Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: New South Wales Transport

Safer access to the Pacific Highway is on the way for Harrington and Coopernook residents, with early work underway for the Pacific Highway – Harrington Road Intersection upgrade.

Transport for NSW A/ Executive Director Partnerships & Integration North Greg Collins said the Australian and NSW Governments are investing $60 million in an interchange with an overpass that connects Harrington and Coopernook roads over the Pacific Highway.

“The project will improve road safety by removing the right hand turns on and off the highway, while also upgrading accessibility and connectivity to the Pacific Highway for local communities, visitors and freight operators,” Mr Collins said.

Early work activities are underway to address the soft soil foundations. The project is undertaking a key component    known as preloading, which stabilises the ground before the road is built. 

“Soft soils are often found in floodplain areas and are characterised by high water content and low strength,” Mr Collins said.

“They add complexities to road design and construction because they compress easily and are susceptible to movement, soft soil treatments reduce the expected amount of settlement once the road is open.

“Initial pre-loading at the project site has already been carried out over a number of years. The embankment will be topped up with the final pre-load and surplus fill material to compress the soil and squeeze out the water before construction starts.”

Other work to be carried out includes installation of project signage, site establishment, vegetation clearing and boundary fencing as well as installation of erosion and sedimentation controls.

Early work will take around 16 weeks to complete, with major work on the interchange expected to start in 2027.

Transport for NSW will continue to keep the community updated via the project web page at nswroads.work/h2c

Source: New South Wales Transport

With around 1000 road signs across Sydney featuring a blue and white aeroplane symbol giving directions to Kingsford Smith, a major programme will be undertaken to update signage to include Western Sydney International (Nancy Bird Walton) Airport in time for its opening next year.

With the airport’s opening in 2026, it’s important to provide clear, up to date signage to guide drivers, reduce congestion, reduce confusion and improve safety. By updating road signage, Transport for NSW aims to facilitate smooth traffic flow, enhance safety, and support the region’s growth and connectivity.

To address this, Transport for NSW undertook a comprehensive study, including international best practice, to develop a clear signage strategy. This strategy uses the three-letter IATA codes “SYD” for Kingsford Smith International Airport and “WSI” for Western Sydney International Airport to clearly distinguish between the two airports. It also limits airport signage to no more than two motorway interchanges from each airport or key decision points on the network. The new signs will retain the familiar blue and white aeroplane symbol to maintain consistency and ease of recognition.

The updated signage will be kept simple and incorporate modern reflective materials developed by Transport for NSW, making them clearer to read, longer lasting, and more resilient in Sydney’s harsh weather conditions.

The new signs will replace ones that were originally put in place as part of preparations for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, which in turn replaced a series of localised signs that had been in place for several decades. The new updated signs will be more concentrated along major routes across the city, which may result in some signage being removed from local streets.

While most Sydneysiders are familiar with the locations of both airports, the new signage is designed to be especially helpful for tourists and visitors navigating the city.

As part of the programme, new signage will also be installed around the Western Sydney International Airport precinct, including the directions to the toll-free M12 Motorway and the airport access road, Warami Drive.

The rollout is now underway, with the new signage expected to be installed before the opening of Western Sydney International Airport next year. The NSW Government has committed $30 million for the rollout.

Source: New South Wales Transport

Road users are advised of changed traffic conditions at the intersection of Atchison, Saywell, and Parliament roads, Macquarie Fields from Sunday 2 November 2025.

The changes are necessary to carry out traffic light upgrades. 

We will work for up to five-night shifts between Sunday 2 November and Thursday 27 November 2025, weather permitting.

Work hours are from8pm to 5am, Sunday to Thursday. No work will occur on Friday or Saturday nights.

There will be temporary traffic changes while we complete this work. This includes lane closures and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h. 

Road users are advised to drive and ride to the conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic controllers. 

Transport for NSW thanks road users for their patience during this time.

For the latest traffic updates across the network download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Heathcote Fire Brigade has officially received the keys to its new Ultralight vehicle which was celebrated at the site where the new emergency services hub will be located.

On Wednesday 20 October, dignitaries handed over the latest addition to Heathcote’s engine bay while also acknowledging the exciting new VICSES/CFA co-located hub to be built on Herriot Street.

Heathcote Captain Carl Watkins said the new Ultralight will be a valuable asset to the brigade’s fleet.

“It offers greater agility and access to narrow tracks and vineyards which are frequently encountered during callouts,” Carl said.

“It has a lot more safety features, and there’s more members that can drive it, as it only requires a car licence.”

The new Ultralight Tanker holds 550 litres of water and is equipped with a Class A Foam System, pump, and other vital firefighting equipment.

“It also allows us to stow and display items in larger internal cabs, lockers and on aluminium trays,” Carl said.

The new ultralight was funded through the Victorian Emergency Services Equipment Program grant, with the brigade also strongly fundraising to contribute towards the vehicle.

CFA District 2 Commander Bryan Suckling said the new ultralight will be a great asset for the brigade. He also acknowledged the new emergency services hub as an exciting project ahead.

“It’s great to see the site has been locked in, which will be a state-of-the-art facility for CFA and VICSES to work and train from for many years to come,” Bryan said.

“Our agencies work side-by-side so it makes sense to have us responding to emergencies from the same site.”

The project is in the design phase and will include a seven bay motor room (four CFA, three VICSES), two sheds for support vehicles and equipment, a kitchen, training room, bathrooms and storage with separate offices, turnout and hazard specific equipment for both agencies.

Construction is expected to commence in 2026.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

CFA crews successfully delivered fire protection and suppression services at the 2025 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, held at Phillip Island over the weekend.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

Jim Chalmers:

Prime Minister Albanese had an outstanding meeting with President Trump today. We’re very, very pleased with how the meeting went. And the critical minerals framework is really one of the most important bits of progress that we saw in those discussions. And what that’s all about is about helping to ensure Australia becomes a world leader in the export of rare earths and critical minerals. It’s all about making sure that we strengthen our trade ties with the US, that we strengthen supply chains, and that we make sure that this remarkable opportunity that Australia has with rare earths and critical minerals is properly maximised.

Haslinda Amin:

So, who will decide which projects are viable? Is the government choosing the winners here?

Chalmers:

This industry already, we think there are about $AUD13 billion of projects in the pipeline. A really extraordinary opportunity for Australia, a golden opportunity. And what the American administration and the Australian Government have agreed is that each of us will invest a billion dollars over the next 6 months, as you rightly said in your introduction, in some of these really important projects. We believe Australia can be and will be a world leader in the supply of rare earths and critical minerals. The agreement and the framework that was agreed with President Trump today is an important part of that effort. It’s a golden opportunity for Australia, and we intend to maximise it.

Amin:

The thing is, there is reason to think there could be competition between an American and Australian company. I’m just wondering, how will it be decided when it comes to that? For instance, if you have Lynas and MP Materials at odds, how will you decide?

Chalmers:

It’s not beyond us for the commercial arrangements to reflect the scale of this opportunity and our obligations to each other under this framework. Obviously, rare earths and critical minerals have a number of important applications, including in defence and technology, and in the industries that the US administration are very keen to work closely with Australia on. We intend to be a reliable supplier around the world.

But this agreement with the US is about strengthening trade ties with the Trump administration and the US more broadly. It’s about making sure that those supply chains are robust and reliable. We will have markets all around the world for these critical minerals, and that’s a good thing. But the American relationship is very important to us, and today we strengthened it.

Amin:

When you think about these rare earth deal and the projects which are coming up, we know that Gina Rinehart, for instance, has a finger in a lot of these pies. And some are raising the concern that perhaps, you know, taxpayers’ money would end up at one end of town, which is the richer end of town. I mean, how do you respond to such concerns?

Chalmers:

This critical minerals opportunity for Australia is a big opportunity for our workers, our local communities, for our businesses and our investors. And there’s more than one investor or owner of critical minerals resources in Australia. But whether it’s mining, refining, adding value, processing, working with our international partners – you shouldn’t see this as anything other than a massive opportunity for Australia. It’s why we put so much effort into engaging, whether it be with the US administration, whether it be here in APEC, with the 21 economies of our region.

We recognise that Australia’s got a lot to offer the world. We’ve got important relationships right around the region, and we intend to supply other economies with our critical minerals and rare earths in a way where the benefits in Australia are broadly shared, including amongst our world‑leading mining workforce.

Amin:

Do you think China overplayed its hand in imposing the curbs on rare earth supplies?

Chalmers:

I wouldn’t engage in that sort of commentary. We engage with the Chinese administration in good faith and in Australia’s national interest. We engage with all of our trading partners in that fashion. I’ll leave the analysis to others. Our interest here is making sure that we continue to be a reliable supplier, that we play an important role in strengthening supply chains in this industry, whether it’s in the United States or elsewhere.

But our relationship with China is important to us in economic terms as well. We’ve put a lot of effort into stabilising that relationship. The Chinese economy is not without its fair share of challenges, but we are confident that it will continue to be an important source of growth in our own economy in Australia. And we believe it’s possible to engage with the Americans in the way that we have been and to continue to stabilise and invest in that very important China relationship at the same time.

Amin:

Treasurer, so, it all sounds good for the Australian economy. Let’s take a look at your budget. What are the prospects of a narrowing of your budget deficit, given that, you know, the commodity space is doing really well? Take a look at where gold is in terms of tax receipts from miners. That should be, should be looking pretty good as well. How is that deficit looking for you?

Chalmers:

In our first term of government, in our first 3 years in office, we engineered the biggest positive turnaround in our budget in a single parliamentary term in Australian history, in nominal terms. We delivered 2 surpluses, and in the most recent year the deficit was around a fifth of what we inherited from our predecessors. And so, we’ve made good progress on the budget, but we know that there is more work to do. A big reason for that progress has been the strength of our labour market, but also we found $100 billion in savings, we’ve shown spending restraint, we’ve banked most of the upward revisions to revenue, which comes from a stronger labour market and relatively strong commodity prices. And so that has improved the budget, but we know that there is more work to do.

And when you spend time in these international forums, as I have been, in North America last week and in Asia this week, it becomes very clear that Australia’s budget is in much better nick, much better condition than a lot of other budgets around the world. In fact, the gross debt for the year just finished is $188 billion lower than was projected just 3 years ago. So, we’ve made good progress. We know there’s more work to do to make our budget more sustainable. But because of the progress we’ve made, we’ve got the debt down and we’ve got the debt interest down as well, and that’s been important.

Amin:

Is there a potential for a surplus, Treasurer?

Chalmers:

We’re not forecasting that for the coming fiscal year. There are pressures on the budget which are frankly intensifying, rather than easing, including in the care economy and elsewhere. But we will continue to manage the budget in the most responsible way that we can. We will build on the very substantial progress that we have made already. To continue to ensure that our budget is as sustainable as it can be in the face of all of this global economic uncertainty, and in the face of the spending pressures which are familiar to a lot of the economies that we’re engaging with here in Incheon.

Amin:

Treasurer Chalmers, all eyes on monetary policy as well. The market’s pricing in 2 more rate cuts. In your opinion, is that enough for the Australian economy?

Chalmers:

There are good reasons why Australian treasurers don’t engage in commentary about the future movement of interest rates. We don’t predict or pre‑empt decisions taken independently by our Reserve Bank board. Interest rates have already been cut 3 times in Australia in the space of the last 7 or 8 months or so. The market is expecting further interest rate cuts before long.

My job is to focus on the economic fundamentals, which are strong in Australia. We are genuinely an island of opportunity and resilience and reliability in a sea of global economic uncertainty and risk. So as to continue to tend to the macroeconomic fundamentals of our economy, the strong labour market, the fact that we’ve got inflation down considerably, that’s my focus. I’ll leave decisions on monetary policy to our independent Reserve Bank.

Amin:

So, when you take a look at the economic fundamentals in Australia, are you perhaps frustrated by the gradual pace? Because when you take a look at what other central banks around the world have been doing, they’ve been more aggressive in terms of the rate cuts to help the economy grow faster.

Chalmers:

Obviously, when interest rates are cut, that has a positive impact on the economy. I think that’s self‑evident. That’s economics 101. And because of the progress we’ve made in our economy, particularly on inflation, but we’ve been able to get that progress on inflation without paying for it with substantially higher unemployment. We’ve got real incomes growing again. So, there’s a lot to be proud of in the Australian economy and that has given the Reserve Bank the confidence to cut interest rates 3 times already this year.

Again, I’m not going to engage in anything that goes beyond that, or which could be misread as encouraging the independent Reserve Bank one way or the other. But I think certainly any objective observer of our economy over the last 12 or 18 months would recognise we’ve continued to see it grow, we’ve managed to get real incomes growing again, we’ve managed to keep the labour market relatively strong – certainly by historical standards – we’ve managed to get inflation down very considerably from its peak a couple of years ago. And when the Reserve Bank meets to take these decisions independently, they will weigh all of that up.

Amin:

And Treasurer, speaking of the economy, you have to talk about China, which is your largest trading partner. Its, I guess, economic recovery is pretty sluggish, and it’s been trying to reverse that. How are you factoring that into your own projections on growth going forward?

Chalmers:

Obviously Australia’s got a lot of skin in the game when it comes to prospects for the Chinese economy. As I said a moment ago, there are no shortage of challenges in the Chinese economy and its property sector and in other important respects. But we’re very confident that China’s growth will continue to be an important source of Australia’s economic success. We have put a lot of effort into stabilising that relationship, maximising that opportunity, given China is such a big and important trading partner of ours.

Like the rest of the world, we will watch closely the developments around the new 5‑year plan when that’s announced before long. But as I said, China will continue to be a really important part of Australia’s economic prospects. It warrants and receives a lot of our attention. That will be especially the case as we see the developments around the 5‑year plan, and when it comes to our forecasts, we’ll update them in the usual way in the budget update towards the end of the year.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

strong>DAVID WOIWOD, HOST: Welcome back to Weekend Sunrise. Returning to our lead story now, and the peace plan between Israel and Palestine is now underway, leaders around the world speaking out in support of the ceasefire.

MONIQUE WRIGHT, HOST: We’re joined now by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. PM, good to see you. Thanks for being with us.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning from beautiful Brisbane.

WRIGHT: Looks gorgeous. Okay, plenty of cautious optimism, lots of hope around this peace deal this morning. What was your personal first reaction when you got the news?

PRIME MINISTER: Oh, thank goodness. I think people who’ve watched the horror that’s unfolded after, firstly, Hamas’s terrorist actions on 7 October that saw the worst loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust and were horrified that that could occur, and then watching the unfolding tragedy and devastation of Gaza with the enormous loss of innocent life, just wanted to see ceasefire, just wanted to see it end. And they want to see peace, peaceful coexistence. They want to see the region settle down. And so we have now hope. We have called for a long time for the ceasefire to occur. Hostages to be released, aid to get to the people who really need it there in Gaza, Hamas to disarm and play no role. And of course, the long term solution, which is two states, Israel and Palestine, side by side, people living in peace and security.

WOIWOD: Yes, well, we can hear the relief there in your voice and we’ve seen those images of relief too this morning. But looking forward, Prime Minister, do you see a practical role for Australia in helping this peace deal actually stick? And could that involve peacekeepers or other form of forces or observers?

PRIME MINISTER: We’re not big players in the Middle East, that’s the truth. But Australia will of course always play our role, be it just supporting, as we have, supporting this peace process going forward. We’ll talk, obviously, with partners. These are early days and this is a fragile situation, of course. But what it has needed, and we’ve said this for some time, is of course US leadership. President Trump has provided that. And that’s provided the breakthrough. I think his comments where he said to Prime Minister Netanyahu, ‘you can’t fight the world, Bibi.’ People were saying throughout the world, countries including Australia, enough is enough. The cycle of violence has to end. And hopefully that is what we are seeing in the interests of both Israelis, Palestinians, but also in the interests of the world because as we know, this has not been good for social cohesion here or anywhere else.

WRIGHT: Well, on that PM, we’ve seen families divided here, faith groups are hurting, Australians feeling completely torn, frightened. What does healing look like, do you think, from here, what can we all be doing? Is there anything that we can all be doing to try and help make that healing happen?

PRIME MINISTER: What we can do Mon, is respect each other. We live in the best country on earth and one of the things that makes this the best country in my view, and I’m so proud of the fact that people can live in local communities like my local hood in Marrickville, people of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Greek Orthodox, whatever faith, or no faith, and just respect each other. And that is what we need to do, come together, see a healing. And that is my hope. I’ve always seen that Australia can be a bit of a microcosm for the world that shows that our diversity is a strength we’re all enriched by – I had a fantastic meal here last night. You know, what we call fusion food, where Australian restaurants serve food with flavours from all around the world, particularly from Asia. And that, that is just a big plus with us. So, just respect. Turn down the temperature, for goodness sake, as well. That’s why I was very pleased that the court made the decision they did for the Opera House protest. And 7 October was not a time for protest either.

WOIWOD: Prime Minister, why do you think this time would be different? We have been here before. Why would this time be different? It’s such a long and complicated history.

PRIME MINISTER: People know what the solution is and they’ve known for some time what it looks like. It is Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state being recognised by all of the Arab states around it. The statement by the Arab League in June was I think a critical point in time here. They condemned unequivocally 7 October. They called for Hamas to have no role in the future of Gaza or the West Bank in a Palestinian state. They said they were prepared to play a role, in a multinational transitional role if you like. So, you have that. You then have a recognition by now 157 countries saying that Palestinians’ legitimate aspirations for their own state must be realised, but that Hamas cannot play a role. And you have now US leadership under President Trump intervening here, basically knocking heads together. The United States is a powerful force, of course, the most powerful country in the world. And you have US leadership here as well.

WRIGHT: Well, so much hope around this morning. Cautious optimism still a lot that has to be sorted out. But good news for now.

PRIME MINISTER: There sure is.

WRIGHT: Okay, you’re taking some leave from today, last morning on the job. Does the job follow you?

PRIME MINISTER: I am. I’m having a whole week off before I head next Sunday afternoon, I’ll go to the United States back to Washington DC to meet President Trump and his administration. I’ve had a very warm invitation to the White House. I am very much looking forward to it. The United States is our most important relationship. And when we sit down together, we can resume the face-to-face discussion that we had in New York and the warm discussions that we’ve had since President Trump returned to the presidency. We have an important defence and security relationship, economic relationship and partnership. There’s much that we can do together in the area of critical minerals and all of these issues. And I’m very much looking forward to it. But I’m also looking forward to having a bit of a rest over the next week.

WOIWOD: Prime Minister, we’ll let you go pack your board shorts and enjoy that holiday. Thanks for your time this morning.

WRIGHT: Thanks, PM.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

strong>RENEE COFFEY, MEMBER FOR GRIFFITH: Welcome back here to Stones Corner in the beautiful electorate of Griffith. It’s fantastic to have the Prime Minister back here. Last time we were here, I was the candidate for Griffith, and it was April, and this was a construction site, so we had our hard hats and our goggles. So it’s great to be here now that we’ve got tenants moving in with the BHC. We know how much the issue housing is in our community, and that’s why we’re getting on with the business of building homes just like this beautiful development here in Stones Corner with BHC. Here, we have 82 social and affordable homes. So it’s wonderful to be back to meet with some of the tenants, and also to welcome our Prime Minister back. So I’ll hand over to you, Prime Minister.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Thanks very much, Renee, and it is fantastic to be back here, and particularly a great privilege to talk to some of the tenants who are now living in these homes, with security not just on a day-to-day basis, but for the rest of their lives going forward. We were here in April, it was a building site. Today it’s a home. Making an enormous difference as part of our $43 billion Homes for Australia Plan. We met this morning, Karen, who was in private rental. She lost her home 20 years ago from a divorce, as happens. A lot of women in the retirement phase particularly face housing stress because they don’t have the same superannuation, they’ve raised families, and they find themselves in real housing stress. And Karen now says that at the time, indeed the very day that she got the call from BHC about this opportunity, her rental that she was in was being sold. John transferred from housing where he hadn’t been sleeping very well, it wasn’t appropriate for the issues that he was dealing with. It now is the security that he feels since he’s moved in just ten days ago. And Jan was couch surfing from house to house, relying upon friends to be able to have somewhere to stay at night. Jan now has a home here. She’s walking with her new friends in this wonderful facility here and her health has lifted as well, not surprisingly. Because a roof over your head, that security is vital for your health, it’s vital if you’re undertaking education, it’s vital if you want the opportunity to work either full or part time, but for your quality of life. It’s a foundation stone, literally. And here at Stones Corner this is making an enormous difference. And I was so pleased this week when we were talking about coming to the electorate of Griffith with the new member – relatively new – Renee Coffey. Coming back to her electorate to say thank you as well to the people of Griffith who’ve elected a member who’ll actually fight and support for increased public and affordable housing in Renee Coffey. To come here and say this is making a difference and it will as we roll out our increased housing programs right around the country. And just of course, just days after, on the 1st of October, we began the Five Per Cent Deposit Scheme as well – helping first home owners into home ownership, already seeing a massive level of support. So whether it is increased home ownership, increased private rentals, affordable and social housing such as what we have here through the Brisbane Housing Corporation. This is an important program and rolling out is absolutely critical. I want to acknowledge that there’s also state government funding as part of this project as well, an example of governments working together to make a difference, including here in Brisbane. I also want to take the opportunity to announce that the Federal Government will invest $5 million towards the Boggo Road Precinct Renewable Project. Boggo Road of course has been a historic jail site. What is happening there is being turned into an educational and technology precinct creating jobs and opportunities here in Brisbane. And this is a part of our city’s policy, our urban renewal support, this $5 million program and a part of just revitalising our cities and making a difference here in Brisbane. So, congratulations belatedly in person here on site to Renee Coffey. I came to the electorate of Griffith on multiple occasions. Whether it was over the Urgent Care Clinics which have been, were built here and opened, whether it be housing projects. In Renee Coffey this community has a champion who will stand up for the interests of people who need a local member who will advocate for them going forward. Happy to take some questions.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, the Norman Lake case has been in court this week, and there’s been some alarming evidence about his actions towards you. What is your Government planning to do to decrease these heightened levels of threats?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, one of the things we need to do is to turn down the temperature on debate. I’ve said that media have a role in that as well. You know obviously the issue is before the court so I’m not going to make any comments on the specifics, but you wouldn’t be surprised that I’m very concerned by the revelations which are out there publicly. And, you know, we see events overseas where there is violence towards elected officials, or violence towards anyone is a bad thing to occur. And we just need to turn down the temperature, have respect for people, have respect for the capacity of us to have debates and discourse and have difference whilst having respect for each other. And that’s something that I tried to bring to political discourse in this country. The security issues that I face are far more acute than ten years ago, five years ago, certainly a lot more acute than when I was first elected. And I just say that the role of social media, people being able to say things that they’d never say to your face is something I’ve spoken about regularly. And there’s no place for violence. There’s no place for violent discourse either, because we can’t normalise these sort of threats being made and think that that is business as usual, because what we know is that does lead to real tragedy. And we’ve seen as well – I had to attend the funeral of police officers here in Brisbane with the so-called sovereign citizens issue, here, Victoria, the Cook Government in WA have taken some really strong actions as well in taking weapons off people who don’t acknowledge the rule of law in this country. And I just say that, you know, I’ve had to adjust some of my activity. One of the great things about this country is that I could go to a shopping centre in Sunnybank during the election campaign. I can do walkthroughs right throughout South East Queensland and engage with people. We don’t want to lose that. I don’t want to lose that as Prime Minister. I don’t want to be told I can’t engage in a normal way with people and just meet people at random without preparation. I think that’s a good thing. I quite like being able to have a beer even at The Caxton Hotel, wearing a Blues scarf on the way to a State of Origin game. That’s a good thing about this country. Let’s not lose it.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, on superannuation, your office or government sought a briefing from Treasury on the plan to tax unrealised capital gains on superannuation accounts after the policy received backlash from stakeholders, we were told. When did you get a sense there was a backlash towards this policy and are you considering refining it?

PRIME MINISTER: We receive briefings on policy all the time, as you expect the Prime Minister’s office to do. That’s what we do. There’s nothing unusual about that. That’s what occurs right across the full suite of policy issues.

JOURNALIST: Are you considering making changes?

PRIME MINISTER: Our policy is as it stands.

JOURNALIST: Did you step in over Jim Chalmers’ head to suggest –

PRIME MINISTER: No, there are no policy changes that we have not made. Our policy stands. There’s nothing unusual about the full suite – ask me about any policy and I’ll tell you I’ve had a briefing, including housing, including everything else.

JOURNALIST: One of the comments was that there was modelling was done as a result of this briefing. Had there not been modelling before the initial decision to bring in this tax, double the tax?

PRIME MINISTER: I’m not sure what you’re asking.

JOURNALIST: Was there modelling before the initial decision to double the capital gains on otherwise?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, that’s not actually what the policy is, by the way. The policy is not as you define it. It’s a complex policy. And as normally occurs, there’s the normal policy processes by Treasury.

JOURNALIST: Was there modelling done on it?

PRIME MINISTER: There are the normal policy processes that Cabinet deal with.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, it’s been almost three years, when are you hoping those changes will pass?

PRIME MINISTER: Well I hope – the Senate, like they blocked housing policy, the Senate blocked a whole range of policies between the Greens and the Coalition. We hope that the Senate supports government policy whenever we put it up, including on this area.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, the US is committing 200 troops to Israel to help monitor the ceasefire. Has there been a request for Australian troops, and would you be open to sending them?

PRIME MINISTER: Look, we’ll continue to work with allies on these issues. I just want to say that I very much welcome this breakthrough. We have called for some time for a ceasefire, for the release of hostages, for aid to be granted. That needs to happen. And we also need to talk about the day after, which requires a two state solution. Australia has worked constructively with people. I think President Trump deserves congratulations for the leadership that the United States has shown. We’ve always said that this will require US leadership and that is what we have seen here. But it’s a very welcome advance.

JOURNALIST: Has Australia been asked to send troops?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, we’ll work with – we’ll continue to work with our allies and continue to work constructively as we have done the whole way through.

JOURNALIST: The State Energy Minister is releasing his energy plan today, [inaudible]?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, I haven’t seen the plan obviously, it hasn’t been released. So, look, we’ll continue to engage constructively. I have a good relationship with state and territory governments. I had a good chat with Premier Crisafulli, had a chat with him last night, had an engagement with him at the footy on Sunday. I congratulate the Brisbane Broncos. I particularly congratulate my friend Adam Reynolds and of course Madge. I rang Madge last week and wished him luck. I got to know him when he was coach of my team – a South Sydney loyalist. But it was good to see a fantastic reward for what was an outstanding season by the Broncos in his first season as coach here. But it was a fantastic game and the Storm deserved big congrats as well. I thought both teams performed outstandingly, and it was terrific to talk with David Crisafulli there.

JOURNALIST: What we do know about the energy policy is that the Miles-Palaszczuk Government’s plans to retire the fleet of coal fired power stations in 32-35 is now off the agenda, is going to be pushed back to at least 45, 2045. What’s your response to that?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, I’ll wait and see a plan before I comment on it, with respect. My government’s orderly, we don’t comment on speculation. What we know is that 24 out of 28 of the coal fired power stations around Australia announced their closure under the former Coalition Government. There was no plan to fill that supply gap and it’s something that my Government has had to deal with. We’re dealing with it constructively moving forward and we know that the cheapest form of new energy is of course renewables.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, do you think Donald Trump deserves a Nobel Peace Prize?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, what I’d say is that Donald Trump certainly deserves enormous congratulations for the work that he has done. We want to see US leadership in the world and what we have seen is that on this occasion.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, do you think it’s appropriate that you are the President of the Australian Parliament Sports Club?

PRIME MINISTER: Yeah, as Prime Minister it comes with the gig. A whole lot of things come with the gig.

JOURNALIST: Just as a follow up, Senator David Pocock has questioned whether you should be the President, given that the club is on the Federal Lobbyist Register.

PRIME MINISTER: Well, I think that’s David Pocock being David Pocock, getting himself in a story. You know, this is a voluntary organisation that raises money for charity.

JOURNALIST: Sponsored by gambling – you don’t have any issue with that?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, if you think I’m spending my day-to-day time – the amount of time I have spent on the Australian Parliament Sports Club this year is zero. I have participated in zero events in terms of sports, just because I’m a bit busy. But I tell you what, things like playing football as they do with the people who sell the Big Issue and homeless people, is a good thing. A bit of fun playing State of Origin that David Pocock has participated in. You know, last time I did participate, David Pocock was participating as well. So, that’s a question for Mr. Pocock.

JOURNALIST: The RBA Governor has blamed higher house prices on a lack of supply, saying it’s not the monetary policy’s responsibility. Does that mean the government hasn’t done enough to date to get enough housing supply?

PRIME MINISTER: Yeah, yeah. Over decades. Housing supply hasn’t just happened. Housing supply shortfalls are a result of neglect by governments. The former government didn’t bother to have a Housing Minister for half the time that they were in office. They built just over 300 houses the entire time that they were there, in terms of social housing. They neglected areas like social and affordable housing. They opposed then, having done that for a decade, they then opposed the Housing Australia Future Fund. They opposed the Build to Rent incentives. They opposed all of the measures that we tried to get through the Parliament for a long period of time, including with the member for Griffith being one of the chief blockers along with the Coalition, Michael Sukkar. Michael Sukkar and the former member here, both are no longer in the Parliament, and I think one of the reasons why they’re no longer in the Parliament is because they blocked housing supply. And people rejected that. So, of course this is the issue that we have to deal with. There are other issues as well, but housing supply is front and centre, and my Government has said that from the very beginning.

JOURNALIST: Do you agree with the concept that a Greater Brisbane is going to maximise our opportunities globally for the 2032 Games?

PRIME MINISTER: I’m not sure how you define – I’m not sure the context of the question, to be frank.

JOURNALIST: Stakeholders are basically saying that we need to incorporate all of Southeast Queensland as a Greater Brisbane and brand it that way for the world stage, for 2032.

PRIME MINISTER: Look, that’s above my pay grade. I think that communities, if you’re suggesting that people on the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, I assume – is that what you’re – that’s a matter for local communities to determine. But there are communities that are distinct. I’ve got cousins on the Sunshine Coast, for example. And they’re very proud Sunshine Coast residents. So, I think that there are people in different areas – you know, people in Ipswich, I think, tell you they live in Ipswich, so, don’t say they live in Brisbane. And so, I think that’s a matter for local communities to determine. Certainly not a matter for the national government to interfere with.

JOURNALIST: Back on superannuation. The Senate was told by Treasury officials that stakeholders have raised concerns about the initiative. Was it your government? Was it your office? Was it Treasury? And did you have concerns about –

PRIME MINISTER: Well, the Senate have given statements about policy development in the normal way. That’s nothing unusual. Nothing unusual.

JOURNALIST: They said concerns were raised with Treasury.

PRIME MINISTER: Well, you know, you’re raising concerns now at a press conference. [INTERJECTIONS] People will raise policy issues from time to time. It’s called public discourse in this great democracy of ours, and –

JOURNALIST: Well, can you tell us what those concerns are, as part of this public discourse?

PRIME MINISTER: It’s not my job, it’s your job, so I’m not going to do your job for you. You know, policy debates happen normally, transparently. Yes, people get briefings. That’s how policy develops. And my Government makes no apologies for the fact that we’re engaged with people. That’s what we do. My Government’s an inclusive government and that’s why we develop policies like our Homes for Australia plan. That’s why we develop policies across the board.

JOURNALIST: Question on the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Given that the NACC Chief Commissioner, Paul Brereton, has advised the Defence Force 11 times – so, the NACC itself was unaware he continued that work. How can the public have confidence in the independence of the Anti-Corruption Commission when it was investigating Defence matters whilst its head simultaneously provided confidential advice to Defence?

PRIME MINISTER: My Government followed a range of governments that promised to have a National Anti-Corruption Commission. Former governments did nothing about it. What my Government has done is tick off commitments that we’ve made, including the creation of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, which is independent of government and is able to do its activity at arm’s length from government without day-to-day commentary from government about its activities. That’s a good thing. What we’ve done since the election is tick off one by one the policies that we took to the election, including, this week, the introduction of legislation to freeze the beer excise for two years, making a difference as part of cost-of-living. [INTERJECTIONS] We’ve had the legislation, we’ve had the – I’ve answered your question. I’ve answered your question, which is that you won’t get a running commentary about the activity of an independent body, because that’s the whole point of having an independent body [INTERJECTIONS] without political interference. So, what my Government has done is to deliver right here, concrete – we’re standing on it, what my Government has been able to deliver. But we delivered the legislation on cheaper medicines. Just yesterday I met with a family who was still grieving Priya, who they lost at such a very young age. And changing the parental leave laws to make sure that that is acknowledged in an appropriate way is something again that I’m really proud of. We go through, we’re methodical, we’re orderly, we say what we will do and then we do what we’ve said.

Thanks very much.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

ustralians have clocked up more than two million visits to Labor’s free Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, easing pressure on hospital emergency departments and keeping critical care focused where it is needed most.

New data shows that the average number of visits to Medicare Urgent Care Clinics has risen to almost 26,000 per week nationally, and this number is expected to continue to grow as more clinics open.

Nearly half of all patients who attended a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic would have used a hospital emergency department if no clinic was available.

The Albanese Labor Government has delivered 90 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics with another 47 to open by mid-next year, which in total will provide services to around two million people every year.

Once all 137 clinics are open, 4 in 5 Australians will live within a 20-minute drive of a clinic according to analysis by the Department of Health and Aged Care.

Clinics are open for extended hours, filling a vital gap when regular GP practices are often closed. Nearly 30 per cent of visits to Medicare Urgent Care Clinics have taken place on weekends, and 25 per cent of patients have attended after 5pm on weekdays.

Medicare Urgent Care Clinics offer free care with no appointment needed, for illnesses and injuries that are urgent but not life-threatening, such as gastro, mild burns, sports injuries, insect bites, and minor infections. For more information, please visit Find your nearest Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Two million visits is a testament to the value of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, which are great for patients and vital for taking pressure off hospital emergency departments.

“When you go to an Urgent Care Clinic, all you will need is your Medicare card, not your credit card.

“Labor created Medicare, and we are building Australia’s future with the largest investment in Medicare in over 40 years.”

Quotes attributable to Health Minister Mark Butler:

“The Albanese Government’s Medicare Urgent Care Clinics have changed the face of health care in Australia.

“The clinics have been a game changer for communities around the country.

“No wonder over two million Australians have accessed this health care.

“They are taking the pressure off hospitals and delivering fully bulk billed urgent care with no appointment needed.

“All patients need is their Medicare card, not their credit card.”

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

ustralia welcomes President Trump’s announcement that Israel and Hamas have signed off the first phase of the plan to bring peace to Gaza.

After more than two years of conflict, hostages held and a devastating loss of civilian life, this is a much needed step towards peace.

Australia has consistently been part of international calls for a ceasefire, return of the hostages, and the unimpeded flow of aid to Gaza.

We urge all parties to respect the terms of the plan.

We thank President Trump for his diplomatic efforts and acknowledge the important role of Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye in delivering this agreement.

Australia strongly supports the plan’s commitment to denying Hamas any role in the future governance of Gaza. 

There is a very long road to recovery in Gaza, securing long term peace and building the Palestinian state. 

Together with our partners, Australia will continue to do what we can to contribute to a just and enduring two-state solution.