PRIME MINISTER, ANTHONY ALBANESE: Firstly, can I say Gong Xi Fa Cai, Happy Lunar New Year, the Year of the Rabbit. It's fantastic to be here in Box Hill, one of the centres of multicultural Australia and to be here with Carina Garland, our fantastic Member for Chisholm. But also the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles, and local state members. Australia has a great opportunity to be an even better country in the future. We have the opportunity to embrace all the diversity that is within our midst.

Ni hao, Box Hill.

Gong Xi Fa Cai.

Could I thank firstly, Bihong Wang and the Asian Business Association of Whitehorse.

Can I thank as well and acknowledge the major sponsor here Golden Age for their support for this event.

Can I importantly acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are the traditional owners of this land and pay my respects to their elders, past, present and emerging.

A new chapter in Australia’s cultural story has begun.

The Albanese Labor Government’s new National Cultural Policy – Revive – has been released today and will set the course for Australia’s arts, entertainment and cultural sector for the next five years.

Revive will empower our talented artists and arts organisations to thrive and grow – unlocking new opportunities, reaching new audiences and telling stories in compelling new ways.

ADAM SHIRLEY, HOST: Prime Minister thanks for making a bit of time for us this evening.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good evening. My pleasure and what a splendid occasion, it was quite something.

SHIRLEY: A big night that's come, well every week for you is big, but a big few days for you as well. When you see people doing what they do, the nominees and the winners this evening, how do you as Prime Minister respond or reflect on that?

Australia Day is our chance to celebrate just how fortunate we are to live in the greatest country on earth.

Importantly, it is also an opportunity to reflect on how we can make it even greater.

It was in that spirit that we celebrated the Australians of the Year last night.

The winners and nominees represent the very best of our national character: our compassion and generosity, our courage and initiative, and our sense of service to community.

Today we welcome new citizens joining us in the great Australian family.

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

I am proud to lead a government committed to the Uluru Statement from the Heart, in full.

And today, as we gather to celebrate the next chapter in the success story of our great and diverse society, let us all recognise the unique privilege we have to share this continent with the world's oldest continuous culture.

Your Excellency, distinguished guests.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, happy Australia Day everyone. And this morning, first thing, we had a Welcome to Country from Ngunnawal elders for myself and the Governor General, a private ceremony that was very warm and engaging. And I thank them for it. And then we've had this magnificent citizenship ceremony here, part of the 19,000 people who will make Australia their home today. We have had over the years millions of Australians join the family through citizenship.

JOHN FOREMAN, HOST: Joining me now the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese and the Premier of New South Wales, Dominic Perrottet. Welcome to both of you, thank you for joining us tonight.

DOMINIC PERROTTET, PREMIER: Thanks, John.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: It’s great to be here.

KARL STEFANOVIC, HOST: The Prime Minister, he joins us now. PM, good morning.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning.

STEFANOVIC: Nice to see you PM, how are you?

PRIME MINISTER: I’m very well. Congrats on the new gig, Sarah.

SARAH ABO, HOST: Thank you.

PRIME MINISTER: You missed out. Karl can tell you about the golden years of myself and Christopher Pyne at 6am in the morning every Friday there.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well this is my third visit to the Northern Territory as Prime Minister. I intended to come to Alice Springs in December, but COVID got in the way of that appointment. But today we've had very successful meetings and engagements. Firstly with the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, where we talked to people including Donna and John; the NPY Women's Council; we had a meeting with the Mayor of Alice Springs, Matt Patterson, and the leadership of the police, including Assistant Commissioners Dole and White.