Anthony Albanese spoke exclusively to Sky News Australia on a wide range of topics in his first televised interview as Prime Minister, which included his plan to curb China’s growing influence in the Pacific region. the ships and the lessons he has learned. in the significant electoral loss of Kristina Keneally. WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled his government’s plan to “talk about competition without disasters” but at the same time, acknowledging China’s growing strategic threat to the Pacific Islands region.
In his first televised interview with Sky News Australia’s Kieran Gilbert, a week after being chosen by the Australian public, he reiterated Labor’s goal of increasing engagement with Pacific neighbors in hopes of deterring them. of Beijing.
In April, the Solomon Islands signed a security pact with China that will allow the two nations to work together to maintain social order, protect people’s security, help, fight natural disasters. and help safeguard national security.
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Gilbert asked Mr Albanese how his government intended to curb Beijing’s growing influence after it was revealed that China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi would propose a climate deal and a deal. free trade in at least eight island nations.
Gilbert mentioned the feelings of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken days earlier when he branded China a “long-term strategic threat” and added that the world wants to avoid conflict and a “cold war.” .
“Australia is virtually on the move from our allies to the United States,” the prime minister said, stressing that the prospect was “not to talk about catastrophe”.
“I met with Secretary Blinken when he visited Australia this year and was in the Quad with President Biden and other significant U.S. foreign policy figures, such as Kurt Campbell (coordinator of the U.S. National Security Council for the United States). Indo-Pacific), who is a good friend of Australia.
“They talk about competition without catastrophe, we have to recognize that there is strategic competition, but we have to face it in a mature way that recognizes that it is in our interest to be peace in the region and security in the region.
Albanese then noted his government’s plan to engage in talks and personal meetings with Pacific officials and dignitaries, highlighting Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s trip to Fiji this week to demonstrate Australia’s commitment to the region.
Asked if he would be able to “resist this push for greater influence from China,” he outlined the goals he set out during his six-week election campaign.
“It has been a good start for the government to re-engage in diplomatic activity in our region,” said the 31st Prime Minister of Australia.
“We went to the polls with a positive plan for the Pacific, which meant increasing cooperation on defense, including a defense school, greater support for maritime security, an increase in aid of more than half a million. more action on the climate, including the necessary infrastructure in the Pacific to meet the climate challenge.
“But it also increased parliamentary visits and exchanges, increased work programs for both the temporary and permanent migration program for the people of the Pacific.
“All of that adds up to Australia’s new commitment to the Pacific. That’s so important.”
Gilbert then revealed that a national security source suggested that the proposal to double aid to the Pacific region under the previous government was not approved, as there was no guarantee that a Chinese military base would not be would build less than 2,000 miles from Australia.
“These are sovereign nations, of course, and we must respect that,” the Labor leader said of the decisions the island nations make for themselves.
“But at the same time, the idea that Australia has not suffered from the massive cut in aid when the former coalition government was first elected challenges the evidence as well as the values of non-commitment.” .
Albanese stressed that climate change remains the number one concern for the Pacific and that he, along with the US Administration and Biden, shared.
“It’s amazing that you have a presentation from Foreign Minister (Marise) Payne, with the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, saying that this would make a positive difference to Australia’s position in the region, as well. as on its own merit, a responsibility to help the development of the region, “he said.
“The fact that it was rejected last year only shows complacency on the part of the old government and they have dropped the ball.”
Boat tours and Biloela family
Gilbert pushed Albanese on how strong his government could be in turning back the ships of asylum seekers under Operation Sovereign Borders, launched by Scott Morrison, but also allowing the Murugappan family to return. to Biloela.
“Because you can be strong at the borders without being weak with humanity and that’s exactly what we said we would do,” the 59-year-old replied sternly.
He stressed that he would continue to implement Operation Sovereign Borders in the hope of deterring smugglers from making the dangerous trip to Australia.
“We do not see the launch of the human trafficking business. It is a bad business and we do not want this to happen and we have sent a very clear message and we will continue to do so,” he added.
The four-person Murugappan family was expelled from the small regional town of Queensland in 2018 for a visa battle after Nades and his wife Priya arrived in the country separately in boats fleeing war-torn Sri Lanka.
The Australian-born daughters Tharnicaa and Kopika were sent to a Melbourne detention center four years ago before being transferred to Christmas Island in August 2019 and then to Perth after being granted a medical evacuation for Tharni.
“We are a better country than this, these two girls are not threats to our safety. They are loved in their local community,” Albanese said.
The job fulfilled its promise and on Saturday granted bridge visas to the family by Acting Home Secretary Jim Chalmers.
Excited breeding will return to Biloela in the coming days.
Kristina Keneally
Albanese described the defeat of her friend Kristina Keneally’s federal election at Fowler’s headquarters in southwest Sydney as a “great loss” to her team.
The American politician acknowledged the defeat of local independent Dai Le, who snatched the Labor electorate from its inception in 1984.
Mrs Keneally was parachuted into her seat, but many locals were not convinced she represented the region as she lived in the suburbs of Northern Beaches on the Isle of Scotland.
“Of course there are,” Albanese said in response to Gilbert’s question about the “significant loss” for Labor and whether the movement’s lessons will be learned.
“You have to learn lessons from an outcome like this and I think the lessons are very clear that the community sent a message.
“Kristina Keneally is a great loss to our team.
“She was a valued friend, she was the vice president of the Senate and it’s a loss, but you have to accept the results in the democratic processes but you also have to learn from them and we will take notes.”
Minimum wage
Albanese reiterated his election promise to welcome a wage increase of at least $ 1 or about 5% above the national minimum wage of $ 20.33.
Since then, large companies have pledged to work with unions to fix the business bargaining system with the help of the new Labor Summit, which will be held in September.
Gilbert asked what was the key to reaching an agreement.
“The key is the government that is willing to negotiate that seeks to bring people together,” the prime minister said.
“I said that companies and unions have a common interest. Companies cannot succeed without workers and a collaborative relationship through the representation of workers through the trade union movement.
“If you don’t have a successful business, you don’t have union members. We have to recognize that the way to increase both profits and wages without putting upward pressure on inflation is, of course, productivity.”
He then stated that he would “be pending” and “welcome” a pay rise if this is the decision of the Fair Work Commission.
“I think it’s appropriate for the government to make a presentation in line with our values, and I think they are also values that Australians have,” Albanese added.
Electricity prices
Australian households are increasingly concerned about rising energy prices.
The new changes in the Australian energy regulator to the default market supply (DMO) will bring households down to between $ 119 and $ 227 across the country.
Small businesses will be further affected by the BMD in New South Wales which will increase by 10% to 19.7%, 12.8% in Queensland and 5.7% in South Australia.
Gilbert asked Albanese if his plan to increase the presence of renewable energy could increase stress or alleviate market volatility.
“What they’re going to do is help,” he said.
“If you look at our plan to power Australia, it is based on, a key element, the integrated energy market plan of the Australian energy market operator to foster the grid for the 21st century.
“We know that the cheapest form of energy is renewables. That’s why we make sure we take advantage of renewables and storage, and these processes will put downward pressure on prices for both households and businesses.”
Teal independent
Teal independents surprised a wave of blue seats with nine women who mostly displaced male Liberal candidates in the 2022 federal election.
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“I …