Radio interview - Triple M Hobart

ANDY TAYLOR, HOST: Right now, we are talking to the Prime Minister of Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in the state right now and he joins us live on Triple M. Welcome back to the show, Prime Minister.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. It's a beautiful day here in Hobart I've got to say.

KAZ MCMULLEN, HOST: It is a beautiful day in Hobart. First question for you, Prime Minister. Why are you here in our beautiful state? What brings you today?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, I'll be hosting the National Cabinet here this morning, but then later on I'll be going to Incat, which is producing essentially electric ferries, that is extraordinary. And exporting them to the world, including to Denmark. And there's very important visitors coming to Tasmania today. Their Majesties coming to Tasmania to have a look at what the great state of Tasmania has to offer. So, they're looking at technology, through to art and culture and of course, they'll be experiencing the great food and everything else that's available here in Tasmania. So, I'll be visiting Incat with them. Three ferries are going to head off to Denmark to help passengers travel around that great country. And of course, Queen Mary is such an icon, and Tasmanians are quite rightly proud. But I think all Australians are proud of the way that Her Majesty carries herself and the role that she plays.

TAYLOR: Our Queen Mary, Prime Minister.

MCMULLEN: Yes.

PRIME MINISTER: Indeed.

TAYLOR: Look, Prime Minister, the conflict in the Middle East is hitting Tasmanians hip pockets where it hurts the most, particularly at the fuel pump. Premier Jeremy Rockliff says that every option needs to be on the table to secure Australia's energy security. What does Australia need to do to secure our energy and fuel needs?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, Jeremy's right. I met with him yesterday afternoon and all Governments are doing what we can to make a difference here. Importantly, there has not been a reduction in fuel supply in Australia. What there has been is a boost in demand because of some people taking more than they need, effectively. So, that's had an impact in some areas as well. So, there are areas where fuel is available, but there's also some shortages. So, we've done a number of things already. We've empowered the consumer watchdog, doubling fines for any abuse of market power. We've increased fuel supply by releasing 20 per cent of the reserves into the system. We've also changed fuel standards temporarily so that some of the fuel that has higher sulfur content, basically that was only for export overseas, we've made available in the Australian market. We know there's more to do and that's why I'm bringing all the Governments together today to see what we can do to make sure there's proper coordination and to make sure that Australian households are looked after. This is a global situation. You've had a spike in prices right around the world because of the war that's going on in the Middle East. We're not immune to it, but the Government is taking whatever action we can to make sure that those supplies are assured.

TAYLOR: Can you see the future of that war in the Middle East coming to an end, Prime Minister? What if this drags on for years and years and years? How are we going to stop spending? I spent yesterday $195.62 to fill up my Kia Tasman.

PRIME MINISTER: That is placing real pressure on your wallet and placing real pressure on Australians right around the country. I can see this ending. I mean, there's a specific issue that Iran being denied of its nuclear weapons potential was important. I think that's been achieved. The President of the United States will, I guess, make these decisions. But I can see it ending, coming to an end, and us making sure that we get the world back on its normal axis. There will be a bit of a tail, though. Like, you don't end the war and then everything is all hunky dory. But importantly, there have been no ships that were scheduled to arrive that haven't arrived. Our fuel supply is here. Much of our fuel supply comes from our region as well that isn't impacted directly by this war. So, diesel, for example, from Korea, jet fuel from China, petrol from a range of sources as well, including, of course, Singapore. So, these issues that we're dealing with, we're talking with our counterparts overseas as well to make sure that that supply continues and importantly, that supply is there. When we say we've got 37 days of petrol, in supply terms, that doesn't mean it runs out in 37 days. What that means is that there's 37 days supply there as petrol is going out, petrol still coming in and filling up that supply as well. And that's really important. So, I would say to your listeners as well, just take what you need. There is no need for some of what has occurred, which is people filling up jerry cans and putting fuel in their garages is not a sensible or safe thing to do. Nor is it in the economic interests of your neighbours and your community.

MCMULLEN: Absolutely. There's lots of people are stressed about different things at the moment, Prime Minister. On Tuesday I had to leave work early to pick up my 85 year old dad because there was no ambulance available to take him to emergency to our Royal Hobart Hospital. He sat there for eight hours, as is the norm now in a hospital and then was sent home because there were no beds in our Royal Hobart Hospital. We see these big numbers being thrown around, especially for stadium and sport and $240 million and we can't afford our petrol, and all sorts of things are happening. What is breaking point for you as the Prime Minister of Australia to step in and throw a heap of money and a heap of solutions to our health here in Tasmania?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, we have stepped in. We've delivered $25 billion in the latest deal for our health and hospitals over a five year agreement. That's additional spending. And the big beneficiaries of that were the smallest states and territories, including Tasmania. We've opened Urgent Care Clinics around the state as well. All you need there is your Medicare card. So, that's taking pressure off emergency departments of hospitals. We've got the bulk billing incentive, has worked and I was at a centre just in the suburbs of Launceston just weeks ago that have moved to fully bulk bill all of their patients. We're funding with specific grants for areas such as Launceston Hospital to put in a new facility there as well. So, right around the state we have provided record funding for health -

MCMULLEN: Is it enough? Do we need more? Because I'm now an ambulance driver in my -

PRIME MINISTER: Well, that shouldn't occur. Simple as that. That's unacceptable. And I feel for you, and most importantly, I feel for your dad. That should be available. I mean the Commonwealth doesn't run the ambulance system, we don't run public hospitals across the country. States and territories need to make sure that those services are provided appropriately.

TAYLOR: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, it's always great to chat to you. Thanks for your time on Triple M.

PRIME MINISTER: Good to talk with you and have a lovely day.