PM says there will be no referendum on any issues if he wins second term
Our own Josh Butler asked the prime minister about the Indigenous voice referendum – which was unsuccessful, but the question of constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians remains unresolved. He asked:
Peter Dutton obviously at some point spoke about symbolic recognition in the campaign. My question is to you – what now? Obviously, maybe Australians don’t have an appetite for another referendum any time soon. But would you – your future government, or another government – set up some sort of a process like the referendum council to chart a course for what is next on this thorny issue?
The prime minister said “we respect the outcome of the referendum” and outlined a number of measures the government had made towards closing the gap.
But he added, “we will not be holding a referendum in our second term on any issues”.
Referendums are hard to win in this country. And we’ve seen that all it takes is opposition … If people have an opportunity, as an opposition, to just say ‘no’, then they do. So, I’m focused on practical outcomes and making a difference. That’ll be my focus next term.
Key events
Aussie shares rise as Trump calls for cuts in rates
Australian shares are on track for their fourth day of gains this week, AAP reports, after US president Donald Trump demanded cuts in interest rates and the price of oil.
The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index at midday was up 32.5 points, or 0.39%, to 8,411.2, while the broader All Ordinaries had gained 28.8 points, or 0.33%, to 8,657.9.
For the week the ASX was on track for a 1.2% rise, its third straight week of gains and its best weekly performance so far this year.
Overnight Trump made a blustering online address to the World Economic Forum in Davos, calling on Saudi Arabia and the Opec oil producer cartel to cut the cost of oil to choke off revenue to Russia and stop its war against Ukraine. Despite Trump’s pressure, the Fed is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged at its first policy meeting of 2025 next week.
Nine of the ASX’s 11 sectors were higher at midday, all except materials/mining and energy. The consumer discretionary sector was the biggest gainer, rising 1.7% as Wesfarmers grew 3% to a more than one-month high of $US74.48.
All of the big four banks were higher, with CBA and NAB up 0.6% and Westpac and ANZ up 0.3%. The energy sector was down 1% amid the drop in oil prices, with Woodside falling 1.4%, Santos dipping 0.4% and Ampol retreating 1%.
The Australian dollar meanwhile had moved back above 63 US cents for the first time since mid-December.
PM wraps up National Press Club appearance with final question
Taking a final question, a reporter asked what Anthony Albanese’s biggest regret is from the past two and a half years.
The prime minister joked if you look at the media every morning, “I don’t feel the need to give myself a character assessment on a daily basis because I receive it, in some ways, very predictably everyday.”
Albanese said what his government does every day is “our best” because “no government’s perfect”, before listing a number of achievements the government has made. He continued:
I’m happy to stand in support of the record that we have – but also to say that that’s not enough. That’s not how you win a second term. You win a second term through also [outlining] what’s the offer for the second term?
He then listed a number of measures the government has announced, and concluded:
These are the things that drive me to make a difference each and every day. Not [through] self-analysis – I get enough of that from you fine people, and that will continue, and that’s your job. I respect all of that. My job is to get on with building a better Australia. That’s what I intend to do.
PM says Australia ‘obviously’ won’t be withdrawing from Paris agreement
On Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement and the ramifications for Australia and the Indo-Pacific, Anthony Albanese said this wasn’t a surprise and “we obviously will not be doing that”.
He said Australia intends to “seize” the challenge and opportunity of climate change:
We’ll await what the implications are for the United States based upon what they do domestically. But if you’re talking about jobs – there’s a lot of jobs involved in the transition to net zero.
Albanese on Australia’s plans for AI
A reporter asked about Donald Trump’s move to spend US$500m to build data centres across the US, and an order for an AI action plan.
What does means for Australia in terms of competing on AI, and building our own capability?
Anthony Albanese said science and industry minister Ed Husic was working in this area to ensure Australia can “take advantage of the opportunities that will arise from it, whilst understanding some of the risks that are there as well.”
He said Australia needs more energy, and there were “significant investments from companies like Microsoft here in Australia.” The PM lashed the Coalition’s nuclear costings, which rely on Australia having 40% less energy than what Aemo says will be required.
The other things that these data centres will look for, because they’re global industries, is their carbon footprint. So I’ve been looking for opportunities for green energy, in particular. And that is a significant advantage that we have …
I’ve been a part of discussions with significant corporate interests about investing here because of the opportunities here with green energy, the advantage that we have – comparative advantage – in our legal security, our political stability, and where we’re located in the world as well.
PM says there will be no referendum on any issues if he wins second term
Our own Josh Butler asked the prime minister about the Indigenous voice referendum – which was unsuccessful, but the question of constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians remains unresolved. He asked:
Peter Dutton obviously at some point spoke about symbolic recognition in the campaign. My question is to you – what now? Obviously, maybe Australians don’t have an appetite for another referendum any time soon. But would you – your future government, or another government – set up some sort of a process like the referendum council to chart a course for what is next on this thorny issue?
The prime minister said “we respect the outcome of the referendum” and outlined a number of measures the government had made towards closing the gap.
But he added, “we will not be holding a referendum in our second term on any issues”.
Referendums are hard to win in this country. And we’ve seen that all it takes is opposition … If people have an opportunity, as an opposition, to just say ‘no’, then they do. So, I’m focused on practical outcomes and making a difference. That’ll be my focus next term.
PM denies Labor is leaving working-class communities behind
A reporter asked if Labor is taking its voter base for granted, after historically being the party for the vulnerable – but leaving working-class communities and the LGBT community feeling left behind through “the census debacle, cuts to immigration [and] attempts to reign in the NDIS”.
Anthony Albanese responded “not at all” and said Labor was “acting in a way which is certainly in the national interest, and to make sure that people aren’t left behind”.
He said what would undermine the NDIS was it “being unsustainable” and “people ripping off the system”.
[We’re working on] reducing growth, not cutting it – reducing growth to 8% annual. That’s hardly an objective which undermines the system. We want a system that has integrity, that has sustainability, because unless it has that, it will be undermined in the future.
Albanese defends record as reporter outlines ‘mistakes’
A reporter from the Australian newspaper said Anthony Albanese had previously promised to own up to mistakes, and outlined what the reporter views as mistakes – the government’s response to antisemitism, its promise to reduce energy bills by $275, and proceeding with the voice referendum.
The reporter asked, will you own up to getting these issues wrong? Or acknowledge that mistakes were made?
The PM said he rejected the assertion, and noted Scott Morrison had also promised Indigenous recognition in the constitution.
And indeed, the Australian, your publication, had a proud history of campaigning and publishing people like Noel Pearson over a long period of time, advocating for Indigenous recognition in our constitution, in our nation’s birth certificate.
On energy, he noted the global energy crisis that occurred after the $275 reduction promise was made. On antisemitism, the PM outlined a range of measures the federal government had taken – including strengthening legislation about hate symbols and outlawing Nazi symbols for the first time ever.
The other thing that we have done – at each and every opportunity – is to look for social cohesion. Not to look for difference. Not to look for division. And not to look to make partisan points, but to act in a way that’s responsible, that lowers the temperature of debate …
PM open to three debates with Peter Dutton in lead-up to election
David Crowe, former director of the NPC, said an open invitation stands for Peter Dutton to front the club. He asked Anthony Albanese if he would commit to having three debates at the National Press Club, in the lead up to the election?
The PM deferred to his campaign director Paul Erikssen, and said he is responsible for negotiations.
I certainly think that this an appropriate venue for a national debate here, because what it does is it allows journalists from across the spectrum, as we’ve had here today, from the full spectrum of diversity of media, to be able to ask questions …
I’ll leave it up to Paul Erikssen to finalise that. But certainly, I would applaud his diligence and skills if that is the outcome!
The PM later joked, “I’ll even offer to give Peter Dutton a lift down from Parliament House in case he can’t find it!”
PM tells Dutton to ‘just chill out’ on Australia Day fight
Q: Do you support calls to boycott pubs and businesses who don’t support Australia Day, and should businesses impose public holiday surcharges?
Anthony Albanese replied that sometimes “Peter Dutton every year has a fight with an imaginary friend over something that most Australians are just getting on with” – being Australia Day.
And one of the things that Australia Day celebrates is the fact that we’re not a Soviet-style command system. You know, like just chill out! Get on with life.
The debates over which company has thongs in it! Last year, you know, it was boycotting Woolworths, Australia’s largest employer. Did I support that? No, I didn’t support that. I support Australia Day. I’ll be celebrating Australia Day.
PM responds to accusations he is ‘weak leader’
Peter Dutton has labelled Anthony Albanese a weak leader – how does he respond to this? And does he need to be tougher in a second term?
The prime minister said weakness is “not having the guts to come to the National Press Club” and holding just one press conference for the Canberra press gallery in six months’ time, at 1.45pm before the 2pm Question Time.
Weakness is just saying no to everything before you even see the detail. What’s tough is coming here, fronting up, as I did last year, saying that we have changed our mind on tax cuts. Fessing up. It wasn’t what we said we’d do, but it of the right thing to do. And you’ll recall your reports at the time were not glowing of that decision, with respect! …
We’ll continue to make difficult decisions in the national interest, even if at times, there’s a personal cost to it, because I’m determined to lead a government that changes the country for the better.
‘The only coalition sits on the other side’: PM says he is aiming for majority government
The PM was asked if he would lead a minority government, if that’s what the Australian people deliver?
Anthony Albanese said Labor wouldn’t be entering into any coalitions – and that “the only coalition that exists is [between] the Liberal party and the National party.”
And quite often, it’s the Liberal party, National party and the Greens when it comes to the Senate, combining to block and delay in what I call the no-alition.
He said his government intends to be a majority government:
That’s what we’re working towards. I’ve said it before at the last election, and indealed, in 2013 when I became deputy prime minister, we refused to do arrangements – we just continued to govern on the floor of the parliament.
I’m someone who, though, has always given respect across the board. My door is open to Liberals, Nationals, to a range of people. If crossbenchers want to see me, I think that that is important as well. But as far as agreements are done, the only coalition sits on the other side.
Albanese defends choice to send Wong to Auschwitz commemoration event
Anthony Albanese was asked about a petition online with 10,000 signatures, asking him to prevent foreign minister Penny Wong from attending a commemoration event held in Auschwitz next week.
What do you say to members of the Australian Jewish community who do not believe she is the best person to represent Australia on that trip next week?
The PM said Wong is someone who “understands racism and discrimination”, and it was appropriate for her to represent Australia – together with attorney general Mark Dreyfus and antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal.
Penny Wong is our foreign minister. She has stood up against antisemitism at each and every opportunity and will always continue to do so. She’s someone for whom a core belief in the dignity of every human being is just a part of her character, as much as any person I have met in my entire life.
PM weighs in on Australia Day polling
Anthony Albanese was asked about polling showing that support for Australia Day on 26 January are increasing, and whether this is linked to the failure of the voice referendum?
The PM said he “firmly” believes Australia Day is “a celebration of while we are the best country on earth … how do we ensure that we’re even better in the future?”
The Australia Day awards tomorrow night are an inspiration every year. And the citizenship ceremony – seeing the joy on people pledging their allegiance to our country – is something that lifts me up every year.
Albanese said the other focus of Australia Day is recognising “the fact that we are the continent with the oldest continuous culture on earth, and what a privilege it is”.
He acknowledged the date is a “hurtful day, a difficult day, for many First Nations people”.
But it’s one in which we can celebrate what we are today – whether it be our great history going back 65,000 years, or whether it is the arrival of Europeans here or whether it be the great multicultural nation we’ve built, particularly since the end of the Second World War.
PM says his government will support superannuation
A reporter asked if there would be any more changes to superannuation – and if so, will people know before the election?
Anthony Albanese said he expects there would be changes to super under a Coalition government, referencing a decision to allow people to reach into their super and “in many cases reduce it to zero” – leading to impacts on their retirement and “on the national economy as well”.
[If the Coalition] were in government, I would expect changes to superannuation which undermine it. If we’re in government, we’ll continue to be supporters of superannuation because of what it does for retirement incomes, but what it also presents as a national asset to present in the national interest.
This decade will determine if Australia is successful up to 2050: PM
Asked about falling popularity in the polls, Anthony Albanese was asked why his likability in the past hasn’t translated to him as prime minister?
He said he would “leave the commentating to others,” but added:
What I can say is that every single day, I’ve been focused on leading a government that implements the values that I’ve had my whole life. Making sure that people aren’t left behind.
The PM said his life was “one of aspiration”, that “people can make a better life for themselves.”
I really think that this decade will determine what Australia looks like and how successful we are up to 2050. We need to get it right now or else we’ll fall behind while the rest of the world moves past us.
Article by:Source: Emily Wind
