Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended the Australian Government’s agenda on tax reform, national security and artificial intelligence, stating that the Government will continue to work “in good faith” with industry and community stakeholders amid increasing political debate.
Albanese said the Government remained focused on tackling key structural challenges facing the country, including housing affordability, tax fairness and the rise of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI).
Addressing proposed tax reforms, including changes related to capital gains and property investment, the Prime Minister said consultations with industry groups and the community were ongoing and that the Government would not speculate on final outcomes before formal processes were completed.
Albanese said the proposed reforms aimed to create a fairer tax system and encourage investment in more productive areas of the economy, particularly housing supply.
He argued the changes would help balance the tax burden between wage earners and people generating income through assets, adding that revenue generated from reforms would be returned to Australians through tax cuts and financial relief measures.
On artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, Albanese said Australia was well positioned to attract investment in AI and data centres due to its renewable energy capacity and strategic geographic location.
“AI is very important. We want to see more investment,” he said, while stressing that large-scale digital infrastructure projects must not place additional pressure on household energy costs.
The Prime Minister said the Government was working closely with industry leaders to ensure AI development was managed responsibly, balancing innovation with appropriate safeguards.
He also acknowledged concerns about AI’s impact on employment, but noted that technological advancements have historically created new industries and job opportunities despite disrupting existing sectors.
On national security and immigration matters, Albanese reiterated that public safety remained the Government’s “first, second, third, fourth and fifth priority,” while declining to comment on operationally sensitive issues.
The Prime Minister also defended Australia’s national integrity framework, including the National Anti-Corruption Commission, following the resignation of a senior official. He said institutional change was a normal part of establishing stronger accountability systems and restoring public trust.
Discussing social policy, Albanese said the Government remained committed to preventing domestic violence and improving women’s safety, highlighting what he described as the largest investment in the issue by any Australian government.
Responding to Coalition proposals concerning sex discrimination laws, the Prime Minister said his focus remained on delivering practical policy outcomes rather than engaging in “culture wars”.
Albanese concluded by reaffirming the Government’s broader agenda, including strengthening Medicare, increasing education funding, advancing the energy transition and delivering housing reform, saying the Government remained committed to “delivering real change” for Australians.