Prime Minister
SAMANTHA ARMYTAGE: Well, the government has unveiled a new plan to create jobs in the struggling entertainment industry it's investing $400 million dollars to attract movie productions to Australia that's a boost of around 8,000 jobs a year. It comes as the latest unemployment figures show close to a million people are now out of work. The jobless rate rose to 7.4% in June that's, the highest in 22 years. But the real number is likely to be double that it's set to worsen with Melbourne back in lockdown and thousands of Aussies on JobKeep up waiting to learn their fate and joining us now is the Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Prime Minister, good morning, let's start with the unemployment figures, the real rate is estimated to be around 13.3% how bad will that figure get in the next few months?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the results yesterday showed that that 13% estimate that we previously had has fallen now to about just over 11% and that's welcome news because in June we had 210,000 jobs come back into the economy now, that is the biggest surge in jobs in one month that we've ever seen on the figures. Now, that is encouraging now we've got a long way to go there's no doubt about that. The headline rate of unemployment much less than that 11% figure but we know that the figure is up around that mark and so that's why it's so important that we just keep our focus on creating jobs and opening up the economy. Making sure we get on top and stay on top of the health challenges because these things work together to create jobs and yesterday we announced $2 billion dollars of additional investment for apprentices for skills training. Some 340,000 places, 180,000 apprentices, our businesses is creating jobs because that's what Australians need.
ARMYTAGE: Okay, you've got a report coming out next week on JobKeeper. I know Josh Frydenberg is making some big announcements then but why not give some people some certainty now? Especially in Melbourne for Melbourne businesses there who are really terrified in this second lockdown.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we've already done that, I've been saying now for some time that there'll be further income support. There'll be a new phase of that, that will succeed the arrangements we have right now. We've been putting the final touches on those arrangements. Even just this week as we've been working on that over the last few weeks since we've received the job keeper review, so we'll be making those announcements next week. We've made it very clear and I made this very clear to Dan Andrews, the Premier when we've been speaking about the crisis there, that there will be continued support and it'll be targeted to those who need it most. It will be there for everyone who needs it based on the impact on their businesses and the impact on their employers.
ARMYTAGE: Okay, so there will be ongoing support past September that's good news, now today's announcement is new funding to attract blockbuster movies to our shore. The entertainment industry has been crying out for help. 8,000 jobs a year, is that going to be enough?
PRIME MINISTER: Well that's 8,000 jobs and it's an important part of our arts and entertainment sector and it comes on top of the $100 multi-million dollar package that we put $250 million, I should say, a few weeks back and that was for the broader entertainment industry but this is about 8,000 jobs. It's about the sparkies, it's about the caterers, it's about those working on set it’s the production people, it's those who provide the accommodation and the motor homes and all of those. People often think this is just jobs for actors no, well, there is jobs for actors, but there importantly for all the trades and other skills that go into making that sector and 8,000 jobs is a lot of jobs and that's extending that support out. We know because Australia has done so well remember, seven states and territories are still in a very, very good situation and that has been noticed around the world and we're seen as a place that can handle these issues and we are and that is an opportunity for us to attract these, more of these productions. Our existing supports already do that but this will go even further and I'm looking forward to making that announcement up in Queensland later today.
ARMYTAGE: Okay, there's some unbelievable claims coming out of the northern hemisphere today, Prime Minister I want to get your thoughts on them. The global race for a Covid vaccine is creating a lot of tensions. Russia is now being accused of trying to steal information. Hacking into researchers. Are you aware of any Russian attempts to hack our own systems or elections in Australia?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we don't make attributions lightly on these things and a few weeks ago, I made some very strong statements about the cyber intrusions that were occurring from state based actors and we're very aware and of those issues and that's why we take the measures and the protections that we do. Hundreds of millions of more being put into our cyber security but I've got to encourage people that the broader conversation that is being held between leaders and I speak to them every week. I was just seeking to the Prime Minister of Singapore yesterday, it has been about searching for that vaccine but not just searching for that vaccine together but ensuring that when one is found that there is the production and distribution capabilities to ensure it can get as far and wide as quickly as possible and I believe that will be the focus of the global effort and certainly the effort that Australia will be putting in.
ARMYTAGE: Okay, Prime Minister just quickly on this one on the top experts are backing calls for Melbourne residents to wear masks in public. There have been some calls for you to be seen in a mask in public. Should they be mandatory in public for Australian?
PRIME MINISTER: We'll be following the medical advice and the medical advice in Melbourne and across Victoria particular in aged care facilities is to wear masks where you can't social distance and that in obvious in places where there are gatherings indoor in particular where you're in public transport and things of that nature that's the medical advice that is not the case in New South Wales or the ACT or Queensland, Western Australia. All the other parts of the country and were that to be the advice that's what we would be recommending so in Victoria and Melbourne in particular it's important that people do do that that's what the recommendation is and as we track the impact of the virus, then if further measures are necessary, then they'll be taken. So we've been following the medical advice and that's what it says.
ARMYTAGE: Okay, we know you've got another interview we'll let you go, Prime Minister. Thanks for your time today.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks very much, Sam.