Turnbull praises Aust of Year finalists

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has congratulated this year's Australian of the Year finalists while thanking last year's winners for their contributions.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has congratulated this year's Australian of the Year finalists. (AAP)

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has hailed the 2016 Australian of the Year finalists "shining examples of our best selves".

Speaking at the awards ceremony on the lawns of Canberra's Parliament House on Monday evening, Mr Turnbull thanked the 2015 award winners for their "remarkable contributions".

"And tonight on the eve of Australia Day, we rejoice in being citizens of a nation whose identity is not defined by religion or race, but rather, by shared political values," he told the ceremony.