. So I came up here to listen to them and what they're going through and understand what was needed for their primary production business or their local paint business, or those of householders themselves, about what was needed to ensure that we can get this town back on its feet. And that has assisted me in the other meetings I've had today, particularly with the Mayors, in talking through very practical issues like getting rid of the rubbish, as well as working through practical issues involving the re-establishment of businesses. Now you'll be joining me for a visit this afternoon, I understand, but my primary purpose is to be, come here to ensure that I understand fully what we need to do, and the alignment of what our plans are and our announcements are, with the needs that are here in community.
Journalist: Is it not a flawed plan that the premiers have to write to you in writing to be able to get this to be declared a disaster? Everyone could see last week that it was going to be a disaster here.
Prime Minister: Well, that's the requirement of the legislation.
Journalist: Does it need to be overhauled?
Prime Minister: Well, I'd make two comments. First of all, we have moved from a major flood event to a natural disaster. That is what has occurred over the course of the last few days. And at this stage, state of emergencies have not been declared at a state level in either New South Wales, or to the best of my knowledge, in Queensland. And so it will actually be the Commonwealth that’ll be the first to move on that. All this does is effectively remove some red tape when it comes to how Commonwealth agencies are able to perform their duties in relation to this disaster. It doesn't impact on the ADF resources. They're already fully available. It doesn't trigger any payments. Those payments have already been made. It doesn't trigger Cat C, Cat D or Cat A or Cat B assistance. The arrangements under that model have already been implemented. So, you know, it’s another part of the process, but, frankly, it’s not the most urgent. The most urgent has been making $385 million in payments in one week. The most urgent was ensuring that the ADF was in place, as they were here on the Friday before the terrible event that occurred on the Sunday night, and the rotary wing [inaudible], the helicopters were here on that Monday, rescuing people. I met with one of the team who were part of those rescues today and thanked them.
I particularly want to thank all the ADF. Now I know there's been some criticism, both levelled at Federal Government, State Government, but don't blame the ADF, ok. We won't cop that. The ADF are doing an amazing job.
Journalist: Who should people blame when if the vast majority of rescues carried out on that Monday were carried out by private citizens in private vessels, some of them were even on kayaks. And if they had not been there, hundreds of people would have died. So who who do those people blame?
Prime Minister: What I'm going to do is thank those. This is about thanking those who, in the midst of that disaster, were able to be first on the scene. I think we have to be realistic that in any natural disaster we don't have those resources which has ADF just waiting around the corner. I mean, we were assembling those resources. We were pre-positioning those people. In fact, there were ADF saving people with helicopters, winching them off roofs on Monday, and that was occurring. But in any natural disaster, everyone has a role to play. And the suggestion that it is only the governments that are involved in an emergency response - I don't think the community agrees with that, by the way, and they certainly showed that by what they did bravely. I met a young man today who, after fishing his father out of his dairy flood, got on his, on his jet ski, and went into town and was rescuing people over the course of that day. That's what Australians do, and I think always there will be a community response in disasters such as this because the community is already there, and the resources move and they come in, as you’re seeing now, but they're not available on a moment's notice. And I think it's unrealistic to have that set as an expectation. What has occurred has been a flood event, which even on the Sunday, before this occurred on the Sunday evening, was still not being forecast to tip above what was the highest level flood ever in the Northern Rivers. It has taken everybody, including the community, by surprise. No one expected it to get to those levels. And so what we're dealing with here is an extraordinary event. Australia is becoming a harder country to live in because of these natural disasters. And that's why we've established agencies like the Recovery and Resilience Agency. That's why we held the Royal Commission into the bushfires. That's why Resilience New South Wales has been established, and that's why the lessons from all of these disasters have been applied. And so it will always be a joint response from community, from governments and other agencies to ensure Australians get through.
Journalist: Australian’s couldn’t get through on triple zero. Australian’s couldn’t get through on triple zero, mate.
Prime Minister: Let’s just do this civilly, and let’s, I'm happy to take questions one at a time.
Journalist: Prime Minister, last year you said that you understood climate change. Climate change is real and climate change is happening now. And you said you've met with the National Security Committee about this. We've seen all sorts of issues raised about Defence, deployment of Defence resources. Do you now consider climate disasters a national security issue?
Prime Minister: Well, I think that, I've said as much in the past. I mean, we are dealing with a different climate to the one we were dealing with before. I think that's just an obvious fact. And Australia is getting hard to live in because of these disasters. This is why we have put in a $10 billion reinsurance pool to ensure that we can insure livelihoods and businesses and homes in the north of Australia. I mean, we are already taking action on all of these. The practical consequences of what you're talking about are the policies that the Government has been enacting. And so we do recognise that. We have committed to net zero by 2050. But the things that will actually help save people here in flood events like this are the sort of mitigation and other works that frankly haven't been done here for some time and have been frustrated over a long period of time. So that's why I'm saying it's time to get over that and to get it done to ensure that people can have a future here on the Northern Rivers.
Journalist: So whose fault is it that those things haven't been done?
Prime Minister: Well, I can only say that those who have resisted them being done.
Journalist: The Government?
Prime Minister: Well, these are not things, the Mayor might want to have a chat about this because he's just run an election campaign on this very issue. And that's a local issue, which I don't intend to get into. Other than to say the Council are keen to go ahead with this, and I can tell you, the Commonwealth Government’s keen to get ahead with it.
Journalist: So is it the State Government’s that holding out?
Prime Minister: No, the State Government yet will be there too. We'll all be there.
Journalist: Prime Minister, is it not unreasonable the community, is it not unreasonable the community, who have been so hard-hit, have borne such a burden in the rescue and coordination in this response? Aside from physical rescues, as the ABC mentioned just here, people couldn't get through on on triple zero. There was a local Lismore woman who set up a database of people urgently waiting to be rescued from their homes. Is that not unreasonable? They had to do so much.
Prime Minister: Well, I think Australians will always step up, regardless of how tough the circumstances.
Journalist: But should that burden be on them?
Prime Minister: Well, I think, I think state governments in those situations and the premier has, I think, already addressed that, when he's, when he's spoken to you over the course of the week. Of course, those responses are managed by the State Government. I'm not making criticisms there. That's just the assignment of those responsibilities. The Commonwealth Government does not run the triple 0 service, but all of the services with an event like this, which has put unprecedented strain on local and state resources in particular and federal resources when it comes to responding to an event of this scale - unprecedented, unforeseen - is obviously going to have an impact. And it doesn’t matter whether you're the most advanced economy in the world or a developing country. Natural disasters of this scale have a brutal and terrible impact, and what you do is you get in and you work together and you seek to restore the situation as quickly and as compassionately as you possibly can. You work with the local community to achieve that, and that's exactly what we're doing. We've spoken today about every arm of government - federal, state, local, all the agencies - doing their job, doing the job they're responsible for, focusing on getting that job done. And that's exactly what's happening.
Journalist: [Inaudible] there is actually the reason why people on the ground feel like they've been abandoned. That's what they've said. They feel like they've been abandoned by government - State Government, Federal Government. Do you understand why they feel that way?
Prime Minister: Yes, I do. And it is, it is very common in natural disasters that the frustration and the anger and the sense of abandonment, this happens in almost every natural disaster, because of the scale.
Journalist: Do you take responsibility because of why they feel abandoned?
Prime Minister: I feel deeply and empathise absolutely with how people feel when they find themselves in these situations. As the rain comes pouring down and places are cut off and the inability of get help, to be able to get help, whether they be Defence Force assets or trucks and vehicles and others. This is a very complex and very challenging environment in which to operate. But I am in awe of the collective response that has been put in place, so I absolutely understand the frustration. I understand the anger. I understand the disappointment. I understand the sense of abandonment. So what do we do about that? We restore. We support. We fund. And as I said, making sure that we can get that emergency financial assistance into people's pockets, which was done in a matter of instantaneously, within a week. And we'll continue to do that.
Journalist: Prime Minister, when the flood waters did recede and people were able to get back into their homes and started cleaning them out.
Prime Minister: Yes.
Journalist: People were saying that they did not have enough support from government agencies, particularly, you know, the Federal Government support that they wanted. Are you saying that people were lying when they were saying that they weren’t supported?
Prime Minister: No, I'm not saying anything like that, and I haven't suggested that remotely, and I, and I don't agree with the way you've phrased the question. I don't think in situations like this there can ever be enough support. There can never be enough support in a natural disaster such as this. I mean, no amount of support is going to measure up to what people need in a desperate situation like this. I'm just being honest with you. I mean, every resource can be applied, but I can guarantee you, whatever is supplied will still not measure up because of the sheer desperation of the situation people found themselves in. But what I am amazed at, as we've seen this in disaster after disaster around this country, is the combination of both the community response together with the response provided by local, state and federal governments, means right here, right now, we are in the process of rebuilding, and we will, we will rebuild.
Journalist: The Premier has apologised for the response and for the issues raised here by my colleagues. Do you, and he’s also said there will be an enquiry into the response. Do you share, I guess, does the Federal Government share any of that, you know, do you also apologise for the way the response has been carried out? And do you also want to see an enquiry into the way this response has been handled?
Prime Minister: On the enquiry, we would fully cooperate with any enquiry undertaken by the New South Wales State Government. I think they’d be the appropriate jurisdiction to do that. I think the floods that we've seen here, the catastrophic event that we've seen here in the Northern Rivers, is on a scale beyond what we've seen more broadly in the flood events across New South Wales and in Queensland. You’ll recall after the Black Summer bushfires, we called the Royal Commission into that. Royal Commissions were not called by state governments in New South Wales, Queensland or Victoria, but there was cooperation with the Federal Royal Commission. In this case, a state-led commission of enquiry, Royal Commission or whatever the Premier thinks is appropriate, well, that is something, of course, the Commonwealth would wholly cooperate with.
Journalist: And the apology - do you believe that the Federal Government owes the people of Lismore an apology for the response?
Prime Minister: As I said, I don't think any amount of support was ever going to be enough. And so every Federal Government would always be apologetic and would always apologise that you're never going to be able to provide enough support in these situations. And so I do understand that, and I do respect that. And that's why I do apologise that the amount of support that has been provided and continues to be provided, I still don't believe will always meet the expectations that are just at, you know, very high levels, and understandably so. But I can tell you what, we're going to pull out every stop and every resource to ensure that we meet it as we can, and it won't be the first time we've achieved that … Hang on, I haven’t finished. I've stood in rooms just like this with the same questions, whether it be in North Queensland and other places, and on every one of those occasions I've said the same thing - that we will stick in and we will get this done. And that is what has occurred. And so for those sitting at home who may be listening to that, who are in the flood-impacted zones, I know that right now you're going, how’s this all going to work? How am I going to get out of this? What does this mean for my job, my family, my business, my farm? Am I ever going to see a time again where I'm living here in the Northern Rivers or up in Gympie or places in Hawkesbury and Nepean where it's going to be like it was? Well, I'm going to tell you that has been achieved before in other places, provided we address the things that need to be addressed, whether it's the the longer term resilience to flooding here in the Northern Rivers, and we act on that, it's the rebuilding of the businesses which we commit to today with the New South Wales State Government, or indeed the immediate financial support, which is being provided to ensure that people can get through tomorrow. And the Defence support, which will continue to roll in and ensure that we continue to clean-up and we move into the recovery phase.
Journalist: [Inaudible] declare a national emergency. Why did it take so long?
Prime Minister: Well, I don't think it has taken long and I don't think it, I mean, we're following the process that is required for such a declaration. And so, you know, as yet, we still haven't received a formal recommendation from either of those states. And that's why I've taken the initiative to request such a direction or a recommendation. And I look forward to that to be completed over the course of the week.
Journalist: But why wasn’t it done seven or eight days ago?
Prime Minister: Because the nature of the disaster over a week ago was different to what has emerged over the last week.
Journalist: Where are people going to live? So we’ve got thousands of people, most of whom do not have flood insurance. They’re saying $1,000 barely gets them a bed back.
Prime Minister: Yeah, the, I want to be very clear. The Commonwealth Disaster Payments are not intended to solve every single economic need that people have. That is not their purpose. The purpose of those $1,000 payments, which for a family is on average about $2,300, and so within a matter of three weeks there, for those three local government areas, there'll be payments of an average of around $7,500 provided to each of those families. It's designed to deal with the most immediate of needs, even if that involves, you know, a night's accommodation here or travel to an area where they can get where they can find accommodation. The accommodation requirements here are going to be significant. And so I'm looking forward to seeing the package of supports and measures that will come from the State Government who will, who will manage that response in dealing with the accommodation issues, as we have done in other places with other state governments. And we will be financially supporting those initiatives that are put in place by the State Government. But the point, the point I'm making today is, right now people will need some more cash in their pocket to get us through the next week or so.
And that's what we're doing today, and that will give us further time and space to put more economic measures in place so people can see the next step ahead. In these disasters, it's very important to remain focused on the next step ahead. What's the next step ahead? Getting the rubbish off the street into trucks and getting it removed. What's the next step? Getting some more money into people's pockets so they can get through the next few days as they deal with the trauma of what's occurred to them over the course of what has just been a week. What is the next step? The next step is ensuring that the packages of support to deal with businesses, with accommodation, with primary producers, are finalised, and the business liaison teams and advisers and others can come and sit down with people and make sure they're getting the support they need to ensure they can get back on their feet again. And it's about ensuring that the Commonwealth, state and local governments are working together to deal with the longer term resilience issues for floods in this area and to get that work finalised, detailed, funded and done.
Journalist: As more Australians are impacted by extreme weather events, are you concerned that more and more people are going to become very angry because they don't think your Government is doing enough to wean Australia off coal and other fossil fuels?
Prime Minister: Well, I'd make two points. Obviously, climate change is having an impact here in Australia, as it is in every country around the world. And that's why, as a Government, we committed, we are the first government to commit to net zero by 2050 in Australia. That's what our Government did. That's what we've done. Our Government has now seen emissions fall by over 20 per cent. You know, they can't say that in New Zealand. They can't say that in Canada. They can't say that in Japan. They can't say that in the United States. You can say it here in Australia, because that's what we've achieved through the climate policies that have seen emissions fall. And we've got $21 billion invested over the next 10 years to ensure that we continue to reduce those emissions. But this is one of the big differences between our climate policies and perhaps some others. I'll tell you what's not going to fix climate change. What's not going to fix it is just doing something in Australia, and then in other developing countries, their emissions continue to rise. That won't change the climate here in the Northern Rivers. What changes the climate in the Northern Rivers is if the global climate is affected, and that's why the technology work that we're doing, which we're doing with Indonesia, which we're doing with Vietnam, which we're doing with India, with countries that have rising emissions profiles, we need to be able to give them the commercial technology that enables their countries to get on a lower emissions net zero emissions profile over the next generation. Now, if you don't achieve that, you know, you can get a warm, fuzzy feeling here in Australia. And I think it's great that we have reduced emissions by 20 per cent, and I think it's great we've got a commitment to get to net zero by 2050. But the real challenge of addressing climate change is ensuring that we're working together with other countries in our region, and particularly developing countries, to ensure we have the technology that changes how they're able to grow their economies. And that's what Australia is seeking to do. And as a leader in the world is seeking to do. Thanks, everyone.
Virtual Address, AFR Business Summit
8 March 2022
PRIME MINISTER: Well, good morning everyone, and thank you for the introduction Michael. I can tell you quite openly that I am living with COVID, like Australia is, and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person with you this morning, as a result of the isolation, but I’m looking forward to coming out of isolation tomorrow.
Can I also begin today by congratulating the AFR on on 70 years. Joining you at this Summit this morning, as Michael has just said, is another milestone in the AFR’s illustrious career in Australia.
I also want to begin by acknowledging the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
And recognising any veterans, as I always do, and servicemen and women, and thank them for their service. And particularly today on International Women’s Day, can I particularly thank all of those women who are serving in our Defence Forces all around the country, and particularly right now as Australia faces these further terrible floods and natural disasters, especially up there in northern NSW. I’ll have a bit more to say about the economic participation of women, which is at record levels in Australia at this moment.
We gather at an important moment in world history and at an uncertain time for our global economy.
The overlay of an uneven global recovery from the pandemic, unprovoked military aggression in Europe, in Ukraine, an energy and commodity price shock, and continued geostrategic risks in our own region, this all creates a highly complex and risky external environment. It’s no place for amateurs.
It brings to the fore how we think about the nexus between security and economic policy and national resilience - a topic that has been building in importance over recent years. And I can extend back to my time as Treasurer when I highlighted national resilience, particularly national economic resilience, as so essential for a country to be successful.
Because the countries that can best manage this delicate balance, of economic and national security, these are the ones that will succeed in the decade ahead. The ones that can get this balance right, get this calibration right - they are the countries that will succeed. And in that context, Australia is at the leading edge.
This morning I want to make a few remarks about today’s heightened global economic uncertainty, before addressing Australia’s economic position and the steps that our Government is taking to support business-led growth. Let me underline that, you’ll hear me say it a bit - business-led growth - and national economic resilience.
As we entered the final quarter of 2021, the prospects for strengthening global economic growth into this year, in 2022, were very positive.
The global rollout of vaccines and falling infections of the Delta strain were supporting growing confidence, as Michael said, that a durable global recovery from the pandemic would take hold this year.
Australia was especially well-placed. And the National Accounts have confirmed that.
According to the December quarter National Accounts, GDP was up 3.4 per cent above our pre-COVID level. And Australia’s employment in December was also well above pre-COVID levels.
Australia’s economic and job generation performance has outpaced every single G7 economy during the two years of the global pandemic. And particularly on job creation, even more strongly so.
Now this is a stubborn fact for those who try to advance a different narrative about the Government's economic performance during this pandemic.
As 2021 drew to a close, Omicron, though, generated a new wave of health and economic challenges for the whole world, not just Australia, and it hit us hard too.
Globally, case numbers spiked to unprecedented levels, though deaths remained moderate compared to previous waves, thankfully.
Omicron was not just a new variant, it was like dealing with a completely different virus. All the rules changed, overturning so many of the virus management norms we’d become accustomed to and accepted, and even relied upon right across the country at a federal and state level as we were managing COVID. It changed everything.
Furloughing rules designed for Delta caused significant disruption to our labour force, and supply chains in particular. Testing protocols collapsed supply chains for Rapid Antigen Tests that had previously had only been assigned an ancillary purpose by official medical advice, only weeks before.
There were plenty who were wise after the event, there always are, but we all worked together solidly over the summer, and as outbreaks largely peaked and stabilised by late January, and high vaccination and rising booster rates meant we weathered the health impacts comparatively well, this meant Australia was able to move forward. Hospitalisation rates in Australia over Omicron peaked at less than half the OECD average.
Now these outcomes enabled children to go back to school as planned, albeit with a few little changes, for people to go back to work, and for the national reopening plan that we set in train back in June/July of last year, to start moving forward once again. And we’re living that now.
Despite the challenges over summer, our economic resilience held. Our unemployment rate held steady at a 13-year low of 4.2 per cent, 4.2 per cent, in December and January.
But we did face acute pressures in some key areas.
Fortunately, while Omicron is continuing to circulate in the community, the worst of the workforce and broader economic impacts from the latest strain would seem to be behind us, and we welcome that.
And this has given state governments the confidence to end many of the health restrictions that had been in place, including state border closures, and I’m so pleased that the country is whole again with the opening of the Western Australian state border.
Likewise, it has given the Commonwealth Government the confidence to re-open our international borders.
But there always remains the risk, of course, of a new strain of the virus reaching our shores, and therefore the uncertainties of COVID, well, regrettably, they will continue to remain with us. But we can’t let them overwhelm us or intimidate us.
And to that end, this Friday I will join the premiers and chief ministers, as we’ve done on more than 60 occasions over the course of this pandemic in the last two years, to review Australia’s winter preparedness plan that we set in train some weeks ago.
There are also other risks that the Australian economy is facing.
The catastrophic flooding in Queensland and New South Wales, following on floods in South Australia, are an unfortunate reminder that natural disasters are increasing in their frequency and intensity, with devastating impacts on communities.
The initial phase of economic support is being provided to support communities to clean-up and remove damage and debris. We’re particularly seeing that up in in Queensland, which has really now moved into the recovery phase.
More than $1 billion has been directed to NSW and Queensland in 50-50, joint-funded support for small business, primary producers and local governments. Now this is on top of the individuals and families payments. Emergency payments are now more than $200 million, which have already gone out the door in just a week.
The destruction and devastation in the Northern Rivers is well beyond anything previously experienced. I mean, it’s two metres higher, the flood level that was experienced there, than the highest ever recorded flood in that part of Australia. It is just mind-boggling, the scale of this flood in in and around Lismore. And I’ve been speaking, in constant contact with the Premier about this. He’s up there right now and has been for several days, and he’s been giving me regular reports, as have my Ministers that have been through. And I’m, I’ll be there this week, as soon as I can come out of isolation, to see this first hand, and talk to the community, not just about the short-term clean-up and the challenges that we face in the immediate response, which have been significant because of the scale of this flood, but also the long-term reconstruction efforts that are going to be needed.
Just like we did for the North Queensland floods some years ago, not just in Townsville but particularly out in Western Queensland, where we almost lost our entire cattle herd, our livestock industry in North Queensland. They were devastated. There was an inland sea. And so we got about the task of rebuilding. And in the same way that we stood with the people of North Queensland at that time, our Government, the Australian Government, will stand with those communities in the Northern Rivers to support them as they clean-up and rebuild, now and in the months and years ahead.
Right now, the Government is is finalising its first wave of over and above measures, particularly for the Northern Rivers area. The New South Wales Government is doing the same. And we’re looking to integrate those plans as much as possible to ensure that we can rebuild Northern New South Wales, particularly in the most acutely affected area in and around Lismore. And I will have more to say to that in coming days. And the Expenditure Review Committee of of Cabinet is meeting again this afternoon, the National Security Committee met yesterday again. We’ve been meeting very frequently during this particular crisis of floods. This is not just a flood event, I should say, in North New South Wales. This is a catastrophe on a very national scale.
Looking abroad, the global economy faces new headwinds.
Rising prices of energy and broader wage cost pressures in the US have brought forward expectations for when the Federal Reserve will start to unwind the unprecedented level of monetary stimulus that it has in place.
Higher US interest rates and less global liquidity could weigh on capital flows to middle and low-income countries, with implications for their growth.
Those developing countries that have accumulated significant debt during the crisis face particular risks.
And of course, recently we’ve seen Russia’s threats towards Ukraine escalate into a brutal, unprovoked and unconscionable attack - ripping up the norms and rules which have kept Europe and the world largely at peace since the end of World War II.
Now I dealt with Australia’s response to these events at some length in my remarks to the Lowy Institute yesterday. And I I won’t rehearse them again here.
Europe will of course suffer the biggest economic impacts from Russia’s aggression.
The uncertainty caused by the conflict - and how bad it might get, and is likely to get - is already having negative confidence effects that are weighing on both financial markets and Europe’s real economy.
More directly, Europe is particularly dependent on Russian energy - and in the short-term will struggle to diversify away. Russia, after all, supplies 40 per cent of Europe’s energy.
Now one of the key issues that I’ve discussed with European leaders, particularly Chancellor Scholz and the Prime Minister of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki, both of these leaders have been highlighting these issues, and the role that Australia can play to assist them, particularly in Germany we are doubling down on our energy partnership, particularly in relation to hydrogen. These issues have highlighted the role that Australia can and should be playing in the energy futures of Europe.
Gas prices in Europe have more than doubled over the last few months and higher energy costs will depress economic activity.
But the economic implications are wider than just Europe.
Global oil prices have traded over $US130, the highest since 2008. And this reflects expectations of supply interruptions for many months to come.
Food and grain prices are also rising, which will pose challenges to lower income economies, including many in our own region.
At least in relative terms, Australia remains very well-placed to manage this shock.
Merchandise trade with Russia and Ukraine is 0.2 per cent of our total two-way trade with the rest of the world, limiting the direct impact.
Commodity price rises will be the most obvious transmission channel to Australia.
Petrol prices in Australia have risen, like they are elsewhere. At the bowser it’s now around 185 cents, a bit higher in my part of Sydney down in the Sutherland Shire, a litre, and on average in metro areas.
But in contrast to most other advanced economies, much of what Russia and Ukraine export, we do also.
And still, we are not immune from the negative impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on global growth as well.
And there are some supply chains for important imports that run through Russia and Ukraine that may be disrupted, and have our close attention.
For example, Urea Ammonium Nitrate supplies to our agricultural sector – we are closely monitoring supply and working with industry to ensure we have alternatives, if needed.
These are just the first order impacts of Russia’s actions. The longer term geo-strategic and economic implications, though, are much more profound.
Russia’s actions undermine global stability and the global order that has delivered so much to our world.
This is a moment of truth for all countries who say they value global rules and norms based on respect for international law and the sovereignty of all nations.
In the post-Cold war era, the world prospered enormously from rapid globalisation and the heightened inter-dependence that came with it via trade and financial linkages.
Living standards in Australia and around the world rose enormously as a result, with billions of people lifted out of poverty.
Opening up to international trade and competition, liberalising capital markets and policies that promote a market-based, private sector driven economy, business-led growth, are proven factors critical to economic success.
However, recent events have highlighted some important truths.
Firstly, global economics is downstream from global politics.
A relatively open and free trade and financial order is not a naturally occurring phenomenon. It never has been.
The nature of the great power at the centre of our global systems matters decisively - together with their animating ideas and ideals.
And secondly, as Martin Wolf observed the other day, the tectonic plates of geopolitics have shifted such that Western liberal democracies now need to manage strategic security an overriding imperative for their economic policy.
Now this is what my Government always has done. This is not news to us. We have always been very clear-eyed about the link between national security and economic security.
We face these incredibly unique times. We have moved into a new era.
The world has become a more uncertain, less stable and more dangerous place. The economic agendas are just not re-heats from the 1990s. We need to address the challenge that exists in this day, in this age.
And it’s important to stress that strong national security and genuine economic security, they go hand-in-hand. They are two sides of the same coin. And this drives our outlook.
Our security as a nation underpins our prosperity and peace of mind - our national resilience and our national sovereignty.
This means businesses have confidence to invest for the long-term. Families can plan for their future with confidence. Communities can flourish.
Conversely, without a strong economy we cannot achieve the sort of security, sovereignty and freedoms Australians have aspired to.
A strong economy allows us to make the necessary investments to protect our nation in the face of rapidly changing security threats, and to maintain sovereignty over decision making, including in times of crisis.
A strong economy means a stronger future. If you can’t manage a strong economy, then you can’t manage Australia’s national security. And the Government has demonstrated its credentials on both of these fronts consistently over our entire time in Government.
Now Australia’s record of resilience and our strong economic fundamentals provide the foundations of successful sovereignty in this new, more dangerous era.
But let me remind you of one simple fact.
Prior to the pandemic, Australia had sustained a world record in, by some accounts, of over 28 years of uninterrupted economic growth.
Now this was unmatched by other advanced economies, both in terms of duration and the rate of growth.
And that’s why, frankly, I’ve never really been in the, and caught up in the hoopla, of the ‘Build Back Better’ camp, that opportunistically sees the post-COVID recovery as some opportunity to replace our market-based, business-led growth economic system, with a Government-centred reimagination of global capitalism.
Our model of economic management and business-led economic growth has been world class.
Capitalism didn’t break. There was a pandemic. The world got hit by a global pandemic.
And that is why we have championed in every international forum, especially the G20, for business-led growth strategies.
Now I said at this event last year, you cannot run the economy on taxpayers money forever. It’s not sustainable. There has been a time and a place for this intervention, and our Government has done it more successfully than any others in drawing our economy through this pandemic, with JobKeeper, the cash flow boost, and the many other measures - the COVID Disaster Payments in the second phase, in 2021 - which has ensured that our economy has come through intact and has been well set up to come back on the other side, as we have seen on numerous occasions.
And we are now normalising our fiscal settings and have handed the reins of our economy back to the private sector, back to for business-led growth, to drive us forward.
Now my concern is that the alternative to our Government, a Labor Government, with the Greens, if elected, would seek to snatch the reins back, following the lead of their political fellow travellers in countries overseas, liberal democracies.
And through the pandemic, Australia continues to stand out internationally on all key health and economic metrics.
Let’s look at Canada, for example, to bear this example out. We have both had roughly the same number of confirmed COVID cases and the same level of vaccination coverage of our population. We have both done well on those issues. Yet Canada has suffered 37,027 COVID deaths compared to Australia’s 5,453, on the latest information we have.
Equally, Canada’s employment growth of 0.5 per cent and December quarter GDP growth of 0.1 per cent from pre-pandemic levels compares to the Australian case of 2.2 per cent growth in employment and 3.4 per cent economic growth for that December quarter.
This is why I can say that more than 40,000 Australian lives have been saved during the pandemic, compared with the average death rate of all OECD advanced economies - 40,000 more Australians would be dead today were it not for Australia’s response to the global pandemic.
We have one of the lowest death rates in the OECD - a performance nine times better than the OECD average.
We have one of the highest vaccination rates in the world. Almost 95 per cent of Australians aged 16 and over are fully vaccinated.
No country, of course, has got everything right - I’ve been very candid about that - when it comes to COVID. Nor could they claim to.
But I think most of you will have noticed, in the audience, and would regard Bill Gates as a fairly objective and well-informed observer on these matters.
And a couple of weeks ago, at the annual Munich Security Conference, he cited Australia’s COVID-19 response as the gold standard.
In the context of future planning, Bill noted that: “If every country does what Australia did, then you wouldn't be calling [the next outbreak] a pandemic.”
“They [Australia, he was referring to] orchestrated diagnostics, they executed quarantine policies, and they have a death rate in a different league than other rich countries.”
And while other countries “had the capability to do that”, as Bill pointed out, Australia, we actually did it.
And we have outperformed the major advanced economies during the pandemic.
As I said, our economy is now 3.4 per cent larger than when the pandemic struck, and around 260,000 more Australians are in work compared with where we were before COVID.
And the jobs recovery is widespread.
There are more Australians in working age jobs today - that’s at 76.3 per cent - than at any other time in Australia’s recorded economic history. I know that our economic plans are working because Australians are working, and at record levels.
And particularly on International Women’s Day, I’m pleased to note that the female employment to population ratio is at record highs, and the female unemployment rate is at record lows.
In November 2020, we saw the gender pay gap fall to the lowest level on record, on record, and, in another first, women now hold a record more than 50 per cent of Australian Government board positions. And that adds to the fact there are more women in my Cabinet than any other Cabinet in Australia’s federation history.
More than one million women have come into work under our Government. That’s a million voices reinforcing the strength of the economic management that has been delivering for women in this country over the course of our Government.
There is much more to strive for though, and much more to achieve, and that's on all of us - from the Government to every individual. And, today, my Government and I are committed to doing just that.
The youth unemployment rate has fallen to the lowest rate since October of 2008.
As I said before, I believe we can now achieve an unemployment rate this year with a three in front of it - something we haven’t seen in 50 years, and that’s supported by Reserve Bank forecasts.
This would be the lowest unemployment rate recorded in Australia since monthly labour force records began in 1978 - I consider this a once in a lifetime opportunity. And you can’t take it for granted. It’s not some natural course of events that will unfold. It is the product of the economic management that we have been faithfully stewarding in this country.
That’s reflected in the fact that our AAA credit rating remains intact - one of only nine countries to achieve this. Last time I referred to that in this Forum, there were 10 countries. There are now nine. We’ve been able to maintain that through one of the single largest, the single largest economic intervention by a Government in an economy in Australia’s history.
The events unfolding in Europe, though, are a reminder of the close relationship between energy security, economic security and national security.
And through our natural endowments, Australia is in the fortunate position of being one of the world’s major energy exporters. We’re not going to shy away from that. We’re not going to cut our own lunch on that.
We have the endowments, the know-how and the technology investment plans to ensure Australia remains an energy superpower based on affordable, reliable energy under a wide range of scenarios.
Notwithstanding higher costs for energy and food driven by international events, Australia has weathered interruptions in global supply chains better than most. That’s particularly been the case in gas, where our supply mechanism has ensured we’ve been able to keep the pressure down on gas prices.
We cannot be complacent though, however, and I will return to that shortly.
The key driver of Australia’s growth going forward will be the private sector. It will be households and businesses.
And the Budget later this month will build on the policies that the Government has already put in place under our economic plan to support future growth and resilience that is working.
Let’s remind ourselves of that plan again. One, five core elements:
Keep taxes low and cut red tape.
Invest in the skills and infrastructure that Australia needs to grow.
Deliver reliable and affordable energy to support our economy to grow while reducing emissions.
Establish Australia as a top ten data and digital economy by 2030, and
Ensure we can always make things here in Australia - by securing our sovereign manufacturing capability, to unlock a new generation of high-wage, high-skill, high-tech jobs.
Now I’ve spoken about the elements of this plan at previous Summits.
Our Personal Income Tax Plan is putting money back in the pockets of more than 11 million taxpayers. We are flattening the tax scales and we have delivered small and medium-term sized businesses with the lowest tax rate in over 50 years.
Our Deregulation Agenda is making it easier for Australians to grow and run their businesses. All told, our regulatory reforms, when fully implemented, are expected to generate benefits in excess of $21 billion over 10 years. But there were opponents to these changes, particularly when it comes to the EPPC Act. There were opponents that do not want to see investment able to flow more easily in this country due to less cumbersome regulation.
We continue to deliver on our $110 billion pipeline of investment in transport infrastructure. That’s creating tens of thousands of jobs right across Australia. And that included the bring-forward of transport projects during the pandemic.
With labour increasingly scarce in our economy, we are working to ensure all Australians have the capacity to get a decent, well-paid job.
We’ve invested $13 billion in skills development during the pandemic - I spoke a lot about this this time last year at this Summit - through apprentice incentives, JobTrainer and other measures. Now what this has seen is Australia has more trade apprentices in training than at any other time since economic records were kept since 1963. Trade apprenticeships, 220,000 of them - the highest we have seen since records have been kept.
We have preserved our trade training base in this country through the pandemic because of the steps we took. The very first step we took was to ensure we kept those apprentices in jobs. And as I’ve moved around this country, I have met countless numbers of apprentices in their second year, in their first year, or completing their fourth year, none of whom would have been able to stay in those jobs were it not for the support that we gave. It is one of our Government’s, I think, most significant achievements during this pandemic, that we kept our trade base, our trade skills base, intact through the pandemic, and now with record numbers of trade apprentices in training.
Electricity prices in the national market are the lowest they have been in eight years. We’ve had an eight per cent fall in electricity prices in the last two years. And we will continue to take action on climate change. We have committed to net zero by 2050, and have a clear plan to achieve it through technology, not taxes. We will not sacrifice our nation’s energy security, trading off affordability and reliability in our domestic energy markets. We’ve got the balance right when it comes to managing emissions reduction and growing our economy and supporting our traditional industries. Our opponents do not have the same balanced policy that we have at this election, and put that at risk.
We are investing more than $20 billion in clean energy technologies, unlocking more than $80 billion of private sector investment to achieve lower emissions, while retaining our energy independence.
More than $2 billion has already been invested in our data and digital economy strategy, from boosting our cyber workforce to investing in our data security and infrastructure. This has led Google alone to invest $1 billion in Australia to establish one of only five Google research hubs right here in Sydney, helping to create the data and digital ecosystem that will help us to achieve our broader goals.
And we are securing our sovereign manufacturing capability through our Modern Manufacturing and Supply Chain Resilience strategies.
We’ve got $1.5 billion in the Modern Manufacturing Strategy, very much at the heart of our plan for economic security and national resilience.
It has a dual focus - to build sovereign manufacturing capability in key areas, and support supply chain resilience that is under pressure and is under threat.
Today I want to stress that our starting point as a strategy is one that supports the growth of the entire manufacturing sector - through a more competitive business environment, with lower taxes and energy costs, support for research and development, a stronger skills and higher education system, and in seeking new trade opportunities.
While Australia cannot and should not produce everything domestically, we have enormous potential in today’s economy to grow our manufacturing sector and play to our strengths.
Our focus is on building scale in six areas of advanced, high-value manufacturing. This is a program we worked up with Andrew Liveris, and the COVID Coordination Mechanism that we put in place:
Space
Medical Products
Food and Beverage
Recycling and Clean Energy
Defence, and
Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing.
These are the sectors we’re focusing on. These are the priorities that we want to build on, while creating pathways to new capabilities and new markets.
Instead of spreading taxpayer dollars thinly across the economy, we are focusing our investments and grant programs on areas of genuine competitive strength and strategic priority to build scale and have a real impact.
Under the Modern Manufacturing Strategy, we have so far committed over $437 million in funding to boost manufacturing capability and supply chain resilience, leveraging $980 million in private sector investment.
Our supply chain resilience, on that issue, COVID has demonstrated the importance of domestic manufacturing to national health, security and resilience. It has brought into sharp focus the need to be constantly alert to supply chain vulnerabilities.
It should be emphasised that, for the most part, Australian businesses have successfully managed supply chain risk these past couple of years, and our economic performance demonstrates that - specifically COVID, and trade coercion from China, and now the terrible crisis in Ukraine.
A strong private sector continues to be our first line of defence. Businesses know their businesses best, they don’t need to be told by governments what to do, and they are primarily responsible for supplying the vast majority of goods that Australia wants and needs. However, there have been examples where Government action has been necessary to find a solution.
And a good example was the looming shortage last Christmas of AdBlue. While the country was focused and we were focused, of course, on Omicron, we were also focused on this looming shortage - an essential additive for modern diesel vehicles that not many of us knew about before late last year.
China’s decision to suspend urea exports, from which we make AdBlue, had the potential to shut down our trucking network, with significant implications for our domestic supply chains and our economy.
We took immediate action to intervene, reaching an agreement with Incitec Pivot to convert Gibson Island in Brisbane from the manufacture of agriculture grade urea to produce AdBlue and higher grade refined urea.
This was a $29.4 million investment to secure a ten-fold increase in domestically produced refined urea and AdBlue. Within two weeks we had supply restored and an emergency distribution system operating along east coast transport networks.
And I particularly want to commend my colleague Angus Taylor, the Minister, for his critical role in working this issue and finding a solution.
What we are talking about here is not some abstract, binary debate about Government intervention versus the market.
Rather, it highlights the vital enabling role Government can play, and should play in these circumstances, in maintaining economic security and identifying industry solutions to specific problems. We’re not overreaching our mandate. We’re not engaging in the big back, ‘Building Back Better’ rhetoric. We’re just doing what needs to be done in a very targeted and sensible way.
The Government’s $107 million Supply Chain Resilience Initiative is providing targeted grants to establish or scale domestic manufacturing capabilities and identifying other options to address supply chain vulnerabilities.
In addition, the Government has established the institutional capability for early warning and analysis of current and future supply chain vulnerabilities through the Office of Supply Chain Resilience, that I established.
This involves, firstly, effective ‘foresighting’ and analysis of supply chain vulnerabilities, and secondly, whole-of-government coordination of both domestic and international response options. And thirdly, we are doing detailed consultation with industry on supply chain vulnerabilities.
Now we’ve identified seven initial categories for attention, which were considered important to our national interest. And they are as follows:
Semiconductors
Agricultural chemicals
Water treatment chemicals
Telecommunications equipment
Plastics
Pharmaceuticals, and
Personal protective equipment, PPE.
Now we’ve already made significant progress. We’ve secured an agreement with Moderna to establish mRNA manufacturing in Australia in Victoria, with the Victorian Government - the first facility outside of Europe and North America to be able to do this. This sovereign on-shore capability will increase preparedness for possible future pandemics.
In round one of our Supply Chain Resilience Initiative, we have already invested more than $33 million in 27 projects in agricultural chemicals and medicines. This includes backing Australia's only local manufacturing site for critical intravenous medical fluids, Baxter Healthcare.
We have invested in local manufacturing of medical technologies since the start of the pandemic, including for mask manufacturing at Med-Con and ventilators by ResMed.
Supply chain resilience is an increasingly prominent issue across international forums, and Australia is driving outcomes, including in the G20, APEC, the G7+, and especially the Quad, where there is a keen interest in what Australia is doing and the leadership we’re providing here.
In the Quad, we are mapping the supply chain of critical technologies and materials, including semiconductors. In addition, Australia is leading the development of the Quad Clean Energy Supply Chain 10-year plan.
And at a bilateral level, Australia is collaborating with the United Kingdom on a joint project to improve public sector approaches to managing supply chain risk. Australia is seen as a leader, if not the leader, in this area of managing critical supply chain issues.
In this new era, we can’t just be thinking about ‘just in time’ supply. We need to be thinking about a ‘just in case’ model, which supports greater diversification and larger inventories of key goods.
Trusted partners, of course, critical. That is the world we are living in now - and we all know that supply chain disruptions are lower when we plan and we prepare for them.
We also know that supply chain problems are best solved together. We need trusted supply chains, not just efficient ones.
But building and strengthening markets is a long game, and I would encourage businesses to continue to work with the Government to ensure early identification and timely responses to supply chain challenges, and to deal with trusted partners.
Finally, you’ll be pleased to know, in conclusion, and I appreciate your patience, ladies and gentlemen, if I had to identify the essential qualities that have stood Australia in good stead through the most tumultuous events in our lifetime, it has been our ability to adapt, to be resilient and be pragmatic in the face of radical uncertainty.
We have all stared into the abyss together, and here we are all today.
Whether that be a global pandemic, a global recession, the natural disasters which continue to buffet us, economic coercion in our region, or now concerted efforts to overturn the international order through military and violent aggression.
I wish I could say this era of radical uncertainty is coming to an end.
But it’s not, as events of recent weeks attest.
What I can say with confidence is that our Government is the best-placed to continue to navigate Australia’s way through these incredibly difficult and uncertain times.
We have demonstrated this time and again, as we have brought the Australian economy through some of the most difficult challenges in generations. The record is there.
Now is not the time to turn back. It is a time to stick with the economic plan and leadership that has been working for Australia and getting Australians into work.
Our Government has an unwavering focus on building a stronger economy, because we know this is the only way we can keep Australians safe and guarantee the essentials that Australians rely on.
A strong economy means a stronger future.
That is what the Liberals and Nationals are able to offer Australians as they make their choice at the election to be held this year.
Thank you very much for your patience and attention.
Virtual Address, Lowy Institute
7 March 2022
Prime Minister: Thank you Michael for that introduction. I appreciate the opportunity to again speak at the Lowy Institute.
Let me firstly acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet – the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation – and pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
I also want to pay tribute to any serving members of the Australian Defence Force or veterans who may have joined us and simply say, thank you for your service.
As we meet today, and with heartbreaking familiarity, images of catastrophic loss due to flooding have again gripped our nation in Queensland and NSW.
Sadly 16 people have so far been lost, and our deepest condolences go out to their families and loved ones.
I thank all those engaged in the painstaking work of rescue and recovery - from our brave emergency services workers and SES volunteers through to the men and women of our ADF.
2,000 Defence Force personnel are currently deployed across the flood affected areas under Operation Flood Assist 2022 led by Brigadier Mick Garroway, and directly tasked by state governments in NSW and Queensland to support their flood response. This number will increase to 5,000 personnel over the next few days as we move into the clean-up and rebuilding phase.
ADF assistance includes airdrops of food and supplies into isolated communities, and helping clear roads to restore essential services like power and internet. More than 100 people have been rescued by ADF since the disaster began, and these rescues continue in the many areas still cut off, working with the SES and other local authorities.
In addition, $193 million has been paid in disaster payments by the Federal Government through Services Australia, in just five days, to 163,000 individuals impacted by these floods.
Primary producers can also register for recovery grants of up to $75,000 and small businesses up to $50,000, with the NSW and Queensland State Governments, as part of a $1 billion program jointly funded by the Federal Government, which has also included $1 million in direct payments to local governments in affected areas.
But we know more support will be required, especially in Lismore and surrounding districts, where flood levels are reported to have peaked above all known records.
In Lismore, this is not just a flood event, it is a catastrophic event.
We are currently bringing together a further package of support and I look forward to being able to visit the impacted areas later this week after my current COVID isolation is completed, to assess the situation first hand.
But most of all today, to the thousands of Australians who just reached out and helped their neighbour, thank you. Your quiet acts of care, compassion and bravery have once again humbled our nation. Again I say thank you.
Beyond our shores, we face many other threats. The world has entered a period of profound strategic challenge and disruption.
Once again, the horror of war has befallen Europe – an unprovoked, unjust and illegal war.
After months of planning, bullying, coercion and intimidation, Russia has invaded Ukraine.
Australia strongly supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
We condemn Russia’s abhorrent actions in the strongest possible terms, as a gross violation of international law and an assault on freedom.
This is the latest example of an authoritarian regime seeking to challenge the status quo through threats and violence.
Our rules-based international order, built upon the principles and values that guide our own nation, has for decades supported peace and stability, and allowed sovereign nations to pursue their interests free from coercion. This is now under assault.
A new arc of autocracy is instinctively aligning to challenge and reset the world order in their own image.
We face the spectre of a transactional world, devoid of principle, accountability and transparency, where state sovereignty, territorial integrity and liberty are surrendered for respite from coercion and intimidation, or economic entrapment dressed up as economic reward.
This is not a world we want - for us, our neighbours or our region. It’s certainly not a world we want for our children.
The well-motivated altruistic ambition of our international institutions has opened the door to this threat. Just as our open markets and liberal democracies have enabled hostile influence and interference to penetrate into our own societies and economies.
We are right to aspire, however, the hope that such inclusion and accommodation would lead to some reform or moderation of these regimes or assist us in tackling the big global economic and environmental challenges has been disappointed.
As Prime Minister, I have been warning about this for years.
Our Liberal-Nationals Government has been clear eyed. We have taken strong, brave and world-leading action in response.
We have taken the initiative to bolster our own resilience, to call out the threat and to rally like-mindeds to address what is taking place right in front of us.
We have been criticised for our stand, including in our own country. And we have been targeted.
But I am pleased we have been prepared to stand our ground. If not us, then who? Would we be expecting others to do it on Australia’s behalf to protect our interests? I do not believe Australians want such timidity and resignation from their leaders.
None of us want conflict. We want peace and stability. But nor do we want the very world order that underpins our freedoms to be eroded for fear of giving offence, in the vain hope that concessions will ameliorate the determination of those who seek to intimidate and coerce.
Events are now lifting the veil. Perhaps the scales are beginning to fall from the world’s eyes also. At least I hope so.
And so Australia faces it’s most difficult and dangerous security environment in 80 years.
This is where I would like to address my remarks today.
Firstly, the crisis in Europe and the contribution Australia is making, and then broader challenge to world order and Australia’s national security response, focusing on our own region - the Indo-Pacific.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a gross violation of international law and the UN Charter. Russia’s actions should be condemned by all members of the international community.
We expect Russia to continue its brutal attacks, including bombarding residential areas, even nuclear facilities, with scant regard for civilian casualties or the broader catastrophic impact.
This is what autocrats do. It is not the product of a sudden madness or a failure of earlier diplomacy to resolve just grievances.
These are the bloody and violent acts of an autocrat determined to impose his will on others, in the contrived self-justification of realising nationalistic destiny. We have seen this before.
Everything points to a bloody and protracted conflict.
More than 1.5 million people have already fled Ukraine. We fear this is only the beginning of an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe.
As I remarked to President Zelenskyy on Saturday evening, Australia will continue to stand with the brave people of Ukraine.
We are working with our allies and partners to supplement Ukraine’s military defences.
Last Tuesday I announced around $70 million in defensive military assistance, non-lethal military equipment and medical supplies to support the defence of Ukraine. Our missiles are on the ground now. If there is further effective support we can provide to assist their efforts, we will.
Every day Ukraine resists is a further day of humiliation for President Putin, and imposes a heavy price on his illegal, reckless and callous acts of aggression.
We have offered our prayers, but we have also sent our ammunition.
In addition, Australia is helping those rendered homeless or vulnerable by Putin’s war machine, with $35 million in humanitarian assistance for urgent needs, especially for those displaced in a neighbouring country.
This was a special focus of my discussions last week at the Quad, as well as with German Chancellor Scholz and Polish Prime Minister Morawiecki.
Australia’s assistance will deliver life-saving services and supplies, including shelter, water, food and medical care.
Since the crisis began less than two weeks ago, we have fast-tracked the approval of 1,700 visas and have begun preparations to address likely demands on our humanitarian and broader migration program. This may include a rerun of the successful temporary safe haven program we ran for the Kosovars.
In my discussions with European leaders, it is the prevailing expectation that, rather than long-term resettlement, those who have been displaced will want to return home.
Australia is working with other countries to ensure that Putin’s Russia pays the maximum possible economic price for this brutal war of aggression.
This is important because we know that there are powerful actors in our region who are watching closely, looking for signs of weakness and division within the West.
Unprecedented economic and financial sanctions are now biting hard on the world’s 11th biggest economy.
A significant portion of Russia’s foreign exchange reserves has been frozen, and the Russian economy is increasingly cut off from Western financial markets. Major multinational companies such as BP and Shell are selling their Russian assets.
Australia has imposed targeted financial sanctions on 21 entities, including 11 Russian financial institutions - that includes the Central Bank of Russia.
We have also imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on 392 persons.
That includes President Putin, Foreign Minister Lavrov and all permanent members of Russia’s Security Council. This is in addition to our sanctions on eight oligarchs, 339 members of the Russian Parliament, and key figures in the Belarusian Government and military.
I want to particularly recognise actions taken against Russia by countries such as Japan, South Korea and Singapore - a welcome testimony to international solidarity in our own region.
It would be folly to venture predictions on the wider fallout from Mr Putin’s war at this point. Certain early conclusions can be drawn, however.
Firstly, Europe has had a major wake-up call - strategically and economically.
Australia welcomes signs of a more concerted, tough-minded European approach to autocrat adventurism.
Germany supplying Ukraine with anti-tank weapons and stinger missiles and moving immediately to increase defence spending to two per cent of GDP.
Sweden and Finland, long committed to military non-alignment, now contemplating joining NATO - and also taking part in all NATO consultations about the crisis and sending weapons to Ukraine.
The EU funding weapons for Ukraine, and even Switzerland moving from its traditional position of neutrality.
Secondly, the global system of interdependent commerce and finance, built largely under American leadership over the past 70 years, remains an enormously powerful force not to be underestimated.
This should give us renewed confidence to assert that those who wish to overturn the global order through violence need to think again.
Thirdly, political will matters.
It’s been humbling to witness the courage and moral clarity of President Zelenskyy’s inspiring leadership of his country.
There is a wider lesson here for Western liberal democracies as we come face to face with brutal, autocratic aggression and coercion. We must stand together.
We cannot afford the pettiness of small differences to infect our relations and our long-term cooperation. Our adversaries will ruthlessly look to exploit this.
What unites us as Western liberal democracies is greater and more enduring than what divides us.
We must stand together, resolute, against aggression and coercion – wherever it occurs.
The strategic, political, economic and social implications of this crisis will be deeply felt in Europe, but will inevitably stretch to the Indo-Pacific.
This war of choice by Mr Putin is a reminder that, although Australia’s focus is the Indo-Pacific, events anywhere can affect our security.
The Indo-Pacific remains at the centre of global geo-strategic competition.
Australia is an Indo-Pacific nation.
The future of the Indo-Pacific is our future.
Threats in our region are proliferating from both state and non-state actors.
Militarisation is expanding and evolving rapidly.
The spectre from terrorism and all forms of violent extremism endures.
The challenge from more surreptitious malign activities – espionage, disinformation, cyber-attacks, foreign interference, and economic coercion – is mounting daily.
We’re seeing increasing resort in our region to ‘grey area’ tactics – where the boundary between legitimate and hostile activity is deliberately blurred.
And the rise of so-called ‘hybrid warfare’, that has stripped away the old boundaries that once separated the realms of defence, foreign policy, trade and investment, communications and other areas reaching deep into our domestic society.
Australia seeks to work with all countries to ensure a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.
However, we cannot be naïve.
The challenges we face continue to mount. They require us to increase our resilience, expand our capabilities and harden our defences.
The Liberal-Nationals Government that I lead is taking decisive action to ensure that Australia is secure.
Firstly, by building our military capability for the new challenges of the 21st century.
Secondly, by widening and reinforcing our webs of alignment, especially in the Indo-Pacific.
And thirdly, by strengthening our national resilience at home with policies that reinforce both economic and national security goals into the future.
The cornerstone of national security under our Government has been extensive reinvestment in defence capability.
When we came to Government, the Defence budget, as a share of our economy, had fallen to 1.56 per cent in 2012-13 - the lowest level since before the Second World War.
In 2020-21, Defence spending as a percentage of GDP rose above two per cent. This year, it will be at almost 2.1 per cent.
The Government is investing $578 billion in the nation’s Defence Force over the next decade, including over $280 billion in enhanced defence capability.
This investment is geared to delivering regionally-superior capabilities. And there is more to do.
Our first initiative under the AUKUS partnership is acquiring nuclear-powered submarine technology, leveraging decades of experience from the US and UK.
On 8 February, the Exchange of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information Agreement came into force.
This landmark agreement is the first time since 1958 that the US has allowed access to this information. It gives Australia the training and the information sharing that we need to build a nuclear-powered submarine capability here.
It is a huge milestone and a reflection of the strategic trust that we’ve built with our partners.
We will also enhance our long-range strike capabilities to boost the ADF’s ability to deliver strike effects across our air, land and maritime domains.
Australia will be one of few countries to field Tomahawk missiles, the extended-range version of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, and other sophisticated strike capabilities.
Through the $1 billion Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordinance Enterprise, we will be able to make our own weapons on our own soil.
This is essential to keep Australians safe, while also building sovereign capability right across Australia.
We are developing niche technologies to enhance our capability and partner interoperability in space and advanced cyber domains.
But it will not end there.
Alongside new capabilities, we must ensure they are deployed to maximum strategic effect.
In 1987, the Hawke Government announced a ‘Two-Oceans Basing Plan’ for the Royal Australian Navy. The intention was a Navy capable of deploying major fleet units for sustained operations off both the east and west coasts.
Significant infrastructure and force structure investment led ultimately to the main fleet bases on each coast becoming known as Fleet Base West, at HMAS Stirling, which became home of the Navy’s new Collins-class submarines, and Fleet Base East, centred on HMAS Kuttabul.
Since that time, while around half of our major warships have been home ported on each coast, the Collins-class submarine fleet has been home ported in the west.
There has been good reason for this, particularly to avoid duplication of facilities and infrastructure and to ensure we had an industrial base capable of supporting submarines.
However, tomorrow’s capability calls for new thinking today.
Today, I can announce that the Government has decided to establish a Future Submarine Base on the east coast of Australia to support basing and disposition of the future nuclear-powered submarines.
This is about additional national capacity, not relocating any existing or planned future capacity for Fleet Base West.
Fleet Base West will remain home to our current and future submarines, given its strategic importance on the Indian Ocean.
The decision to establish an east coast submarine base has been many years in the making as part of our transition from Collins. However, the Government has now determined that, to support our decision to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, establishing a second submarine base on our east coast will enhance our strategic deterrent capability, with significant advantages in operational, training, personnel and industrial terms.
An optimal east coast base would provide homeported submarines with specialised wharfs, maintenance facilities, administrative and logistics support, personnel amenities, and suitable accommodation for submarine crews and support staff. It would also enable the regular visiting of US and UK nuclear-powered submarines.
Following significant work by Defence reviewing 19 potential sites, three preferred locations on the east coast have been identified.
They are Brisbane, Newcastle, and Port Kembla.
All three locations meet many of the criteria that the Government agreed would need to be met to support our strategic objectives. These criteria include:
Being close to sufficient industrial infrastructure that will be able to support the complex demands of maintaining and repairing high technology submarines, in an efficient and affordable manner.
Being close to large population centres to optimise our ability to attract, recruit and retain the substantially larger uniformed submarine workforce we are building to crew and support the future submarines.
Being reasonably proximate to our primary maritime training and operational areas; to deep water; and to weapons storage and loading facilities.
Ensuring that the location of the base provides strategic depth as far as possible from potential threats, and supports the mounting and sustaining of operations.
Our Government has authorised Defence to immediately begin engaging with the New South Wales and Queensland Governments, and relevant local governments and authorities, to further validate their work to date and to begin negotiations on what will be an enormous undertaking.
This initial work is expected to be completed by the end of 2023 and will ultimately form part of and be informed by the work underway now by the Nuclear Submarine Taskforce.
Defence has not constructed a major new base since Robertson Barracks in the 1990s. Construction of a new east coast submarine base would be a larger undertaking and the largest infrastructure investment in the Integrated Investment Program.
Based on early estimates, we have provisioned nationally more than $10 billion to meet the facilities and infrastructure requirements for the transition from Collins to the future nuclear-powered submarines, including the east coast submarine base.
We’ll also be spending and investing in the West too, as part of the required upgrades to infrastructure in other locations.
The establishment of a new submarine base on the east coast will bring significant positive long-term economic impacts.
These include the obvious investment associated with building a new greenfields submarine base, as well as the economic benefits flowing from a larger ADF population and their families in and around the new base.
There will also be significant benefits for local and national industry in supporting the new base and the more complex and larger nuclear-powered submarine fleet.
Again, none of this detracts from what we will be doing at Fleet Base West.
Australia rarely acts alone. We are most successful when we work with others.
And we carry our weight. That is why we have been so successful in forming so many new like-minded partnerships essential to protecting our national interests and keeping Australians safe.
Since 2018, my Government has done the hard work of diplomacy to build these relationships and shape our strategic environment - building webs of alignment.
We’re taking a multi-layered approach, deepening our bilateral, regional and multilateral engagement.
Through the G20, to promote a resilient recovery from the pandemic.
Through our participation at the G7+ we’ve made a strong contribution to build our collective resilience as open democratic societies and economies.
Our new AUKUS trilateral security partnership leverages 70 years of working together with the United States and the United Kingdom to protect our shared values and promote security and prosperity. It is the most significant defence partnership since ANZUS.
We’ve reinvigorated the Quad partnership with India, Japan and the United States, with a new Leaders’ Dialogue that met again this past week to discuss the implications of the war in Europe specifically for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Our cooperation is delivering vaccines, setting standards for critical and emerging technologies, enhancing clean-energy innovation and boosting supply chain resilience.
Australia recently became the first country to agree a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN, demonstrating the primacy of our engagement with Southeast Asia. These elevated ties build on nearly 50 years of cooperation as ASEAN’s first Dialogue Partner.
ASEAN sits at the heart of the region’s architecture. Its stability, security and growth is fundamental to our own.
To our north and east, the Pacific Island nations are Australia’s family – our futures are inextricably linked. And whenever a family member needs help, we have helped, and will continue to be there.
In the Indo-Pacific, we are working with European partners to help bolster the principles that have underpinned stability for decades. We will look at practical ways to support Europe’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
And in the last four years we’ve worked to elevate bilateral partnerships with Timor-Leste, Vietnam, South Korea, Indonesia, Fiji, India, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Malaysia, Austria and Germany.
China’s growing power and influence are a geostrategic fact. What we care about is how Beijing uses its strength. There’s no doubt that China has become more assertive, and is using its power in ways that are causing concern to nations across the region and beyond.
We are concerned at the militarisation of disputed features in the South China Sea, where international law should apply - as it does everywhere else. And we are concerned about growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
Australia has long supported the status quo that has underpinned regional security and prosperity. That status quo is disturbed by China’s military actions.
A few weeks ago, we saw a Chinese naval ship in the Arafura Sea, irresponsibly pointing a military-grade laser at an Australian Defence Force aircraft. This is needlessly provocative – and very dangerous.
The crisis that now grips Europe heralds a moment of choice for China. Under Mr Putin, Russia has chosen the path of violence and seeking to overturn the global order.
The world has heard China’s words about its commitment to global peace and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity for a long time now. It is up to China, at this hinge point of history, to demonstrate these are more than just words.
The early signs are not good as, following the Xi-Putin meeting in Beijing at the Olympics, the Chinese Government has acted to throw Putin’s Russia an economic lifeline, relaxing trade restrictions on Russian wheat. China’s language has also pretended to an equivalence of interests, and even a ‘legitimate’ cause for Russia to invade Ukraine.
No country would have a greater impact on Russia than China joining the rest of the world in denouncing Russia’s aggression and applying the same sanctions. So far they have not.
Alongside building our military capability and our network of relationships, there is another pillar on which our national security rests.
We must continue to build our economic strength and resilience at home - to continue to give Australia the ability to make our own decisions, and for us to pursue our own path.
Let me touch on three areas where the Government has worked to build such national resilience - cyber security, critical infrastructure protection and sovereign manufacturing capability.
Firstly, our 2020 Cyber Security Strategy set out a comprehensive $1.67 billion ten-year plan to achieve our vision of a more secure online world for Australians, their businesses and the essential services upon which we all depend.
We’ve invested in the capabilities of the Australian Cyber Security Centre, with a particular focus on enhancing our capabilities to protect our critical networks and infrastructure.
We’ve enhanced the powers and capabilities of our security agencies to combat cyber criminals.
One example is the work of our world-class Australian Signals Directorate, which has actively undertaken offensive cyber action during the COVID-19 pandemic to hack back and disrupt offshore cyber criminals scamming Australians.
We’ve also been investing in growing the human capital so crucial to creating a secure digital economy - our cyber security workforce.
Secondly, our Government has been at the leading edge of protecting Australia’s critical infrastructure to secure the essential services all Australians rely on – everything from electricity and water, to health care and groceries.
In 2017, as Treasurer, I announced the establishment of a Critical Infrastructure Centre, to coordinate the management of the complex and evolving national security risks to our critical infrastructure.
Since that time, we’ve passed laws that enhanced the scrutiny of the management and operation of critical infrastructure assets; that introduced mandatory incident reporting for critical infrastructure entities that experience serious cyber security incidents; and that allowed the Government to use its unique capabilities to assist industry to respond to immediate and serious cyber-attacks on Australian systems.
We intend to pass an additional round of critical infrastructure protection legislation later this month when Parliament returns.
Thirdly, the COVID pandemic has underscored why it’s important to maintain a sovereign manufacturing capability.
The Coalition’s $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy is securing Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability and supporting supply chain resilience.
Our focus is on six priority areas: Space; Medical Products; Food and Beverage; Recycling and Clean Energy; Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing; and, of course, Defence.
Building our sovereign defence capability not only means acquiring new capabilities and growing and skilling the people we need to operate them. It also means growing and building the industry capability and capacity needed to maintain them.
Resilient supply chains underpin Australia’s prosperity and security. And while the private sector is primarily responsible for managing supply chain risks, there is a strategic role for the Government to help deliver solutions to supply chain vulnerability in areas critical to our national interest.
Recent experience provides examples of how supply chains of critical goods are vulnerable to a wide range of impacts, including COVID effects, economic shocks, coercive action, workforce stoppages, freight delays, natural disasters, demand surges and disruption at global production centres.
Not all manufacturing and supply chain issues can or should be addressed domestically. That’s why the Government is also working with our Quad partners and other friends to develop cooperative approaches to strengthen supply chain security based on mutual manufacturing and resource base strengths.
More broadly, international collaboration to maintain free and open markets in a global, rules-based order will continue to be central to help manage supply chain risks.
Ladies and gentlemen, if there is a simple message from my remarks today it is that national security affects all Australians.
It extends far beyond the prospect of fighting wars.
It is about safeguarding our way of life, our access to the amenities, liberties and essentials Australians rely on and enjoy.
It is about seeking to shape the changing world we live in to promote peace, provide stability for people to live their lives and favour freedom.
We face a world that is more fragile, more contested and arguably even more fragmented than at any time since the Second World War.
My Government has remained steadfast in protecting Australia’s interests. We have led, not followed.
Australians know the courage we have shown and will continue to show. We are the proven choice when it comes to protecting Australia’s national security interests.
Our decisions are underpinned by our values as a liberal, democratic country.
We believe in a liberal, rules-based global order. One that favours freedom over autocracy and tyranny. Universal human rights, opportunities for all, and the sovereignty of all nations.
By investing in our national security, we are better placed to protect ourselves and to work with others.
To ensure our region remains one in which each country’s sovereignty is respected.
Where might does not make right, and where the same rules apply to all countries – whether they are giants or small island states.
Our shared prosperity and security depend on it.
That’s how you keep Australians safe.
Press Conference - Canberra, ACT
1 March 2022
Prime Minister: Good afternoon, everyone. I’m joined by the Minister for Defence. We have just completed a rather lengthy meeting of the National Security Committee of Cabinet. I’m sure those watching at home have also been watching the extraordinary bravery and courage of the Australian Defence Forces as they have been enacting rescues, particularly across the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. This is one of many acts of heroism and courage that we’ve seen, not just from our Defence Forces, but from our police, from our emergency services personnel and, of course, by civilians themselves, as we have been encountering what has been an extraordinary weather event, a weather bomb, as it’s been referred to, in Queensland, as it’s making its way down down the Australian east coast.
There has been a series of extreme weather and flooding events, which are continuing and will still continue for many days to come. Further storms, we have been advised by the BOM - Bureau of Meteorology, as well as other agencies this morning, and further flooding activity is expected throughout the week, and the peaks that we’ve seen, whether it’s in Brisbane or other places, are expected to continue now for several days.
Despite the terrible impacts that these flooding events have demonstrated, what we have seen, as I’ve just said, is extraordinary courage and response right across all agencies. That flooding event in Lismore has been without precedent, almost. I mean, that is a part of New South Wales that is well used to floods, I know it well. And they have always been used to floods, but nothing like this in their lifetime. Breaching that levee bank and going and reaching into places that even long-time locals never expected to occur or to see in their lifetime. We’re now seeing those flooding events follow the way down through Richmond and impacting on other settled areas. But this rather significant weather system we will continue to see moving down the east coast of Australia. We will see it come into the Central Coast in Sydney, and we’re already experiencing elements of that right now, and particularly over the next 24 hours. We will then see that extend further into the south coast of New South Wales and we need to be continuing to be preparing ourselves for the impacts in those regions. The advice also from the Bureau of Meteorology has been that we should also be aware of potential impacts even further south in East Gippsland and even in the north of Tasmania.
The true courage and compassion that has been on display is, of course, heartening. And we thank everybody for their extraordinary efforts over these last few days. I particularly want to thank the ADF for their response. It has been swift and it has been comprehensive to meet all the requests that have been made by the states, and indeed in anticipation of those requests. Very early yesterday morning I rang the Premier of New South Wales because of the situation in northern New South Wales and made those further offers, and I was very pleased to see them taken up, and we spoke further during the course of the day, including into last night as well.
I’ve been pleased with the way that state, local and Commonwealth agencies, Australian Government agencies, have been working closely together, whether it’s in Queensland, New South Wales, the
agencies are very experienced in dealing with these issues, but the scale of these flood events and these weather events have come at a level which we haven't seen for some time. And as a result, they have adapted well to overcome the challenges that they’re currently faced with.
The ADF has some 600 personnel stood up or involved, their rotary wing assets have been proving, as you can see on your own screens, incredibly important. The weather situation, particularly in and around Lismore, as we were discussing this yesterday morning, was very difficult. It was not an easy thing to get those aerial assets in place to be effecting those rescues, so many of those rescues having to be undertaken by the flood boats. But those few rotary assets that were able to get into those areas have done an incredible job. Not just the ADF assets, but of course the CareFlight and others who, and private assets that have been involved in the flood response effort.
That will continue and we are prepositioning further ADF support all along the eastern coast of Australia. That will range from Albatross down at Nowra, all the way up through with assets coming down from Amberley to support all through the north coast and even down into the Central Coast. We also have the assets out at Holsworthy, where the Blackhawks are, and able to assist should they be called upon to do so.
Thirty-five local government areas have been activated for disaster support. There have been already some 80,000 claims that have been made and over $3 million already have gone out in payments directly through Services Australia to those affected, and that will be flowing at an even increasing rate over the course of the next 24 hours.
In the case of the Disaster Recovery Payment, which is an $1,000 payment for for adults and $400 for each child, together with the Disaster Recovery Allowance which is an ongoing payment for up to 13-weeks for those whose income is interrupted, they are, they are done 100 per cent by the Australian Government and they were initiated even before, in some cases, the request was made by states and territories. We wanted to ensure that that support was in place, and the Services Australia teams are positioning themselves already and increasingly in evacuation centres to provide that support. And it is, you are able to access the Services Australia support either on 180 22 66, or you can do it over the website, or in many cases in these evacuation centres there will be Services Australia support who can do that directly, and the mobile response teams from Services Australia are also being swung into action.
Today, after a lot of response meetings that have been held over the last few days, the Emergency Management Australia and the the National Disaster Recovery and Resilience Agency led by Shane Stone are holding a National Coordinating Mechanism meeting this afternoon with all states and territories, and are coordinating closely with the Australian Defence Forces. What does that mean? That is the group that looks at supply chains, that looks at impact on power, impacts on communications, impacts on key roads, all of these types of issues, and the planning is already underway for the recovery and the clean-up operations.
When I was in Brisbane yesterday, had extensive discussions with the Lord Mayor, and together with the Minister for Defence, out at Enoggera. Their teams are ready to go and they’re ready to move once those flood waters start to drop. So I want to assure people, whether you’re in Brisbane, whether you’re up there in Maryborough or out in Gympie, or across northern New South Wales, or indeed those parts of the rest of the country who are yet to be hit by these floods, at the same time as we're preparing the response to be there, we’tr already preparing, together with the state and local governments, the recovery and the clean-up operation, and assets are being prepositioned and planning is underway for that purpose.
I also note that the Treasurer and the Assistant Treasurer will be working closely with the banks and insurance companies. I’ve asked them to contact all the banks today and the insurance companies and be very clear to the insurance companies what our expectations are about their response. And I look forward to that being a positive response, and that means getting the assessors in. We have already started putting advance assessors in from the Recovery and Resilience Agency to ensure that they can be assessing the impact on the ground, which enables further assessment of category, what’s called Category D funding support for larger tasks that may be required to be addressed after flood events such
as this. We are turning around the requests from the states immediately, and so when requests are made, I understand the New South Wales Premier was making some comments about category D assistance, when we get some clear proposals about what is required, then they can expect us to turn those around. That’s a part of the discussion I’ve been having with Premier Perrottet that we are dealing directly with each other and ensuring that those messages are being sent down through our various organisations to ensure a swift response.
The other impact, which the Deputy PM in particularly was raising today, and I share this view, as all the members of the NSC, and that is the impact on primary production. We often see this in floods, just like we saw up in North Queensland, the terrible impact of floods on primary production, and particularly those dairy industries up in northern New South Wales. There will be the grisly task of carcass disposal and removal, which is challenging and that is all part of the recovery and clean-up operation. But then the task will be to rebuild, to rebuild those dairy farms, to rebuild those dairy industries, just as we’ve been doing up in and around Taree after the floods there last year. And so we have an very accomplished set of agencies that can move into all of these tasks.
Now I'm going to turn now to the issue of Ukraine, which was the other matter dealt with at today's National Security Committee meeting. And then I'll ask the Minister for Defence to cover both of those issues again, if you're happy to proceed on that basis.
In the Ukraine, in Ukraine we have seen a multi axis attack over the course of the last week or so, the last few days. We believe there is no change in Russia's unlawful, violent and aggressive intent in Ukraine. Their attacks are behind schedule, but we should not assume any change in their intent or their purposes in Ukraine. The economic, diplomatic and defence response has been far stronger than anticipated, and particularly, I believe, by the Russian Government. And it is having a very serious impact on their progress. I want to commend all of those countries around the world that have joined those responses. I particularly welcome the rather strong responses we've seen from countries like Singapore and Switzerland. I mean, this, I think, goes to the extent of the international response to these outrageous and aggressive attacks undertaken, invasion undertaken by the Russian Government. And every day that that resistance continues, every day that we impose a cost on the Russian Government and all those who support them in their unlawful acts, makes it even harder for Russia to continue to pursue their objectives in Ukraine.
But this is also likely to lead, I suspect, to an even more violent response from Russia. Anyone who thinks the Russian Government is just going to sit there, I think, doesn't understand the intent and and the outrageous objectives of President Putin. Our goal is to impose the most significant costs on Russia that we possibly can, on the Russian Government and all those who support them, as a clear warning to anyone else who would seek to engage in such unlawful acts of aggression and violence through an invasion of that nature.
So, today, to further increase the support we're providing to Ukraine and to our NATO, to the NATO and all the members of NATO, we will be answering the call from President Zelensky. President Zelensky said, don't give me a ride, give me ammunition. And that's exactly what the Australian Government has agreed to do. We will be committing $50 million US dollars to support both lethal and non-lethal defensive support for Ukraine. The overwhelming majority of that, that’s some $70 million Australian dollars, will be in the lethal category. We're talking missiles, we're talking ammunition, we're talking supporting them in their defence of their own homeland in Ukraine, and we'll be doing that in partnership with NATO. I'm not going to go into the specifics of that because I don't plan to give the Russian Government a heads up about what's coming their way, but I can assure them it's coming your way.
In addition to that, we will be acting to provide humanitarian support, an initial contribution of some $25 million US dollars, we’ll be providing in humanitarian support, that’s some $35 million dollars Australian, to international organisations to support their efforts with shelter, food, medical care, water and education support. This will be our opening contribution. We expect that over time there will be further requests and we'll be addressing those as time goes on and the needs that are there are better understood.
There are some 500,000 Ukrainians that have fled their homeland. There's 160,000 on our most recent reports that I have available of internally displaced people. We have already processed all of the outstanding applications for visas to Australia, and they've all been given visas of one shape, one form or another. In addition, we’re receiving around 100 applications a day, which are being processed as the top priority. They’re visa applications across the entire migration program. So they're for temporary visas on skills, they’re for education visas, they're for family reunion visas, and they're getting the stamp, and they'll be able to come to Australia. And for some of those who are on temporary visas, their intention it will be different. They will want to come to Australia for a period of time, and I have no doubt they will want to return to their home country.
We are also preparing options to support the broader humanitarian effort to have programs like we had for the Kosovars some years ago. We should not make the mistake thinking that every person who is seeking to leave Ukraine does not want to return to their home country. I have no doubt hundreds of thousands, if not more, will want to return to their home country. That's where their family is, that's where their lives are, and we want to ensure that those things are not taken from them. And so where we are able to provide that temporary refuge, then we will be seeking to do just that with many other countries around the world. But for those for whom that won't be an option, then we will continue to provide support through our migration program, through the mainstream program, and in addition, in the humanitarian area, which at this stage, the demand for that is not very clear. But we will address that in partnership with other agencies when we get to that point. And if that requires supplementing our existing program, just like with the Afghanistan program we're currently working on, then we will. We will meet that demand with our other partners, and Australia has a strong track record of doing all of those things.
So with that, I appreciate that was a very lengthy set of issues I had to run you through, but it was a very lengthy meeting, and Australia will stand with Ukraine. Tonight I'll be standing with the New South Wales Premier as we light up the Opera House in Ukraine's colours. That is intended to send a very strong message of solidarity from one of the world's most iconic buildings that Australia stands with Ukraine. Just as we've lit our own Parliament up here as part of the Vivid events here in Canberra. All of these events send a very clear message, which I know is encouraging the people of Ukraine. They are showing a resilience which is absolutely extraordinary, and having met with so many in the Ukrainian community over the last few days, and I'll meet with more of them this afternoon and this evening in Sydney, we want to say, we are with you. We are with you. Peter.
The Hon. Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Defence: Thanks, PM. Firstly, I want to start just by acknowledging the amazing work of those army personnel in Woodburn. Today, we've seen in Woodburn on display the best of the Australian Defence Force. The Army personnel within the helicopter rescuing three people off that rooftop sends a very clear message about the preparedness of the Australian Defence Force to provide support to the Australian people at a time of need. We've seen a number of those events over the course of the last couple of days, not just in Brisbane, but now in northern New South Wales. The latest figures that the Australian Defence Force has been involved in the rescue of 74 people. Quite a remarkable number on a number of missions, including in Gatton, in Jimboomba Regency Downs right across Rifle Range. And now today in Lismore, Ballina and the surrounding areas.
The pilots and the crew really need commending this incredible bravery that we've seen on display today, and they've literally saved lives, those three lives, but many, many more. And that work will continue, particularly in the clean up as well. The Prime Minister and I visited Gallipoli Barracks yesterday in Brisbane and went through with the 7th Brigade their response. So in Maryborough, in Gympie, in Brisbane, as the floodwaters start to recede, those mud armies will come together and help in the cleanup, and that will progressively go down the East Coast, as the Prime Minister has pointed out. I want to send a very strong and clear message to Australians, particularly those in New South Wales, who are watching these scenes unfold, you need to take additional precautions to evacuate earlier than what you otherwise would have been. This rain cell is as we're seeing, and as BOM demonstrated, it has a propensity to stay in place and the saturation that’s already on the ground means that we just don't have the run off on the water and we'll see further rescues and we want to make sure that they are reduced because it does put at risk the lives of those who are in the helicopters, that are on the ground, coordinating, etc. So please listen even more closely this season than you have in previous years to the warnings that you're getting from local councils, from state emergency services, from the state and federal authorities. Heed those warnings and get out early and make sure that you keep you and your family and your livestock and your assets otherwise safe. That's an incredibly important message. As the Prime Minister pointed out, we've got about 70 ADF personnel from the fifth brigade who are from Holsworthy. They're positioned and some have been pre-positioned. We've taken in relation to this flood a much more forward leaning approach. And that is we've had defence assets pre-positioned. We've called people out earlier than they otherwise would have been called out. And the PM and I've been very deliberate in that approach so that we can get the ADF personnel on the ground both during the operation, but also post when it's necessary to help those businesses in those households rebuild. So that work is phenomenal, and it makes me incredibly proud of the work that the men and women of the Australian Defence Force are doing. So PM, I'll leave it there.
Journalist: [inaudible] mechanics of the missiles and ammunition and so forth. Is it the case that we stipulate what is bought with our money or we've been informed by NATO countries this is what we want to send and can you pay for it?
Prime Minister: It is a combination of both Phil and we are working closely with our NATO partners about what can be most effective. And again, without being too specific for the reasons I've outlined, those anti-armoured missiles are proving to be extraordinarily effective. And so that is obviously a huge priority about where we will be directing, particularly a lot of that initial investment and that is ready to go.
Journalist: [inaudible] by moving to lethal support for Ukraine that you make Australia, Vladimir Putin's warnings, an enemy now of Russia and perhaps a target of reprisals, whether that be cyber attacks or something else. And can I ask on the floods? You said that assets were being brought from Amberley to assist. We're told by reporters on the ground there that fixed wing aircraft can't get in and out of Amberley at the moment. Is there a Plan B or what contingencies are in place for that?
Prime Minister: Okay. Well, I'll allow Peter to address the second matter. Australia will always stand up to bullies. We stand up to bullies here in our own region and in standing up to bullies in our own region, we've been targeted. Australia's economic interests have been targeted, so my government will never be backward when it comes to standing up for Australia's national interests and standing up for liberal democracy in today's world, which is which is demarcating between autocrats and authoritarian regimes, invading and seeking to coerce liberal democratic regimes. We can't be absent when it comes to standing up for those important principles. That is directly in Australia's national interests.
Now I am, I can report that to date, we have not seen the state sponsored cyber activity to Australia, but we should remain on the ready. We have been acting in concert with countries all around the world when it comes to the support that we've been providing, particularly on diplomatic sanctions, and there are still issues that are being worked through there. But the decision that we have taken that we will continue to move in lockstep, particularly with the United States and the United Kingdom and the EU, in relation to where we're targeting sanctions and what future sanctions might be put in place, including further diplomatic sanctions. But we will do that together and we will act together. And that, I think, is, I think, the appropriate way for us to address this.
When it comes to our ADF support, and Peter will comment on this. But the primary support we've been providing is in the rotary wing, which you've seen on display and that is coming from Amberley. It's coming, it will be coming from Holsworthy and will be coming from Albatross down in Nowra. But you're right, it has been a very difficult environment to operate in. One of the other things which I didn't mention was the work that the P-8 has been doing in mapping flood levels. That's incredibly important when it comes to working through all the recovery operations as well. So Defence is involved in many different ways, tasked out of the command centres, whether they be at Homebush in New South Wales or up in Brisbane. Peter.
The Hon. Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Defence: Just a couple of points. I mean, firstly, I think the situation with Russia and the Ukraine at the moment really is sending out a very strong message to every, every free, loving country across the world. I mean, this is an incredibly important point in history, and this is not a time for weakness, but for strength. And those countries like Australia, like the NATO countries, like European countries need to stand together and to stare down this act of aggression. It's the situation that Ukraine today, there are legitimate concerns within Europe that they don't know what is next, and there's great uncertainty here in the Indo-Pacific as well. And that is why it is incredibly important for countries to stand up for the rule of law, for our democracy, for human rights. And that's exactly what we're doing. We're in good company. So for all of those reasons, Australia has long been a target of cyber attacks of state sponsored cyber attacks out of Iran, out of North Korea, out of China, out of Russia, elsewhere, those countries all working with crime groups and syndicates, sophisticated hackers. That's the reality of it. So we have long been a target for that reason.
Just Mark, on the second point, there was flooding, as you're aware at Amberley, and the decision was taken to take some of the fixed wing aircraft out of Amberley and relocate them, including to Oakey. And so the MRH 90s that you've seen this morning in Ballina have come from Oakey. They left there this morning and they'll be pre-positioned down the East Coast as required as this cell moves further south and they'll be in proximity. Final point is in relation to the MHR 90, they have got a long range and they've got the ability to fan out in different directions, as we've seen today.
Journalist: After the Crimea invasion, Russia was kicked out of the G8. Would you like to see Russia removed now from the G20? And do you think any of the sanctions, even a diplomatic move like that, would fundamentally change his calculation?
Prime Minister: Well, we are seeking to impose maximum cost together with our allies and partners on Russia. They have self-selected themselves as a pariah state and that's how they should be known all around the world, and no one should have anything to do with them, frankly, right around the world, but the issues you raise around the G20 are very real. They're issues that we're working through with Indonesia, who have the G20 chair this year. We want to support them in how they're managing this sensitive issue. I mean, the G20 has a lot of members and that's a lot of interests to manage and we want to support Indonesia in successfully chairing the G20 this year. But I think there has been a very clear view expressed, particularly by countries like Australia, G7 countries about, you know, this will need to be managed.
Journalist: Prime Minister, Labor today has called for or says it would support parts of Ukraine being designated, Labor says it would support parts of Ukraine being declared as declared areas that would stop people from Australia fighting with Russian forces. Specifically, I know we have legislation stopping, people joining non-government groups, but Labor says it would support that parts of Ukraine becoming declared areas. Is there anything of that nature going on? Are you concerned about Australians going over and joining such forces? What are your thoughts?
Prime Minister: I’ll say exactly what I said yesterday and we would not advise people to go to Ukraine now. Our travel advice is do not travel to Ukraine and the legal position of those who may seek to do that, I think, is very unclear, particularly as the formation of what would be informal militias and the extent to which they are actually part of any sort of sovereignly defined force in Ukraine. That is very unclear. But what I would also argue is this is anyone seeking to do that will find themselves on the wrong end of some very, very violent attacks. Those sort of disorganised civilian militias would effectively be putting people in the most extreme of situations. And so we are certainly not encouraging anybody go there and we would advise against it because largely you'd be joining something the status of which is completely unclear and how it would be supported and how would sit in any command structure with Ukraine's forces, I think, is totally unknown. So, you know, others have described those sorts of things as suicide missions and and that's not an unreasonable assessment. But, Peter, did you want to add anything on that?
The Hon. Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Defence: No, the only thing I'd say, PM, is that I mean, people, you can understand the the patriotic passion that people have got and people from around the world are horrified by the slaughter of men, women and children in the Ukraine by Russian soldiers now, and that will increase. And as the Russian forces move closer to the capital, they will become more intense. And this is not an easy situation to state the obvious, but it is going to become more and more difficult. And the reality is, as the Prime Minister points out, many, many people are going to die unless President Putin changes the action, the course that he's on at the moment.
Journalist: Russia may be a pariah, but as you've noted several times now, they still have a friend in China. Are you concerned that longer term for Australia, a closer relationship between China and Russia poses a more significant threat to some of the more localised issues in the Pacific region, if Putin is willing to return the favour and offer support to China?
Prime Minister: Well, of course I am concerned about this. I've been calling this out now for many, many years. When you get the close cooperation of autocratic or authoritarian states of that scale, and with that capability, of course, that presents real risks to global stability in particular in the Indo-Pacific region. This is why I've been so forward leaning in insisting that countries in our own region, particularly China, would not be offering a lifeline to Russia but to be shutting that off. I mean, combined with the stance taken by the United States, whose sanctions, together with other Western countries, has been enormously impactful. I mean, the rouble has fallen by 45 per cent. I mean, their interest rates have been put up to 20 per cent. There is real economic pain being felt as a result of these sanctions. But the impact of the world's response to impose a price on President Putin needs to be reinforced by countries like China because if they extend a lifeline to them, as they have in taking their wheat exports by easing trade restrictions on Russian wheat into China that only serves to undermine, I think, the principled stance that has been taken by so many other countries around the world. So I would encourage them to take that view. I would encourage them to join the global efforts and send a very clear message to President Putin that this sort of behaviour is unacceptable.
Journalist: [inaudible] lethal weapons and humanitarian support Australian. No one's questioning the need for this money. But what are the mechanics of exactly where this money is coming from? Will it be rolled out all in one lot? Will it be rolled out over a number of payments? And are any other programmes going to suffer as a result of this $105 million?
Prime Minister: No. So the answer is no, and we'll be, all of these matters will be made very clear in the budget, which is only a month away. Less than a month away now. And those matters will be covered off in the budget in terms of the fiscal arrangements. But any support here will be provided to ensure we maintain all of our other activities, and it is important support that we're providing and it will be done swiftly. As I've said, particularly on the humanitarian support, I anticipate this will be our first of a number of contributions that will be made as the humanitarian need becomes clearer and the demand becomes clearer, and we can respond to that in partnership with other countries. But you can expect us moving very quickly, extremely quickly on deploying that support.
Journalist: Can I please clarify for all the people out there watching this who are wanting to go to Ukraine and take up arms. Is there any legal situation if they were to join the foreign legion, which Ukraine's top diplomat to Australia says does exist, where they would be legally within the bounds of doing that to support their country if they're dual nationals and in case we don't get there, has anyone been stopped at the Australian border trying to leave?
Prime Minister: At the Australian border, trying to leave Australia? Well, they wouldn't be leaving with that intended purpose. I mean, people are allowed to leave Australia, people flying, if they were going there, I doubt they'd be on a direct flight to Ukraine. They may be going to any number of places. And so without that clear intent and without any intelligence, then I think it would be an overestimation as to how Border Force could actually intercept on those occasions. But what I would say is two things. One don't do it, don't do it. Secondly, the legal position at best is unclear. At best is unclear. And as a result, we would not be encouraging people to join in those efforts.
Journalist: From a legal perspective, I guess this is a slightly different thing. I know you're saying ...
Prime Minister: No, legally they could not count that that was a legal act. They could not assume that. That's my very clear message. Don't assume it is on the evidence that we have it is unlikely.
Journalist: Sorry, Minister Dutton, we heard the US come out ahead of the invasion, saying, outlining what Russia was going to do and that proved to be correct. What's the intelligence telling us at the moment? What is Putin's plan? What is the next step? And if you've heard anything, as well Prime Minister, and what else are we looking at in terms of response? Is it just more funds? Are we going to ramp up our cyber security efforts? What else can we do to assist?
Prime Minister: We're doing all of these things. Our cyber security response has been ramping up now for some weeks, and in terms of what other support may be necessary, well, as the demands become clear and the requests become come through, then we'll we'll be dealing with each of those on their merits. But we have leant forward here in a way, particularly for a country the size of Australia, puts Australia at the leading edge of the support we're providing for Ukraine in both our humanitarian support, as well as our lethal and non-lethal defence support. So Australia and our sanctions have been the fastest moving. It was Australia that was calling for sporting bodies, in particular for the F1 to be cancelled in Russia. Our own athletes, I commend for walking out of tournaments. Good on them. They're standing up for Australian values and we salute them for doing that. And I’d be calling on all international sporting bodies to have nothing to do with any events in Russia or having Russia's participation in such international events. This is all part of imposing the highest price on Russia's actions in Ukraine. Peter?
The Hon. Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Defence: Well, the point I'd make is that, I mean, you can see where the incursions are taking place and the intent of the Russian forces. Clearly, they are frustrated by the resistance on the ground, and they've underestimated the strength of that resistance. But as supply chains or lines are secured as more munitions come in as the Russians ramp up their activities, we know from history that Russian troops can be particularly brutal, and I think people should brace themselves for what we're going to see out of the Ukraine in the coming days and weeks. It's a human tragedy that's unfolding already and it's only going to compound. And so that's a concern too. And I think we should again ramp up the pressure on President Putin, as the Prime Minister says there's a price to pay here. This is a catastrophic mistake by President Putin and those that support him, including China.
Prime Minister: OK, Chris. We have time for one more and then the weather is going to intervene.
Journalist: Just wondering how quickly that money can be spent on weapons and deployed. How do you get into Ukraine? Because if it goes by road, it will be using the same roads that the refugees are using? Is some part of the airspace going to be carved out for allies to send weaponry in?
Prime Minister: Our support for Ukraine is going to get there fast. And I won't be giving Vladimir Putin any heads up on how it's getting there. But it's coming, I can assure you. Thank you.
Remarks, St Andrews Ukrainian Church - Lidcombe, NSW
PRIME MINISTER: …To members of St Andrew’s, to my colleagues who are joining me. Dr Fiona Martin, the Member for Reid, the Minister for Immigration, my dear friend Alex Hawke who is here and Ben Morton, the Special Minister of State. Jenny and I, this is where we wanted to be today. We've come from our own church in Sutherland this morning, where I had the great privilege to lead prayers in my own church community, for Ukraine.
I want to thank you for inviting us to be part of this liturgy, because you know all around the world, here in Australia, and as the sun rises all around the globe, people of faith will be coming together of every denomination, in every church and some of those churches will be in ruins, like they will be in Ukraine. And they'll be praying. And they will find strength from their faith, from their fellowship and from their community. A community that isn't just the large numbers gathered here, but a community of faith which spans the world and they will gain great strength and courage and peace from that faith which [inaudible] spoken about this morning.
Now, this morning. I've come here this morning with Jenny to offer prayers and to offer encouragement because it is not just specifically the communities of faith, but the Australian community as a whole who I know has thrown its arms and held tightly the more than 40,000 Australians of Ukrainian ancestry here in this country and to extend every fibre of their support, encouragement and love to the people of Ukraine.
Peace is not just the absence of war. Peace is the absence of threat, of violence, of persecution, of subjugation. It is what so many Australians of Ukrainian ancestry came to this country to enjoy, to live, to raise their families. And here you are. Splendid, in your homeland dress. It is not just the absence of war and on occasion, peace requires great strength and courage. We have already heard of the brave young man, and I will attempt to pronounce, Vitaly Skakun Volodymyrovych, an engineer who set up mines on a bridge to deter the Russian advance. The advance was too fast, he could flee or finish the job. He stayed on the bridge and he detonated, as the Reverend Father said, an act of love, but an act of courage for peace. Because peace takes courage. We don't seek a peace in Ukraine that is based on bending the knee to an autocrat and a thug. We seek a peace that is the sovereignty of Ukraine. That is what peace is for and that is what the world community demands.
The other prayer I have for peace this morning with you is a prayer of peace, for comfort. That in your great anxiety and in your great concern for your loved ones and for your community, for your homeland, and that you will find that peace and that comfort, in one another. And then those as the shells fall and the bullets ring out in their cities and their suburbs, that they will find in that noise and in that terror, a peace in their faith. But, you know, most of all, as Christians we know that no shells, no bullets, no tyrants can silence faith, can subjugate faith, can take from you the peace of your faith, and I want to encourage you all in that today as we raise up our prayers like a fragrant offering, just like the incense let those prayers ascend to the heaven. And may mercy reign down. And may compassion reign down. It says in Corinthians that that these things, faith, hope and love the greatest of all of them, may they all endure as I know they will in your hearts.
Eight years ago, after MH17 was downed by Russian rockets, our then Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who was a great friend of Ukraine and this community, spoke at the memorial service for the 38 Australians who perished. And he ended his address with a simple prayer, a prayer I wish to conclude with today. And it is this. May the God of Mercy comfort those left behind and may the God of Justice answer all our prayers. Amen.
Remarks, St Andrews Ukrainian Church - Lidcombe, NSW
27 February 2022
PRIME MINISTER: …To members of St Andrew’s, to my colleagues who are joining me. Dr Fiona Martin, the Member for Reid, the Minister for Immigration, my dear friend Alex Hawke who is here and Ben Morton, the Special Minister of State. Jenny and I, this is where we wanted to be today. We've come from our own church in Sutherland this morning, where I had the great privilege to lead prayers in my own church community, for Ukraine.
I want to thank you for inviting us to be part of this liturgy, because you know all around the world, here in Australia, and as the sun rises all around the globe, people of faith will be coming together of every denomination, in every church and some of those churches will be in ruins, like they will be in Ukraine. And they'll be praying. And they will find strength from their faith, from their fellowship and from their community. A community that isn't just the large numbers gathered here, but a community of faith which spans the world and they will gain great strength and courage and peace from that faith which [inaudible] spoken about this morning.
Now, this morning. I've come here this morning with Jenny to offer prayers and to offer encouragement because it is not just specifically the communities of faith, but the Australian community as a whole who I know has thrown its arms and held tightly the more than 40,000 Australians of Ukrainian ancestry here in this country and to extend every fibre of their support, encouragement and love to the people of Ukraine.
Peace is not just the absence of war. Peace is the absence of threat, of violence, of persecution, of subjugation. It is what so many Australians of Ukrainian ancestry came to this country to enjoy, to live, to raise their families. And here you are. Splendid, in your homeland dress. It is not just the absence of war and on occasion, peace requires great strength and courage. We have already heard of the brave young man, and I will attempt to pronounce, Vitaly Skakun Volodymyrovych, an engineer who set up mines on a bridge to deter the Russian advance. The advance was too fast, he could flee or finish the job. He stayed on the bridge and he detonated, as the Reverend Father said, an act of love, but an act of courage for peace. Because peace takes courage. We don't seek a peace in Ukraine that is based on bending the knee to an autocrat and a thug. We seek a peace that is the sovereignty of Ukraine. That is what peace is for and that is what the world community demands.
The other prayer I have for peace this morning with you is a prayer of peace, for comfort. That in your great anxiety and in your great concern for your loved ones and for your community, for your homeland, and that you will find that peace and that comfort, in one another. And then those as the shells fall and the bullets ring out in their cities and their suburbs, that they will find in that noise and in that terror, a peace in their faith. But, you know, most of all, as Christians we know that no shells, no bullets, no tyrants can silence faith, can subjugate faith, can take from you the peace of your faith, and I want to encourage you all in that today as we raise up our prayers like a fragrant offering, just like the incense let those prayers ascend to the heaven. And may mercy reign down. And may compassion reign down. It says in Corinthians that that these things, faith, hope and love the greatest of all of them, may they all endure as I know they will in your hearts.
Eight years ago, after MH17 was downed by Russian rockets, our then Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who was a great friend of Ukraine and this community, spoke at the memorial service for the 38 Australians who perished. And he ended his address with a simple prayer, a prayer I wish to conclude with today. And it is this. May the God of Mercy comfort those left behind and may the God of Justice answer all our prayers. Amen.
Press Conference - Adelaide, SA
25 February 2022
PRIME MINISTER: I'm very pleased to be here today in the fastest growing state, fastest growing state economy in Australia today with Premier Marshall. And to be joined by Dr Rachel Swift and Amy Grantham, candidates here at the next federal election. Thanks to everyone here for hosting us here today. And of course, Minister Price, the Minister for the Defence, Industry, Science and Technology, and Simon Birmingham, the Minister for Finance and Senator for South Australia.
Before I get to the important announcements we have to make today, I would like to make some statements regarding the situation in Ukraine. We continue to be extremely concerned with the terrible violence that we have seen inflicted on the people of Ukraine by Russia, unwarranted, unprovoked. Today, Australia will be imposing further sanctions on oligarchs whose economic weight is of strategic significance to Moscow. And over 300 members of the Russian Duma, their parliament, who voted to authorise the use of Russian troops in Ukraine to illegally invade Ukraine. We are also working with the United States to align with their further sanctions overnight on key Belarussian individuals and entities complicit in the aggression. So we are extending those sanctions to Belarus. These sanctions are being prepared in close coordination with our allies and partners. This has been done to demonstrate very forcefully that we are all working together to shut Russia out as a result of their violence, and there are unlawful actions, which are unprovoked. We have already announced two rounds of sanctions targeting culpable and prominent Russian individuals, banks and companies, and we have also seen overnight the latest measures announced by our key partners, including the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as very strong statements from Japan and South Korea. I also welcome the statements from Indonesia. As I have made clear all along, we will work along with our partners for a rolling wave of sanctions and continuing to ratchet up that pressure on Russia. We understand the concern that the threat of sanctions did not lead to them not going ahead. That was not our expectation. Russia has been planning these acts of violence for some considerable period of time, but there must be a cost. There must be a price and it must be imposed by the global community. Now I want to make a few more comments about that in a second. I also want to confirm that we have been working with NATO to ensure that we can provide non-lethal military equipment and medical supplies to support the people of Ukraine. That is the most effective way for us to do that. We are a long way from Ukraine, and the most effective way is to be doing that through our NATO partners to ensure that we can support that commitment, we are providing financial support as well as a commitment through that NATO channel. And I know that people here in Australia, some 40,000 Australians of Ukrainian descent, will welcome that action. We cannot go into too much detail about all those sorts of issues, and the other supports we're providing to NATO and our partners in their efforts and supporting Ukraine, but you can rest assured that we are working very closely with those partners and allies to support them in their time of need. We have people embedded in a range of different roles and they are doing an excellent job. We still have not not had any confirmed reports of cyber-attacks here in Australia. But at the same time, we advise everyone to remain on high alert. And I want to come back to this issue of the need for the world, the global community, to impose these sanctions and to condemn in the strongest possible terms what is occurring in Ukraine. And I particularly have been concerned at the lack of a strong response from China.
Overnight, it was uploaded, the reporter is in the South China Morning Post today, at a time when the world was seeking to put additional sanctions on Russia, they have eased restrictions on trade of Russian wheat into China. So at a time when Australia, together with the United Kingdom, together with the United States and Europe and Japan, are acting to cut off Russia, the Chinese Government is following through on easing trade restrictions with Russia, and that is simply unacceptable. China seeks to play a positive role in world affairs. They say they seek peace and I welcome those sentiments and I welcome their comments, which talk about trying to get to a position where these violent acts can cease. But that said, you don't go and throw a lifeline to Russia in the middle of a period when they're invading another country. That is simply unacceptable from the reports that we have seen, and I would urge all nations to say this is not a time to be easing trade restrictions with Russia, we should all be doing the exact opposite. And I would call on everyone here in Australia, as well as overseas, to note this and urge all nations to join the sanctions against Russia.
Now I've also said this, you might have seen a Tweet I put out earlier today, in relation to international sporting events that are scheduled to be held in Russia this year. The F1 should not be held. It should not be held in Russia. The men's volleyball international tournament should not be held there. I commend those Australians who are saying they won't participate in anything that is occurring in Russia this year. International sporting bodies, and I note a number of them and international sporting activities, are already joining that call, and I welcome it very much. But this is the way you impose a cost on Russia that is invading its neighbour. I'm also concerned that there is some suggestion in the comments that have been made by the Chinese Government that there is some sort of security pretext for the invasion that is taking place. There is none. Ukraine presents no threat to Russia. They are the victim of hostile, aggressive and unlawful actions and should be called out as such, particularly by very large global powers who should not be sending them a lifeline.
But let's turn to more positive events, where we are here today. And I'm very thrilled to be here, particularly with Premier Marshall to make further announcements today of $65 million in funding for the fast tracking of Australia's access to space measure. Where we are standing, in this amazing Lot 14 Precinct, this is the great vision of Premier Marshall. None of this would have happened without Premier Marshall. In fact, the great turnaround of South Australia over these last four years has been extraordinary. I remember coming, as the Treasurer, I remember South Australians telling me how people were leaving the state and businesses were having to go elsewhere, but the partnership that Premier Marshall has formed with our Government has led, because of his unrelenting energy and advocacy, to us establishing the National Space Centre here, right here in Lot 14, the anchor tenant, if you like, which has drawn together cyber industry, space industries and is creating amazing opportunities for young talented people who are coming here and working here, moving to South Australia, from other states and indeed from overseas. This is the place to be if you want to be in the space sector and the space sector, as you know, is one of our key industry sectors that we are focusing on as part of our sovereign manufacturing capability. That program already has generated around $1 billion of investment that has already gone in across those six sectors. I'm talking about once every dollar the Commonwealth Government has put in, we've been able to get another $2 in the investments that have already been made. So we've got over $300 million already invested right across those six key sectors that has leveraged another $670 million and the fund itself is $1.5 billion. So imagine just how much more we're going to be able to boost sovereign manufacturing capability through the great success of this initiative. Boosting sovereign manufacturing capability is part of our Government's national economic plan to see a surge out of the pandemic. It is one of the reasons, it is the principal reason, that Australia has one of the strongest advanced economies in the world coming out of this pandemic. And it is occurring because we have had a strong plan, a strong plan that has meant manufacturing things, making things here in Australia. To the specifics, which Minister Price will go into, is $32.5 million for the procurement of the provision of space flights, to ensure that Australian companies who are involved in the space industry can get that firsthand experience as flight qualification to be participating in those missions. We are co-investing $32.3 million to support the development of up to three new or existing complementary space launch sites across Australia, and it's also about putting Australians into space, working with NASA and other international partners to get an Australian back into space. So we are launch nation with what we're doing here to invest in these launch facilities. We are a Space Nation when it comes to ensuring that Australians will have their equipment, which is being developed right here in South Australia up in space. And we are an astronaut nation in getting Australians back into space as part of these initiatives. So very exciting.
I'm going to ask Premier Marshall now to talk about what this means for South Australia. In doing so, what Premier Marshall has been able to do here in South Australia in his time as Premier has turned this state around. South Australia is now contributing to the national economic growth of this country. And that is occurring because of the entrepreneurial premiership of Steven Marshall. This has to be bedded in, this has to be locked in. This is not a time for South Australia to turn back to where they were before. In order for these incredible gains to be realised into the future, the return of the Marshall Government here in South Australia is an absolute necessity to continue to see that optimism and that positivity, that the most optimistic and positive person in Australian politics has been able to bring. With that, I'll bring you Mr Smiles.
THE HON. STEVEN MARSHALL MP, PREMIER OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Thank you very much, Prime Minister. It's fantastic to have you, and of course, Melissa Price, the Minister for Defence, Industry, Science and Innovation here on Lot 14 for this exciting announcement today. We are very grateful to have you here. Before I make comments regarding your announcement today, can I just commend the Prime Minister for his strong response to the deteriorating and dangerous situation that is occurring in Ukraine. Our thoughts are with the Ukrainian community here in Australia, more specifically in South Australia. Immediately after this press conference, the Prime Minister and I will be heading, with Senator Birmingham, down to meet leaders in the Ukrainian community.
But today's announcement is absolutely fantastic for Australia, but more specifically for South Australia – the space state. This is absolutely great news for business, for jobs, and it shows that not even the sky is the limit in creating and opening up opportunities for our children and our grandchildren. Make no mistake, this next election in South Australia is all about creating a stronger future, having a strong recovery out of COVID, and cementing in those great opportunities for our next generation. Now, we are in a space station in Australia, but this wouldn't have happened without great cooperation with the federal government. It wasn't that long ago that we were the only OECD country without a space agency. It was the coalition that decided that we would have a space agency. And it was Prime Minister Morrison who announced that the space agency headquarters would be right here on Lot 14 in the centre of our CBD, Adelaide. And since then, we've also been able to attract investment from the federal government to establish Australia's mission control here and Space Discovery Centre. It's been a true partnership. We now have 1,600 people employed in the space sector in South Australia. And today's announcements will make sure that we have thousands more into the future and this will create great opportunities for students that are currently at school, it will attract people back to South Australia and I think it will be bringing people in from overseas. You see, before, for people that wanted to go and get involved in the space agency, they needed to move overseas. It wasn't the space agency in Australia of any scale. Now, with these investments from the federal government, there are just so many opportunities for our next generation and we are very proud in South Australia with what has occurred. We're now building satellites in the CBD on Lot 14. This morning, the Prime Minister, the Minister and myself, took a look at what's happening at Inovor and over at Neumann Space. They're building satellites for the Department of Defence and the CSIRO. They're also building our own satellite here for South Australia with two fantastic payloads one Internet of Things, one for Earth observation. That will enthuse a next generation of students who are interested in what we can do in space, taking that data. We're here at Myriota at the moment, a fantastic company, which has raised tens and tens and tens of millions of dollars and brought it here to Adelaide to develop innovative products which are transforming lives, improving productivity, opening up new opportunities for the next generation. So it's fair to say we are very enthused about space. You would have heard recently that we've announced that we will be establishing Australia's space manufacturing park down on the Adelaide Airport Precinct. We've committed to another 15,000 square metres down there, on top of the 5,000 square metres in the [inaudible] building. There is just so much opportunity. Today's announcement is great for business, it's great for jobs and shows that not even the sky's the limit in opening up new opportunities for our children and our grandchildren. It's now my pleasure to introduce Melissa Price to tell us a little bit more about today's announcement.
THE HON MELISSA PRICE MP, MINISTER FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Thank you Premier, great to be here. I think it's fair to say, that from the comments from our Prime Minister and the Premier, that there's never been a better time or more time for us to be focusing on the development of our space industry. The Morrison government is very ambitious for our space industry. We've already invested $850 million and today we're talking about continuing with that investment. Just like we've done with our defence industry here in South Australia, we're determine that we're going to grow our capability more and more and in fact, once we fill up lot 14, and I'm not sure that's not very far away Premier, we'll then have to think about what Lot 15 looks like. Because we are on the move. We are going to space.
Today's announcement focuses on two areas. The first area is making sure that if you're an innovator, you're just leaving uni or indeed you're someone already here in Lot 14, and you want to get your technology into space, you want to test it out. That's a very expensive exercise. We've been hearing about that today. So what we’re going to do, obviously with our Australian Space Agency, we're going to work hard to make sure that we help to invest in, effectively a ticket to ride. So that's the first part of the announcement. The second half relates to launch site. So if you like, the airports for space missions, and that will be incredibly important for us, we're co-investing, we've developed three space ports around Australia. And you can imagine in regional areas that will be very important. And this is going to make us globally competitive. This is going to ensure that Australia gets the attention of the overseas market, and I'm sure there's plenty of people here in Lot 14 that are thinking about how they're going to be involved in the next launch of their fabulous product. Thank you.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, can I please ask, the Ukrainian President says 137 people have died in the invasion, and his country has been left alone to fight Russia. Sanctions from the West have focused on the financial sector. Is there more that can be done?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I've already mentioned in particular the other support we're providing through NATO directly to assist in the operations that are being undertaken there. The other important one is the denying access to Swift, which is the international payment system. We would support that very, very strongly. That should be done, that's not something Australia can do unilaterally as something that particularly needs the involvement of the United States because of the US currency that is supporting that system, and I note that Prime Minister Johnson has made similar remarks. And Australian would strongly support denying Russia access to Swift, the international payment system. And because this is all about ensuring they get cut off and that is the price that is paid. But for that to occur it has to occur with countries all around the world. And so I would call on other nations, particularly on those who are involved in Swift, to join that call to deny Russia access to that payment system.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister why do you think it is we're seeing hesitation from other countries who have locked into to that system. Are you sensing hesitation from Europe and other countries?
PRIME MINISTER: Well I would urge Europe to join in these calls and do this. There is no doubt that we need Europe involved in seeking to stop people who are coercing and bullying others including ourselves. Australia has often found that you will often have to bear some cost yourself for doing so. But when issues are as they are, when you have a bullying, threatening, violence act being undertaken on an innocent state in the Ukraine then these things are necessary to do, so I would urge people to to lose that resistance. This is very important that they do this. I mean, the suggestion that there is some security pretext by Russia for this invasion, which has been suggested by the Chinese Government, is completely unacceptable. That is not the case. There is no pretext for Russia to violently invade Ukraine. There is not some concession that Ukraine should have been making. There was no threat that Ukraine was making against Russia. So this suggestion that somehow it takes two to cause this. No it only took one and the world should be shutting that one out in Russia.
JOURNALIST: You said that you'd match the US sanctions overnight. Would you consider sending troops in from Australia as part of the AUKUS pact?
PRIME MINISTER: Well there's no suggestion that the United States is sending troops in.
JOURNALIST: If it gets to a point?
PRIME MINISTER: But it's not getting to that point. The US have made that very clear.
JOURNALIST: But the US is sending in troops to Germany.
PRIME MINISTER: This would be done under NATO.
JOURNALIST: What about military medics, would you consider that?
PRIME MINISTER: We're going to work closely with NATO as to how we best provide support, and that is being worked through every single day. And so there will be no hesitation if there are ways Australia can assist those efforts, whether it's medical packs or other things like this. Then we stand ready to do that.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you’ve been strong on these calls for China to condemn this, do you think that Joe Biden should be doing the same?
PRIME MINISTER: I'm talking about what Australia thinks should happen and I'm being really clear, and I think other Australians should be doing the same thing when it comes to calling this out. I mean, while the world's focus is very much on what's understandably occurring in Europe, my focus is always very focused on keeping Australia safe and ensuring there's a clear understanding about what's occurring in our region. And it is concerning that the largest country in our region has suggested there's some security pretext for Russia to have invaded Ukraine. And as I said, the South China Morning Post reports, the uploading of that protocol at a time when the Western world is actually imposing sanctions on Russia, the Chinese Government is easing trade restrictions on Russia. So that is inexplicable, and I think it is important to call this out. I've never hesitated in calling these things out. I've been criticized for calling it out. But on this, at present time, I've been a bit of a solo voice, but I can tell you my voice will not be silenced on this. This is of great concern to Australia, that these acts are not being called out with the same voice when it comes to those in our region, and this needs to be understood
JOURNALIST: Is there a limit to which Australia will be lockstep with the US, if there is a military solution. Are you committing Australia to join that, if that's what the request?
PRIME MINISTER: There's no suggestion of that.
JOURNALIST: No, I understand there's no suggestion at this point, but in the past we have. Are you willing to go that far if that's what’s requested?
PRIME MINISTER: It is very unhelpful in the middle of a global conflict like this for people will be running around speculating about things that are not under consideration, are not on the table, and just unlikely in any event to occur. So I wouldn't want to put any Australians through the concern or anxiety about that being a prospect. There's no prospect of that appearing as a decision the Australian government would have to make, so I don't think it's helpful to create that speculation when there is no such speculation.
JOURNALIST: Russia says that Europe could pay $3000 for 1000 cubic metres of natural gas. We've got a fair bit of that. Would we be willing to transport gas to Europe to help?
PRIME MINISTER: No, I've seen those reports and we worked through that with Treasury and the Department of Industry. The way our gas mechanism works is we need to ensure the gas supply in Australia is provided for or people will be four times what they currently are for gas. The fact that we were able to put in place a memorandum of understanding with our gas suppliers means that gas prices in Australia are 75 per cent lower than they would otherwise been. And I can ensure Australians that I won't be doing something that would further impact on the economic issues because of this global conflict. And of course we will see global conflict, we will see what we believe will be a short term impact on fuel prices. But the Minister for Energy has already made some remarks about how we're taking action on that. Last question, this is a very important issue, but you may wish to ask also some questions about space and the announcements we've made today.
JOURNALIST: Still on the Ukraine, though, Joe Biden has called Putin a tyrant, Boris Johnson calls him a dictator. What do you call him?
PRIME MINISTER: I call him a thug.
JOURNALIST: China and Russia earlier this month signed a 5000 Euro statement in part [inaudible] made a warning about the expansion of NATO. Do you fear that what we're seeing in Ukraine is the beginning of a change in the world order?
PRIME MINISTER: I've been warning about this for years. This is not a new point that I've been making about the alignment of authoritarian and autocratic regimes in our world. I've been saying this for years. Others have said I've been alarmist. Others have said I've been speaking out of turn. I've been calling this out for years, and that's why our government has taken the strong actions that we have, whether it's been the formation of AUKUS. And have Admiral Mead and the team who are in Adelaide right now actioning what we've agreed to do as part of AUKUS. AUKUS was the most significant defence security agreement reached since ANZUS, and that was put in place by me and our government to keep Australians safe. The elevation of the QUAD to a leader's level dialogue, which isn't just dealing with security issues, but importantly is dealing with economic security issues, supply chain issues, humanitarian support and economic development within the Indo-Pacific region and being a positive, very positive force within the region to ensure that countries can have greater confidence in their economic and their political sovereignty. It's very important to the Indo-Pacific. So I have long held that view and I have been the advocate of that view in every single international forum I can get to. I was the one who went to the G7 and threw the 14 points down the table about how Australia was being coerced by China, by the Chinese government. And so I share your assessment but it's one that I've been advocating for greater understanding of for some time.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister Beijing says diplomatic channels are open and it’s prepared to meet Australia half way. What is the government going to do and do you consider that a genuine olive branch?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, diplomatic channels are not underway when ministers and political leaders are not prepared to meet with ministers and political leaders here in Australia. That's just a simple fact. And in terms of meeting halfway, there are 14 points, I don't agree with changing any them. So happy to have the dialogue. Happy to have the ministerial and political level dialogue. But those 14 points are not for negotiating. I'm happy to take a question or two on space.
JOURNALIST: Just on local political issues. You're here during election campaign. Earlier this week, the state government committed $25 million to rebuilding the Adelaide Aquatic Centre, but it's contingent on matched federal funds. Have you committed or will you commit those funds?
PRIME MINISTER: I'll let the Finance Minister speak on these issues.
THE HON. SIMON BIRMINGHAM, MINISTER FOR FINANCE: Thanks PM. We've certainly received advocacy from the Premier, from the state member for Adelaide, from the Lord Mayor in terms of briefings about that project, like any such project we will consider the merits of it through the usual grant and assessment processes, and of course we will work closely as we have constructively with the Marshall government if re-elected in relation to delivery of critical infrastructure projects.
JOURNALIST: So you won't commit to the funding before the election?
THE HON. SIMON BIRMINGHAM, MINISTER FOR FINANCE: Tom, we'll work through our normal processes. The state government’s made their policy position clear and their support for the aquatic centre clear.
JOURNALIST: Can I ask Prime Minister on sport, what would be achieved by banning Russia from international sport? And should that be extend to their participation to international sport?
PRIME MINISTER: I have no objection to those issues whatsoever and I think we should be taking every step we can to ensure Russia pays a price in the international community for their violent and aggressive acts in relation to their action against Ukraine. So, bring forward suggestions is my view. And whether it's the F1 Grand Prix or any of the other events that I've spoken about. It's important that these world bodies understand fully what's going on and we've already seen that decision with the UEFA Cup being made, I applaud it, well done. The rest of the world should be cutting off. Now we don't have any beef with the people of Russia and I particularly want to commend the brave Russian citizens who have actually stood up in protest against the violent actions of their government. That's incredible courage. And I want to send a message of support to Australians of all Russian heritage here, just as I have to Australians of Ukrainian heritage. They will be saddened and devastated by these events, as any other Australian. And I want to thank them for their support and for their great contribution to our country. But I'm actually going to have to start moving.
JOURNALIST: Can I have one question on the Ukraine?
PRIME MINISTER: Sure.
JOURNALIST: Will the government consider providing more detail about what visas Ukrainian Australians can access to bring their relatives here? SBS has spoken to people who are really worried about their families, who are confused about visa options and [inaudible].
PRIME MINISTER: Well, Minister Hawke met with the Ukrainian community leaders yesterday. On these issues, there are two components. The first component is that all those who have standing applications for visas, now that could be family reunion visas, skill visas, student visas, any number of visas to come to Australia. I'm advised we have 430 of those and they have been put to the top of the pile for priority resolution and we will seek, in all the normal circumstances, to grant those visas. The only visas that wouldn't be possible are for security reasons or things of that nature, which is understandable. And that means we can fast track the awarding of those visas as quickly as we possibly can. Which would enable those Ukrainian citizens to come to Australia. I made this point to the Prime Minister the other night when we spoke. There are a range of different visas, it's not just humanitarian visas, that they may seek and we have ample room within our program to accommodate those. But Ukrainian citizens also would be seeking to make applications for skilled visas and many other types of visas, student visas, and they are very welcome to do so. And should they do so, they will have the same priority that's being given to those ones that are currently on foot. And we need those skills. And so if sadly, Ukrainian citizens have to leave their country, well they will find a great home here in Australia, where so many others have come before them and made a tremendous contribution to Australia. But right now I'm going to meet a number of them who are proud South Australians. Thank you.
Press Conference - Sydney, NSW
24 February 2022
PRIME MINISTER: At 2:00 p.m this afternoon, the Russian Government declared that they had commenced a so-called ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine. And they said this after months of aggression and intimidation. But I'll call it what it is. The Russian Government launched a brutal invasion, unprovoked, on Ukraine and should be condemned for doing so, and Australia does. Together with the international community, we are banding together in strong terms to condemn these outrageous acts in the strongest possible terms. The footage that is emerging of missile strikes, air raid sirens and reports of hundreds of casualties, yet unconfirmed, are sadly not surprising given the events we have been witnessing for some time now and have been warning about. But even as these events continue to take place, we do call on the Russian Government to withdraw and return Ukraine to a peaceful situation. We denounce what are unilateral hostile actions in Ukraine. Russia is flagrantly breaching international law and the UN and the UN charter. Russia has chosen war.
So we reiterate our staunch support, which I was able to convey to the Ukrainian Prime Minister last night, about their sovereignty and their territorial integrity. These acts are of great concern, I think, to Australians right across the country, but particularly with just over 40,000 Australians of Ukrainian descent. Earlier today, the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs met with community leaders from the Ukrainian community of Australia, some 18, to hear from them directly, to answer questions about the arrangements Australia is putting in place. And I thank them for working closely with the government and I thank them for their leadership in the community.As I said this morning, also, I want to send a particular message to Australian’s Russian descent , I know that they will also be feeling terrible about these events, whether they are of Ukrainian descent or Russian descent, we're all Australians and we thank them for their contribution to Australia, and we stand together with them as Australians.
My message to those Australians who continue to be in Ukraine is to, where safe to do so, leave. We have been saying this for some time now. Australians in Ukraine who are unable to leave should shelter in place until it is safe to depart, to monitor Smart Traveller travel advice for updates and register their whereabouts on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s online portal. It's important that they do this. We believe there's an up to around an estimated 1,400 Australians in Ukraine, but that is not the number that we currently have registered formally through those processes. Australians in Ukraine who require consular support should call the Australian government 24-hour consular emergency centre on 1300 555 135. That number again 1300 555 135, or here in Australia on +61 2 6261 3305, if you're outside of Australia. We will seek to provide support to the extent that we can in these exceptionally difficult circumstances, and I want to thank the diplomatic staff who remain in the region to do just that.
Before Russia took these deplorable steps, Australia had already imposed autonomous sanctions against Russia, targeting both individuals and entities for undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Today, we continue to go further, acting with our close partners, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, those in Europe and NATO in condemning Russia's actions. Yesterday, I announced sanctions and travel bans on eight members of Russia's Security Council. They will come into effect at midnight this evening. This council bears responsibility for the current phase of the invasion, including President Putin's declaration regarding Donetsk and Luhansk. I've also announced financial sanctions, which mean Australian individuals and entities cannot do business with five Russian banks, and this was in addition to restrictions on Australians investing in the state development bank VEB.
We are now progressing the second phase of those financial sanctions, of sanctions. The Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Birmingham, has completed the process of applying sanctions to an additional 25 persons - this includes army commanders, deputy defence ministers and Russian mercenaries who have been responsible for the unprovoked and unacceptable aggression - and four entities involved in the development and sale of military technology and weapons. We are now moving to place restrictions on Australians investing in a further four financial institutions. There will be further waves of sanctions as we identify those responsible for these egregious acts, including, as I discussed this afternoon with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, moving on around over 300 members of the Russian Parliament.
We must ensure there is a cost for this violent and unacceptable and egregious behaviour. There must be a cost. As I said today, we firmly believed that because of the actions of Russia over many months to prepare for this, that it was unlikely that they would change course. But there always must be a cost for such reprehensible violence and the way this is being done in Ukraine as we speak.
The government is also engaging with our partners and businesses to make sure we are mitigating risks to critical supply chains, and we will continue to work closely with Australian business to manage those risks. In briefings received this afternoon we have still no evidence of any state sanctioned cyber attacks on Australian assets here, but I thank the corporate community for the preparations that they've been undertaking and working with the Australian Cyber Security Centre to prepare themselves. I assure you that Australia stands ready to support internationally coordinated action to respond to any price or supply shocks in energy markets.
But right now, our thoughts are very much with those in Ukraine. Tthose who are enduring terrible invasion as the bombs fall and the shelling continues and the bullets are fired, as special forces from Russia are moving towards Kyiv and tanks are rolling in all around their borders. This is a chilling reminder of the world that we live in and where the threats and aggression of bullies and those who seek to intimidate others, to seek their own advantage. This is a reality. It is reality of this world, which means that like minded countries, those who believe in a world that favours freedom, need to stand together and need to ensure we have the proper defences and security arrangements to keep our people safe. This is why Australia was always taking such a strong stand. Right now we have, we are very concerned about all the people of Ukraine and we pray for their safety. But we also know that they are suffering a terrible ordeal at the hands of a terrible aggressor. Happy to take some questions.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, realistically, will these extra sanctions have any impact? And will you consider doing what members of the Ukrainian diaspora is asking, which is supplying military arms to the country?
PRIME MINISTER: The latter is not something the Australian Government has been requested working with our partners in the region and we work closely with NATO and member states. What we are doing is working with them in other ways. I cannot go into a lot of detail about. Sanctions of the order that I have outlined matter. They do have an impact on those individuals, particularly when they’re done in concert with other countries, like those I've mentioned. And that's why I think it's important that all countries engage in these sanctions against these individuals. It sends a very clear message. You sanction, support, benefit from this type of violence then you will be isolated, you will be targeted, your assets will be frozen, you will not be able to go about your life freely. You will be tracked down and you will have your and your livelihoods completely disrupted in the same way that they are seeking to disrupt the lives of others. So I have a very strong view that the sanctions do matter, should be undertaken and we will continue to press forward with them under the laws that our government put in place to enable us to do just this very thing.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you mentioned military technical assistance, previously. Now that we've seen an invasion, what would that look like and do we have a possibility of while not sending troops, engaging in some sort of military support to Ukraine?
PRIME MINISTER: We are involved with our partners in these types of activities, but it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to go into detail.
JOURNALIST: What about the Russian Ambassador to Australia. Have you spoken with him since these developments and would you plan to expel him?
PRIME MINISTER: There are no plans on that. Even in moments of terrible conflicts such as this, it is important to maintain channels of communication. That has been the convention and the way these things have been dealt with in the past and it is appropriate for him to have been brought in to speak to the Secretary of DFAT. That has taken place and that dialogue will continue there, but you can be in no doubt about the very stern messages that have been sent to the Ambassador on behalf of the Australian Government.
JOURNALIST: Are you worried that China is going to use this massive instability to launch any action in the Indo-Pacific?
PRIME MINISTER: I think it's important to separate these issues. And I want to make that point in particular to Australians. What I would be asking as I have consistently, welcome this being supported both here in this country and elsewhere. It's important that all countries denounce what is occurring in Russia and Ukraine. It is important that all countries do that. This is an unprovoked, unwarranted, illegal invasion of Ukraine. And the best way to ensure that these acts are condemned is to join the actions of countries like Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Japan and impose these sanctions to ensure that there is a penalty and there is a cost. And you have to wonder where countries aren’t prepared to do that, what they're prepared to tolerate. We're not prepared to tolerate it. I think it's very important that the world acts together to denounce these terrible and violent acts.
JOURNALIST: Do you intend to meet the Russian Ambassador?
PRIME MINISTER: No, I won't. Messages will be delivered directly to them by the Secretary of the Department of Foreign affairs and Trade and the Minister. That's how these things are done. And as I told you, they’re in no doubt about our views about what the Russian Government is doing illegally in Ukraine and inflicting terrible crimes on the people of Ukraine.
Press Conference - Kirribilli, NSW
24 February 2022
PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, everyone. Once again, our thoughts are with Ukraine and the people of Ukraine. Our thoughts this morning are also with the 38,000 Australians of Ukrainian descent who are rightly very concerned about their loved ones, their family, their friends who are in Ukraine and face the threats of intimidation and violence from a nation in Russia that is seeking to bully them to their own ends. I just returned from meeting of the Executive Council with the Governor-General where my government signed the amendments to the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations, which enables us to use the legislation, which provides the framework to target sanctions against individuals. And I stress individuals who are in a situation where they are able to support a regime and act in the interests of Russia to the ends that they are supporting the measures that we're seeing in the Ukraine.
This is important legislation, it is targeted legislation. It adds a whole new tool to our toolkit when it comes to dealing with this illegal, unlawful behaviour. And it's a tool that we're implementing in partnership with our allies and like minded countries, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom. This will be the first tranche of measures that we expect to take. We are taking actions against eight members of Russia's Security Council, a series of banks and financial institutions that I indicated yesterday, and extending existing sanctions on the transport, energy, telecommunications and oil and gas and mineral sectors to Donetsk and Luhansk. As I said, this is giving us the scope to cover people and entities of strategic and economic significance to Russia. So that gives us a broad remit in order to take targeted action. So the sanctions we have put in place aren't just traditionally what you would have seen in the past against a nation more broadly. This goes direct to those individuals who are at the heart of this bullying and aggressive behaviour. It targets their financial interests. It prevents them from travelling. It stops them from moving money around. It stops them from coming and having holidays in countries such as Australia or going shopping in Harrods or doing things of that nature and trying to live their lives as if they had nothing to do with the violence and bullying and intimidation that they are supporting from the Russian regime. The sanctions will become law tomorrow, and they will take effect at the end of March. Now this is important on the legislation because that gives the opportunities for businesses that have had very legitimate operations and business interests in Russia and in the affected territories of Ukraine to be able to make changes to their arrangements. So these are significant sanctions, but we obviously have to give Australian companies and individuals the time to go and make changes to their arrangements in an orderly way. We are working very closely, especially with the United States and the United Kingdom on our list, and our list is longer than the eight that I've just mentioned, and we'll be working closely to develop the cases that will enable us to take further actions against others. And we won't hesitate when we're in possession of that information to take that extra step. We have already had a wider package of sanctions on persons and entities and in reserve. And should Russia choose to escalate its illegal and unlawful conduct in the eastern Ukraine.
Now, I note that many have said, do you think that this will lead to Russia pulling back? I would hope so, but I don't expect so. The reason we're doing this is there must be a price for the unprovoked, unlawful, unwarranted, unjustified attacks and threats and intimidation that is being imposed by Russia on Ukraine. This cannot be a consequence free action by Vladimir Putin and the Russian regime, and it should send a message to any other regime in the world that if you go down this path, if you seek to coerce and bully others, then the world should stand together in targeting those who are directly at the centre of these activities. And this is incredibly important. There must be consequences for violent, coercive and bullying behaviour.
And last night, I spoke with the Ukrainian Prime Minister to reaffirm our unwavering commitment, unwavering commitment. to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and denounced Russia's aggressive behaviour towards Ukraine. The Prime Minister was deeply grateful for two things. First of all, obviously our support for them and the rule of international law and the protections that should afford them. But equally, he was very appreciative of the support and encouragement that was being provided by the Australian people and the support for the people of Ukrainian descent in Australia. And with around 40,000 Australians of Ukrainian descent, and he also shared my view that this isn't an issue about the Russian people, there are more than 80,000 Australians of Russian descent here in Australia. And I want to send them a very clear message. I understand that so many of you, if not all of you, would be equally appalled by the actions of what we see the Russian government do in Ukraine, and all Australians are united, whether they be Russian or Ukrainian descent. That's why they have come to Australia because Australia is a country that values the rule of law and does not bully or coerce our neighbours. And in fact, we stand up to those who do so. I was also able to update the Prime Minister of our immediate action on sanctions, which he welcomed on the banks and organisations, and he was appreciative of the support that they've provided, particularly in the cyber domain.
We discussed a number of other issues about Australia can be helpful. One of the particular issues that I discussed with him was the actions we've taken at the Ukrainian citizens who are currently in Australia, and he was appreciative that we will be extending the visas by six months of those whose visas will conclude by the 30th of June. So that provides the room in the space for those who are in Australia to remain. The second point was that we have put to the top of the pile all Ukrainian applications for visas to come to Australia with some 430 outstanding visa applications, and the Immigration Minister is addressing those as a matter of priority. He also spoke of the support we're prepared to provide in concert with other countries in relation to displaced persons and other humanitarian support that may be necessary. Later today, the Minister for Immigration, Alex Hawke, will be meeting with members of the Ukrainian community here in Australia to further discuss any issues of concern to them. And I spoke to the leader of the committee yesterday, Mr Stefan Romaniw yesterday on those matters.
I also want to make a few comments about the statements made by the Russian Ambassador. The Russian Ambassador was called in yesterday to speak to the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. I completely reject the assertions that were made by the Russian Ambassador. The suggestion that somehow Russian soldiers crossing the border and entering eastern Ukraine are peacekeepers is deeply offensive to anyone who's pulled on a uniform as a peacekeeper anywhere in the world which Australia has done right across the world, and as so many countries in the Pacific have as well. They're not peacekeepers, they're invaders. And that's how we see it, and we'll call it out. If they don't like it, that's tough. There is no justification for Russia's aggression in Ukraine, and any attempt to try and create some pretext for it is offensive.
Finally, on the issue of cyber security, there has been an historical pattern of cyber attacks against Ukraine, and that continues now. Malicious cyber activity. Of course, as I said yesterday, it could impact Australian organisations through unintended disruption or uncontained malicious cyber activities and the Australian Cyber Security Centre is not aware of any current or specific threats against Australian organisations, but are adopting an enhanced cyber security posture and have been for some time now, and increased monitoring of threats will help to reduce impacts to Australian organisations. The Australian Cyber Security Centre recommends that organisations urgently adopt an enhanced cyber security posture. This should include reviewing and enhancing detection, mitigation and response measures. Organisations should ensure that logging and detection systems in their environment are fully updated and functioning, and apply additional monitoring to their networks where required. Organisations should also assess their preparedness to respond to any cyber security incidents and should review incident response and business continuity plans. And Cyber Security Centre strongly recommends organisations implement essential eight mitigation strategies from the ACSC's strategies to mitigate cyber security incidents as a baseline. That baseline, known as ‘the essential eight’, makes it harder for adversaries to compromise their systems, and you can visit cyber.gov.au for more advice. Happy to take questions.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, what confidence do you have that any further sanctions will deter Putin?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, as I said before, I don't necessarily expect it to deter an authoritarian, autocratic leader, which is intent on taking opportunity to pursue their own interests by violating another country's borders. Someone who's prepared to do that, and has clearly been preparing to do that for some time, I doubt it necessarily will step back as a result of sanctions being imposed. But you do them because anyone who seeks to do this must face a cost and there will be a cost to Russia's actions. And that's why I continue to stress that it's important for all countries around the world to denounce this behaviour, to join other countries in imposing these sanctions and to apply a very severe cost, particularly on those directly benefiting from this violent behaviour and ensure that they've got no place to run and no place to hide any country that is allowing those who are at the heart of perpetrating this to be able to go about their lives and spend their money, make investments, do all of that is only encouraging this behaviour and they'll get no comfort here in Australia.
JOURNALIST: How much are the sanctions expected to impact Australian businesses, do you know how much investment we have with Russia? And Rex Patrick came out this morning and said diplomats are conducting intelligence operations out of the Russian Embassy. Why not expel some of those given the cyber threats, if not the Ambassador?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, on the first point out, our trade with Russia is actually quite minor compared to many other countries in making the decisions yesterday, the Treasury Secretary attended that meeting and gave us advice that we could impose these sanctions with minimal impact on Australian businesses, but it is important, as I said under the Autonomous Sanctions Legislation, that there's a period of time for businesses to make adjustments to their arrangements as appropriate. So we are not overly concerned when it comes to the direct impact of our supplies, why? Because sanctions are intended to impact those they're directed towards, not towards those who are imposing them. That's the point of sanctions and how they are conducted and the most potent form of those sanctions are the targeted ones to the individuals. That is now possible because of the stronger laws my government has passed to enable us to do just that. Now I've seen this sort of commentary that have come from others who don't sit in national security committees of cabinet and don't have the benefit of the intelligence and advice and information and staged responses that the government is engaged in. They're at liberty to make their contributions in their comments. But I would simply say that Australia will continue to take a very careful strategic and staged response to this crisis. We've got plenty left in the tank when it comes to further actions that we would take if and when the violence is escalated by Russia. So we will continue, I think, to follow a very disciplined path on this, not a reactive path. We have been discussing this with our partners and allies for some time now, and we will be in lockstep with them in terms of how we go forward.
JOURNALIST: [inaudible] sanctions earlier would have prevented [inaudible] to this point both for Australia and our allies?
PRIME MINISTER: No, not necessarily. I wouldn't say that. Again, sanctions are intended to impose a cost on their behaviour. It is pretty clear, I think to those who had access to the information that we have had access to could draw anything other than the conclusion that President Putin has been intent on this action for some considerable time and that his face is very much set towards this action. That only should strengthen our resolve to impose a heavy cost and a heavy burden and not just for the moment, but over time.
JOURNALIST: So what would those further sanctions potentially look like if we were to go to that next stage?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, if I was in a position to be announcing what they were, I'd be doing that. I tend not to telegraph what our next actions are. I can assure you that we are we have all options on the table when it comes to our diplomatic and other economic sanctions.
JOURNALIST: On like minded countries, Prime Minister, India hasn't said boo. They're remaining neutral, there will be no sanctions. They're a Quad partner of ours. Are you concerned that the Indians might be through a lack of action, aiding and abetting or encouraging, in your words, Vladimir Putin?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I certainly wouldn't refer to them in the same context that I've made remarks about China. I mean, China joined up, voted with Russia in the National Security Council of the UN. India did not do that. And the debate that China and Russia voted to prevent, proceeded and it was not obstructed by India. All countries have different levels of engagement with Russia, other countries in our own region. And so I'm respectful of that. But my position, though, is very, very clear. I think it's important for like-minded countries to be taking the strongest possible action because one day it's a country like Russia threatening the border and seeking to invade Ukraine. And the next day it could be countries in our own region seeking to do the same thing. So my response and Australia's response will always be principled and consistent.
JOURNALIST: On the issue of cyber security, without going into operational matters. Do you feel that the government has the legislative and regulatory framework settings right to allow it to assist private holders of critical infrastructure, banks and telcos, that sort of thing to fend off cyber attacks should they come in a more concerted fashion from Russia?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, certainly the enhancements and the strengthening of those laws that we've put in place under our critical infrastructure legislation, and there are further tranches of that will continue to strengthen that position. Cyber security threats are a constantly escalating task. And so that job is never complete. John Howard used to talk about issues that have an ever receding finishing line. Well, I would put cyber, dealing with the cyber threat, certainly in that category. That's why you want a government that takes it seriously, that takes the initiative that doesn't hesitate in strengthening these laws, which we have always been prepared to do. We set up the critical infrastructure. We reformed our foreign investment rules. We put the tools and enforcement sanctions in place. We called out malicious cyber activity by state actors, by non-state actors, by organised criminals. And we built our capability through our investment in the Australian Cyber Security Centre and a cyber strategy to equip Australian companies as well as government instrumentalities. We briefed state and territory governments constantly about the risks and threats to their own institution and assets. But I would say it's an issue in which we need to be increasingly constantly vigilant.
JOURNALIST: Where do you expect petrol prices to go as a result of this?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, our advice from the International Energy Agency is we do expect there to be a short term and they say, a temporary impact on world oil prices. And I think that is to be expected with the uncertainty and instability that you follow an event of this magnitude that there is nothing to suggest at the moment that would necessarily be a prolonged event, but that could change. I mean oil prices, as we know they go up, they go down. And for many other reasons, those events pretty much completely outside of control of the Australian Government well, in terms of what happens to world oil prices. But we are working with other partners about what collective action that we can take in relation to oil prices and mitigating the shocks that can occur. That's on the issue of of oil prices.
But I would note that our gas security mechanism and the memorandum that we have for the required supply of gas into the Australian domestic market has proved highly effective, highly effective in keeping gas prices in Australia under control to the tune of up to about 75 per cent lower than they might have otherwise been. As a result of what we're seeing in Europe, what does that mean? That means electricity prices are lower. What does that mean? It means that the price of gas feedstock going into manufacturing is lower, which means those businesses which could otherwise be completely overwhelmed by such a surge in gas prices and put them at great risk have been able to continue their operations and remain highly competitive. And so we are monitoring the impacts on obviously on energy prices and working with the IEA. And Minister Taylor will have a bit more to say about that later today. But you know, there are some things within Australia's control and we're taking action on those. The ACCC, for example, is already tasked and they already have the powers and laws and have had more powers and more laws to strengthen their arm provided by this government than any other. And anyone who seeks to exploit or take opportunity from rising oil prices at the bowser on consumers, well they can expect the ACCC to respond to them, I think very quickly.
JOURNALIST: The Ukraine Council for New South Wales has said Australia should provide lethal military assistance to Kiev. At what point would something like that be considered?
PRIME MINISTER: That's not under contemplation by Australia. Never has been, never been requested. The support that we provide in relation to that type of assistance is done a long way away from Ukraine. It doesn't involve the deployment of those types of forces and never would be in that context. Thank you very much, everyone.
Press Conference - Sydney, NSW
23 February 2022
Prime Minister: The invasion of Ukraine has effectively already begun, as President Biden has also remarked. This invasion is unjustified, it's unwarranted, it's unprovoked and it's unacceptable. Russia is at peak readiness to now complete a full scale invasion of Ukraine, and that is likely to occur within the next 24 hours. And there are even reports already of shelling and things of that nature, which could indicate that it has already begun.
My first thoughts are for all of the people of Ukraine, and for those many 38,000 Australians of Ukrainian descent who are here. I spoke to Stefan Romaniw, who heads up the Ukrainian community here in Australia earlier today, and they’re, of course, very concerned for their families, for their friends and for their homeland, from where they have come from. And I'll have a bit more to say about how we'll be seeking to provide support to them.
Australians always stand up to bullies and we will be standing up to Russia, along with all of our partners, like-mindeds and all of those who believe that it is absolutely unacceptable that Russia could invade its neighbour and seek to extract some concessions or advantage out of threats of terrible violence upon its neighbour. We will be doing this in concert, as I said with our many allies and partners, but the Australian Government will immediately begin placing sanctions on Russian individuals in response to the aggression by Russia against Ukraine. We will also amend the Autonomous Sanctions Regulation of 2011 to extend existing sanctions that apply to Crimea and Sevastopol to the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. These two actions will align us with our key partners, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Our intention today and the decisions taken by the National Security Committee are to ensure that we are in lockstep with the United States and the United Kingdom in the sanctions that they are imposing upon Russia and these other areas. Initially, we will oppose impose travel bans and targeted financial sanctions on eight members of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. Tomorrow morning, I will meet with the Governor-General here in Sydney, and I've spoken to him earlier today, as a Special Executive Council meeting to enable my Government to impose those additional sanctions against Russia.
These sanctions will significantly expand the scope of persons and, I stress, entities, that Australia can list for targeted financial sanctions and travel bans. It's including to capture persons and entities of what is termed strategic and economic significance to Russia. And so that gives us a broad coverage to ensure that we can target those who are particularly involved in these actions and who are aiding and abetting this invasion. The sanctions will impose strong economic sanctions in the regions of Luhansk and Donetsk, targeting the following sectors: transport, energy, telecommunications, oil, gas, and mineral reserves.
We will be also moving, as the United States and the UK has, to sanction the Russian State Development Bank, VEB, the military bank Promsvyazbank, Rossiya, IS Bank, the General Bank and the Black Sea Bank. The Treasurer has spoken today to all of the CEOs of the major banks and to put them on alert to be aware of any suspicious transactions or things of that nature. And, of course, AUSTRAC will be doing their job in response to what could possibly occur. In response to Russia's recognition of Luhansk and Donetsk regions of eastern Ukraine as independent states, that is why these actions are being undertaken to extend into those areas.
In the first tranche, I've asked the Foreign Foreign Minister to consider sanctions against persons and entities that have been identified by our like-minded partners, and I expect subsequent tranches of sanctions. This is only the start of this process. We are working with our partners to identify additional individuals who will be subject to these sanctions, that have been made possible by our Autonomous Sanctions Legislation that we recently took through the Parliament.
The Security Council of Russia provided policy advice and justification to President Putin, which led to his presidential decree of 21 February, recognising the so-called Donetsk Republic People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic. Moscow's decision fundamentally undermines Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and it has no validity under international law. Our Government continues to coordinate closely with the United States, UK and European Union and other governments to ensure there are severe costs to Russia's aggression, and we won't hesitate to take further actions under those regulations that I have set out.
Now, in addition to that, Australia has been stepping up our preparedness in order to take these actions. There is a consultation process that goes around these sanctions under the legislation, so we can fully understand supply chain impacts, and that is very important, as was the discussions with the banks by the Treasurer earlier today. But we have been stepping up our response, particularly in relation to counter espionage, which we were briefed on today. AUSTRAC, I have already mentioned, to who will work together closely with APRA to ensure that we're keeping a close watch on a suspicious financial transactions.
In addition to that, we have already been taking action on cyber defences and that has been done privately already with many companies, alerting them to the risk of potential counter responses by Russia and other actors in response to these decisions. There is no evidence that any such attacks have taken place to date, I'm advised. But we are now publicly saying right across the country to go to the ASD website so you can be clearly informed of the steps that you should be taking to ensure that you are protected as best as you can be from any cyber-attacks.
In terms of consular support, we will continue to provide that. There are, we believe, up to around 1,400 Australians who are in Ukraine. There is 184 who have registered and we're dealing with directly, and we have been warning them for some time now to make their way out of Ukraine. And we are doing that out of a base in Poland and continuing to provide support to people inside Ukraine.
We have, I've also instructed today the Minister for Immigration to accelerate the conclusion of Ukrainian visa applications to Australia. They will go to the top of the pile and I've asked for those to be concluded urgently. There are some 430, roughly, applications from Ukrainian citizens to come to Australia. They’re across a range of different visa classes - student visas, family visas and others. And so I've asked for those to be concluded, so there’s the opportunity for people who've been in that process to come to Australia. There are some 1,027 Ukrainians outside of Australia who have visas to enter Australia, and, of course, they would be welcomed.
We will work very closely, especially with Poland, but other European partners to deal with the likelihood of displaced persons coming into their countries. This is where we think we can provide some quite effective assistance. I'll be speaking next week to the Polish Prime Minister. I'll be speaking tonight to the Ukrainian Prime Minister and discussing these matters. We will be in a position there, as we have on many other occasions for displaced persons, in providing direct assistance in terms of where they will be, humanitarian support for where they will be. It is not always the case, and, in fact, it is less often the case that people who are in these situations will seek safe harbour for a period of time before returning to their country of origin. At this stage, it is too uncertain to predict how long that could be or what circumstances will be, but we’ll be working and providing support to the Polish Government and others who are providing direct assistance to displaced persons, where they are being accommodated in those countries.
We will also be looking at the options for humanitarian support in terms of visa access to Australia, and I'd stress with Ukrainian citizens, this wouldn't just be through our humanitarian program. It would be through the many streams of our migration program - skilled migration, student visas, other visas, family reunion visas, things of that nature. So I would expect that we'd be able to provide that support through those many channels, but we're still in the very early stages of that.
Right now, our greatest concern is the invasion itself and our concerns for the safety and welfare of people who are in the firing line there in Ukraine, and they're in the firing line of Russian guns and Russian tanks and Russian planes and Russian missiles. That's what's being aimed at the people of Ukraine. It is unacceptable and it won't be stood for by the international community. And all nations who want to stand up to bullies should do so now, as so many have done. And, Australia, as always, is pleased to be doing that. Happy to take some questions.
Journalist: Do any of these sanctions apply to individuals within Australia where they’re financial backers of President Putin, and do you believe the greatest pressure you can put on the Russian leader is to squeeze those that have [inaudible] reach under him?
Prime Minister: Yes, in short, in the latter question. On the other matter, we will be dealing with those issues sensitively, as you, as you'd expect. I'm not about to give too much away on that front. We'll be working through that process patiently and make further announcements about individuals as appropriate. But, at this stage, I'm not about to suggest that we'd be making those details public. But if we believe that's in Australia's national interest to do so, then we would.
Journalist: Prime Minister, apart from the potential for cyber-attacks, is there any other forms of retaliation that Australia could face?
Prime Minister: Well, I think cyber’s, I think, one of the most obvious, and I'd stress that that the cyber-attacks can sometimes come from miscalculation and misadventure. We've seen that in the past where cyber-attacks have sought to let loose various worms, they call them, or viruses, and and they get out of the control of those who who put them in the system. And so it can be indiscriminate collateral impacts, as well as targeted impacts. And so that is, that is the primary issue. But I've already mentioned that we’ll, ASIO will be keeping a very close watch on any sort of espionage type activities that could be occurring. And but but outside of that, in terms of economic retaliation, I mean, Australia doesn't have a a large volume of trade between ourselves and Russia. And little compared to particularly the countries of Europe and the United States. But, that said, it's important that we play our part of in the broader international community to ensure that those who are financing, profiting from an autocratic and authoritarian regime that is invading its neighbour should have nowhere to run and nowhere to hide when it comes to trying to move their money around and avoid the consequences of supporting this type of behaviour.
Sure.
Journalist: Other powers like China, what message will they take away from the way the West is responding?
Prime Minister: Well, I hope they join us. That's the message that that I'm sending and have been sending for some time. And I have noted that China's language in in the course of the past week has improved. But I'd I’d welcome them going the full distance and joining ourselves and the United States and the UK and the EU and Canada and so many other countries that are denouncing what is occurring there. And we can’t have some suggestion that Russia has some just case here that they're prosecuting. They're behaving like thugs and bullies, and they should be called out as thugs and bullies. And quite sadly and tragically, the sheer force of that violence of a thug and a bully is about to be impacted upon the people of Ukraine. Now, it's at the last stage before a full invasion, and and let's hope and pray that that does not happen. But all the signs are that once they have built to a peak of military preparedness to invade, then it is only a matter of time before they have to walk away or follow through. And, sadly, all the signs are that they would follow through.
I'm going to, I’ll go around.
Journalist: What do you expect the economic consequences to be? One former diplomat to Russia said the sanctions from 2014 have only impacted their economy about 0.2 per cent of GDP each year. And will these sanctions, or sanctions you're considering, target Putin's resources personally?
Prime Minister: We will, we’re going to take it step by step, and I can assure you we those steps will get stronger and stronger and stronger. What is made possible by our Autonomous Sanctions Act is that we can target the individuals themselves and the entities as well. So the impact is is not just at a broad macroeconomic level on on Russia. And let me be also be very clear about something. We have no quarrel with the people of Russia. None whatsoever. And I feel for the Russian people and there are many Australians of Russian extraction here who I know will be very disappointed by what President Putin is doing, and and they will feel strongly about that because that's not what they believe their country is about. That's not what their values are about. They, that's not what their heritage is about. And I know they'll be very disappointed about this. This is the actions of a Russian Government, an autocratic, authoritarian government that's forgotten what democracy is and what liberal democracy is in undertaking these actions of bullying and threats and intimidation. That's not what I believe the Russian people stand for, and certainly those Australians who are of Russian extraction here.
So what this enables us to do, I think, is be far more targeted on the perpetrators and the beneficiaries of this violence. That's what the Autonomous Sanctions Act is all about. And so I believe it enables us to be more effective, and doing that in concert with the United States and Canada and and the United Kingdom and and many other countries, European Union. We will be adding names to the list, I can tell you. And we’ll be, we’ll be ratcheting it up further to potentially other areas of economic activity.
Yeah, sorry.
Journalist: Would that be Putin?
Prime Minister: I said we will continue to ratchet this up over time. So I'm not getting drawn on any individual decisions at this time. I think you'd understand that we would be proceeding in a sensitive way in terms of protecting the security of our actions.
Journalist: Are you ordering the Russian Ambassador to leave and is there any reason why representatives of the Putin regime should stay in Australia at the moment?
Prime Minister: We haven't taken that step. The the Russian Ambassador, I understand, will be coming in to see the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Defence and Trade today, Foreign Affairs and Trade. Equally, I should have noted the Opposition is being briefed by the key officials from who support the National Security Committee to their senior ministers this afternoon. But that step hasn't been taken as yet. Other countries, and I've discussed this with other leaders, they haven't taken those decisions as yet. But we will see where this proceeds.
Journalist: Prime Minister, you’ve said that we're taking this step by step. What what's the worst case scenario? Where where is this, where is this heading for Australia’s response?
Prime Minister: Well, they'll be rolling and they'll be iterative - the sanctions that are imposed - not just by Australia, but all countries around the world. And and they will just keep stepping up. I mean, there must be consequences for Russia's actions and those who who perpetrate them, support those who perpetrate them, those who benefit from all of this must be targeted, isolated and there must be consequences for this type of behaviour, because that should send a very strong message to any other bullies and thugs out there that this type of behaviour is not acceptable.
Journalist: Is the Australian Army being briefed?
Prime Minister: Well, they’ve been involved in everything that we're doing. They the Chief of Defence Force sits on the National Security Committee of Cabinet as an adviser. So we've been working closely with our Defence Forces, and where we're able to assist in the broader efforts using those assets and personnel, we do. But obviously that doesn't involve people being deployed in in the region.
Journalist: Prime Minister, just in terms of the sanctions against individuals, you mentioned that eight members of Russia's Security Council will be targeted. But there are 12 members. Could you tell us if this includes the Deputy Chair Medvedev, Sergei Lavrov or the individual that runs the Russian spy agency, the FSB?
Prime Minister: We will be taking action against those in the Committee that have also been identified by our partners. So we're still working through those processes now. We're working in concert with the United States and the United Kingdom.
Journalist: Prime Minister, French President Emmanuel Macron has been in dialogue with Vladimir Putin to try and put Vladimir Putin on a, off a full scale invasion. Have you had a chance to speak with the French President and do you support his intervention?
Prime Minister: Well, no, I haven't, but I do support any attempts to try and avoid this, but not without qualification. I mean, there cannot be any suggestion that concessions should be provided to a bully and a, and a thug in return for not following through with threats of violence. That's not the sort of appeasement I would ever support, and I don't think Australians would either in this or any other situation. But, certainly, I I appreciate the considerable pressure that President Macron and so many other leaders, Olaf Scholz as well. I welcome the decision he's made on Nord Stream. I think that's a very strong message, and I'm speaking with him next week about these and many other issues. And so I think many leaders have been seeking to do their best. But at the same time, it's important that we hold the line that you cannot have Russia tell Ukraine about whether they can be in NATO or not, or or issues that also impact on their sovereignty as a nation. They can't be a nation in name only. You, they must have sovereign carriage of their own futures and their own decisions, and that can't be the subject of bullying or threats or intimidation.
Journalist: Will the West be able to hold firm against Russia’s movements? Will the West be able to hold firm against Vladimir Putin?
Prime Minister: I believe so, but I can assure you Australia will, and I can assure you that those partners we work most closely with will. The question is, how many more will join us? And I think that's really important. I mean, I applaud the work of the EU, as I said, the German Chancellor, I applaud his decision today, over the last 24 hours, in relation to Nord Stream. I think that showed some real resolve. You know, when you face bullying and intimidation, yes, there's blowback. Yes, there's threats to your economic interests and you attract a lot of attention by those who seek to to bully and threaten you. Australia understands this better than most. It's a point I've been seeking to make now for some years to fellow liberal democracies. We are now living in a world where authoritarian autocracies are seeking to have their way. And the only defence against that is those countries that favour a world order that favours freedom, and liberal democracies have to stand together. And so many other countries, even if they're not liberal democracies, who do believe in those principles of the sovereignty of states, we need to stand together, and Australia will. We’ll always do that. And, but right now, my gravest fears and concerns are for the people of Ukraine and the many thousands, 38,000, Australians of Ukrainian descent who will be terribly worried about loved ones, families, friends, because what we've seen amassed on their border is is horrible, the worst kind of violence. Thanks very much.
Press Conference - Triabunna, TAS
22 February 2022
Ms Susie Bower, Liberal Candidate for Lyons: What a fantastic day to be here in Lyons. We've just had a tour by Sylvia and Graeme Elphinstone of their plant here in Triabunna, which is actually providing the sleds for Antarctica, which is a fantastic announcement that we will have in a minute from the Prime Minister and Sussan Ley. Obviously, we have our Liberal colleagues here, in our Senators, in Senator Duniam, Abetz and Claire Chandler. And we also have the Minister for Environment Sussan Ley here today. But I'm not sure about you, but I can't remember the last time a Prime Minister came to Triabunna, and I am so proud that we are able to bring him into Lyons and show him what is able to be completed here in a very small town. That means a lot to these guys up the back there. We're having local jobs for local people. So without further ado, I’ll introduce the Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison.
Prime Minister: Thank you, thank you. Well, thank you, Susie. Great to be with you again today, this time in another part of Lyons. And here in Triabunna, it's wonderful to be here. And it's particularly exciting to be here with Sussan Ley, the Environment Minister and our Senate colleagues, because today we are making an important announcement about Australia's commitment to looking after Antarctica. This is a very important responsibility that Australia has. We are stewards of some of the most important and most sensitive environments anywhere in the world, whether it is up in Far North Queensland on the Great Barrier Reef, where Sussan and I were very recently, or standing here in Tasmania announcing today $800 million of additional investment as part of our science research and capability support program for what we're doing to implement our Antarctica strategy.
Both of these big initiatives are all about Australia's outstanding reputation of being one of the most advanced scientific managers of these sensitive environments anywhere in the world. But our ability to do this is based on why I am here in Triabunna, because we're here with Graeme Elphinstone today. I was with his brother Dale yesterday up in Burnie, and what they've been able to do here, working in Tasmanian industry, putting together bespoke industrial capability to deal with the challenges, whether it's the logging industry, or the mining industry in Dale's case. And they can take that ingenuity and they can apply it to the extremely difficult challenges of what it's like to have to work in Antarctica. The fact that we have sovereign capability in our manufacturing industries and that we have it in regional locations like we are here in Triabunna. You know, where this is not a big city, this is one of, one of the beautiful towns and regions of our country, and we've got people with some of the best skills in the world putting together some of the most innovative equipment that has to operate in the most extreme of environments. That's what sovereign capability looks like in manufacturing.
Sovereign capability in manufacturing is one of our five key points of the economic plan, which is driving our economy forward. And that plan is, firstly, to get taxes down, as we've been delivering, and cutting red tape. Secondly, to ensure that we are investing in the skills and infrastructure that Australia needs to ensure our economy can grow, and those skills have been on display here. Apprentices coming through with world-leading skills and talents right here in Triabunna. Thirdly, to ensure that we have affordable, reliable energy, so our manufacturing industries in particular can continue to do what they're doing and we can keep electricity prices down. They've been down eight per cent over the last two years, down five per cent over the last 12 months. All this has to come together, with Australia being, fourthly, a leading data and digital economy, a top 10 data and digital economy by the year 2030, which enables all of those skills and opportunities. All of that then builds into our sovereign manufacturing capability.
You know, security’s about many issues. It's about, of course, our strategic security interests and our intelligence and our defence capabilities. No doubt about that. But it's also about our economic security. The reason that we can run a strong economy, the reason that our Government has strong financial management that has enabled us to maintain our AAA credit rating - one of only nine countries to do so anywhere in the world and to have done that through a pandemic when we've had to deliver more economic support to our economy than at any other time in our history - when you get your financial management right and you've got the right economic plan, what happens is people get into jobs. Towns like this are able to go forward and take on some of the most complicated and demanding contracts imaginable, as we're seeing here in this Antarctic program.
And so our plan is working. How do I know that? Because Australians are working. How do I know that? Because Tasmanians are working. Tasmania now has an unemployment rate with a three in front of it. And before long, the rest of the country as a whole will have an unemployment rate with a three in front of it. Now that is generational achievement by Australians in our economy. That's what strong economic management does. Over the last few years, we've been rightly very focused on the impact of the pandemic. But we haven't just been managing the pandemic, where we have one of the strongest economies, where we have one of the lowest fatality rates, death rates from COVID in the world, and the highest vaccination rates. It's also been about building up our manufacturing capabilities and our economy so we can launch back strongly, as we are now, right across the country, and as we are here, right in Triabunna. So it is very exciting.
This program is going to create 685 direct jobs, 685 jobs. That's directly in the $800 million that we're putting in place, and that's an increase of 100 of what we're already doing right now. Now that doesn't include the jobs here at Elphinstone or in the supply chain or in the many other elements that go into supporting this program. So the jobs that are being created by Australia being one of the world's leading Antarctic managers or an Arctic type experience as well. I mean, we're one of the best in the world with this, and we're working with our partners and we’re respected for doing that. And that is creating the sort of jobs and capability. If you can build sleds to go across Antarctica, you can pretty much build anything. And that's what Australia is doing - building things, making things, and it's all happening right here.
So I'm going to ask Sussan to take you through more of the scientific elements of what this program involves and the partnerships that we have in place. We take our Antarctic Treaty obligations incredibly seriously. So the ability to have the drones up in the air and to have the undersea surveillance and mapping capabilities, the ability to have a new krill museum, sorry a new krill aquarium here in Tasmania, all of this is building our scientific knowledge and capability, and Sussan can take you to that. Thank you, Sussan, and well done on pulling this all together.
The Hon. Sussan Ley MP, Minister for the Environment: Many thanks indeed, Prime Minister. It's lovely to be here. Susie, thank you for your advocacy for the people of Triabunna, and probably about two thirds of Tasmania, wonderful. Senator Claire Chandler, to you and the rest of your Senate team. It's great to be here.
Prime Minister, yes, indeed. This $804 million announcement protects the integrity of Australia's leadership in Antarctica and sends a clear international signal about the strength of the role we play within the Antarctic Treaty System, because Australia has always been there. In 1959, Sir Robert Menzies was a founding member for Australia of the Antarctic Treaty System, and that was a time when in the Cold War the continent could have been carved up. Thirty years ago, the Madrid Protocol, Australia once again stepped up and said no mining in the world's last wilderness. And our approach through the Antarctic Treaty system has been with the protection of this fragile environment front and centre, with science, with research, with deepening our understanding, but always within that Treaty system being recognised for the leadership globally. And what we do is internationally renowned and second to none.
So as Kim Ellis from the Antarctic Division has explained to us today and thank you, Kim, and to all of your team, your scientists, your researchers, your extraordinarily dedicated expeditioners, we can step up once again to a different level of investment in this critical time. And that includes we all met recently with the launch of Nuyina, our polar research vessel platform, state of the art with mobile aquariums on board. It will be able to traverse down the 42 per cent heart of the Antarctic continent that we are stewards over. From Nuyina, we’ll be able to launch medium range helicopters that can now go 550 kilometres, three times further than the squirrels that we use now, and we’ll have underwater drones we’ll have unmanned aerial vehicles, we’ll have a fleet of drones. We'll have eyes on Antarctica. We'll have mapping, we'll have sensors, we'll have cameras and we will look literally at uncharted waters, and it's incredibly exciting.
Graeme Elphinstone, the thing that is so remarkable about you is that you went to Antarctica. You didn't just drop into Casey Station. You actually did a traverse over several weeks and you said, well, if we're going to build the right sleds, the state of the art equipment, I want to know exactly what it needs to do in these extraordinarily harsh conditions. And so what you do here is remarkable. And so just a huge recognition to your workforce, because while sometimes announcements sound very big and if they land in global circumstances, I love this because it's landing right here. It's landing in the workshops, in the engineering shops, in the catering, in the providores, in the medical research, in the universities, in the trades and the training all over Tasmania. And it's fantastic for every single Tasmanian. But I also know today that Australians are proud. They're proud of our role in Antarctica. They're proud of what we've achieved and they're proud of what we can do next. So thank you.
Prime Minister: Thank you, Sussan. Well happy to take some questions.
Journalist: Prime Minister, can we just, onto other issues …
Prime Minister: How about we just stay on Antarctica? Happy to go to other issues, but questions on Antarctica first and the announcement - it’s $800 million in some of the world's leading polar research and science. Very exciting news for Tasmania and the research community and all those who are working here. So happy to take some questions on the program first and then we can move to other issues.
Journalist: How many new jobs will this create and how many specifically in Tasmania?
Prime Minister: Well, we'll see an extra 100 jobs that are specific to the program itself, and that is largely driven out of Tasmania. I mean, this is where we base ourselves in Australia. And overall, there’s 685 jobs that this is supporting. But, as I said, that doesn't include the jobs that are in places like Elphinstone’s here. It doesn't include all the supply chain jobs that sit around that. And so, you know, it doesn't include the new apprentices who will come on board to make this incredible equipment and the skills that they will develop. See we're not just, you know, building sleds, we're building workforce capability here, we're building sovereign manufacturing capability here. So there's the jobs and the capability, and what does that do? Drives your economy, gets unemployment down, gets wages moving, ensures that, you know, you've got money flowing through small communities like this. So the knock on effects of this, I think, are very, very positive. This is what a strong economic plan looks like for a strong economy, which means a stronger future for Australia and Tasmania.
Journalist: Is the Australian Government concerned about other nations, particularly China, trying to assert their dominance over the Antarctic region, and has that, you know, caused, I suppose, part of this, this plan, the surveillance as part of this plan to be included?
Prime Minister: Well, we are a treaty nation when it comes to Antarctica, and we take those responsibilities incredibly seriously. Now, not everybody respects those obligations and those stewardship responsibilities. So this gives us eyes on Antarctica. We have an important job to do, not just about understanding Antarctica and what the implications of that are for everything from climate science through to many other applications. But it is also about ensuring that we protect Antarctica and that we have good knowledge about what's going on there, and we're able to push through now, particularly with the airlift capability, the drone capability and the undersea capability, we're able to do things now in this next phase. I mean, we had, you know, our total investment now is $3 billion in looking after Antarctica. So we go from $2.2 billion to $3 billion as part of this program. And this extends out over the decade. And this is in the Budget and it's there and able now to be implemented by our world-leading scientists. So we need to keep eyes in Antarctica because there are others who have different objectives to us, and we need to make sure, not just for Australia's interests but for the world's interests, that we protect this incredible environment that we have responsibility for.
Journalist: And does this new, does this new plan include plans for a year-round paved runway, as the Australian Strategic Policy Institute report suggested was needed?
Prime Minister: I’ll let Sussan speak to that.
The Hon. Sussan Ley MP, Minister for the Environment: Well, we recently announced that we wouldn't continue with the 2.7 kilometre paved runway in the world's last wilderness, but what we would do is step up and boost our investment and our dedication to preserving the leadership role of Australia through the Antarctic Treaty System. And this $800 million investment is all about that.
Journalist: The report suggested, though, that paved runway was needed to assert greater influence in the region. So why the decision not to proceed?
The Hon. Sussan Ley MP, Minister for the Environment: Well, the runway didn’t stack up environmentally, but it also doesn't stack up strategically. What does stack up strategically is the investment that we're making, which allows us to extend our reach into the 42 per cent of Antarctica that we’re stewards over, allows us to develop capabilities that we haven't had before. And most importantly, asserts our role through the Antarctic Treaty Decision, because decisions in Antarctica are made through consensus and collaboration.
Prime Minister: So this is about getting the balance right, as it is with everything, and in such a sensitive environment it's about delivering the strategic effect through the capability that we've been able to bring together in this package. The goal’s the same, the objective’s the same, but we've been able to do that in a way which respects all of the issues that Sussan has just mentioned, while at the same time making sure we've got eyes on Antarctica.
Journalist: Can you outline exactly what your concerns are around Chinese activity in Antarctica?
Prime Minister: Well, they don't share the same objectives as Australia, as a, as a treaty nation, when it comes to protecting Antarctica. And so it's very important that we are very clear in our understanding about what activities are being undertaken there, and that there is an accountability and transparency around that. Australia has always been very happy to call out these things, and where we have to, we will, and we have given ourselves the capability to put ourselves in a situation where we can do that - not just on behalf of Australia, but Australia works in partnership with so many other nations who share our objectives. France, for example, we're working very closely with France when it comes to our stewardship responsibilities in Antarctica. We work with the Kiwis, we work with a range of countries, the Italians, in particular, who are very committed. The Spanish, both Sussan and I were part of the recent Conference on the Treaty very recently. So the world is working together to protect Antarctica, but there’ll be others who will have different objectives there and would seek to exploit its resources in a way that would not be consistent with those objectives. And, so, we're ensuring that in our stewarding of this incredible environment that we've got eyes on, and so there's a transparency about what's taking place down there.
Journalist: What's your understanding of what China [inaudible]?
Prime Minister: Well, I think I've sort of covered those issues off already, I think. They don't share the same objectives that Australia does.
Journalist: Are we talking fishing, mining, what's, where are the main concerns there?
Prime Minister: Well, I think you've outlined quite a few there.
Journalist: Do you see them as the biggest threat to Australia's operations in Antarctica, or are there other challenges we face?
Prime Minister: Well, this is a, what we have to protect against is threats to Antarctica. That's what this is about, and we protect against those threats through our scientific research, through the building of our understanding, through the mapping capabilities that are being put in place, by ensuring that we can go to places where you’ve never been able to go before. I mean, Mawson would be very thrilled about this, I think, to see Australians going out and doing this in this way. I think it's very much in keeping with that tradition, and where others who have different objectives to us, well, it's an opportunity for us to be there and make sure that we're protecting Antarctica from more exploitative interests.
Journalist: How quickly do you get those eyes down there? How fast can this technology be developed and move down there?
The Hon. Sussan Ley MP, Minister for the Environment: Look, there's money in the Budget averaging $70, $80, $90 million every year up until 2030, at least. So, as you can see, the Antarctic Division is positioned to leverage this announcement and absolutely make it happen in the real world of Antarctica.
Prime Minister: And we’re already doing it. As I said, we've already got $2.2 billion invested. This is $800 million on top of this. So we're, you know, we've been doing this for a long time and we have an outstanding record and reputation on our activities in Antarctica over a very long time. So this is adding to that and further extending our capability.
Journalist: China has accused Australia of slinging mud over the laser pointing incident. What's your response to that?
Prime Minister: I reject that absolutely. I mean, the facts are very clear. There was a Chinese naval vessel in our exclusive economic zone, and it pointed a laser pointer at an Australian surveillance aircraft. That's what happened. They need to explain that, not just to Australia, but this needs to be explained to the entire region as to what they would be doing undertaking such a reckless act, for what's supposed to be a professional Navy. There's no explanation that Australia has to give here. Our surveillance planes have every right to be in our exclusive economic zone and keeping a close eye on what people are up to in our exclusive economic zone. And that's what their job is. And the fact that they were put under that type of a threat I think is extremely disappointing, and I think requires an explanation. Not for it to be dismissed or shunted off or some of the usual responses that we get. Now, do I have an expectation that an explanation will be given? Frankly, not a strong one, based on the form. But what I do know is that's what occurred and I'll call it out.
Journalist: They've said that they were forced to take defensive measures because Australia was flying too close to their vessel. Do you know how far our aircraft actually was flying to the vessel, and was there any directive from the Australian Government to target that?
Prime Minister: Our surveillance aircraft was exactly where it was allowed to be, doing everything they are allowed to do, and keeping eyes on those who were coming into our exclusive economic zone. They were doing their job, as they do every single day, and we make no apology for where our surveillance aircraft are, looking after and protecting Australia.
Journalist: Prime Minister, can you guarantee that under your energy plan that the price of energy won't continue, sorry, will continue to fall?
Prime Minister: Well, what I can tell you is what our energy policies have delivered, and our energy policies have delivered electricity price falls of eight per cent over the last two years, and five per cent over the last 12 months. I can tell you that our emissions reduction policies have seen emissions fall by over 20 per cent. I can tell you that under the previous Labor Government, electricity prices increased by over 100 per cent. And I think there's a very clear contrast between those. What we understand is you've got to get the balance right as you transition your energy economy into the future, as we move towards our targets out to 2050, but we do that in a way that it can be absorbed by the Australian economy and ensures that we can keep stability in our electricity grid, that we can keep gas prices down, that we can ensure that manufacturers get access to energy prices, both whether they be electricity or in gas feedstock, which enables them to be world's best and very competitive. So that is our record. That's what our policies do, because we understand the need for reliable and affordable energy, not just reducing emissions. We're seeking to achieve both goals. And that's why the baseload power generation, which is so important to our grid and keeping electricity prices down, that's why our gas mechanism is so important, because that's helped us keep gas prices down and electricity prices down when they're under extreme pressure.
Now, what we're seeing in other areas like petrol prices and things like that, that's obviously being driven by broader global issues. These are not things that Australia or anyone else has direct control over, and we only need to see what's happening with gas prices in Europe in particular, when we see the the troubles in Ukraine, a country that is already seeing Russian troops enter their own sovereign territory, that has already occurred now. There's some suggestion that they’re peacekeeping, is nonsense. They have moved in on Ukrainian sovereign territory. And while I hope for the best in terms of the diplomatic efforts that are being pursued, particularly by the United States and France and other nations in Europe that are trying to avoid what would be an absolutely violent confrontation with terrible human consequences, at the same time, we cannot have threats of violence being used to seek to advantage nation’s positions over others. That is not a peaceful world order that would be achieving that. And so it's important that like-minded countries who denounce this sort of behaviour do stick together. And I can assure you, the moment that that other countries put in place strong and severe sanctions on Russia, we will be in lockstep with them and we'll be moving just as quickly. And that's what, they’re discussions that we've been engaged with now for some time with our partners.
Journalist: Do you agree with Tony Abbott's comments that Russia would try to take over Poland and the Baltic states if it invades Ukraine?
Prime Minister: Well, I'm aware, I'm aware of Tony’s comments. But right now we're pretty much focused on the immediate issues in Ukraine and to ensure that Russia steps back. Russia should step back. It should unconditionally withdraw back behind its own borders and stop threatening its neighbours. We've seen this behaviour before and seeking to take opportunity to threaten a neighbour for their own advantage is just simply not on. It's unacceptable. It's unprovoked. It's unwarranted. And Russia should understand that by seeking to invade another country that this cannot advantage them and would, it would seriously and significantly cost Russia and their international reputation and anyone else who supports them and stands with them and refuses to denounce it. Ok everyone, thanks very much.
Journalist: Sorry, I’ve just got one more question. Senator Claire Chandler’s been praised by your Liberal colleagues for her advocacy around women's sport.
Prime Minister: Yes.
Journalist: Where do you stand on the Save Women’s, Save Women's Sports Bill?
Prime Minister: I support her, as Claire knows. I think it's a terrific Bill and I've given her great encouragement. I mean, Claire is a, is a champion for women's sport, and I think she's been right to raise these issues in the way that she has. Well done Claire.