Anthony Albanese has thanked Western Australians for their “sacrifice” during the pandemic, as he pledged to visit WA 10 times a year as Prime Minister.
Albanese held a press conference in Kings Park on Sunday morning with the contingent of WA federal MPs, which were crucial for Labor to form a majority government.
The Prime Minister had a private dinner with Prime Minister Mark McGowan and Washington Secretary of Education Sue Ellery on Saturday night after arriving in Perth for a brief stop before his three-day diplomatic visit. days in Indonesia.
“It’s great to be here in Western Australia, the long weekend of Western Australia Day,” Albanese said.
“Last night I was able to catch up with Prime Minister Mark McGowan. A good friend of mine for a long time and we had a great dinner.
“We discussed issues of concern in Western Australia ahead of next week ‘s meeting with the National Cabinet in Canberra.
“This is my fifth visit to Western Australia this year, which is not bad given that I have not been able to come in the middle of this year.
“But I pledged as the leader of the Labor Party to come to Western Australia 10 times a year and I repeat that commitment as Prime Minister.
“That I will strive to be a regular visitor here, not just someone who comes when there is an election campaign, but spend time here because I want to be the prime minister of the whole country.”
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Albanese later attended a celebratory barbecue at Sir James Mitchell Park in South Perth to thank WA Labor volunteers, whom the Prime Minister christened the “true believers.”
“They argued for change and Australians voted for change in the May 21 election and change is what they are achieving,” he added.
“There is a new government in the city of Canberra: a new government that governs for all Australians, whether they have voted Labor this time or whether we will seek their vote next time.
“I am determined to govern for all Australians and make sure that we end the conflict, that we lower the temperature at which it did everything the old government did, and I have seen some of it through the briefings I’ve had as prime minister. “” It’s always been about politics.
“I want it to be of national interest, not short-term political interest.”
Albanese confirmed that he would soon announce the dates for a federal cabinet meeting in Perth, as well as a second meeting in Port Hedland during his first 12 months in power.
“I want to make sure we keep in touch with Western Australians. I always enjoy my time here,” he continued.
“It is an important part of the nation, and in fact, during the pandemic, the success of Western Australia in sustaining our economy was absolutely vital during this period.
“So I say to Mark McGowan and his government, but most importantly to the people of Western Australia, we appreciate the sacrifice you made during that difficult time to stay safe, but it also had benefits for our national economy. ”