ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, it is wonderful to be here with Bill Crews at the Exodus Foundation in the heartland of the Inner West of Sydney. Today, about 4,000 people will receive meals on Christmas Day. But also, hundreds of children will receive presents. This is an amazing event that I've been coming to for two decades now. And it's incredibly uplifting. This is the spirit of Christmas, right here in Ashfield. And I do want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, and all the best for 2024.
I want to give people a reminder to stay safe on our roads. It is unfortunate that we've seen a spike in the road toll this year. We need to make sure that everyone drives safely. And please, if it's a choice between getting somewhere five minutes late and risking getting there at all, please drive safely.
JOURNALIST: This is heartening. But it also shows a great need. It's been a tough year for a lot of people.
PRIME MINISTER: It's been a very tough year with the impact of global inflation. And what we see here as well, here at the Uniting Church, is the Christian spirit being played out in a really practical way. And for people of Christian faith, this is a particularly important time of year when many will renew their faith when people will assist others. And just a special shout out to all the emergency services personnel, the police, people volunteering, our Australian Defence Force personnel, whether they're serving Australia here or overseas as well. I might ask Chris if he wants to make some comments.
CHRIS MINNS, PREMIER OF NEW SOUTH WALES: Fantastic to be here with Anthony on Christmas Day. And a real opportunity to shine a spotlight on the work the Exodus Foundation does and Bill Crews' crew here in Ashfield. They do an incredible job every single year. As Anthony said, thousands of people are coming to come together as a community, share a meal and think about the year that was.
I just want to give a big shout out to everyone who has to work today. As Anthony said, emergency service workers, New South Wales Police, paramedics and firefighters. Thinking of you today. Hopefully you get to spend Boxing Day with your family.
JOURNALIST: Some storms last night, Premier. It shows that times are volatile and weather is volatile.
PREMIER MINNS: Look, there's been some really strange weather over the last couple of days, from bushfires to storms. I can say that there's been tens of thousands of volunteers for the RFS and the State Emergency Services who've been working around the clock to keep us safe, to repair communities so that they can have a Christmas together. And that's a real, I think, that's the essence of community spirit where you put yourself second and the community first. So, thanks to all those volunteers.
PRIME MINISTER: Can I just give a shout out to those people suffering from floods in Far North Queensland, and from fires in Western Australia and in some parts of New South Wales as well. This is a festive time. But for many Australians, it will be a very difficult time. And it's been a time where we've seen the best of the Australian character that always comes out at the most difficult of occasions.
JOURNALIST: Can I just ask one final question about carols last night and the protest, the Palestinian protests that disrupted it. What's your view about that?
PRIME MINISTER: I have a very firm view that Australia's social cohesion is absolutely critical. And we need to bear that in mind in all of our actions. This is a time in which we come together as a nation. And we speak about the unity that we have built in this great country where people have come from different faiths, from different parts of the world, to make Australia their home. And it's important that be cherished and nourished and that we don't seek to divide. Thanks.