: Good morning everybody, it is my absolute pleasure as the Labor Candidate at the upcoming Federal Election to be here with Anthony Albanese, our Prime Minister, here at the Red Hill Goodstart Early Learning Centre. Early education is so foundational. But this sector has found it really difficult since COVID. We've been walking around today listening to the staff and others explain to us what some of the real challenges are. These challenges relate to inclusion, additional funding, especially funding for workers in the early childhood sector. But I think fundamentally, this centre is all about providing foundational education for young people from a very, very early age. And that's really critical. And if I look back at when I had kids the age of those running around here, it wasn't that easy to afford early childhood education, in actual fact it wasn't even considered early childhood education. Really, that was just kicking off, it was more just putting your kids in childcare. But at the end of the day, it was still pretty expensive, and we're living in times where there are young people living in Brisbane - even my kids are facing cost of living issues - and the Government introducing changes like increases in the Child Care Subsidy or Early Childhood Education Subsidy, it's really important and it attacks two problems, right? What it does is it puts more money in people's pockets. But it also enables people like myself at the time, I sat around the dinner table with my husband when my kids were, you know, from six months onwards going, should I go back to work? Does this really make economic sense? And people today are still having those conversations, but it's more difficult because of the cost of living pressures that we're facing. So, this subsidy not only, as I said, puts money in their pockets, but it also enables parents, especially women, to make those choices as to whether or not they want to go back into the workforce or increase their hours. And these are fabulous changes. It's about a progressive Government talking about issues from multiple perspectives and that's why I'm so thrilled to have our Prime Minister here. He'll talk more about some of this, but it's also why I put my hand up to run for Brisbane, because I think I have the values and experience to help contribute to some of this really progressive change that we need to make life better for the people of Brisbane. I'll leave it there. Thank you.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, thanks very much Madonna, and it's great to be back with you for the second time in five days, since we were together here in Brisbane announcing that you'd be the candidate for Brisbane at the upcoming election when it is held. Because this is an electorate that I think been very disappointed with their Greens representative who has blocked Labor's progressive agenda, rather than attempt to improve it to make a positive difference. And you will be a voice in a Labor Government in order to be able to get things done.
I did want to start today with expressing my sincere condolences for what will be a very difficult day for the families of the MH17 attack that occurred 10 years ago today. On this anniversary where Mark Dreyfus, the Attorney General, is in The Hague as we speak, again, advancing Australia's national interest, expressing our concern and the need to hold Russia to account, who have been found to be responsible for this tragedy. This tragedy in which 298 people lost their lives, including 38 who called Australia home. For those people, their relatives, their friends, time will not diminish the difficulty that they will feel. Such a tragic loss, and that day remains in our hearts and in our purpose and our thoughts are with their loved ones today. There's a commemoration taking place in Canberra this morning, but also right around the world people will remember this tragic loss, the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.
It is fantastic to be back in an early learning centre. And I want to pay tribute and thanks to all those staff and indeed, those young ones here at Goodstart Early Learning at Red Hill for having us here this morning. Our commitment to Cheaper Child Care is a part of our commitment to addressing cost of living. Our tax cuts that are now flowing through to every single Australian taxpayer who has seen the difference it's making in the bank account with increased dollars in their pockets. $1,300 energy price relief as well, in conjunction with the Queensland Government. Our Cheaper Child Care is making a difference as well, with an 11 per cent drop in the cost of child care since we came to office. Since we've come to Government, there are more than 730 child care services than there were just two years ago. There are an additional 60,000 more children in early childhood education and care. And there are around 20,000 more child care workers in the industry than there were just two years ago. We said during the pandemic that our essential workers, be it aged care, early learning, our cleaners, deserve more than our thanks, they deserve better wages and conditions as well. And that's why in the Budget, we have provision for better wages in the care sector. And we're working through those issues over coming months. Aged Care workers have already received a 15 per cent wage increase that has made a positive difference. My Government has also commissioned the Productivity Commission to look at universal provision of child care. We think just as Labor is the Party of universal healthcare through Medicare, universal superannuation, we think that the next universality which will be provided is affordable child care. The children having the privilege of coming to this centre, when you walk around what you see is this isn't just a matter of looking after them, or filling in time. These, our youngest Australians, are learning about the world around them. They learning how to interact with each other and their social skills and the care that their workers provide for them is worthy, not just of our thanks and our gratitude, it is worthy of ensuring that the sector is able to be paid properly. And that is something that we are working through. This is a part of our cost of living relief. Last week, here in Queensland, I was in Loganlea, looking at Fee Free TAFE as well with Brian Holtzberger our new candidate for Forde. With Ali France in Dickson, and with Rebecca Hack in Ryan. We have announced four candidates last week. I will continue to campaign with them. But over the coming days as well I'll be in Maranoa, and Herbert tomorrow and then in Leichhardt on Friday, again rolling out our candidates. We want Queensland to have stronger representation in the Party of Government and part of that is getting Madonna, who I have known for a very long period of time, and I know has the skills, the integrity and the capacity to be such a strong advocate and contributor to a future Labor Government during the next term and I want Madonna to be elected as the Member for Brisbane. Happy to take some questions.
JOURNALIST: Just on the CFMEU, the Government is moving towards appointing an independent administrator, should the ALP cut all this ties with the Union and prevent this branch from accepting any more donations from the CFMEU?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, that work is underway. The intervention will occur through the Fair Work Commission, through an independent person to be put in charge of the union in New South Wales, in Queensland, and in Victoria and that, of course, will cover Tasmania and South Australia as well. We see wrongdoing and we have acted. We've acted swiftly to ensure that administrators are put in. If there's any challenge to that, we're certainly prepared to legislate to ensure that that occurs. But we think this is necessary. Part of that will be a suspension, as well, from engagement in the Labor Party and that will occur through the National Executive which will be convened over coming days.
JOURNALIST: Have these allegations shamed Labor?
PRIME MINISTER: They have shamed the people who are involved with it. I expelled John Setka from the Labor Party within weeks of becoming Labor Leader. I have no tolerance for the sort of behaviour that we've seen from John Setka and I have no tolerance for the behaviour that's been exposed in recent days.
JOURNALIST: Pending this investigation, should deregistering the CFMEU be taken off the table?
PRIME MINISTER: Nothing will be taken off the table, but we want action. I notice that the Master Builders Association and the Constructors Association have all welcomed the actions that the Government has taken as well. It's important that the action be effective and some of the things that have been proposed haven't been effective. We had - think about this, here's a fun fact for you - the Royal Commission that was held into trade unions had Bill Shorten give evidence for two days and had Julia Gillard, the former Prime Minister, give evidence, but did not call John Setka to give any evidence. John Setka was at the time the Secretary of the Victorian Branch of the CFMEU. So that occurred, and you can spend a lot of time having talks. What we've done is have action. And today's announcement is decisive. It's clear and it will make a difference.
JOURNALIST: Premier Steven Miles has said that he's waiting on advice from Queensland Police on conducting an investigation. Do you think he should be more proactive in Queensland? Should he launch something himself?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, it's been launched. Administrators will be put into the Queensland branch.
Journalist: Sorry, Prime Minister, just to clarify, the WA Labor Government is confident their branch of the Union over there hasn't done anything wrong and the Premier in Queensland says he'll resume dealings if nothing comes of their review of the Union. Does what the Federal Government is doing override some of the state responses?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the administrators will be put in to the East Coast branches effectively. Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. And that has an impact on South Australia and Tasmania, which are effectively run out of the Victorian Branch.
JOURNALIST: Is it time to review the fit and proper responsible person to be a union official? Should we look at those guidelines again?
PRIME MINISTER: I'm not sure exactly what you're referring to, but it's very clear...
JOURNALIST: Looking at rules for the people who hold these positions?
PRIME MINISTER: It's clear from my mind that the position of the New South Wales Secretary is completely untenable and that's why administrators will be put in.
JOURNALIST: Is your understanding that when the administration comes through each state that works will stop? How will that be affected in terms of Government projects?
PRIME MINISTER: No, what we don't want to do is punish Queenslanders or New South Wales people or Victorians by stopping the work. Overwhelmingly - let's be very clear - overwhelmingly, people who work in the construction sector go to work, they work hard, it's dangerous work and they earn income for their family and they make a contribution to building in construction. Whether it be large homes or whether it be civil construction, railway lines or roads. We don't want that to stop. What we want is corruption to stop. And inappropriate activity to stop. Now, to have a corrupt union official, you need a corrupt boss as well. You need someone paying the money and so we want that to stop and to be weeded out, whether it be in unions or business, wherever it is. It needs to be stamped out, and that's what we're determined to do.
JOURNALIST: Why specifically appoint administrators in the Queensland branch? Has the Federal Government received allegations about what's going on in Queensland similar to what's happened in Victoria?
PRIME MINISTER: We're appointing administrators right across the three branches. And that's appropriate. We're not waiting. We've been decisive and we've worked through with the Fair Work Commission, as we said we would do and with legal advice as we said we would do and today we've announced the action that is appropriate that will stamp out this corruption once and for all.
JOURNALIST: You say you're being decisive this week and you are, but the allegations have been around for a long period of time. Why has it taken so long for something to happen?
PRIME MINISTER: I took action within weeks of me being the Leader of the Labor Party, on John Setka. Within weeks, I expelled him. I have no tolerance for any of this conduct whatsoever.
JOURNALIST: How quickly are we likely to see administrators come through? You said you're working quickly and it was announced today.
PRIME MINISTER: You'll see it very quickly, the appointments of people who will be in charge. We'll make sure that they have the power that they need to ensure this is cleaned up. It is in the interests of every genuine trade unionist that this be cleaned up. It's in the interests of every worker who goes to work, works hard, just wants to make a contribution to their family and to be able to make a contribution as well in building something that they can point towards and feel satisfaction with making a difference. That's what we want. Some of the elements that have clearly been involved here have no legitimate place in the Union Movement or in workplaces.
JOURNALIST: Continuing from the question about action. You expelled John Setka you said, but the Labor Party had a continued relationship with the CFMEU. How do you respond to those claims as well?
PRIME MINISTER: Well we, you know, just like - I'm not sure what organisation you're from?
JOURNALIST: ABC.
PRIME MINISTER: The ABC. Did the ABC report any of this? Has Four Corners? Has 7.30? You have a range of opportunities to report it. To the credit of the investigations that have taken place, to the credit of 60 Minutes and Nine, they have done a lot of work investigating this. They've come out - we haven't been in government - bear that in mind. This has occurred - if you look at all of the things that have been alleged, they all occurred - none of this happened post May 2022. There wasn't a change here. You had a Royal Commission, you had an ABCC, and during that period John Setka increased his influence. It didn't decrease. It increased. But I'll tell you one place it didn't increase and that was in the Australian Labor Party.
JOURNLAIST: Have you been briefed on any matters in Queensland on these matters while you've been here?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I wouldn't be briefed here. I'd be briefed by the AFP and when I'm briefed by authorities -
JOURNALIST: Are you meeting with them today?
PRIME MINITSER: I meet with authorities regularly, I talk with them and with the departments on a regular basis over the last few days. Over the past few days, I have been briefed, yes.
JOURNALIST: Just on the protest that happened outside the True Believers Dinner, are you concerned that there was, you know, far-right-wing attendees that made their way into the dinner that night?
PRIME MINISTER: I am concerned. Security is a real issue. You know, people can dismiss it. As I note one Member of Federal Parliament has today. But I also notice that former Minister Karen Andrews has made some very strong comments. So has Mike Pezzullo. These issues are real and that is why we continue to have proper scrutiny and ongoing reviews of ensuring that the political processes can occur in a safe way and that is appropriate in this country. People can have a right, of course, to demonstrate peacefully. Some of the actions that we have seen, setting fires, some of the pushing and shoving that's occurred outside the Victorian ALP Conference where people essentially were engaged in this activity at the place that was actually the child care centre for families at that Conference, some of the activity has been clearly inappropriate and needs to be called out. I wasn't aware of that fellow. I only read reports today, I've got to say, and I've never heard of him I've got to say as well. But we know from Queensland, from here - we know that some of the far-right conspiracy theorists and others can lead to tragedy. I attended a funeral here of police officers due to the siege that occurred. That was a tragedy. But we have to take these issues seriously, and my Government does. And we are in constant monitoring with the AFP and others of a review.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, do you think there's need for overhaul or increased security for politicians in the wake of the Trump assassination attempt?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, those things are always under constant review. And it is a dangerous world in which we live in. Of course, we've seen Jo Cox in the UK. We are seeing an increased number of direct threats to MPs and to MPs' families, and we need to make sure that we're vigilant about it and we need to take it seriously and not just dismiss it.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, this weekend marks the third anniversary of Brisbane being awarded the Olympics by the IOC. There's been quite public dilly-dallying over where the stadium should be. Do you have any concern that we've squandered that sort of time that we had in terms of getting prepared for the Olympics?
PRIME MINISTER: The Brisbane Olympics will be a cracker. It will be so good for this city and for this great state of Queensland. And it will shine a light on what this city has to offer. We're in literally the most inner city seat of Brisbane. The geography here, I say to Queenslanders, don't take it for granted. It is so much greener than the other East Coast capitals, with the possible exception of the beautiful city of Canberra. But the geography that's here, the hills, I mean, this environment around here is just wonderful, and there is so much to be showcased from this city. When you fly in to here - if you took a photo this morning flying in and said that the waterways and waterfront we approached from the sea - if you said you were in the Whitsundays, no one would have questioned it. This city has so much to offer, and I'm sure it will be fantastic and the people of Brisbane will get behind it and it will be a fantastic Games. Great for the economy here, great for all those who live here and all those who will visit.
JOURNALIST: The Brisbane Arena is the venue that the Federal Government has committed $2.5 billion to building. It's now going to change sites into a place that's less complicated than building a railway station. Is the Federal Government's commitment still $2.5 billion?
PRIME MINISTER: We have a fixed amount of commitment that we've said, we've budgeted for it. Unlike our predecessors, who didn't have money in the Budget for the Brisbane Olympics. We're very supportive of it and I'm sure that Queenslanders will as well.
I'm surprised I haven't got any questions about tonight, but can I say that I hope that both teams have a great game tonight. I'm sure it will be. I'm sure it'll be very, very exciting. Queensland are very hard to beat in The Cauldron and I am very concerned about Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga being on the field at the same time. I think it is almost an unfair thing to happen, I've got to say, as someone who's a born-and-bred Sydneysider. But I hope that it is a fantastic game tonight and I hope that it's close and I look forward to going along there and I'm sure that it will once again highlight just how fantastic this great state of Queensland is at hosting events. Have a great day.
