If you've been listening this morning, there has been a toxic reaction on the open line to news that there is going to be a funding cut to the charity Red Nose that supports parents who lose their child. So I sent a note to the Prime Minister just saying, look, is this something that you're going to go ahead with? Do you want to make an announcement on it right now to say that the funding is going to be restored? He is about to jump on an airplane, but we've got a couple of minutes with him. The Prime Minister's on the line right now. Anthony Albanese, good morning to you.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Ben. Greetings from Melbourne, but I'll see you at a charity event in just a couple of hours.
FORDHAM: I certainly will. Am I right in saying that you weren't across the detail of this?
PRIME MINISTER: No, of course not. This is some bureaucratic decision. There's been, my understanding is a competitive process with new funding for a range of charities there, including perinatal services. But Red Nose is a unique charity. It is something that's known to me and to your listeners. It's something that provides a unique service, something as well, it doesn't just sit back, they raise a lot of money. We've all worn a little red nose and put a red nose on our car and it's just provides a very different service from something like Lifeline. And on my watch, the funding will absolutely continue. This is $2 million a year for three years is the ask, and it'll be delivered.
FORDHAM: Because the news today suggests that it'll be the end of the 24/7 phone helpline. And Red Nose also expects parents will be waiting six months instead of six weeks for help. And I can tell you that this hasn't just popped up out of nowhere because we knew about it last week and they said, look, can you hold off until we're really sure that we're losing the funding? But the main thing is you're saying right now they're not losing the funding.
PRIME MINISTER: Absolutely. I knew nothing about this. I note the article that you sent me says that the Health Department was contacted for info. I very quickly tried to get to the bottom of it and it's been some bureaucratic competitive process based upon guidelines. These are things that are set up to ensure integrity in the system and occasionally, frankly, they just get it completely wrong. And on this, they've got it completely wrong. It's a unique charity that's deserving of support and on my watch, it certainly will have that.
FORDHAM: Are you disappointed that someone made that wrong call?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the bureaucracy gets some things wrong. From time to time they get it wrong - that's why we have a political system so that sensible decisions can be intervened with. I'm not frightened of doing that in cases like this. I think the loss of a child, like your heart just goes out to everyone in that situation. I mean, I just, it's beyond my imagination. It would change, and I know people who have been in that experience, it changes their lives forever. It's something they never get over. But in the aftermath of a tragedy, people need that support and Red Nose provides it. They go out there, as I've said, and raise a lot of money themselves and they are certainly deserving of government support.
FORDHAM: PM, I know you've got to get on the plane. But Amy Cooper is back on the line, the CEO of Red Nose Australia. So Amy, you would have just heard the news from the PM, the funding is safe.
AMY COOPER, CEO RED NOSE AUSTRALIA: I have. That is incredible news. So thank you, Prime Minister, for recognising the support that our grieving families need.
FORDHAM: PM, we appreciate you jumping on the line. What did you want to say to Amy before we say goodbye?
PRIME MINISTER: Most importantly, thank you for what you and your organisation does. It's a pretty tough job as well for you and for the people who are, I'm sure, many volunteers as well as staff, who are providing people with assistance when they most need it. And that would be a tough situation. Emotionally it would be, of course, draining for you, but you do it out of your commitment to your fellow Australians. So, thank you.
FORDHAM: Amy?
COOPER: Thank you. We try and make a difference for families at the very toughest time.
FORDHAM: PM, you jump on that plane and I will see you at a charity event today. I really appreciate you sorting that out quick smart.
PRIME MINISTER: I'll see you in a couple of hours, Ben.
FORDHAM: Good on you thank you very much.
