Delivered on 9 May 2023 on the second reading of the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2023–24.

Uncle Thomas Coghill – thank you for that characteristically kind welcome to country.

When I accepted this invitation some weeks ago I envisaged quite a specific speech, about some of the staging points of a busy 2023 – and I’ll still do some of that.

Vice Chancellor, it’s so generous of you to host us at your home here on Ngunnawal and Ngambri country at the University of Canberra.

Thanks very much to my friend Colin Tate for his kind invitation and for bringing us together today.

I acknowledge the Gadigal people as the traditional custodians of this land – and the importance of the Voice.

G’day to everyone in Sydney, and Kia Ora to our great friends from New Zealand.

I want to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation where you are gathering today – and their elders, culture and customs.

G’day everybody, welcome to Parliament House and to the National Early Years Summit – and a big thank you to Amanda and Anne for getting you all together.

I’m really pleased that you’re doing this, because it’s so important for our agenda as a government and as a country.

Pleased I could join you here this afternoon at the National Press Club, on Ngunnawal and Ngambri country –

Proud we can be the generation that gives First Nations people a Voice, and proud of the contribution the PM made today to this cause.

This Bill and this Government recognises that Australian households and businesses are confronting unsustainable, unacceptable energy price rises.

We respond with urgent, targeted, meaningful action – to take some of the sting out of these price rises, and to provide direct energy bill relief.

Thanks Kristy [Graham, CEO ASFI] and Kristian [Fok, Chair & Director ASFI] for the introduction and for the invitation to join you.

I acknowledge Gadigal country and its custodians – who have cared for this land for tens of thousands of years, and still care for it today.