CLINT STANAWAY, HOST: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joins us now live from Adelaide on Weekend Today. Prime Minister, good morning. Good to see you.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: G’day, good to be with you.
STANAWAY: Your Government covered that 15 per cent increase back in 2022. Will you foot the bill for $20 billion over the next four years?
PRIME MINISTER: Now, to be very clear, the 15 per cent is included as part of this decision. What we'll do is we'll examine the ruling, that's very complex. There's different amounts for different categories of work. But what we know from the Aged Care Royal Commission is that we need to pay our aged care workers more. They look after our older Australians, and they rely upon the workforce to allow them to live with the dignity and respect that they deserve. It's really important that we retain staff and that we attract more staff to the sector, as we have an ageing of the population. So, we welcome the decision that's been made - at arm's length - and it is good that we don't just acknowledge the heroes of the pandemic that was one of the groups who looked after elder Australians but we reward them appropriately. We do want Australians in sectors like that to earn more and we want them to keep more of what they earn as well. And the tax cuts will benefit all of these workers as well.
SOPHIE WALSH, HOST: It's a big day in Queensland today. Premier Steven Miles will be put to the test with two major by-elections. New polling indicating the Labor State Government is on track to be defeated at the general election in October. Prime Minister, cost of living and youth crime both through the roof. People are at their wits end. Does Steven Miles deserve to hold on to that top job?
PRIME MINISTER: I think Steven Miles is doing a great job as Premier. There's a couple of by-elections today. Normal business is that there are swings away from a Government when a by-election is held, and you can expect that to happen today as well. But Steven Miles has a plan for Queensland, a plan for jobs, a plan for new industries. He did a remarkable job - I saw firsthand the care and compassion he has for his fellow Queenslanders during the floods and difficulties in the wake of the cyclone that occurred at the end of last year over the Christmas period. And so, I've seen firsthand how compassionate Steven is and how supportive he is of his fellow Queenslanders.
STANAWAY: The polls don't tend to back that up. I mean, people lost trust in Steven Miles and his Government.
PRIME MINISTER: We'll wait and see. When the election happens in October, I expect there'll be a swing away from the government in these by-elections today. That is just normal business. That is what happens in by-elections normally. But I think, know, people will have a look at the LNP in Queensland very closely before October. They'll remember that the last time they got the Treasury benches under Campbell Newman, they just ripped and slashed, they sacked tens of thousands of essential workers in the health sector, in the education sector, services dropped off, you didn't get the investment in infrastructure that was required. And I think they will give real pause before they're prepared to elect so many of the same people with the same positions that they had last time around, which is why they were just a one term government.
WALSH: Prime Minister, Australia's wine industry is optimistic they will soon see an end to China's wine tariffs. An interim decision coming as soon as next week. How crucial is that decision for Australian businesses?
PRIME MINISTER: It's critical for jobs and critical for this vital industry. Wine exports to China from facilities like this one in the Adelaide Hills were worth some $1.1 billion when these impediments were put in place. We have an interim decision which says that the wine industry will again be able to export to China freely and that will make an enormous difference for jobs here. I know that some of the wineries are under real pressure here. They're saying, particularly some of the smaller operators, that their very viability is under pressure, because that was an important component of their business model. So, it's good for China to receive the best wine products in the world, but it's good for Australian jobs. As well as literally the wine sector itself, of course, the tourism sector here in South Australia and so many other parts of Australia is relying upon the tourism traffic that comes from these wonderful facilities. There's great accommodation, there's great experiences in attracting people from other parts of Australia, but indeed international tourism as well. So, we're really hopeful of a positive result in coming days and the industry is certainly prepared to wind back up really quickly. They're putting in place those measures, and the interim decision that was announced last week is a really positive step. There's just one step to go. We want it to happen in coming weeks.
STANAWAY: PM, what about this looming High Court hearing? Let's not mince our words. It could mean that more immigration detainees are released into the communities across the country. Are you and your Government doing enough to keep the community safe?
PRIME MINISTER: Yeah, we certainly are. We're doing everything that we can. We're not above the High Court, no government is. And so we are responding appropriately. We're putting in place every measure to ensure that community safety is our priority.
WALSH: And PM, I see you've become a wedding crasher. Is that preparation for your big day?
PRIME MINISTER: I got out of the car yesterday speaking at a forum here at the Adelaide centre, at a hotel, and there was a lovely gathering – Ellen, the bride, and her bridal party. She had six bridesmaids and they all looked lovely. They were really, really happy for the big day. It's a big thing now, apparently, Fridays for weddings, because it's one of the products of the pandemic - everything was booked out on weekends now for a long time, because people had to hold off the celebrations. But I'm sure that Ellen would have had a wonderful day.
STANAWAY: Pity you didn't stick around, she needed an MC.
PRIME MINISTER: It was delightful to meet them, and they all looked fantastic.
STANAWAY: Good on you. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joining us live this morning from South Australia. Thanks so much for your time.