Doorstop interview - Canberra

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, happy Australia Day to all throughout this amazing country. There'll be 700 events held by local communities right around Australia, just like the National one that's been held here. I've had the privilege as first Opposition Leader and then Prime Minister to come to the National Australia Day event here on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, and it is always inspiring.

It's inspiring to be able to, as it says, to reflect, but also to celebrate everything that we have created as a country. A great multicultural nation, where we respect people regardless of where they come from, regardless of their faith, their gender, and here in Australia, our diversity is, of course, a strength.

And it was a great honour to welcome 24 new citizens here this morning who are pledging their allegiance to Australia. People who've come from all over the world to make a better life for themselves and their families.

It was also a great honour to be last night at the Australian of the Year Awards once again. All of the nominees are such inspirations the commitment that they show to their fellow Australians, particularly to the vulnerable, or to science and research, or indeed, in many cases, to people around the world as well, with some of the award recipients.

Can I congratulate Neale Daniher on being the Australian of the Year for 2025. Neale's struggle over more than a decade now with the terrible MND disease, has shown courage, has shown inspiration, and has shown incredible commitment to make a difference, not just for himself, but importantly as well for all those now and in the future who have to deal with this incredibly awful disease that is debilitating and has such a terrible impact on those suffering from it, but also, of course, all of their family and friends. They have raised millions of dollars to assist with research and to assist with others. And Neale has shown through this challenge, the commitment that he showed on the field as an Essendon great and as a coach of the Melbourne Dees and as someone who is just regarded as a great Australian. I can't think of a more worthy recipient. To the other recipients as well, to Brother Thomas Oliver Pickett, what an incredible story. He's a Christian brother there in Western Australia who has established an organisation that helps out building wheelchairs for people now in 81 countries. And they're adaptable wheelchairs, the best in the world for young people, so that as they get older, from the age of four right through to 16, those wheelchairs can give them access to go to school and to live a more fulfilling life. And it is a great story done by volunteers, done by his incredible commitment, not just to his fellow Australians, but indeed to young people throughout the world. To Katrina Wruck, what an extraordinary, intelligent young woman she is, the Young Australian of the Year. Someone who has taken on research, not just in producing a washing detergent that won't have the chemicals in it that can lead to issues, she's passionate about Torres Strait Islander people and Indigenous Australians, and the fact that they suffer from rheumatic heart disease, so much more likely from a disease that's almost been eradicated in non-Indigenous Australians. She is an inspirational young person who goes into communities and promotes education, promotes the learning of science as well. And here in the ACT our wonderful local entrepreneurs in a social enterprise Stepping Stone. Hannah Costello and Vanessa Brettell, who have cafes here, who take particularly young refugee women and offer them the opportunity to gain employment, to gain skills, to learn English language skills as well. And to lead a fulfilling and prosperous life here as Australian citizens. Their social enterprise is a great success here in Canberra, and they are worthy recipients of the community award based awards from last night. So to all of our Australians of the Year, I say congratulations. to everyone who will pledge allegiance to Australia today, I say as Australian Prime Minister, welcome to the greatest country on Earth.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, today is going to be marked, invariably, celebration, protest, reflection, people will be mourning. So long as Australia Day remains January 26, do you see this day ever being one of national unity?

PRIME MINISTER: I think what we've seen here this morning is the theme - reflect, respect and celebrate - carried out in practice. This was a respectful ceremony. We shared this continent with the oldest continuous culture on earth. And earlier this morning, myself and the Governor-General met with Ngunnawal Elders. It was a very important, respective ceremony. And here, we acknowledge the fullness and richness of our history. But what unites us as Australians is our common commitment, whether we are a part of the oldest continuous living culture on Earth, or whether we're people who are becoming citizens today, we all share that vision as Australians of a fair country, a country in which people can fulfil their opportunity, make a better life than themselves and their families.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, more hostages released in Gaza, Israel has released more Palestinian prisoners. Your response to this latest development in the Middle East?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, it is good. We have wanted to see peace there and an end to conflict. The hostages have suffered terribly, terribly over such a long period of time. I'm sure today there will be scenes of them being welcomed back by their families. The atrocity of October 7 should have never occurred the greatest tragedy facing the Jewish people since the Holocaust. And tomorrow, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we will remember and honour all those who were murdered during World War II.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, are you disappointed Peter Dutton declined to attend today?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, I think that the National Australia Day event should be attended by both sides of the parliament. They should be bipartisan. And I attended every year as Opposition Leader here the Australia Day event, and I attended the Australian of the Year awards as well, when I was invited. This is an inspirational day here on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. And last night, it's one of the best events that anyone could ever go to. I hope I keep getting invited as a former PM, because, in about 10 years' time, because it is, it's just a terrific event. Why wouldn't you participate in national events if you want to be a national leader?

JOURNALIST: PM, just one more. Yesterday Peter Dutton said you and the Government you lead are obsessed with culture wars and that if a Coalition -

PRIME MINISTER: Sorry?

JOURNALIST: He said you're obsessed with culture wars.

PRIME MINISTER: Peter Dutton said that?

JOURNALIST: He said a Coalition -

PRIME MINISTER: You must be verballing him, seriously. He seriously said that?

JOURNALIST: He said that a Coalition Government would mean that Australians are no longer ashamed of Australia Day. What's your response to that?

PRIME MINISTER: I'm here on Australia Day. And it's a pity that Peter Dutton isn't here. I've been going to Australia Day ceremonies my entire life, just about. Certainly I've been every year, the Inner West Council, my local council, does respectful ceremonies. It used to be Marrickville, Ashfield and Leichhardt. I celebrate Australia Day. I look towards what unites Australians at every opportunity.

There's no opportunity where Peter Dutton isn't looking forw - here's the wedge, or where's the division that that he can bring. I think that is a pity. One of the things about this country that I want to see, I don't want to see the polarisation that's occurred in some democracies. I want Australians to be united, to show our common interest. Because what we have in common is so much greater than anything that any differences that people might have. I want those differences to be respectful. I think quite often Peter Dutton projects. And there's no greater example than that, for him to talk about culture wars. What I've done in the lead-up to this Australia Day, and every Australia Day as Prime Minister, is just engaged in celebrating our great country. And that's what I'll continue to do. Thanks very much.

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