Prime Minister says he remains hopeful of Russia, Ukraine ceasefire

Sydney Morning Herald

3 days ago

'We want to see the sovereignty of Ukraine protected,' he said.
'It is a good thing that President Trump is an advocate for peace; what we want to see is that the sovereignty of Ukraine be protected and that the illegal and immoral invasion conducted by Mr Putin and Russia are not rewarded.
'It's important as well now for international rule of law. It's also important because of the precedent that Russia's invasion sets of a powerful nation invading a much smaller nation and engaging in the brutality - which we have seen at a great cost to the Ukrainian people, but also at a great cost to Russian soldiers who have lost their lives.'
Albanese made the comments at a resources, science and technology showcase in Perth on Sunday, which was hosted by Seven West Media ahead of a planned economic roundtable next week.
He said Western Australia is at the centre of the federal government's plans to transition to renewable energy, with the showcase is expected to attract about 20,000 people to highlight WA's resources, science, and technology industries.
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'We want to see a more productive, a more vibrant, a more dynamic Australian economy,' Albanese said.
'WA is at the centre of that.'
Albanese pointed out it was his 36th visit to the state since he became Prime Minister.
'We understand that the jobs and the economic activity that is created here in the west is so important,' he said.
'What we're also seeing with this showcase is the way the industries are being transformed by new technology, by artificial intelligence - but at the front and centre of it all is of course our labour force.'
The showcase comes ahead of the federal government's roundtable next week, which will advocates and experts from around the country to discuss ways to raise the country's productivity levels.
'What will happen over the next three days of the forum is that people will put forward ideas; they'll feed into government decision-making.
'There'll be some measures that can be adopted immediately if the government adopts it, and there'll be some that feed into budget processes, but there'll be some about the long-term challenges in the global economy [and] the impact in Australia.'
Albanese said he intended to meet with industry leaders - including Seven West Media's chief and WesTrac and Coates Hire owner Kerry Stokes.
When asked how he squared supporting the oil and gas industry with the government's net-zero policy, he said he was aiming for a 'sensible' transition.
'That is precisely what industry here and the resources sector here are committing too as well - we're working with industry on that transition because what that means is opportunities for jobs and growth here in Western Australia by contributing to our national economy.'