The Albanese Government is activating financial support for communities directly affected by the floods in North Queensland through the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA).

The DRA offers up to 13 weeks of income support for eligible workers and sole traders depending on their personal circumstances who have suffered a loss of income as a direct result of the flooding in the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Burdekin, Cassowary Coast, Hinchinbrook, Palm Island and Townsville.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: I think the sermon that we've heard today – hope in an uncertain world – was appropriate. We do need hope, and we need optimism, and as we begin the parliamentary year, that's precisely what I have. Optimism for the year ahead, and optimism that we can create a better future for Australia if we seize the opportunities that are before us. We begin the parliamentary year with inflation falling, wages rising, and with unemployment low.

Well, welcome back everyone, for what is going to be a great year. I must begin, though, by saying that I've just spoken again with the Premier of Queensland, David Crisafulli about what Queenslanders are going through with these floods.

We know at this time there are floods in Queensland. There are also bushfires, of course, and a heat wave across southern Australia. So it's indicative of what we have to deal with.

A short time ago, we joined together in that most solemn reminder:

Lest we forget.

Just three words, yet they hold within them such a profound power and dignity.

And what they tell us – year in, year out – is that memory is a conscious act.

It has to be tended as carefully as the eternal flame.

It must be passed from each generation into the care of the next.

For nearly eight and a half decades, the Australian War Memorial has kept memory alive and strong.

Memory of all who have served in our name.

Memory of all who have fallen.

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

I would like to acknowledge David Pearson and Chloe Pearson, family of Flying Officer Charles Edward Suffren.

I also acknowledge the Leader of the Opposition, and all my colleagues from across the parliament;

Air Marshal Robert Chipman, representing the Chief of the Defence Force;

Major General Greg Melick, National President of the RSL;

The Honourable Kim Beazley, Chair of the Council of the Australian War Memorial;

BILLI FITZSIMONS, HOST: Prime Minister, thank you for joining The Daily Aus.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Wonderful to be here.

FITZSIMONS: I want to start really broad. In your eyes, what is the biggest issue facing young people today?

MICHELLE GRATTAN, HOST: The date for the election isn't announced yet, but the contestants have been running at full tilt for months. Many voters, however, hard pressed by the cost of living, are just starting to tune in, and their mood is often sour and certainly impatient. The polls at present are showing the election battle is finally balanced, with observers speculating on a hung parliament. But there's a lot to play out in coming weeks before the result is decided.

JOURNALIST: What about, in 2025, the China-Australia relationship?

Xin nian kuai le.

Gong hei fat choy!

I’m delighted to be with you all again, back at this magnificent festival for another year.

Here in Box Hill this weekend – and at so many Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year celebrations around our country, families, friends and communities are coming together to share in centuries of tradition.

We gather to welcome the Year of the Snake in a spirit of joy, surrounded by vibrant colour and energy.

We look forward together with optimism for the new opportunities that a new year brings.

MATT GREGG, LABOR CANDIDATE FOR DEAKIN: Good morning, everyone. My name is Matt Gregg and I'm the candidate here in Deakin. Pleasure to be joined by the Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles, the candidate for Menzies, Gabriel, and of course the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese.