: Hi I’m Ruth Fagan, I’m Mayor of Cowra Council. Nice to meet you all and I’m delighted to be able to welcome you all to Cowra today for the commemorations to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Cowra Prisoner of War Breakout. The Breakout was an important event in Australia’s military history and was the only land battle fought in Australia during World War Two. It is important that we pay tribute to those who lost their lives, both Australians and Japanese, in that time, and the strong ties between Cowra and Japan, evidenced by the importance placed on this our War Cemetery and this POW Camp. I welcome back our dedicated local Member, Michael McCormack, but I am especially proud to welcome the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese. The last sitting Prime Minister to visit Cowra was Bob Hawke in 1986, and I was honoured to formally welcome him as a journalist at the time. Prime Minister, welcome and thank you very much for making this trip to Cowra.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well to Mayor Fagan, to you Ruth, thank you so much for the local welcome. It’s always wonderful to go to these regional communities where you just feel that sense of community and belonging. And today’s ceremony was a great honour for me to be at as Prime Minister, at the invitation as well of my friend, the local Member here, Michael McCormack. Someone who is a genuine local Member here and someone who I share the objective of advancing Australia’s national interest with. This is an important event commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Cowra Breakout. This was an extraordinary event, not only the escape of prisoners of war during World War Two in Australia, but importantly as well for our history, the largest breakout anywhere in the world during World War Two. Four Australian soldiers lost their lives during the Breakout, and 234 Japanese citizens lost their lives as well. Either were killed or committed suicide as a result of the aftermath of the mass breakout. Here, on 2:00am tomorrow there will be commemorations as well to make the precise time that the fateful bugle blast which signalled the breakout would occur, at that time. The bugle was blown by one of the Japanese pilots who had brought World War Two to our shores. And it was music that unleashed chaos right around this region. The Cowra Breakout was the largest prisoner of war escape of the Second World War. Today we remember both the Australians and the Japanese who lost their lives as a result of that breakout. For generations we’ve seen the spirit of humanity kept aglow by the Cowra community who have so carefully tended the graves of the fallen. And to be there today with the Governor of New South Wales and with Ambassador Suzuki of Japan was indeed a very solemn and important commemoration. For generations, the Cowra community have tended the graves of the fallen, and we’ve seen it as well, the respect in blossom in the Japanese Garden, an oasis of reflection framed by Australian troops. The people of Cowra remind us that no what matter, our common humanity has the power to transcend everything. In the wake of the bleakest of nights Cowra took the ashes of war and tenderly and carefully nourished the roots of friendship. It is a friendship between Australia and Japan that grows and flourishes today. I have visited Japan three times as Prime Minister, showing the depth of the friendship that is between our two nations as well as hosting Prime Minister Kishida here for the important bilateral friendship that we have. Today is the day in which we remember and honour those who lost their lives, in which we’re joined by the local Cowra community as well, acknowledging this important historic event on the 80th anniversary. Today as well, is the day that we rededicate ourselves to peace. At a time when there is so much turmoil and conflict in the world, it is important to remember that out of those very dark days of World War Two, has grown a friendship between our two nations. A friendship based upon mutual respect and admiration and cooperation. One that has led to significant economic benefit for both of our nations, but importantly as well, a friendship that has grown between our two peoples. That interaction has enriched both of our countries and it is a reminder of how we must strive for peace. Strive for our common humanity, respect our differences, but work through them in a way to our mutual advantage. I’d now ask Michael to make some comments, and then I’m happy to take questions.
MICHAEL MCCORMACK, MEMBER FOR RIVERINA: Firstly Prime Minister, thank you for coming to Cowra. It’s a very special occasion when a Prime Minister can come to a country community. Whatever the Prime Minister’s political affiliation, country communities always welcome the Prime Minister with open arms, with welcoming hearts because we know how important the office is, we know how important it is to have a Prime Minister come to a country community. All too often Prime Ministers visit in times of crisis, but I am very pleased that you’re here at a time of commemoration and in once sense celebration, because there is a lot to celebrate about today because they are the bonds of friendship, as Mayor Fagan knows all too well. This community opened its hearts to Japan after World War Two. It was a very, very difficult time because of atrocities committed by Japan, were forgiven, and they were forgiven in a heartbeat, by the Cowra community and in turn by the Australian community. What we have in Cowra, is the largest Japanese military cemetery in the world. And what we also have is an annual festival, which started through international peace and understanding beginning with Japan. And it’s such a special bond between what were once two foes, but are now very much two great friends. Australia and Japan coming together for not just economic ties, but for cultural ties, for friendship. It was great to have Ambassador Suzuki here again today. He and his wife are no strangers to Cowra, they’ve been here many, many times. And they’re always welcome. As are everybody from all around the world, and the world can learn a lot from Cowra because it was Cowra that reached out, it was Cowra that said: we forgive, let’s have this War Cemetery, let’s have this commemoration. And of course 80 years ago, as the Prime Minister quite correctly described, this was the scene right here, of chaos and sacrifice. 234 – and we will say brave – Japanese internees fighting for their freedom. Four Australians lost their lives and of course, soldiers, diggers, Jones and Hardy were awarded The George Cross medals for their bravery in trying to stop the surge of Japanese internees escaping. And we remember, lest we forget, those lives that were lost. And we will always commemorate this event here in Cowra. It’s a very special day here for having the Prime Minister here and I thank Cowra Shire Council and Mayor Fagan for turning on what has been a very special occasion for this city, for this town, and for this community.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you said on Insiders this morning that you’re not proposing to establish a Makarrata Commission for Truth-telling. You set money aside for that Commission in your first Budget and it was an election promise. Has that now been scrapped?
PRIME MINISTER: We’ve said that Makarrata is a Yolngu word, and I haven’t seen the interview this morning, but I gave it yesterday. And I’m sure what I said was what I’ve always said. Makarrata is a Yolngu word from North East Arnhem Land, which means coming together after struggle. No one can deny that there’s been a struggle, since the arrival of Europeans with First Nations people. That’s why we have the Closing the Gap targets, because of entrenched disadvantage, which is inter-generational. Makarrata means coming together. There has been a struggle and we do want to come together. That’s a process of engaging, working together, walking side by side towards what will be a common interest that we have for a better future for First Nations people both in the interests of Indigenous Australians, but importantly, as well, in the interests of all Australians. We’re diminished by the fact that the Closing the Gap targets in some cases should be called closing the chasm, because there’s such a wide variation in health outcomes, infant mortality, incarceration rates, educational outcomes, employment outcomes. What I want to see is an Australia where every Australian regardless of the nature of their birth, has an opportunity to be the best they can.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister on a political level, you two both differ on various issues. One of which in the Central West is nuclear energy. Is it weird standing together now? What’s the energy like?
PRIME MINISTER: Not at all. Michael McCormack has been a friend of mine for a long period of time. We both have served as Infrastructure and Transport Ministers, we’ve both been Deputy Prime Minister and I think that you can have political differences while having respect for people. One of the things that I’ve said is that Australians have conflict fatigue. I want to see cooperation wherever possible. That’s what I seek to do. It’s one of the reasons why whether it’s going to Horsham in Victoria, Port Lincoln in South Australia – I was in Winton a couple of weeks ago in North Western Queensland, and I’ve been to Eugowra in this electorate twice. I’ve been to Forbes. I’ve been to Cowra now. So, the only question I have with some of my Labor colleagues, might question how often I’m in Michael McCormack’s seat, but he’s always welcome in mine as well, and on a personal level I wish him and Catherine all the best.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, Dean Parkin says that Makarrata was about a Commission, that was an election night commitment. Are you now redefining your commitment to Makarrata?
PRIME MINISTER: No.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister on Palestinian refugee applications, 2000 visitor visas have been issued so far. How many should get refugee status and are the necessary security checks being done?
PRIME MINISTER: Yes, of course the security checks are done in the normal way by the Australian Government authorities and indeed appropriate checks are in place, of course. With regard to receiving people, it was appropriate that people be granted visas in the way that they were given the nature of their departure, but I don’t think anyone could suggest that now it’s a time where people would be sent back to Gaza, given what is happening in Gaza. What we want to see is a ceasefire. I want to see hostages released. I want to see increased aid be made available to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. I want to see the US peace deal advanced. And I want to see the right of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security, with prosperity for the future.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, do you have an update on Lebanon?
PRIME MINISTER: What I’d say on Lebanon is that Australians who are in Lebanon should return home. We repeat the fact that it is a very volatile situation in the Middle East. We want to see a de-escalation. But while commercial flights are available, people should avail themselves of them, and certainly there shouldn’t be more Australians travelling to Lebanon. These are warnings, statements, that we have made for many months now. And unfortunately a number of people have not accepted that travel advisory and have continued to travel to Lebanon in recent months. These are volatile circumstances and we want to make sure that Australians are safe, which is why we repeat our request that people, while commercial flights are still available – and the latest figures that I received in a briefing was that some 11 per cent of flights have been cancelled, 50 per cent have been delayed – but there were still flights available. I’ll receive another briefing when I’m in Canberra this afternoon, and then another briefing tomorrow about the circumstances which are there in the Middle East.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, Peter Dutton has met with Benjamin Netanyahu. When was the last time you spoke with him? How would you describe your relationship?
PRIME MINISTER: I have had three discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu. One after he was elected, and twice since October 7.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister your original proposal was for a Commission for Makarrata, now that’s not going ahead. How is that not a change in your commitment to what it was originally proposed to be?
PRIME MINISTER: We’ve said Makarrata is a process where we’re talking through what the nature of that process is, but it is – Makarrata is, as I’ve said, I can’t do more than repeat the same thing. If you ask the same question you’ll get the same answer, is that Makarrata is a Yolngu word that means coming together after struggle. It is important that we come together. That’s why I’ve attended the Garma Festival every year that it’s been held since I’ve been Labor Leader and going back more than a decade, I attended the Garma Festival. It’s the most important celebration of culture, of knowledge, of dance, of music, but also of ideas for First Nations peoples held in Australia. And I was very proud yesterday and the day before, with representatives of the Government I was there, along with Minister McCarthy, Minister Rishworth the Social Services Minister, Minister Clare the Education Minister, as well as Marion Scrymgour, Linda Burney, Luke Gosling. It shows how seriously we take that engagement with First Nations people and the political representatives in this country. There is more we need to do. We remain absolutely committed to advancing the interests of Indigenous Australians, and the theme of the Garma Festival this year was: fire, strength and renewal. The idea that out of a fire comes the opportunity, when rains come, for rebirth and renewal. There’s a great deal of personal disappointment with the outcome of the referendum last year. I think it was a gracious request of Indigenous Australians with a process that began under Tony Abbott as Prime Minister, culminated in the First Nation’s Constitutional Convention held at Uluru in 2017. Both major political parties have gone to elections saying they would advance constitutional recognition. I kept my word and put that to the Australian people as I said I would do, in the form that was requested by First Nations people to give them respect. I also respect that democratic outcome and the Australian people made their decision. I accepted responsibility for it and hence we need to work on new paths, new ways of achieving outcomes and closing the gap. The Voice to Parliament was never the end in itself. The Voice was about how we close the gap in health, education, housing, life expectancy, infant mortality, incarceration rates. All of these areas governments of all persuasions, Labor and Coalition, have not done good enough. And we need to do better and that is what I seek to do. Thanks very much.
