Press conference - Parliament House, Canberra

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good afternoon. The Premier of the People's Republic of China, Li Qiang, will visit Australia as a Guest of Government from Saturday the 15th of June to Tuesday the 18th of June. This will be the first visit to Australia by a Chinese Premier since 2017 and represents another important step in stabilising our relationship with China. The Premier and I will hold the Annual Leaders' Meeting here at Parliament House in Canberra.

Visit by Premier of the People’s Republic of China

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome the Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Li Qiang, to Australia as a Guest of Government from Saturday 15 June to Tuesday 18 June 2024.

This will be the first visit to Australia by a Chinese Premier since 2017.

Prime Minister Albanese and Premier Li will hold the Annual Leaders’ Meeting at Parliament House in Canberra, where they will exchange views on bilateral, regional and international issues.

Press conference - Parliament House, Canberra

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Happy King's Birthday weekend everyone. The first time I spoke from here in the Prime Minister's Courtyard was when we legislated Australia's 2030 target, creating certainty for business, certainty for investment, certainty for jobs. Peter Dutton is walking away from climate action. His decision to abandon the 2030 target means him walking away from the Paris Accord.

Australia's economic outlook

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

I’m grateful for the invitation to address this second annual forum on Australia’s Economic Outlook.

Ahead of today, I looked back to the economic challenges we spoke about this time last year:

The aftershocks of the pandemic and the impact on inflation and supply chains.

The continuing devastation of conflict in Ukraine - and now the Middle East as well.

Reappointment of Secretary of the Department of the Treasury

I am pleased to announce the Governor-General has accepted my recommendation to reappoint Dr Steven Kennedy PSM as Secretary of the Department of the Treasury.

Dr Kennedy is one of the country’s most experienced public servants and his diligence and dedication represents the best traditions of the Treasury.

Having served for more than 30 years in the public service, Dr Kennedy’s extensive experience and outstanding leadership will be an ongoing asset for the department and the Government, as we continue to implement our economic reform agenda.

80th anniversary of the D-Day landings

Today we mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. We give our thanks to all who stood for liberty – and we remember all who fell.

I’m pleased to inform the House that the Governor-General, David Hurley, and Mrs Hurley are in France representing Australia at the commemorations.

D-Day was an unprecedented feat of collective willpower and daring – the free world’s decisive reply to the poison of Nazi tyranny.

Doorstop interview - Adelaide

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER:  Well, firstly, congratulations to Billy Slater and to Queensland on a big Origin win last night. I'm sure New South Wales will take a lot out of the game, a lot of first timers, and it's pretty tough to play 12 on 13 but look forward to the second game in Melbourne. But here in Adelaide, I was at the ACTU Congress last night, and it is a great gathering of working people.

ACTU Congress 2024

I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

To the magnificent duo of Michele O’Neil and Sally McManus, thank you for your leadership, your friendship and all you do for working people.

It is a great honour to address this Congress for the first time as Prime Minister of Australia. 

I have to say, over the years, some of us from New South Wales and Queensland always had a suspicion that the Victorians and South Australians were running this show.