: Let's catch up with the Prime Minister. Right now, as I've mentioned, he's on his way to the flood affected areas of the Mid North Coast. He's on the line right now. Prime Minister, good morning to you.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: G' day, Mark. Good to be with you but sorry about the circumstances. I understand you just spoke to the Premier. I'm just waiting where we're about to meet up in a short period of time before we travel together to go to Taree.
LEVY: Well, Prime Minister, it's just devastating. I mean I've spoken to some of the people who have been affected by these floods. These natural disasters happen from time to time and you know, obviously all of the authorities swing into action. We've got volunteers lending a hand but the power of community has been never been more important. From a Commonwealth perspective, what would you like to say to all those people affected by these terrible floods?
PRIME MINISTER: Look, my heart goes out to the people affected, of course, most seriously, the four tragedies that we've seen with the loss of life, including the gentleman overnight is a reminder as well to people to not take risks. If it's flooded, forget it. Follow the advice which is out there. You can download the Hazards Near Me app or you can log on to hazardwatch.gov.au to get the latest information. But at the worst of times, we do always see the best of the Australian character. The heroes of the SES, who are helping out their neighbours, their local communities and people travelling to the area to provide assistance. There's been more than 1,000 incidents dealt with by the SES, over 300 flood rescues. Whether it's the different levels of government or whether it be the Australian Defence Force choppers, have rescued more than a dozen people. They're really all pitching in to do our bit. The three levels of government working together. And the volunteers, I just think, are absolute heroes.
LEVY: Well, they're heroes all right. And, you know, pitching in to transport people, drop off blankets, deliver food. It's extraordinary. And it brings out the best in Australians. It certainly does. Prime Minister, as far as a Commonwealth point of view goes, you've obviously approved the support of the ADF, I believe, to head into some of these areas and lend a hand. Is that right?
PRIME MINISTER: We have, that's right. The National Emergency Management Agency, which is based in Canberra that we established, that does an incredible job, have activated a crisis coordination team. Now they're making sure that there's seamless activity across the three levels of government, working with agencies and working with the SES and the Rural Fire Service and everyone else. We've activated the Disaster Recovery Allowance in four local government areas in Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Mid Coast and Dungog. That'll be available from 2pm on Monday. That provides for up to 13 weeks of salary for sole traders or for employees who simply can't work because people can't get around. There's 16 local government areas where disaster assistance has been activated, will provide support for people. Some of the agricultural sector are going to need support as well. You've seen some of the extraordinary footage of cattle and livestock are being impacted by this as well. And we have made the Australian Defence Force available as well. The chopper has been rescuing people for the last 48 hours, but also the Australian Defence Force will be made available. There's going to be a big recovery effort required. There's been massive damage to infrastructure and we're going to have to really all pitch in. Tragically, these events are becoming more frequent and more intense, but we're a resilient bunch, Australians, and people will pitch in. And that's precisely what we are seeing now.
LEVY: All right, well Prime Minister, I know you've got limited time. Thanks for the chat. We might see if we can get you on in the next couple of weeks because I've got to tell you, the outrage to the superannuation tax that you're going after is there for everyone to see. Some pretty powerful economic minds in this country aren't a big fan. So, if we can in the next couple of weeks, we might have a chat about that. And all the while we've got this Coalition Agreement being blown up. So, I said earlier, you look like a Cheshire Cat at the moment because there's not much of an opposition up against you. But I'll let you continue doing what you're doing up there on the Mid North Coast and please pass on our regards to all of those people affected by the floods.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks very much, Mark. I've got to say, my priority is right here. I'll let the Liberal Party and the National Party fight each other. I'll be up here fighting for Australians.
LEVY: All right. We'll leave you to it. That's Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia.
