Radio interview - Nova Sydney

RYAN ‘FITZY’ FITZGERALD: We are very, very excited because tomorrow is the day. It is our favourite day of the year, the traditional backyard cricket game at Kirribilli House. We raise money for some amazing funds and the man that lets us do it lets us into his home.

We have a barbecue afterwards. It is one of the great days of all, is the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. Welcome.

MICHAEL ‘WIPPA’ WIPFLI: Welcome, mate. ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good to be here. Really looking forward to tomorrow.

Great to kick open the gates of Kirribilli House and storm through for that pitch that I need to ask, I mean, you're the only one that's seen it recently. How are the conditions of the cricket pitch? PRIME MINISTER: The conditions are magic because they've put in new lawn.

There's no pitch. It'll be a soft, bouncy pitch. KATE RICHIE, HOST: I don't know why you let us in when you've just had new lawn laid.

I mean, that could be something you should do later in the week. PRIME MINISTER: Well, you know, you're a respectable lot. PRIME MINISTER: I’m looking forward to, I've already seen the team selection and a wise decision by Team Fitzy to have me on the team because I can always change the rules on the way through or intervene in some way, you know, FIFA style.

Well, it is. Did you see. Did you see Donald Trump hanging around in the shot today when Spain won it, Prime Minister?

He wouldn't get out of a shot. PRIME MINISTER: Well, good on Spain. I got to see, I was in Darwin this morning.

I'm in Canberra now. I got to see the game and we had an early morning press conference announcing a new maternity facility at Royal Darwin Hospital there. And the security people were like, we've got to go.

And it's like, it's extra time. Well, no, actually, I want to ask you because, I mean, everything that you do as a Prime Minister is important. Now I understand that.

But sometimes you must look at your schedule and go, oh, okay, I've got to go there, okay, I'm doing this. But what does this day mean to you, Prime Minister? PRIME MINISTER: Oh, it's a bit of fun and it's a bit of fun for a good cause, too.

I've seen the charities tomorrow - Full Stop Australia, raising money for specialist counselling for people dealing with sexual, domestic and family violence is really important. And then another charity, Batyr, which helps for preventive mental health charity as well. And a bit of light relief tomorrow.

So, bring your A-game and we’ll see how we go. Prime Minister, here's what I'm thinking, based on the World Cup and what we've just seen, is you're the man that can pull a couple of strings here. Would it be too late in the piece for you to organise Tom Cruise and maybe the Muppets to perform at some stage?

PRIME MINISTER: I saw the Muppets. How good was that? That’s fantastic.

Who's going to play the role of the Muppets? Is that me? What I'm nervous about, Prime Minister, is – PRIME MINISTER: Theres a few people from the media coming tomorrow that could play the Muppets.

Not quite sure why we're playing cricket in July, but anyway. I think that has something to do with your schedule. You're the one hard to pin down.

PRIME MINISTER: That's probably right. Being a Rabbitohs man, and I know you love Latrell Mitchell, but geez, you must be excited being on my side, Prime Minister. We're up against James Tedesco tomorrow.

Teddy will be playing. And I know – PRIME MINISTER: Well I wasn’t going to play on the same side as Teddy was it? I'd lose my number one supporter status if I played on the same side as Teddy.

No, he's a good fellow and I'm looking forward to seeing him and others there. I do note that, you know, Wippa’s chosen, you look at the athletes - Michael Hooper, Teddy. Who have we got?

We’ve got a doctor and some media people. Pretty good lineup. PRIME MINISTER: You have a swimmer.

Yeah, no, Susie O’Neill is an absolute jet. One of the most competitive sports people on this planet. PRIME MINISTER: Yeah, she’ll be good.

So, no, it is going to be good. Will Toto the dog be there? Because we know I've always picked you because we have an extra fielder in the outfield.

PRIME MINISTER: Toto will be there, and Toto will be rounding up those balls, don’t you worry about that. She’s not real good at throwing it back to the keeper, but she’s good at stopping the balls. Prime Minister, there's been a call too for Kate Ritchie, believe it or not, to sing the national anthem.

Now – Believe it or not – I have asked and she hasn't agreed to it. PRIME MINISTER: I’m in favour of it. But if the Prime Minister requests it - No, no, no.

I think that, no. PRIME MINISTER: That's done. I will have the music prepared.

Actually, not there. I mean, I have to draw the lines. PRIME MINISTER: You’ve got Amy Shark coming, I might point out.

It'll be the death of the national anthem, Kate. I'm sorry. It'll be murder.

But yeah, have we asked Amy? No, she didn't want to. Yeah, it's a job for Kate Richie.

Apparently it's the one thing that performers hate doing, Prime Minister because it is a moment that if you do forget a lyric, it stands out forever. PRIME MINISTER: Kate Richie, you're on. Sorry, Prime Minister, I think you just dropped out.

See you tomorrow. Thank you, buddy. We look forward to it.

PRIME MINISTER: See you tomorrow guys, look forward to it. Thanks, Anthony. See you, mate.

PM&C acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging.