Well, the Prime Minister is today in Uluru for a very important milestone. And we welcome Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Weekend Sunrise. Good morning to you, PM.
DAVID WOIWOOD, HOST: Good morning, PM.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning from beautiful Uluru here. You can see behind me, this magnificent heart of Australia, that's in the heart of Australia, physically, but also I think in the hearts of every Australian and indeed is a symbol of Australia. And today is 40 years to the day since Uluru and Kata Tjuta, formally known as the Olgas, was handed back to the traditional owners here who've been caring for it in joint partnership here. And of course, it's been a great success. And last night there was an amazing celebration here, a really positive feel from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and visitors alike. And today the Governor-General will preside over another ceremony here this morning.
WRIGHT: Yep. What an extraordinary part of Australia it is. And what an important thing to mark. The pictures look sensational from last night. To move on to other stories now and to some breaking news that's just come in PM, which must seem like a world away from the States where you've just been. But Donald Trump has just announced that he's going to slap Canada with a further 10 per cent tariff hike on imported goods. Now that's on top of the existing 35 per cent. Now, this was all over an anti-tariff advertisement featuring former President Ronald Reagan. PM, is not liking an ad a good enough reason to raise tariffs?
PRIME MINISTER: Oh, look, I'm not going to give an ongoing commentary on what the United States policy is between the US and Canada. My job is to represent Australia. We had such a positive meeting last week. It was fantastic, whether it be on defence and national security issues, the confirmation of the President's very strong support for AUKUS, the critical minerals deal that's about jobs and economic activity here in Australia, and setting us up for success in this century, just as iron ore and other products have driven our success in the past and continue to be, of course, major contributors. It was such a warm engagement. I had almost three hours with the President, and we built on the relationship that we've built over the phone, and with our brief meeting in New York. And I, of course, will travel in a few hours to Malaysia, where the President is travelling as well to the ASEAN meeting, and then on to APEC in Korea. These are both really important meetings where I'll engage. Australia, of course, supports free and fair trade. We think that's a good thing. And we'll continue to advocate for our national interest.
WOIWOOD: Yeah, very important meetings coming up in the Asia Pacific there, Prime Minister. But I want to ask you about this - President Trump has again overnight been asked about Kevin Rudd's position as Ambassador. And he appeared to say that he didn't forget when someone says something mean about him. Now, we know that you don't want to talk about this. You want this to just to go away now. But have you spoken to Kevin Rudd about this? Is it becoming a problem?
PRIME MINISTER: No, it's not. It's something that - there was a lot of, of what some might call a fake media before I went to the United States about what was important and what wasn't. What was important was the issues of substance. That's what I'm focused on. If someone says something like that, a leading question, it's not surprising -
WOIWOOD: Does this tend to distract from some of that stuff? When you've got these headlines and Donald Trump continues to weigh into it?
PRIME MINISTER: No, only if, only if the media do. I was in the room and -
WOIWOOD: In this second instance, overnight Prime Minister.
PRIME MINISTER: No. Well that's because of, that says more about the media than anything else. I'm focused on substance. That's my job. And Kevin Rudd's doing a great job as Ambassador. The delivery last week reinforces that.
WRIGHT: Well, we wish you well with a big week coming up with the ASEAN and APEC summit.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks so much.
WRIGHT: Hope it goes well. You've got the Australian salute down pat.
PRIME MINISTER: If you could do something about the flies here, that'd be good.
WRIGHT: Yep.
WOIWOOD: And he rocks an Akubra, doesn't he? Looking very good Prime Minister. Thanks for your time.
PRIME MINISTER: This is a big challenge I have at the moment is not swallowing one of the things, so -
WRIGHT: Well, that certainly would go viral around the world. Prime Minister, listen, best of luck with the week ahead. Thank you.
PRIME MINISTER: Thank you so much and everyone have a great Sunday.
WRIGHT: You too.
WOIWOOD: Thank you, PM.
