Radio interview - Triple M Sydney

MICK MOLLOY, HOST: Prime Minister, you've got some exciting news for the State and, of course, everyone in particular who lives out West.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: We sure do, Mick. We've got, Singapore Airlines is signing up this morning to fly from the new Western Sydney International Airport when it opens. And that will just connect Western Sydney with the entire world. Everyone knows that Singapore Airlines is one of the great hubs of the world. So, connecting up right into Asia, into Europe, into North America, through Singapore Airlines. It follows Qantas, of course, signed up last year. But with this, what it means is that there'll be a rush. It's a sign of confidence in what will be an airport located where most people in this great city of Sydney live.

MOLLOY: That is going to be great. Next thing you know, Aeroflot will be on board. All the big ones will be signing up to come out West.

PRIME MINISTER: I'm not sure Aeroflot has quite the same standards as Singapore Airlines.

MOLLOY: They don't even fly them these days. I think they just drive them up the Hume. Now, PM. You were saying yourself, MG, that you've already noticed out West there's a lot of action, there's a lot of building, there's a lot of infrastructure going on out at Badgerys Creek.

MARK GEYER, HOST: Well, let's not forget this was first mentioned in 1986 that the airport was going to Badgerys Creek. And then over the last, say, five to 10 years, the developments going on, on the ways from, say, Penrith to Narellan and to the surrounding areas, it's just astronomical. There's houses everywhere. The roads are getting three and four wide, it's just exciting. It's exciting times. Everyone in the West can't wait. It's going to be beautiful for us.

MOLLOY: Is that fair?

PRIME MINISTER: Absolutely. Look, more than 9000 jobs have been created already just through construction. We've got $17 billion of roads and the rail line up north-south there, connecting up with the St Mary's area. And it needs to go down into Macarthur. It's going to be so exciting. And for once, Sydney will look west rather than everything looking east. And that's a good thing because people will be able to work closer to where they live. And this will be - I mean, this is more than a destination. All the studies show that if you really want to incentivise investment in an area, in business, an airport is it. New investment, new opportunities, new jobs.

MOLLOY: Can you confirm to me right now that the flight path will not go over the Penrith beach? Because that would be damaging to the air.

PRIME MINISTER: Well, that would be a tragedy. One of the great things about the flight path there, is if you head out southwest along the way that the two runways, when they're eventually built - one to start with - you can actually minimise that aircraft noise. We're working on that, working that through with the community. But it will be just a cracker. It will make such a difference for the economy in Western Sydney.

MOLLOY: And because it is out in Western Sydney, are the pilots allowed to hoon? Can they smoke up the tyres, pull on the handbrakes, do a bit of circle work? You know what I mean? Just as they leave the hangar.

PRIME MINISTER: I don't think doughnuts are allowed, mate.

MOLLOY: Doughnuts aren't allowed. All right, now, while we've got you here - minutes of the last meeting. Oasis are about to reunite. And I know you're a rocker. You're a great rocker.

PRIME MINISTER: The Gallaghers, how will they talk with each other? They hate each other don't they?

MOLLOY: It'll be like Question Time on the floor of Parliament with you lot. Now, who would you like to see if you had the power, by royal decree, who would you like to see re-form?

PRIME MINISTER: Oh, well, if I had the power of God, the Beatles would be pretty good.

GEYER: Oh, yes.

MOLLOY: Well, that's a bit hard. We're going to have to drag someone around, Weekend at Bernie's style.

PRIME MINISTER: I am looking forward to seeing Cold Chisel on their 50th anniversary. That is going to be awesome.

MOLLOY: Get better soon, everybody, and we'll make that happen. And I believe - thank you for your time today. And that is fantastic news. Well done, Singapore Airlines. Hopefully this opens the door to a rush of international carriers who are out there and keen to touchdown in the West. Coming up immediately after you, we have a segment called "What The F." Do you have one for us to go out?

PRIME MINISTER: I do, indeed.

MOLLOY: Great.

PRIME MINISTER: We've announced that our Paralympian gold medalists will receive the same incentive payment that our Olympians got, $20,000 for gold, $15,000 for silver and $10,000 for bronze. And that is the first time that that has happened. And just as our Olympians gave us inspiration and a sense of joy. I mean, it was just fantastic. Uplifted the nation. Our Paralympians are about to do the same from Thursday.

GEYER: Bravo.

MOLLOY: Well, there it is. You've blown my mind. You've done it again. That's all good news for the great State of New South Wales and Sydney. And this airport better open. I've been hearing about this about bloody Badgerys Creek since I was at school, Albo. So, cut that friggin' ribbon or I'll be around to have words.

PRIME MINISTER: Well, you can come to the opening, mate.

GEYER: We'll be there.

MOLLOY: I'll see you there. Hard hats on.

PRIME MINISTER: MG on the charge with the scissors.

GEYER: Good on you, Albo.

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