SUBJECTS: Visit to Port Stephens; tourism industry; Michael Gudinski; Aged Care Royal Commission report; importance of aged care; PEP 11; housing; historical rape allegation made against a Cabinet minister; sexual assault allegations in Parliament House; workplace culture in Parliament House.

MERYL SWANSON, MEMBER FOR PATERSON: Welcome, everyone, to magnificent Port Stephens. ‘Incredible by Nature’ is our slogan. And we are incredible by nature. And I am absolutely delighted to be here today on Worimi country, those amazing traditional custodians of the land and the sea. And it is my absolute pleasure to welcome Anthony Albanese here today to our magnificent part of the world that we broadly call Paterson. But when you are a local, you call it the Bay. So welcome to the Bay, Albo. And especially a welcome on what is an incredibly important day. We want to talk about things like jobs here in the Bay, the tourism industry and how it is so important with everything that we do. We know that the whales have helped our area so much. In the winter we used to have a little dip in tourism. The whales have brought people here in the winter. We know that so many people find their employment through tourism here in Port Stephens. And we know that it's because of our exquisite and pristine coastline, our magnificent marine environment and the people who help show that off and showcase that. And I am so indebted to our local people like Frank Future, he'll be taking us out on his boat today for Imagined Cruises, and we're here at Broughtons at the Bay, another magnificent venue. The other thing we want to talk about today is things like PEP 11. We don't want that here in our Bay. And people have told us that. The community have said loudly. Albo knows about it. He's on board. We just can't face those risks not only to our magnificent environment, but also to our local people and industries, to the jobs they create that is so vitally important. So there's some of the things that we're going to be talking about while we're out on the boat today with some of our guests from the local community, who aren't really guests, they're just friends who've come on board today. And lastly, one of the really important things I want to say to Albo today, apart from Happy Birthday Albo, he's spending his birthday here in Port Stephens and what a great place to spend it. But I also want to say happy 25th anniversary of being elected to Parliament. So Albo was elected on his birthday, on this day, the 2nd of March, 25 years ago to represent the good people of Sydney and here he is today in Port Stephens. Just as a little token, as a memento of the day, Albo, I've got a couple of little things to give to you. And so, firstly, this is from the local artisan collective downstairs. This is Migaloo, our famous Migaloo, our famous white whale who occasionally comes and visits us in Port Stephens. And also, a book called ‘Fish Port Stephens’. Now, I don't want you to do too much fishing. But this is John Stinker Clark’s book. John is a legend. It's autographed by John. Just little mementos so when you think back about being elected 25 years ago, 25 years of your life, that's massive, isn't it? So I just want to say, well done to you and happy, happy birthday. And thanks for sharing your day with us. It's actually pretty special. Good on you, mate.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, LEADER OF THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY: Well, thanks very much, Meryl. And when Meryl suggested we come here today, I did point out it was my birthday. And she said where better to spend it than on the Bay. And, indeed, I'm very pleased to be here today. I want to raise three issues here firstly and then I am happy to take questions. The first is PEP 11. PEP 11 is a bad, dumb idea that will cost jobs and one that's rejected by the local community. The local fishing community is not supportive. The local tourism sector is not supportive. The local surfers and others right up and down the coast are not supportive. And we say to them that Labor is on your side. Labor is on your side saying that the idea that you take a 4,500 square kilometre area and allow oil and gas exploration in it, just five kilometres off the coast in parts, is a really bad idea. And Keith Pitt can reject that. He can stop it immediately. Indeed, it's now well overdue for him to make a decision. And he should make a decision and that decision should be on the side of the local community.

The second issue is that of aged care. We know from the interim report of the Royal Commission titled 'Neglect' just how bad the crisis in aged care was. And the final report of the Royal Commission yesterday confirms that. Older Australians deserve our respect. Whether they be aged care residents or people needing homecare support at home, we need to make sure that aged care residents get that support. The quite horrific conditions outlined, including the fact that up to half of aged care residents are literally starving, the fact that so many, up to one in five, have been subject to physical or sexual abuse, should just send a shiver down the spine not just of older Australians, but of all Australians. These are people who have helped build this country. They're people who deserve respect and dignity. Labor campaigned for the Royal Commission. And now we'll continue to campaign to make sure this Government, led by a man who himself ripped $1.7 billion from aged care in Scott Morrison, actually is held to account. It is an outrage that yesterday Scott Morrison held a press conference at the same time as the report was being released. He didn't give journalists any opportunity to have any scrutiny. And that's typical of this Government. All smirk and mirrors when it comes to providing leadership. And as Scott Morrison smirked his way through that press conference yesterday, I think Australians were quite right to be angry, along with the journalists who expressed their concern that they weren't given the opportunity to hold the Government to account. The Government had the report from last Friday. And it is just typical of a Government that shuts down debate in Parliament, doesn't allow for proper scrutiny, that we saw that behaviour yesterday. And it contrasts with past behaviour when royal commissions or serious reports had been released, we had Budget lockups, an opportunity to have proper scrutiny. Labor will continue to scrutinise the Royal Commission report and will respond appropriately.

And lastly, before taking questions, can I just express my sincere condolences at the passing of Michael Gudinski. This man is a legend of the Australian music scene. It's hard to think of anyone in the whole country who has done more for Australian music over a longer period of time than Michael Gudinski. Were it Jimmy Barnes or Kylie Minogue, and whether it's bringing people like Bruce Springsteen to Australia for people, including myself, to enjoy, the man was a legend. And he was someone who was absolutely passionate about Australian music and culture and about taking it to the world. Australian stories being told. He will be mourned by many. And I paid tribute to him today.

JOURNALIST: Is Labor supportive of the one per cent levy to fund aged care?

ALBANESE: Look, we'll examine the proposals that are there in the Royal Commission. What's very clear is that we need more funding for aged care. We need more funding. We need better regulation. We need also to deal with workforce issues. It is outrageous that at times, nurses, carers and other staff are put under such pressure that they just can't do their job properly. These are people I've met with and they're absolutely passionate about the work that they do and about caring for vulnerable older Australians. What we need to do is to make sure that it is properly funded. We will await whether the Government makes that proposition or other propositions in the Budget. And then we'll have, of course, our Budget Reply and time to put forward our proposals before the election.

JOURNALIST: Do you think Australians would support a levy if they knew it was going to improve the aged care sector?

ALBANESE: I think Australians want our older people to be dealt with properly. To live with dignity and the respect that they deserve. And I think that they know that it just hasn't been good enough. I think Australians will be shocked by this report. Up to half of aged care residents literally starving, not getting the nutrition they need. And they'll see also a real dichotomy in the way that services are offered. Some for-profit centres, with people driving around in their Lamborghinis and Ferraris doing quite well, while the residents they're supposed to look after are literally not getting enough food. And, at the same time, others doing their best, really working so hard, including the operators of not-for-profit centres and others, really providing first class quality care. What we need to make sure is that every Australian gets the care they deserve.

JOURNALIST: Do you think those companies that are making obscene profits should be held accountable?

ALBANESE: Absolutely. This Government hasn't done so. The idea of inspections is just a joke. We know this Government has given essentially a heads-up before inspections occur. That's not a real inspection. That's not holding them to account. I'll say this. There are horrific outlines of circumstances in which older people have found themselves in aged care facilities. I want to know also what's the Government doing to hold those owners to account for the tragedies that have occurred in these aged care homes?

JOURNALIST: In terms of the PEP 11, the Minister told the ABC he was looking at an Australia-wide approach. He wasn't just thinking about the small towns it may affect, he has to think about Australia as a whole. Is that the right way to approach it? Jobs could be affected. Should we be thinking about those people who it impacts immediately?

ALBANESE: The Minister has got this wrong. What he's doing is saying, ‘I have contempt for the people of this community.’ That's what this Minister is saying. The community from Manly, right up the Sydney coast, the Central Coast, and here, have rejected this proposal. This proposal is not only bad for the community, it's a disaster for jobs, particularly in the tourism sector. You have oil and gas exploration off this Bay, and you can say goodbye to the tourism industry here. And the tourism industry that is so vital for jobs. You can also say goodbye to the lifestyle that's here, and also the idea you have oil and gas exploration, five kilometres off the coast, in a 4,500 square kilometre area, where if there was an accident, it would be catastrophic. The cost would be many billions of dollars. And the lasting impact will be there for many decades. This is a dumb proposal. Unfortunately, there's a dumb Minister in charge. And he should make a decision.

JOURNALIST: In relation to the rape allegation against an unnamed Cabinet Minister, Scott Morrison has said that individual vigorously denies the allegations. Does the PM need to do more?

ALBANESE: Of course the Prime Minister needs to do more. Look, the fact is this is a very serious allegation about a horrific assault. And the woman, of course, at the centre of these allegations, who made statements, of course, took her own life. That means that any investigation is going to be very difficult by the police, in terms of formal investigations. Now, therefore, the idea that this can just be allowed to drift and just stay where it is is, in my view, untenable. There is a dark cloud now over the Government. And Scott Morrison needs to recognise that. And he needs to satisfy himself that it is appropriate for this Minister to be able to continue in his position. Now, whether that's a coronial inquiry into the circumstances of this woman's death, or whether there be other inquiries made, it really isn't enough for the Prime Minister to think that this issue is just going to disappear. Because until it is resolved, it remains an issue. And Scott Morrison needs to show leadership here. And Scott Morrison needs to satisfy himself and do more than just say that the Minister has said that there's nothing to see here. It may well be that is the case. But everyone's looking at these circumstances at the moment and they'll continue to do so until there's a further resolution.

JOURNALIST: If there's an allegation against any Member of Parliament, should they be stood down or resign?

ALBANESE: Well, you need to do more than just there to be an allegation. There needs to be some resolution. And now, clearly, there needs to be some resolution in this case. This is a tragedy. And I say what I said on Sunday again, I repeat, that my deepest sympathies go to the family and friends of the woman at the centre of this allegation. I have heard some of them speak through the media about the hurt they're feeling on an ongoing basis about the loss of their friend.

JOURNALIST: Should the person reveal themselves?

ALBANESE: Well, that is a circumstance really that is a matter for them and for the Prime Minister. The circumstances at the moment, though, is that it remains an issue. And the Prime Minister needs to make it very clear that this isn't a political management exercise. This needs to be about transparency and about justice, not about political management. We know with this Government so many things are about political management. The Brittany Higgins circumstances, including the fact that in the Parliament, over two weeks, new information came to light each and every day because the Government was obsessed with political management rather than with transparency and just saying what the circumstances were. I find it beyond belief that you have at least three ministers being aware of what occurred, at least four of the Prime Minister's staff, the AFP, news organisations making inquiries, and no-one says anyone to the Prime Minister. And then the Prime Minister has an inquiry from his former Chief of Staff into what his office knew, rather than just say, ‘Hey, why don't you tell me what happened, what you knew?’ in terms of members of his staff, and then telling the Parliament. I think that Australians deserve more transparency and deserve a Government that is just up-front with them. Thanks.

JOURNALIST: Recent polling shows Labor being in danger in Paterson and in Shortland. What do you make of the polling?

ALBANESE: I don't see anything that shows that. The polling I have seen, the published polls, including ones that are published by organisations in the media, show Labor getting both the primary vote swing and a two-party-preferred swing.

JOURNALIST: So you're discounting the polling, you think that's just an exercise in stirring?

ALBANESE: I thought it was pretty funny The Australian put that on page one. It shows they've got a sense of humour.

JOURNALIST: Joel Fitzgibbon is continuing to be outspoken. I believe he’s at a what appears to be a Liberal Party function talking about diversifying the appeal of political parties. What do you make of Joel?

ALBANESE: Nothing.

JOURNALIST: Are you concerned about him angling for a leadership challenge?

ALBANESE: No. Not at all.

JOURNALIST: His point, though, is that Labor needs to address part of its base and you leave the door open in seats like Paterson and Shortland. Maybe the people of the Hunter are looking for someone to come up with a strategy to get them from A to B, when are we going to see a plan like that?

ALBANESE: Guess what? I'm here. I'm here in Paterson again. I'll continue to be here in the region. I am talking about jobs. I'm talking about the economy. I'm talking about aged care. I'm talking about things that matter to people in their everyday life. I will continue to do so. I will be in the Hunter tonight, addressing the Miners Union National Conference dinner. I'll be continuing to talk to people as I do regularly in campaigning in this region. I'm confident that people in this region want a government that actually stands up for them. They want a government that's on that side. On their side when it comes to defending jobs. On their side when it comes to aged care services. On their side when it comes to childcare. We want to look after people from the time they're born to the time they spend their last days on this earth. We want a government that is truly respectful of them. A government that creates opportunity. A government that cares about regions. What they have from this Government - the last time the other bloke came to the region, he had Top Gun soundtrack going with his marketing spin, he jumped into a jet fighter, and looked pretty silly, frankly, while a song blared out. And a lot of marketing. A lot of cost would have gone into that. I've got an idea for this Government. Instead of the, at least, hundreds of thousands of dollars that was spent on that media stunt, come up and talk to people like I am here today. Cost of petrol from my place to here and back, and you'll find out a lot more than you will through media stunts. Because that's what people are interested in. And I look forward to continuing to come to all of the electorates in the Hunter and indeed right around the country, campaigning in the lead-up to the next election. Because it's very clear that this is a Government that is in chaos. This is a Government that's divided. This is a Government that is melting down before us. And we can see that. And one of the things about it being obsessed by itself is that it's not addressing the issues of concern to Australians every day, like aged care, like child care, like job creation, like tourism, like dealing with the decisions even like PEP 11 that was supposed to be made by the Minister weeks ago. They can't even make a decision about something according to the timeframe that's been established.

JOURNALIST: One of those issues is house prices. They're surging again. You guys had a crack at this in the last election. What plans do you think you're going to have next time?

ALBANESE: Well, I'll tell you one of the plans that we've already announced, which is about supply, which is about supporting public and community housing. It is extraordinary that this Government have racked up a trillion dollars of debt and don't have a single dollar to put into public housing. If you do that, you increase supply, you increase the quality of life for people who need public housing, and you make a big difference. Thanks very much.

JOURNALIST: Senator Henderson says she received a letter regarding a historic rape about a Labor member. Have you spoken to that MP in question?

ALBANESE: She's forwarded it on to the AFP.
 

ENDS