Key Points
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has shared a New Year's message with Australians.
- He describes a "challenging year" but also hopes for 2024.
- He said despite challenges Australia has achieved "a great deal".
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has used his New Year's address to reflect on the many adversities faced at home and abroad during the past year.
"There's no doubt 2023 was a challenging year," Albanese said in a statement to the nation.
"Yet, right around our country, Australians rose to meet those challenges - as they always do."
A global cost of living crisis, the rising impact of climate change, and war in Ukraine and the Middle East have bruised people around the world mentally and emotionally.
Australians have also had to contend with ongoing natural disasters in 2023. Most recently, widespread flooding in Far North Queensland has led to significant damages to properties and public infrastructure, with recovery expected to take many months to come.
Albanese said that in spite of such challenges, Australia has achieved "a great deal" as a nation, and that "we achieved it together."
"That is the Australian spirit," Albanese said.
In October, Australians overwhelmingly voted No in a referendum to install an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, a result that has been met with grave disappointment by many First Nations communities.
Albanese also acknowledged that we have the "unique privilege of being home to the oldest continuous culture in the world" and added that "our society has been enriched" by people "of every faith, background and tradition."
He has called on Australians to remember that "we have so much to cherish", reflecting that "we are a people of optimism, determination and above all, fairness."
"Let that guide us in 2024 as we make the greatest country on Earth even better."
