Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has begun to outline his newly re-elected government's policies and plans in a speech to the National Press Club today.
Key on the agenda is a new productivity round table, to be led by Treasurer Jim Chalmers from August, with a focus on “further economic reform”.
Health care was also on the cards — literally.
The PM used an election campaign favourite move and pulled out his Medicare card to announce that his government will be ensuring prescriptions on the PBS are capped at $25 and will establish a 24 hour health line 1800 MEDICARE.
Answering questions on trade, ahead of the G7 summit this month, the PM re-affirmed that Australia would not be budging on biosecurity when it comes to United States imports.
"As we did with the European Union, we'll only sign up to things that are in Australia's national interest," Albanese said.
"So things like the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the media bargaining code, our biosecurity in agriculture, they're not on the table as far as we're concerned."
A reshuffle of the government's inner circle was also announced, with Steven Kennedy heading the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Jenny Wilkinson replacing his current role as Treasury secretary.
She will be the first woman appointed to the role.
“These outstanding public servants will continue to excel in their service to our nation,” Albanese said.
