FIONA PHILLIPS, MEMBER FOR GILMORE: Good morning everyone. Welcome to our beautiful Nowra riverfront, which we're going to make even more beautiful. I'm really delighted to be here today with the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, my good friend Liza Butler, the State Member for South Coast, and the Shoalhaven Mayor, Patricia White. And I'm really grateful for them coming today. The Shoalhaven riverfront here at Nowra provides – is so important to me. It holds great personal significance.

The Albanese Government is building Australia’s future by delivering infrastructure that connects regional communities and eases the everyday lives of locals. 

We’ve listened to the people of Shoalhaven, and today we are announcing $5 million for the Nowra Riverfront Precinct – a new mixed-use hub that will reconnect Nowra city centre with the Shoalhaven River waterfront.

The new precinct will transform Nowra for locals and visitors alike, shaping the future of the town and strengthening its role as the civic and tourism centre for the Shoalhaven region.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: This election there will be a very clear choice, between Labor providing assistance on cost of living and building Australia's future and a Coalition Government or Coalition Opposition led by Peter Dutton seeking government, so they can take Australia backwards, so they can have Australians to pay more. Families and businesses deserve high speed internet at an affordable price. Labor created the National Broadband Network and only Labor will finish the NBN and importantly keep the NBN in public hands.

Families and businesses need high speed internet at an affordable price, and the Albanese Government will deliver that as we build Australia’s future.

The Albanese Government will fund the upgrade of Australia’s remaining national fibre-to-the node (FTTN) network through an equity injection of up to $3 billion, with NBN Co contributing more than $800 million to the project.

The Government will deliver this significant milestone while guaranteeing NBN Co will remain in public ownership.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, welcome back everyone. 2025 is going to be a big year, and we, of course, have been already working hard for the beginning of the year. I spent Christmas Day in Darwin to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy. That was a very moving experience, I've got to say. I attended with the Governor-General as well.

RAFAEL EPSTEIN, HOST: PM, good morning. Thanks for joining us.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. How are you going? Welcome back.

EPSTEIN: I'm okay. You heard Asif's story, that is more and more common, especially working adults. What would you say to him?

GERALDINE MELLET, HOST: So, even though the Federal election hasn't been called, the Prime Minister has undeniably started his campaigning. First Queensland, now WA. And he's been appealing to us with his announcements of infrastructure funding to unlock housing in regional areas and then a quick stop in Perth. Before getting into his final day, he made time to talk to us on mornings and I started by asking him about the fires in LA and what aid Australia is offering.

TRACEY ROBERTS, MEMBER FOR PEARCE: Good morning. Well, that was fantastic. We're getting a pool in Alkimos. One of the fastest growing areas in Australia. And thank you so much to the Prime Minister for hearing our community, listening to our community, and now supporting our community and delivering us a swimming pool. So, thank you so very much from the City of Wanneroo. Amazing. We have a great few years ahead of us while we build this pool, and while we monitor the progress and see the results and see the happy faces of all our community. So thank you.

RUSSELL CLARKE, HOST: We have a special guest back in our city today, The Prime Minister, Mr. Anthony Albanese. And we certainly hope to be having him on the phone. In fact, I think that might be him now. Good morning, Prime Minister.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: It sure is, Russell. What a beautiful day here in Perth.

CLARKE: Ah, yes. We put on a show when we have special visitors. Welcome back to WA. I think this is what, the 27th time, I think?

Construction is now underway on the highly anticipated Alkimos Aquatic and Recreation Centre in Perth’s north, delivering key infrastructure for local communities to enjoy now and into the future.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined Federal Member for Pearce Tracey Roberts and Mayor of Wanneroo Linda Aitken to officially turn the sod to mark the start of works today.