Honours, Commemorations & Condolences

The Prime Minister today paid tribute to former Federal Minister and Victorian Opposition Leader, Clyde Holding, who passed away in Castlemaine overnight aged 80. Mr Holding’s distinguished political career spanned 36 years, starting with his election to the Victorian...

The Prime Minister today joined friends and colleagues to mourn the death of Rob Chalmers, the longest serving member of the Canberra Press Gallery. As the longest-serving member of the Press Gallery, Rob’s name stands alongside the greats such as Alan Reid, Don Whitington and...

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Sport Mark Arbib today congratulated Australian cyclist Cadel Evans, who is now all but certain to become the first Australian to win the Tour de France after a stunning individual effort overnight. Evans, in third place going into the...

I was sorry to hear the news today that Barry Hall will be retiring from AFL footy at the end of this season. I want to take the opportunity to congratulate Barry on his achievements and wish him good luck for the rest of the season and in the next phase of his life. Barry...

I thank Agnes Shea for the Welcome to Country and pay my respects to the traditional owners of this land on which we gather. In making that acknowledgment, I honour the dignity and resilience of all Indigenous Australians. And I recall with pride today the fact that eight...

Prime Minister Julia Gillard tonight hosted a reception at Parliament House to thank the Australian rescuers, medical experts, police and Australian Defence Force personnel involved in the emergency responses to the Christchurch earthquake and the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. ...

Prime Minister Julia Gillard today paid tribute to the enormous contribution made by the late Bill Hunter who passed away in Melbourne last night after a long battle with cancer. ...

Friends, Australia’s journey is a story of nation-building against incredible odds, creating a land of fairness and opportunity renowned across the world. That achievement has not come without a price. ...

Prime Minister Julia Gillard will confer an honorary Order of Australia on the Hon. Hugh Templeton in Wellington today for his role in establishing the Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement (ANZCERTA).  ...

PM: It’s great to be in Toowoomba for Australia Day, it’s been fantastic to be able to move through the crowd and talk to people, it’s also been great to be able to thank the Emergency Services workers who made such a different on that dreadful night in Toowoomba. ...