Reform and renewal will characterise the next phase of Australia’s recovery from the pandemic, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says.
The 31st prime minister will on Monday reflect on his first 100 days in office during a speech to the National Press Club ahead of the government hosting its marquee jobs and skills summit later in the week.
The Labor government will aim to use industrial relations reforms stemming from the summit to “arm people with every chance to fulfil their potential”, Mr Albanese says.
“Our government is only 100 days into this journey but we are resolved on the destination of a better future,” Mr Albanese will say.
“We are focused on building a fair-wage, strong-growth, high-productivity economy.
“I see it in phases. We’ve been through the pandemic response, we are in the middle of the recovery and reform will be the key to renewal.”
Mr Albanese also lauded his government’s first 100 days, outlining key achievements such as restoring the energy grid, delivering flood support, increasing biosecurity measures, lifting the emissions reduction target, backing a minimum pay rise and moving on paid domestic violence leave.
“We’ve hit the ground running,” Mr Albanese said.
“Central to all of this, fundamental to everything we seek to achieve, is a fairer, stronger, more resilient and more rewarding economy.
“An Australia where working hard means you can pay the bills, support your family, save for the future and achieve your aspirations.”
The prime minister is also hoping for immediate actions coming out of the jobs and skills summit at the end of the week.
The summit follows more than 100 consultations since the government took office and will bring around 140 key stakeholders to Canberra at the end of the week.
Discussions will span boosting economic participation for women and disadvantaged groups, addressing migration, and boosting training in areas of new technology.
“I’m hopeful there will be some immediate actions coming out of the summit that we can work to implement, but Friday isn’t the end of the story,” Mr Albanese said.
“None of us imagine that a two-day summit will entirely fix wages and job security.
But for the first time in a long time, I believe we will be moving to agreement on how to solve these problems rather than arguing over who is to blame for them.”
A new culture of co-operation and a renewed understanding between unions, industry, small businesses and government will contribute to the construction of a fairer and more productive economy, Mr Albanese says.
© AAP 2022
