Minister for Indigenous Australians
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: My government has always been focused on tackling the challenges of the here and now in a way that builds for the long term. Helping people with cost of living pressures while investing in making our future here in Australia as a theme of the last budget, but it's a theme of the last two and a bit years as well. We do this as a united team through cabinet government. And I'm proud of our government's achievements, but I'm also proud of the way in which we have conducted ourselves as a government that has proper cabinet processes, that has a ministry of which I am so proud. Delivering for Australians, of course, is our number one priority - relieving cost of living pressure. But we've also been an incredibly stable government. No government in living memory has had the same Cabinet and Ministerial positions for its first two years in office. Indeed, the last time that government changed hands in this country was Tony Abbott in 2013 and the Prime Minister didn't make it to two years, let alone Ministers in that government. At the next election, I will be seeking to be the first Prime Minister since John Howard in 2004 to serve out a term and to be re-elected as Prime Minister. Two people who have made an outstanding contribution to our government and to our country are standing with me here today in Linda Burney and Brendan O'Connor. I am proud to call them my friends. I'm proud to have witnessed firsthand their passion for this nation, their determination to leave the country better for their contribution as members of parliament and as Ministers. In recent times I've had discussions with Linda and Brendan about their future and they have informed me that they have decided to not contest the next election as the Member for Barton and the Member for Gorton. As a result of that, they've also made the decision to step down from the ministry to enable a refresh and to enable some new Ministers to be able to take their place and to take us forward over the coming months before the election, which of course, is due in 2025. This provides an opportunity to refresh the frontbench, and this morning I've spoken with the Caucus Chair, Sharon Claydon. Nominations will be called for front positions to be filled in accordance with our caucus rules, and I intend to announce a new Ministerial line up on Sunday in Canberra and then for the new ministry to be sworn in. Those who are filling new positions will be sworn in on Monday morning. Today though, I want to focus on these two outstanding Australians who are standing either side of me today.
Firstly, Brendan O'Connor, you couldn't ask for a better colleague and friend than Brendan O'Connor and you won't find a more decent human being. I deeply respect his judgement. I highly value his advice that I've sought not just in his portfolio, but across a range of issues over a long period of time. And I'm extremely grateful for his friendship. We met when we were less grey and back in young Labor, almost four decades ago. And in that time, we have stood side by side from the NSW branch and the Victorian branch over such a long period of time. Where Brendan, when he worked for the union movement and when I worked in different roles as well, and Brendan followed me very closely into the parliament where we've served together for more than two decades. I think Brendan's experience as a Minister in the Rudd government and a Cabinet Minister in the Gillard government has served us well. I said before the last election that we would be the most experienced incoming Labor government in history since Federation, and Brendan has been a part of that. Recognising, I think, the benefits of that experience, but also being able to avoid, perhaps some of the issues that were there in the former government in which we were both proud to serve. Brendan has been determined, as those of us who sat in opposition for nine years, three terms, to make sure that every single day counted as a Minister. As Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan has been instrumental in setting up Jobs and Skills Australia. This is the body that is designed to make sure that the labour market is fit for purpose, not just in a short term, but in five years, 10 years' time as well. He also negotiated and secured a landmark National Skills Agreement. This was the first in over a decade and was delivered before any of the other national agreements that have been signed up to by every state and territory. This is an extraordinary achievement, and his reforms to TAFE, putting TAFE back at the centre of vocational education and training is something that has made a difference to the private sector, to businesses, it's made a difference to government, but most importantly, it has transformed lives. We promised fee free TAFE for Australians and we have more than delivered, essentially doubled what we thought we would be able to achieve. And there is no question that that is primarily because of Brendan's leadership in this area, in making skills and training as important as university degrees he's changed the way that education, lifelong education, is perceived in this country in a way that is so important. So I do want to make the risk of, I'll give Brendan a chance here too. I'll speak about Linda, then Brendan will speak, then Linda will speak. Brendan, of course, went through a great deal of personal tragedy in losing Jodi in 2018. He could have very easily, would have been understandable if he'd stepped back at that time. He made a decision, along with Una, his lovely daughter, that he wanted to continue to make a contribution to our country. So I do want to acknowledge Una today as well and say that dad's going to have more time to spend with you as very soon as someone who, my son's a bit older than Una, there'll come a time soon when she won't want to spend as much time with you, mate. I'll give you the tip. So Brendan has made this decision in part to make sure that his family has always been so important to him. And I do want to, on behalf of the Labor Party and if I can be so bold, as on behalf of the Labor movement, but also our nation, thank Brendan for what has been an extraordinary contribution.
Now, everyone who meets Linda Burney shares in the joy of her company and the light of that wonderful smile. And anyone who has the honour of calling Linda a friend understands the great strength behind her warmth and the courage that is the essence of her grace. The discrimination, hardship and loss that Linda has had to overcome in her life are more than most of us can comprehend. Linda was born into an Australia where she was treated as a second class citizen, indeed wasn't recognized. Yet her life is a record of profound firsts. The first Indigenous student to graduate from her teachers college, the first Indigenous person elected to the NSW lower house, where she served as a Minister, but also rose to the heights of being the deputy Labor Leader in NSW. She then went on to become the first Indigenous woman elected to the Australian House of Representatives and the first Indigenous woman to be the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. This is all remarkable proof that what Linda has drawn from everything that she has had to endure is not bitterness or despair - it is positive. It is one of hope and one of optimism for our nation. All of us who have served alongside Linda knows that she is someone who gives her heart and soul to the causes that she champions and the people for whom she advocates. I remember well a discussion with Linda in my electorate office suggesting that she might want to run, consider running for preselection, for the electorate of Canterbury, which was at the time my local state seat. After a redistribution, Linda became my local state member and at the moment she's my local federal member after the redistribution put my home, as well as her home, into the electorate of Barton. That has changed, it must be said, with the redistribution again. Linda's humility is something that characterises her to record of just incredible, incredible achievement. Linda has known great sorrow and events in her life which would have been too much for some to bear. Throughout it all, she has brightened every room that she has walked into and has never asked for anything, just asked for one thing above all, not just for her, but for First Nations people everywhere, which is respect. Not too much to ask for in 2024. We see that in spite of the setback of the referendum last year, she has continued to advocate to make a difference to the lives of First Nations people. The decision to abolish the distrusted CDP and replace it with a real plan for real jobs, with real wages and real training in remote communities. The new support she's delivered for Indigenous Rangers, for justice, reinvestment and remote training - tools of community empowerment and self-determination. The historic and record investment in remote housing to tackle the problem of overcrowding and all of its flow on consequences. The long overdue creation of a National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. Working to turn around the terrible rates of out of home care. For Linda, so much of this work and so much of politics has always been personal and that can mean setbacks and disappointments are more deeply felt. It does mean more tears of joy and sadness alike. But that passion, that empathy, that true connection, have made Linda an inspirational Minister as well as a wonderful friend. And we'll miss her company around the Cabinet table, but her friendship, like the friendship of Brendan, will remain and we'll always be grateful for the extraordinary example which these two fine Australians give of why people should enter public life to make a difference. I'll ask Brendan to make some comments, then Linda, and then I'm happy to take questions.
BRENDAN O'CONNOR, MINISTER FOR SKILLS AND TRAINING: Well, can I start by thanking the Prime Minister for his very, very kind and generous words. And can I also acknowledge the remarkable efforts of my colleague Linda Burney, to her state and to her nation, an absolutely brilliant advocate for First Nations people. If someone had told me when I was first elected in 2001 that I'd go on to serve in three Cabinets, in three governments, three Labor Governments, under three Prime Ministers, I would have told them they're dreaming. Because I have to say, when I was elected to office in 2001, I wanted to serve in a Federal Parliamentary Labor Party and a Labor Government, but I didn't contemplate that. I have had such a remarkably fortunate career. I've been a frontbencher for 17 years, and for almost half of that, I've been a Minister. In fact, I've been a Minister for every day, federally, when Labor has been in Office since the election of the Rudd Government. And I know that I've been very fortunate. By anyone's definition, I owe that to the constituents of first, the electorate of Burke, and, of course, for the last seven elections, the constituents of the electorate of Gorton, who I have had the honour to represent in eight parliamentary terms. I'm indebted to the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party for allowing me to be their candidate, without which I could not have been in the Parliament. And I understand that. And I owe a great deal to the longest, most enduring political party in this nation. And I'm indebted to three Prime Ministers - Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard and Anthony Albanese - for affording me absolutely remarkable opportunities. But I think there are three good reasons for today's decision. Once I decided not to contest the next election, I spoke with the Prime Minister and I believed in making that decision not to continue on as a Federal member of parliament, as a team player in a very good government. I wanted to ensure, as the Prime Minister just indicated, that it had renewal and regeneration and that I could provide opportunities for capable and energetic members of our Government that could step up. When I stepped down, that was a significant reason for me speaking with the Prime Minister about today's decision. And, of course, you hear this all the time, but it really is about time that I spent more time at home. I mean, these are great jobs. They're fantastic jobs. I mean, so few people get an opportunity to be in a Federal Cabinet or Ministry or even in the Federal Parliament. But they're not the greatest exemplars for balancing work and family, I have to say. And I'm not complaining because I've been so lucky. But I do think it's time that I spent more time at home with my daughter Una, the Prime Minister's referred to, who's been amazing and if she wasn't so resilient and remarkable, I would have left the place long ago. I also have my father living with us and I want to be able to be there for him too. So, it makes - I know you hear it a lot about spending time with family, but truly, if there's one downside at all, and you can't think of too many downsides of being so lucky to be in a position that I've managed to hold and Linda's held, is that sometimes you're away too often from people you love. The third and final reason for today's decision, for me at least, is I'm very pleased that I'm leaving a portfolio in pretty good nick for the successor. There's been very significant reforms and very significant investment in the tertiary sector, the VET sector, that, frankly, has been underdone historically. The Prime Minister had the foresight to provide me an opportunity to represent that sector and that has not happened under any Federal Government in this way. It provided the resources, the effort, the focus of a senior Minister being able to meet with state and territory Ministers and strike a very important National Skills Agreement. And so given - I'll just run through a couple of reforms and the Prime Minister has mentioned them. The first bill of the Government was indeed to enact the body Jobs and Skills Australia. An absolutely critical body to advise government and industry to supply the skills to an ever changing labour market and economy, not just the VET sector, universities too. And complementing that, 10 Jobs and Skills Councils, making sure that industry is giving insight, real economic insight to government. In relation to skills, the Prime Minister referred to the National Skills Agreement, a five year agreement, $30 billion of investment and as importantly, really significant reforms establishing Centres of Excellence. I've announced four so far and there's plenty more to come with State and Territory Governments and they are ensuring we bring TAFEs and universities closer together. That's critical. Working with industry and sectors of the economy and that's a really important reform. The one other thing I wanted to touch on, I could touch on many parts of that Agreement - is foundation skills. It's hard to believe that one in five adults in Australia have difficulties, challenges, with reading and writing. One in five. And we need to do better. We need to not leave people behind, as the Prime Minister often says. And I do believe that investment, the reforms and foundation skills, opening up access for people to improve themselves so they can acquire other skills in the labour market is absolutely vital. And that is also a very key element of the National Skills Agreement, of which I'm proud. And also, I've just been advised by my Department, who I also thank for their hard work, that half a million Australians have now enrolled in Fee Free TAFE since the election, well exceeding the election commitment we made, well before time. And I'm very proud of being associated with that effort. Half a million Australians getting the skills they need in areas of existing and emerging demand. And finally, on the issue of the portfolio, there's an apprenticeship review underway, commissioned by Iain Ross and Lisa Paul, that I asked to undertake that review, and that's about improving completion rates of apprentices, which is critical, again, to those apprentices, to businesses that are crying out for skills and to our economy. And I think that's going to be really good for the incoming Minister to have to respond to in time. So, these are compelling reasons for me. These are - even one of those reasons would have been enough for me to make this decision, but I've got more than one reason to step down and allow a colleague to step up. So, I've got a lot of people to thank. I think I thanked a few, but I've got a lot of people to thank. I'm going to start with my family, obviously, Una in particular, my partner Stacey, my colleagues and my fantastic staff. But I'll leave the details of that, if that's okay, to my Valedictory speech at some time down the track in the Parliament, which is also proper. I just want to finish on this note. I've been in Parliament for eight terms. I've seen governments come and go, Labor and Liberal - Labor and Coalition. This is the most cohesive, united Government I have witnessed since I was elected. And the way it goes about things, including today, is orderly, considered, and I think today is a very good example of that collegiality and that unity. That we could make this decision today for Linda and I and for the Government, by the Prime Minister and us, in a way that reflects the values of Labor, but also the principles of Westminster. That's how this Government operates and I'm very proud to be part of it. And I'll just finish whilst I'm sounding like I'm leaving, I'm still in Parliament and I have some months to go that will be - that might be, obviously, more likely next year. And until I finish my role as a Member of Parliament, I'll be working every day to ensure the re-election of the Albanese Government. Thanks very much.
LINDA BURNEY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: I will not promise that I won't cry. So, everyone, today I'm announcing that I will not recontest the seat of Barton at the next Federal Election. As the Prime Minister said, after 21 years in politics, eight years in the Federal Parliament and 13 years in the New South Wales Parliament, it's time for me to pass on the baton to the next generation. It is time for me to pass on that baton. People like Malarndirri McCarthy, Marion Scrymgour, Jana Stewart and Gordon Reid. Stepping back will give me time to do other things, including spending more time with family and loved ones. My entire life has always been about service and I believe I have a valuable contribution to make outside the Parliament in the future. I'll be also standing down, like Brendan, from the Ministry. During my two years as Minister, I am proud to have made a difference to the lives of First Nations people in this country and I believe I've made a difference to the whole country. Record investment in housing. The Prime Minister and I announced that not so long ago in a remote community in the Northern Territory. To halve overcrowding in remote Northern Territory communities in the next decade. Replacing the old CDP program, creating real jobs in Remote Australia with proper wages and decent conditions. And our landmark Justice Reinvestment program, helping at risk children and young people from having their future robbed by the criminal justice system. I have been through more than my fair share of life's ups and downs, but I think I've done it with kindness, grace, resilience, intelligence and integrity. Of course, the Voice Referendum, as the Prime Minister said, didn't deliver the outcome we had hoped, but I think history will treat it kindly. But I know in my heart I gave it all that I could to close the gap and to advance reconciliation. I have been blessed to call so many of my colleagues friends, like Brendan and like the Prime Minister. To you, Prime Minister - I'm going to call you Anthony today. To you, Anthony, thank you for always being by my side, for your support and your friendship. To the people of Barton, my local community in Sydney, thank you for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to serve you in the Parliament and I will continue to serve you as your local MP until the next federal election. To all the staff that I have worked with over the two decades, I can't thank you enough and I want to thank my friends and the branch members and the New South Wales and the Federal Labor Party. And thank you, Brendan, for being here today together. Thank you. I want to thank my friends, as I said. Can I conclude with this? I was the first Indigenous person elected to the New South Wales Parliament, the first Indigenous woman in the House of Representatives, the first Indigenous woman to be appointed by this wonderful man here to Cabinet. But I won't be the last. To me, that is progress, and it's time to hand the baton on. It's been one heck of a journey and I've loved every minute of it. Thank you.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks, Linda. Happy to take questions.
JOURNALIST: The announcement is coming on Sunday, but are we expecting a major Cabinet reshuffle or is there just going to be a couple of promotions?
PRIME MINISTER: We're expecting an announcement on Sunday. If I told you what it was now, you mightn't turn up on Sunday! We have Caucus processes. The Caucus - there will be two new Ministers and we'll make the announcement on Sunday. I think, as Brendan said, this has been pretty orderly. And the fact that this has taken place without a great deal of speculation shows how well the Government functions.
JOURNALIST: What does the reshuffle mean for Andrew Giles and his future?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, it means that there'll be a reshuffle on Sunday. I'm not going to speculate about all of the outcomes. We have Caucus processes that'll be respected. That's one of the reasons why we can stand here and make this announcement, rather than it being made through a leak on the front pages of the papers.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, are you expecting that this will be the final change to the Ministerial lineup ahead of the election?
PRIME MINISTER: I am. We've been a very stable and orderly Government.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, do you think the results of the Voice Referendum threatens to overshadow Linda Burney's legacy and all of the accomplishments you just highlighted?
PRIME MINISTER: Not at all. Linda Burney has a lifetime of achievement through her actions, through who she is. And I reflect back - I mean, I've been in politics a little while. And when I approached Linda Burney about being the candidate for Canterbury, the fact that Australia's oldest Parliament here in New South Wales had never had an Indigenous representative. And now today, as Linda has said, we talk about the Federal Parliament having multiple representatives in our Caucus as well as state parliaments around the country. There has been extraordinary change, and change doesn't happen - good people make it happen. And Indigenous Australians put forward a request in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. We accepted that invitation to walk to a better future with Indigenous Australians by putting that to the Australian people, something that previous governments had said they would do.
JOURNALIST: You both described the outcome as a setback on the Voice. But did you stuff it up? Has that contributed at all to today's announcement? And if I can ask, Linda, should a future Labor Government try it again?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, on the first thing - I'll ignore the disrespectful nature of it - but the Australian people had their say. We respect the Australian people. What we gave people, was the opportunity to take up the invitation that came not from the Labor Party, it came from the First Nations Constitutional Convention that was held at Uluru in 2018 and 2017. We said we would put it to people. We did. It was not successful. What we have then done is respect that outcome. But gone about as well, ways of closing the gap, including the ways in which Minister Burney has conducted herself, including the largest ever investments in remote housing, in education in the Northern Territory with the schools agreement, in changing employment programs, in changing training, in changing justice reinvestment, in changing health programs as well. Across the board, there has been significant reform, outside of what was the Referendum issue - but Linda?
MINISTER BURNEY: I was in Redfern in 1993 when Paul Keating made his Redfern Speech. I was on the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 2000 for the Walk for Reconciliation. I was in the Chamber when Kevin Rudd made his Apology on behalf of the Australian people in 2008. I've seen a lot and let me tell you that progress doesn't always move in a straight line. We make progress, and then we have setbacks. That's the history of Indigenous justice in this country. But with every passing generation, the arc bends a little bit more towards justice. I've done my bit and the time for the new generation is now. The Referendum outcome, of course, was disappointing, but we accept that outcome. But let me tell you, there are some silver linings in that outcome. The silver lining of six and a half million Australians saying yes, the silver lining of a new generation of young Indigenous leaders coming through, and the silver lining in high Aboriginal communities like the Tiwi Islands, like Yuendumu, like Yarrabah, the vote was up to 92%. So, whilst people might think it is a defeat, there are some very good things that came out of the Referendum. I am proud of the Prime Minister and his leadership. I'm proud of First Nations people and I am proud to have been part of it.
JOURNALIST: Should the Government move urgently to establish a Makarrata Commission and I'd be keen for the Prime Minister's take on it too?
MINISTER BURNEY: Sure. Look, I've travelled extensively, extensively, as you know, over the past two years, and every state and territory bar one has either a treaty or a truth telling or both processes underway. I've met with Aboriginal Affairs Ministers and the community. They believe we are heading in the right direction. Can I say that for me, the issue of truth telling is not about a judicial process. It's about bringing people together and bringing people with you.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister if I could just--
PRIME MINISTER: I can't beat that. Sorry, I'm not about to override the Minister for Indigenous Affairs.
JOURNALIST: But should there be a --
PRIME MINISTER: I agree what the Minister for Indigenous Affairs just said.
JOURNALIST: I understand you don't want to speculate on new members of Cabinet, but can we expect current Ministers to change portfolios?
PRIME MINISTER: I've answered this question, if you ask it a different way, you'll get the same answer. So, with respect.
JOURNALIST: Why has Australia taken the decision to impose sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank?
PRIME MINISTER: We've made this decision because it's the right thing to do. Settlements in the West Bank are an impediment to a two-state solution. They are illegal under international law. And the fact that there has been expansion of settlements over this current period is something that the Government has opposed, and it's something that we have directly communicated our opposition to the Israeli Government of Benjamin Netanyahu about.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, is there more sanctions against Israel in coming months, possibly against the Government. And is it time to recall the Ambassador in Israel?
PRIME MINISTER: No. The idea that - we haven't recalled the Ambassador to Russia. We have, engagement with partners is important and Australia remains a country that has an important relationship with Israel. We have - it's important that we continue to engage. That's not to say that where there are differences of the Australian Government with the policies of the Netanyahu Government, one of the ways that that can be communicated is by having that presence there as well.
JOURNALIST: What is next for the Government in terms of closing the gap, particularly on targets that are worsening?
PRIME MINISTER: I might see if Linda wants to add, but we are across the board. I've run through some of the things that we are doing in employment. Employment is obviously in the economy and economic opportunity is critical, education is critical. The announcement that we made together with Jason Clare in the Northern Territory was a historic announcement, an agreement to provide record funding for education for the Northern Territory, which will particularly help disadvantaged students, of whom people from communities are a significant element. The justice reinvestment programs, the health programs that we have, as well as the specific programs, such as the $250 million we have for Central Australia. All of these programs are aimed at closing the gap and making a practical difference for First Nations people, because we know that the gap is too large and we know that in some areas there have been improvements, but in other areas, there has not. We need to do better. All governments need to do better, state and federal, regardless of who is in office. This is something that does us no credit as a nation when you have the gaps which are there. Linda.
MINISTER BURNEY: Thanks, Julie. Look, I remember very well the Prime Minister's first Closing the Gap speech, and he described the gap not as a gap, but as a chasm. And that is very true in some areas. But it would be wrong to say that there have not been improvements in most targets. There are four that are going backwards, and obviously, that gives us a very strong direction of where there needs to be a focus. But we also need to remember that state and territory governments are also part of this journey, along with the Coalition of Peaks, extraordinarily important. I went to the Kimberley in Western Australia and saw there what's going on in terms of employment, and that's a really good example of closing the gap and how they were using the CDP trial to employ people in really substantial jobs. The other thing to say is that with Closing the Gap, we need to be clear about what the priorities are. We need to be clear on working with states and territories and having a collaborative approach to this and looking at particularly the priorities that the Coalition of Peaks has put in front of us. As I said before, you bring people with you if you want change to happen, and that's how we're approaching this. It makes me very, very sad that we do not have any more a bipartisan approach to these issues. And I think that First Nations people and the Australian people would like to see that change.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, will you be attending the Garma Festival with the Minister for Indigenous Australians next week?
PRIME MINISTER: Yes, I will.
JOURNALIST: I just want to know what the future holds for you, you've had a long career.
MINISTER BURNEY: Well, I won't be jumping out of any planes. I'm really excited about the future for me. There's a few rodeos left in this body, I can assure you. The way in which I approach the future is, I'm going to have a rest and I am going to -
PRIME MINISTER: Not yet.
MINISTER BURNEY: Not yet, next year. And I am also going to be very careful about where I move to. But I can assure you that I am well, I am excited, I'm happy to have made this difficult decision and my life, as I said, has been one of service and I don't think that will change.
JOURNALIST: Would advocating for a treaty in New South Wales be on the agenda for you?
MINISTER BURNEY: I know that New South Wales is - the New South Wales - or the Minns Government is actually in the process of appointing Treaty Commissioners.
JOURNALIST: Is that a job that has interest for you, Minister Burney?
PRIME MINISTER: She's got a job. She's the Member for Barton.
MINISTER BURNEY: I'm the Member for Barton.
JOURNALIST: Just on a local issue Prime Minister, the New South Wales Government has commissioned a review into whether the industrial ports should be moved from Glebe Island to make way for high density housing. As the boundaries currently stand it's in your electorate. Do you support that or would you like to see the ports stay there?
PRIME MINISTER: I think those are obviously matters for the New South Wales Government, but we do need more housing. And can I make this point, that around the Rozelle area, the use of the old power station was finally used for good purpose. There are a range of things that you could do with Glebe Island that are better than the way that it's been used for a long period of time, and one of those is obviously housing. I noticed as well there was another report about Parramatta Road, for a long period of time I've called for higher density around Parramatta Road. I know that the local Greens councillors will oppose every housing proposal that comes forward, but I think that appropriate housing close to public transport is very important.
JOURNALIST: The Carlton train tragedy that we saw on Sunday where a father lost his life trying to save his two year old girl, the mother has been relying on her husband's working visa in order to be in Australia along with her surviving two year old girl, and there are fears that she may be deported. Is there any way that she might be able to stay in Australia?
PRIME MINISTER: It's my view, that is a decision obviously, for the Minister. But it's my view that matters like this should be dealt with, with the compassion that Australians would expect. This mother has watched as her husband and one of her twin children has tragically lost their life. And I would have thought that we're a generous country and that Australians' hearts will go out towards this woman and her young child.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, a question on the economy. A report by Deloitte is warning of a rate rise next month, that if there was a rate rise next month it would cripple our economic recovery and erode the stage three tax cuts. Are the implications of a rate rise by the RBA something that is worrying you?
PRIME MINISTER: I've seen the report from Deloitte and can I say this, it is an endorsement of the Government's economic strategy. What that report says is that the revised Labor tax cuts, as opposed to the Liberal tax cuts, where working Australians, many of them would have simply missed out, not got a dollar, and others would have received just half of what they're now receiving. That that has been important for people and for people's living standards. So I'm really proud. That's one of the decisions that the Cabinet made and then we took to the entire Caucus earlier this year. An example of this Government's courage that you can only make if you're a disciplined, well ordered Government that makes decisions in the national interest. Quite clearly, that was in the national interest. And I remind people who are today receiving higher wages and more money in their pockets that that was a decision that was at first opposed before the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley, had seen what it was. Didn't know what it was, but they were against it. Then they said they'd roll it back. And then Peter Dutton called for an election to be held to reverse Labor's tax cuts. Well, Labor's tax cuts have made a positive difference and the report has indicated that globally we are seeing pressures on the global economy - that is a worldwide phenomenon. In advanced economies we see the implications of that everywhere. Of course, when it comes to interest rates, is the job of the Reserve Bank and they do that independently. But what we have ensured as well is that fiscal policy is working with monetary policy. And that's why, in spite of the fact that we have this support and in addition to the tax cuts, we have the energy price relief, we have Fee Free TAFE, we have Cheaper Child Care, we have real wages increasing. Again, the Deloitte report noted that for the first time in a long while, the previous Government had wage cuts as part of their economic strategy. That's what they wanted to see, a decline in real wages and living standards - we don't. We want an economy that works for people, not the other way around. And that's why we have put in place those measures. And I welcome the fact that the Deloitte report is an endorsement of our strategy. Can I conclude by just saying to these two friends of mine who I'm so proud of standing next to today, that one of the things that's said about politics is that not many people get to choose the time of their leaving, and that's just a fact. The average time of service in the Federal Parliament, I don't know what it is now, but a few years ago I think it was 5.1 or 5.2 years. These two Australians next to me have proudly served in public life as well as served before then in different criteria as well. Brendan, through his work in the Union Movement. Linda's a former secretary of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs here in New South Wales and a teacher in Western Sydney. Both of them have made incredible contributions and both of them have chosen their time of departure. And of that they can be very proud because they are retiring, not out, rather than seeing their stumps sprayed, which is how most people leave politics, Federal and State, when they miss a ball when it comes through. So, to Linda and Brendan, on behalf of the Australian Labor Party, but most importantly on behalf of the nation of Australia, thank you.
