DAVID CAMPBELL, HOST: Prime Minister, we know we're going to speak to you about Far North Queensland in a second, but we just wanted to touch on Prague, this horrible situation that's unfolded. What assistance is available to Aussies who might be caught up in the Prague situation?
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: It is a diabolical situation, David. And Australians can get information if they have family or friends in the region by contacting the Department of Foreign Affairs on 1300 555 135. That's 1300 555 135. This is a horrific circumstance to occur just before Christmas, it’s such a wonderful city, Prague. And to see those devastating scenes will be of real concern for those Australians who have family or might have friends and family members travelling to Prague at this time.
SYLVIA JEFFREYS, HOST: It's just awful to see people fleeing in terror in that way, isn't it? Let's turn now to the disaster closer to home, where you are in Far North Queensland now. Where, of course, residents are counting the cost of those devastating floods up that way. Have you been shocked, Prime Minister, by the scale of this disaster?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the scale has been unprecedented, Sylvia. When you see those footage of waters rushing through the main streets of not just Cairns, but the beaches to the north, communities like Wujal Wujal have been devastated by this, the communities on the Tablelands. I joined with Premier Miles in a meeting on Tuesday of all the emergency services personnel, but we also heard from each of the mayors in the nine local government affected areas and it was quite horrific what they're going through. I'm here with the Premier again today here in Cairns. We'll be meeting with affected people, we'll be having a thank you barbeque for the emergency services workers and volunteers who've been showing such courage and extraordinary resilience over the last week or so. And then meeting with people who are directly affected. We'll have an announcement of further support today on top of the support for individuals. Today we'll be announcing increased support for primary producers, for small business and non-government organisations, for the nine local government areas, in addition to that support for the tourism sector. And I'd say to your viewers today that if you have a booking here in Far North Queensland, please don't just cancel. They want people to continue to come to the region to provide support for their economy as they come out of what has been a devastating period.
CAMPBELL: I mean, the Queensland Government's put in $1.5 million into the flood appeal. What you're talking about here, it sounds like it's going to reach into the billions. So, is that how much funding is going to be going into that region? Because it's going to need it.
PRIME MINISTER: The region will need an enormous amount of funding. Today we have a package of funding, it's $25 million for small business and non-government organisations, $25 million for the primary producers. There'll be need for additional support, but we want to make sure that we get that funding flowing. The funding is available, there are four support offices of government services up and running in the region providing that on the ground support. There's $1000 for emergency payments available for individuals, $400 for each child who's been directly affected by this and has seen a loss of income or a loss of property, has been directly impacted. But we know that the clean-up will be long and will be difficult. We've spoken as well to insurance companies. If you are insured, you need to put in a claim and that claim should be paid and we've made that very clear. I know there's been some mixed messaging going out there, but the insurance companies are obliged to make the payments for claims that are legitimately put in.
JEFFREYS: Well, I'm sure we will hear about it if they don't, that's for sure. I want to raise with you this morning PM, some concerns that have been raised in the papers this morning, in the Australian, about a capability gap in our military helicopter fleet while we await these new Blackhawks that are on their way. Are we in strife if there's another future disaster? No doubt there will be, there are fires raging, of course, in the west as we go to air this morning. Do we have the kind of helicopters that can perform roof rescues when needed?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we've had choppers here on the ground. Four helicopters have been available here and they've been providing amazing services. It was the Chinook helicopters taking people from Wujal Wujal through to Cooktown. The Australian Defence Force from the weekend immediately here at HMAS Cairns had boats in the water providing support. In addition, we've seen extraordinary tasks undertaken by individuals. There's a fellow called Magoo up here who hopefully I'll meet today, who rescued people off roofs one by one, in his little two person chopper.
JEFFREYS: Well, yeah, that's the thing. He has the kind of chopper that is capable of doing those agile tasks. Do we have any in the ADF right now that can do that?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we had four on the ground, Sylvia. We had four on the ground here that have been doing that for days here. We have had ADF personnel here. The job that emergency services here in Queensland have coordinated has been quite extraordinary. And the fact that you haven't had significant loss of life speaks to the extraordinary achievement. And I just pay tribute to those people, whether they be full time emergency services or from fire and rescue, the police, the Australian Defence Force, or whether they be volunteers,. Happens every time, at the worst of disasters, we see the best of the Australian character. Australians chipping in to help their fellow citizens and their mates. And that's what we've seen here once again.
CAMPBELL: Prime Minister, before we let you go, we just want to turn away from Cairns for a second. Richard Marles is facing criticism for refusing to send a warship to the Red Sea at America's request. Obviously, you want to focus on threats closer to home, but that's a very important trade route in Australia's interests. We know the price of oil is going to go up, cost of living is a nightmare for Australians as it is. What are we doing here? Shouldn't we just be trying to help the Americans out to make that a clear route?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we are. We have people in the operation there at Bahrain. The idea though that, you've seen no criticism from the US administration, there's been no request on a government to government level. And the US certainly understand that our priority and the role that we play in the region is very significant. We've recently had four vessels in operations on the South China Sea, in joint operations with the Philippines about freedom of navigation. And that is our priority. And that as well I must say, is what's been communicated to me over a long period of time as the priority of the US and our friends in the region as well.
JEFFREYS: Well, Prime Minister, we're out of time. It's great to see you there on the ground in Cairns, showing support to Far North Queenslanders who really need it right now. And we wish you and Jodie a very merry Christmas and all the best for the new year as well.
CAMPBELL: Merry Christmas, mate.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks very much, Sylvia and David. And to you both and your wonderful families and your, of course, viewers as well. I just say have a very merry Christmas, for those of Christian faith have a holy Christmas as well. And please for everyone, drive safely. We've seen a spike in the road toll this year, tragically and we need people to stay safe on our roads over the festive period.
CAMPBELL: Great message there. Prime Minister, thank you so much for your time.