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Australia’s strength lies in our people. Our nation’s character has been enriched by the combined contributions of those who have come here from all corners of the globe.

As a Government we recognise that the multicultural character of our country is central to our nation’s story and to our shared future. Our new national multicultural policy, The People of Australia, builds on our strong commitment to multiculturalism in Australia. It recognises the breadth of our diversity and reaffirms the Government’s support for multiculturalism.

Principals from around the nation today received access to their school’s data on the new look My School website which is being launched this Friday.

This morning Prime Minister Gillard and School Education Minister, Peter Garratt, visited Turner Primary School in the ACT and met with the school Principal, Jan Day, to look at the updated website.

The Gillard Government is helping GPs and other health professionals provide more responsive and targeted services for local communities through Medicare Locals.  

Why is the Government doing this?

Rebuilding flood‐affected regions across Australia is going to be an immense national challenge. The Commonwealth’s costs are expected to be about $5.6 billion to finance the rebuilding that needs to be done following the floods.

The Commonwealth will meet two‐thirds of these costs by reprioritising existing spending. But the Government is introducing a modest, temporary levy on taxpayers to meet the other third of the costs.

The levy will apply in the 2011‐12 income year to individual taxpayers with income over $50,000. It will exempt taxpayers who received an Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment in relation to a flood that occurred in 2010‐11.

1. Low-income earners will not pay the levy. The levy only applies to income above $50,000.

2. The levy will not apply to victims of the floods. People in flood affected areas who have received the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment this financial year will be exempt from the levy.

3. The levy will only apply for the 2011-2012 financial year and will raise $1.8 billion.

4. A teacher earning $65,000 will pay $1.44 per week for the levy. You can calculate how the levy will affect you here.

5. A lawyer earning $95,000 will pay $4.33 per week for the levy. 

Today, we come together to celebrate the spirit of our nation.

Year after year many of us have spent Australia Day lazily watching the cricket, at the beach or around a barbie.  For most it’s a carefree day enjoyed with family and friends.

But this summer such hopes have not been realised.  Instead as a nation we have endured some of the worst floods in our history. Together we have shared shock and horror at the scale of the destruction and grieved for lost lives.

Throughout it all we have bonded together and reached out to each other with the hand of mateship. 

This evening Prime Minister Gillard presented the 2011 Australian of the Year Awards to four outstanding Australians.

Today in the lead up to Australia Day, Prime Minister Gillard addressed an Australia Day Luncheon in Adelaide Town Hall. 

As Queensland continues its clean-up after the floods, some Victorians are bracing themselves for rising flood waters.

To help them out during this difficult time, Prime Minister Gillard and Attorney-General Robert McClelland today announced further financial assistance available for Victorians affected by floods.

Operation Queensland Flood Assist is in full swing after the Prime Minister Gillard announced the Australian Defence Force would help Queensland with the flood clean-up.