I want to pay tribute to Tim Picton. He was brilliant, full of joy, full of life. And for that life to be tragically cut short at just 36 years of age is indeed a tragedy, not just for his family and friends, but for the state of Western Australia and the entire nation. Tim had an amazing future that was cut short by this dreadful act of violence. It is indeed a tragedy. And my heart goes out to Priya and his beautiful daughter, Charlotte, who is the apple of his eye.
JOURNALIST: Do you have an [inaudible] today? Do you have an [inaudible]?
PRIME MINISTER: Yeah, I have, I have a letter to give to Priya for young Charlotte. I want Charlotte, when she grows up, to know exactly how much her dad was loved by everyone who came into contact with him. I had a professional relationship with him, but also a personal one. Professionally, he got things done. The outstanding victory of Mark McGowan, and then the victory of additional seats here in the 2022 federal election. Tim was the architect of that. He led the Labor Party here with dignity, with intellect and with vision, and he then went on to be making a very successful career in the private sector. But on a personal level, he was always so full of life. And I want Charlotte, when she grows up, to really be proud of what a great Australian her dad was.
JOURNALIST: Can you speak on the Coalition split, and how important is it to have a viable federal opposition?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, they've been focused on themselves for a very long period of time. Why, in the lead-up to the last election, they didn't have a serious policy alternative and a serious offer for the Australian people. They kept unity by shrinking in on themselves. Now, whenever they have to make a decision, what is exposed is how the Liberal Party don't like each other, the National Party don't like each other, the Liberals don't like the Nationals. You have Nationals defecting to One Nation. It is chaos. What my government is focused on is on the national interest. We'll allow these opposition parties to continue to be focused on themselves.
JOURNALIST: Do you think Sussan Ley will still be leader when the Parliament resumes?
PRIME MINISTER: Well that's all a matter for the Liberal Party, but what I do know is that the alternatives are even worse. Thanks.
