: Welcome back. Let's return to our top story this morning. And Australia has officially recognised the State of Palestine. And Minister Anthony Albanese joins us live from New York. Good morning to you.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning.
BARR: So, Benjamin Netanyahu has now come out and said there will never be a Palestinian State. An extraordinary statement to make. What is your reaction?
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, what's very clear, and has been clear for a long period of time, is that the cycle of violence must end. That the interests of Israelis in living in peace and security, is accompanied by the aspirations of Palestinians to live in peace and security as well in their own state. That the conflict must end. And the only way in which the world is saying it can end is what has been a bipartisan position for a long period of time, ever since here in 1948, Israel was created through a resolution of the United Nations that Australia supported. But of course, at that time, it was envisaged two states side by side in peace and security, offering prosperity for both of its citizens.
DAVID WOIWOD, HOST: Prime Minister, you've said that Hamas will have no role in this Palestinian State that you are now supporting. How can you assure that?
PRIME MINISTER: We can ensure that because of the actions of countries in that neighbourhood, the Arab League have made very clear, and I think that was a real breakthrough. They condemned unequivocally the actions of Hamas on October 7. They declared that Hamas could play no role in a future Palestinian State. And they also declared that Israel, of course, has a right to security as well. So, for a long period of time, people have known what a peace plan looks like. What it looks like is the states around Israel all recognising its right to exist in peace and security, but also the aspirations for a Palestinian State being realised. We saw on October 7 a terrorist atrocity by Hamas that rules it out of any future role in a Palestinian State. It's a terrorist organisation and can play no role. The Palestinian Authority needs to be democratised and reformed, including in education and legal systems. The world wants to play a role in that. But the humanitarian catastrophe that we see rolling out in Gaza has to end. We want to see a ceasefire, we want to see hostages released and we want to see aid be able to get into Gaza. The loss of human life, the conditions in which people are being put in Gaza is completely unacceptable. And the world is saying that we need to act as a global community here. Israel needs to heed that call. Of course, there are different views within Israel as well. We've seen hundreds of thousands of people demonstrate in Israel as well at, for different positions, other than that which is being advanced by the Netanyahu Government.
BARR: You're talking to us live from New York. Donald Trump must appreciate you making the journey all the way to his hometown. What time are you meeting with him?
PRIME MINISTER: Look, he's at, of course, Charlie Kirk's funeral today and that's a really tough day for Americans. And I express my condolences to his family, Mr. Kirk's family, but to all those who will be grieving today. That is the President's priority today. And that's understandable. He'll be hosting an event Tuesday night. I'll be talking with him there. And you know, we will meet at, at some time for a face-to-face meeting. But we've already had four discussions. We have the lowest tariff of any country in the world. So, the relationship between Australia and the United States is in good shape.
WOIWOD: All right, Prime Minister, we thank you for your time this morning.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks very much.
