Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended his government’s tax reform agenda, national security approach and emerging technology strategy, saying the Government will continue to “engage in good faith” with stakeholders amid growing political pressure and public debate.
Speaking on ABC Afternoon Briefing, PM Albanese said the Government was focused on addressing major structural challenges, including housing affordability, tax system fairness and the impact of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
On proposed tax changes, including capital gains and property-related reforms, the Prime Minister said the Government was engaging with industry and community groups but would not pre-empt outcomes ahead of formal processes.
“We’re engaging in good faith with organisations… Treasury are doing that across the board.”
PM Albanese argued the reforms were designed to improve fairness in the tax system and redirect investment towards productive parts of the economy, particularly housing supply.
“The loopholes have been available for so many people who have vastly more income than your nurses, supermarket workers and aged care staff.”
PM Albanese said the changes would ensure greater fairness between wage earners and those deriving income from assets, adding that proceeds from reforms would be returned through tax cuts and offsets for working Australians.
Turning to artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, the Prime Minister said Australia was well placed to attract data centre and AI investment due to its renewable energy potential and geographic advantages.
“AI is very important. We want to see more investment,” he said, adding that Australia must ensure energy use for large-scale digital infrastructure does not place pressure on households.
He said the Government was engaging with industry on how to “shape” AI’s development responsibly, balancing opportunity with safeguards.
PM Albanese also acknowledged AI’s potential impact on jobs, but said new technologies historically create new industries as well as disrupt existing ones.
“Jobs will also be created. That’s the point with new technology.”
On national security and immigration-related issues, the Prime Minister reiterated that public safety remained the Government’s “first, second, third, fourth and fifth priority,” while declining to provide operational details on sensitive matters.
He also defended Australia’s national integrity framework, including the National Anti-Corruption Commission, after the resignation of a senior official, saying institutional change was normal and the body was established to restore trust in the system.
On social policy, PM Albanese said his Government’s focus remained on domestic violence prevention and women’s safety, pointing to what he described as the largest investment in the area by any Australian government.
Responding to Coalition proposals on sex discrimination law, he said his priority was practical policy outcomes rather than “culture wars”.
“What my priority has been is bringing down the Budget and delivering real change for Australians.”
The Prime Minister ended the interview by reinforcing his broader economic and social agenda, including Medicare strengthening, education funding, energy transition and housing reform, saying the Government remained focused on “delivering real change” rather than political distraction.
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