: It's great to be back in Western Australia for my 35th visit as Prime Minister, my second visit since the election. We are very consciously having a Cabinet meeting here today, precisely one month since we had the honour of being re-elected to govern Australia. And to do so of course, in cooperation with the states and territories. My Government has a terrific relationship with the Cook Labor Government here in WA. Together, we've worked on the Better and Fairer Schools funding agreement. We're working on community services and tackling domestic violence. We're working on health, on infrastructure, on resources, development on skills with the 10 year skills agreement working each and every day for our common interests. And of course a real focus as well is our Future Made in Australia agenda combined with the Cook Government's Future Made in WA agenda, working in sync in the interest of Western Australians, which is so important as a driver of our national economy. And part of that is investing in infrastructure. And in January we invested $350 million to upgrade and widen the Kwinana Freeway. The Kwinana Freeway carries 100,000 vehicles every day. And we welcome the Cook Government committing $230 million to this upgrade in their state Budget. This investment is about making sure that our roads function more efficiently, that people get to and from work or to and from recreational activities sooner and in a safer manner as well. And of course a bonus is, if you make journeys more efficient, you cut down on emissions as well. Here at the traffic centre here in Perth, we're seeing how that efficiency can be run using new technology as well. And I thank the workers here for the briefing that we've had this morning. This upgrade will boost capacity by around 50 per cent on key sections and relieve congestion and make an enormous difference. This, of course, is a part of our commitment to building the infrastructure which Western Australia needs. Not just here in Perth, but right throughout Western Australia. Following, of course, our investment in MetroNet as well, making a difference for public transport. So, whether it's public transport or roads, my Government is wanting to partner with the Cook Labor Government here in Western Australia. Can I also make some comments about the decision of the Fair Work Commission to grant a 3.5 per cent wage increase for almost 3 million workers from the 1st of July. This shows, once again, real wages increasing. We know there have been cost of living pressures. When we came to office, inflation had a 6 in front of it and was rising. It now has a 2 in front of it, with 2.4 per cent, and is falling. Interest rates began to increase when we came to office. Now we've had two decreases and reductions in interest rates this year. Importantly, as well, real wages had declined for five quarters in a row when we came to office. Now we've had five quarters of increasing in real wages. And this decision today will be welcomed by people who keep our economy going. The essential workers who need this wage increase in real terms and the fact that it is around about a percent higher than the inflation rate shows that real wage increase in order to help people with cost of living pressures. It's what my Government was re-elected to do. During the last term, we of course had a range of cost of living measures, all of which were opposed by the Coalition. What we have continued to do here is to put in a submission to the Fair Work Commission calling for this increase. And we're very pleased that the Fair Work Commission, independently of government, has made this decision. We'll hear from the Premier and then the respective Ministers before we take questions.
ROGER COOK, PREMIER OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Thank you, Prime Minister. Can I say it's great to have you back here so early in your new term. And I welcome the Minister for Transport, Catherine King and thank the Deputy Premier for being with you today to make an exciting announcement with regards to our key transport infrastructure. I'm one of the many Western Australians that use the southern parts of the Kwinana Freeway each day to commute. And today's announcement is an important part of continuing to make sure that we keep the Western Australian economy the strongest in the nation, the fastest growing population in the nation and a jobs market which is the envy of the country. But we also know that we need to support that economic growth. And that includes investing in housing, includes investing in hospitals, but it also includes investing in roads. And so no matter where you live in WA that you can be assured and you can be confident that the WA Government is looking after your transport needs. That's why I'm delighted for the announcement that we're making today which is about getting on fulfilling our election commitments, continuing to create great WA jobs. With nearly half a billion dollars in funding secured as part of our state Budget for key road upgrades in Perth's southern suburbs. And that includes $230 million investment to widen the Kwinana Freeway between Roe Highway and Mortimer Road, addressing one of the worst congestion points in the metropolitan area. This will be supported by matching contribution from the Federal Government and bring the funding for this project to around about $460 million. This is a big deal not just for those hundreds of people that use that road each day, but also for industry which relies upon these transport corridors to continue to make sure our economy keeps flowing smoothly. We know that the Freeway is very popular and many Western Australians would have experienced yesterday, coming back from the long weekend from down south, severe congestion points around that Mortimer Road to Russell Road area. So, this is, I think, will be a welcome announcement for all those motorists with that recent experience. And by widening the highway here, we're also preparing for important infrastructure and economic development in the future, particularly around the western trade coast. Our investment will add about a 50 per cent capacity to the Kwinana Freeway, cutting bottlenecks and congestion. And these works are due to begin by 2026 and will be supported by a range of upgrades on arterial roads throughout Perth's southern suburbs. And this includes the ongoing Tonkin Highway Extension, Thomas Road upgrades, which will support the rapidly growing suburbs of Byford, Oakford and Cardup. And Western Australians understands that these works are so important. I thank everyone for their patience and that's why we're getting on with them. But we're getting on with them because we have a great partnership, a partnership with the Albanese Federal Government. An important partnership to make sure that we continue to grow jobs, we continue to grow our health system and housing and continue to make sure that we provide for Western Australia's strong economy. We've shown time and time again that by working with Canberra in a constructive way, in a partnership, we can continue to drive the economy forward and making sure that Western Australia remains a great place to live. And I hand you over to the Transport Minister. I was going to say - not sure which Transport Minister, but one of them.
CATHERINE KING, MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Thanks. Catherine King, Federal Transport Minister and Infrastructure Minister as well. It is so fantastic, a month after the election, here we are back in Perth, here for Cabinet, but particularly in my portfolio which you can't get any more practical demonstration of building Australia's future. We are literally building the roads of the future here in Western Australia. We made an announcement back in January of the $350 million federal contribution toward the widening of the Kwinana Freeway. But making sure that we've now got that partnership with the State Government. This of course comes on the back of the billions of dollars that have gone into MetroNet and into the road infrastructure network here in Western Australia. It is fantastic to work with Rita as our partner here in Western Australia on the delivery of the key infrastructure to build Australia's future. And really looking forward to seeing other planning work get underway for this project. This is also about really future proofing that road network. We know that the freight task is only increasing. We want to make sure that we've got heavy vehicles being able to access our markets as quickly and smoothly as possible, but also as safely as possible. This is making this road safer, both for the so many people who are commuting every day for work - 100,000 of them - but also making sure that our freight can get to markets quickly and efficiently. And we know the next big project here in the West is going to be Westport. And this project, the planning money we've announced for the roads overall, this project is very much part of the future of building Australia's future and building Western Australia's future, and particularly Westport. Thanks very much and I'll hand over to Rita.
RITA SAFFIOTI, DEPUTY PREMIER OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Just some quick comments. Thank you to the Prime Minister and Catherine King, the Federal Infrastructure Minister, for being here today, for bringing the Cabinet Ministers here today. As part of the state Budget, over $460 million will be allocated across the Forward Estimates to start this project, as has been outlined. It's scheduled to commence in 2026. In July, we'll be submitting for environmental approvals. We're also going to the market for an expression of interest in the third quarter of this year. As has been outlined in particular by the Premier - who does use this road every day, this highway every day, the Freeway every day - is, of course, this is a major pinch point on the network. All of those who have experienced this part of the Kwinana Freeway have experienced the fact that there's delays and that this work needs to happen to reduce congestion, improve the efficiency of the movement of our freight across the network. So, we very much welcome this partnership. It's part of a wider partnership with the Prime Minister and his team in delivering incredible infrastructure to help support future economic growth. Thank you.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks, Rita. We're happy to take questions.
JOURNALIST: Do you see the Fair Work decision will force up prices, Prime Minister?
PRIME MINISTER: No, what it will do is make sure that people don't fall behind when it comes to cost of living. One of the big distinctions at the election that was held one month ago today was a government, my Government, that said, we understand people are under cost of living pressure and we want to do something about it. And an opposition that just wrung its hands and wanted to make things worse. It makes a difference how much income people have as well as their expenditure as well. And this is a modest increase, but it is one that is welcome. The Fair Work Commission give consideration to all of those factors and have made the decision that people who are on the minimum wage and on Award wages should not fall behind. And that's something that the Government supports.
JOURNALIST: Is the US overstepping by asking you to lift defence spending to 3.5 per cent of the GDP as soon as possible?
PRIME MINISTER: No, they're entitled to express views, but we're entitled as a sovereign nation to ensure that we look after Australia's national interest. There's no doubt that the US, in part, have a statement based upon their engagement in the region. We welcome the US engagement in the region, which is why we work with them so closely.
JOURNALIST: The Coalition has left the door open to a deal with Labor on a superannuation tax. Would you be open to tweaking the model in order to work with the Coalition?
PRIME MINISTER: Look, we have a majority in the House of Representatives with 94 seats. We do not have a majority in the Senate. We obviously work with different parties. If the signal from the Coalition is across the board - I'm not talking specifically here - that they will be more constructive and not just be part of a No-aolition with the Greens party, then that would be welcome. I think people in the last term of Parliament saw a Coalition that was just committed to blocking everything. Housing investment, support for further investment in education. I hope that they actually vote for the 20 per cent reduction in student debt, which is the first piece of legislation that I will introduce or will be introduced by my Minister, Jason Clare, when Parliament resumes on the 22nd of July.
JOURNALIST: Does Dorinda Cox understand the need to vote with the Party? She said on the North West Shelf gas project that she was going to hold Labor's feet to the fire over it. She also said that your Government was colluding with the gas industry. How can you bring someone on who's made those comments only recently?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, Dorinda Cox understands that being a member of the Labor Party means that she will support positions that are made by the Labor Party. But I make this point as well. North West Shelf has had an interim decision. There will be comments required over the next couple of weeks on that by interested parties. But North West Shelf, like other projects around Australia - more than 200 - are subject to the Safeguard Mechanism. That's something that the Greens political party helped to put through the Parliament along with crossbenchers, and we're thankful for them. You don't reduce emissions and take action on climate change by just having good wishes. What you do is have a target, which is what we have with net zero. But importantly, we have a mechanism to get there through both the Safeguard Mechanism and the Capacity Investment Scheme. Both of those things are working. Both of those schemes had the support overwhelmingly of the Parliament.
JOURNALIST: Are you concerned that those bullying allegations will resurface and has she been counselled by what your expectations are for how she treats Labor staffers?
PRIME MINISTER: No, they got dealt with by the mechanism that my Government established. We support safe workplaces. We established a mechanism in the Parliament which is at arm's length of government and that's important.
JOURNALIST: There's a fresh push to look at the GST deal from Victoria and New South Wales. Is that 75 cents in the dollar floor at risk? And do you see any merit in the population share formula that some of the other states are calling for?
PRIME MINISTER: We support the position on WA that I took to the election, I took to the 2022 election, and that we enshrined at the National Cabinet - it must be said - some, I think a year ago we enshrined that going forward. Importantly as well, part of that is that no state's being worse off and that guarantee and that guarantee is in place.
JOURNALIST: On gas, Prime Minister, it's your 30-something trip to WA -
PRIME MINISTER: 35th. Who's counting? Roger is.
JOURNALIST: Do you have any idea of how well WA's domestic gas reserve is running here and how do you think it would go the same thing on the East Coast?
PRIME MINISTER: Look, well WA, frankly, showed good vision going forward when they put that in place. I've been to Collie a couple of times now seeing the extraordinary work that is taking place there with the very large battery that is going to be able to connect up with the transmission lines that in the past have been used for coal fired power. That coal fired power station will close in 2027. WA has a plan for renewables backed by gas, backed by batteries on the East Coast and in some places the backing of hydro is the third element for which you can provide support for as well. That is consistent with the plan that both WA have but which we have nationally as well. With the gas security mechanism that was put in place together with the agreement that we came to with the industry, there is a mechanism in place that would enable us to be able to ensure supply. That is in place now, that can be triggered and that is important. It's a very different position from the one that the Coalition advanced during the election campaign which seemed to have been plucked out of a Cocoa Pops packet one morning. It wasn't thought through. It didn't understand the way the existing mechanism worked either. You know, we have a coherent plan and that is what we're putting in place.
JOURNALIST: Sounds like you are speaking to the merits of some iteration of an East Coast gas reserve.
PRIME MINISTER: I'm saying that there is a mechanism in place right now.
JOURNALIST: The UK says it will spend 3 per cent of GDP on defence by 2030 -
PRIME MINISTER: Good on them.
JOURNALIST: Shouldn't Australia be acting in line with their allies?
PRIME MINISTER: What, with the UK? The UK is in a different place from Australia.
JOURNALIST: Kier Starmer has announced yesterday -
PRIME MINISTER: He's a good fellow, Kier Starmer.
JOURNALIST: Well, he's said the UK is going to build twelve new submarines -
PRIME MINISTER: Should we build 12?
JOURNALIST: 12 new attack submarines. Where are ours?
PRIME MINISTER We have - we are working with the UK and with the United States, including, not just in the UK's case on AUKUS, but in the UK's case as well, working with Keir Starmer and with President Macron on the potential for a Coalition of the Willing when it comes to support for Ukraine going forward as well. We determine our defence policy here. We're a sovereign nation that need to have pride in our sovereignty and in our capacity to make decisions in our national interest. In our national interest. That is what we will do. We have increased our defence investment by more than $10 billion over the forward estimates. Our recent Budget in March brought forward additional investment forward as well.
JOURNALIST: In terms of our submarine fleet, the UK are building 12 of their own - new ones. I mean, could any of those be ours?
PRIME MINISTER: Look, we will, we have a plan in place, including of course, here in WA. We have a plan that is for the visiting of submarines both from the US and the UK. We also have a plan for Virginia's to come here in the 2030s and we have a plan for manufacturing here as well.
(Interjections)
PRIME MINISTER: You were doing so well. You were doing so well with so much discipline.
JOURNALIST: On defence still, are you sticking to your current goal of raising spending to 2.3 per cent by 2033? Or might that change?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, it's not a goal. Our goal is to give Australia the capability that it needs. We saw during the election campaign the alternative approach, which was a Coalition that announced $21 billion of spending - they couldn't say where the money was coming from or what it was for. Now if people think that's a good idea, that's one road to go down. The other road, which is what my Government does, is identify what's the capability that we need and to provide that investment. And to also invest in our relationships in the region as well is pretty important. That's why when I was in Indonesia, my first visit, not by accident, our near neighbours, where we are in this region, sitting down with President Prabowo, talking about our defence relationship there as well. So we'll continue to invest in our capability and in our relationships.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you've previously said Labor senators are elected with an ALP next to their name. But Senator Cox was elected with the Greens next to hers. If she's no longer representing them, should she quit Parliament and trigger a casual vacancy? Because that was the argument of some of your leadership team with Fatima Payman.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, Fatima Payman, of course, could have put herself before the people of Western Australia on May 3rd - she chose not to. Dorinda Cox's term is up at the end of this term and she will have to, if she is preselected through ALP processes, put herself forward for election then.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, I guess again, drilling down to those comments that she's made previously, we've seen people leave the party for saying less. Her saying that your party is colluding with gas. Have you told her to or counselled her to rein in her comments?
PRIME MINISTER: Look, she's an adult and she's someone who had a distinguished career here in the police force. Has had a distinguished career, she has over a period of time, she has come to the view that the Greens political party are not capable of achieving the change that she wants to see in public life. And that's not surprising given that the Greens have lost their way. She's not the only person to leave the Greens, let me tell you. In my local area, which has two Greens state members, Jeremy Buckingham was a Greens MLC based in my area. He's formed a different political party in New South Wales. And most of the councillors who represented the Greens party at that time have frankly left the Greens Party and a number of them were handing out for us at the election on May 3rd because the Greens Political Party have lost their way and it's something that we deal with respectfully. Across the Parliament I'll engage constructively, as I did in the last Parliament. We don't need votes on the floor of the House of Representatives in order to get legislation carried. But we didn't need that last term either, and I dealt respectfully across the Parliament. But if you're serious about social change in Australia, the Labor Party is where you should be.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, (inaudible) baggage with the Greens will impact your ability to negotiate with that party in the Senate if they still hold the balance of power? And secondly, just on GST, there is still a lot of money going into that No Worse Off guarantee. Do you have any plans to address that?
PRIME MINISTER: On the first, no. And on the second, we've put in place an actual extension of that. We addressed it by extending it at the National Cabinet -
JOURNALIST: So it's not a budgetary concern?
PRIME MINISTER: We addressed it by extending it. And we wanted to make sure that we fulfilled -
JOURNALIST: So that's just money baked in -
PRIME MINISTER: Well, it's there. It's there. I can't answer it any more clearly than to say that's something that we supported, that we put in place. We are a Government that is doing what we said we would do.
JOURNALIST: What would you say to regional communities that are potentially anxious about the extension of the North West Shelf program and the environmental impacts it may have moving forward?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I've been to Karratha a few times as Prime Minister but beforehand as well. The people I've met in Karratha support jobs and support economic activities. I went to Karratha during the election campaign as Prime Minister. I've been to, if you speak about regional communities here in WA, I've been to Kalgoorlie, I've been to Port Hedland, I've been to Karratha, I've been up to Fitzroy Crossing, been to Broome, been to Albany. I've been everywhere, man, as the song goes. Because I understand that this great state isn't just about Perth - it's about the jobs and economic activity. And one of the things that I want to talk with these two fine people behind me, the Premier and Deputy Premier, on over a period of time, is I support the Premier's vision that he's spoken about, about regional growth as well. We need to have growth in those regional cities. That's something that's been a passion of mine as someone, you know, not just here in the West, but as well, part of my Government's focus on the transition as well. And with the potential that's there for advanced manufacturing backed by the security that comes with gas as well, in not just here, but in the Hunter Valley, in Central Queensland, in the Latrobe Valley in Victoria, in Whyalla, and the area of the Upper Spencer Gulf in South Australia, as well as the Pilbara and other parts of Western Australia. There's enormous potential for us to be successful and for us to be optimistic. And that's why at the election campaign I spoke very much about the Australian way. You know, we need to get away from this idea that someone somewhere else says something, so we just go, 'oh, okay'. You know, we're a serious country. We're a serious country with prospects of significant economic growth. There's nowhere you'd rather be than Australia in the world across a range of issues, not just in terms of our economy, but our society that we're building as well. An inclusive society that brings people forward, that doesn't leave people behind - and that's my big focus. And now I'm going to go and focus on the next thing, which is an Urgent Care Clinic, which is another example of the work that we're doing in the health sector. Thanks very much.
