It’s lift-off for Orange’s performing arts scene as work begins on the new $33.5 million world-class cultural hub for the region.

The new Orange Regional Conservatorium and Planetarium project will include:

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. And happy Australia Day, everyone. It is an incredible privilege and honour to be the Prime Minister of Australia. And last night at the Australian of the Year Awards, it was an inspirational time in the four categories of Volunteer of the Year, Senior Australian, Young Australian, and the Australian of the Year. The nominees from every state and territory are doing so much to make this greatest country on earth just that little bit greater.

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

Your Excellency, distinguished guests one and all.

My fellow Australians and my very-soon-to-be fellow Australians.

Every citizenship ceremony is an extraordinary event, a solemn occasion and a joyous one.

A formal commitment – and a warm embrace.

My great predecessor Ben Chifley officiated at the very first of these ceremonies 75 years ago, across the lake at Albert Hall.

ADAM SHIRLEY, HOST: You can probably hear in the background at the Australian of the Year Awards and the immediate after party, a lot of people milling around, enjoying their evening, milling and expressing and sharing the stories of what they've achieved across this nation. It really is a sight to behold as people enjoy and relax after what has been a momentous and emotional night. And one person who was overseeing it all was the Prime Minister of the country, Anthony Albanese.

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

Friends, it is such a joy to gather together on the eve of Australia Day.

Our national day is our chance to do so much more than simply count our blessings. We pause to reflect on everything that we have achieved as a nation, as a people.

All that we have created and built and learned through all the ups and downs of our history.

The challenges we have faced – together.

The opportunities we have seized – together.

The Albanese Government will direct the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to investigate pricing and competition in the supermarket sector to ensure Australians are paying a fair price for their groceries.

We understand that Australians are under the pump and the cost of groceries is among the biggest concern for many.

This 12-month ACCC inquiry – the first of its kind since 2008 – will investigate the competitiveness of retail prices and allegations of price gouging in the supermarket sector.

LAURA TINGLE, NATIONAL PRESS CLUB PRESIDENT: Prime Minister, thank you for your address. Every other Prime Minister who has broken a major promise has gone on to lose their job. Paul Keating and his L-A-W tax cuts, Tony Abbott, cutting health and the ABC, Julia Gillard, on the carbon tax and Kevin Rudd on the CPRS. Why will Anthony Albanese be different?

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

I want to acknowledge all the members of my team who are here today.

Our Labor Government is driven by the determination to make a positive difference.

To change this great country, for the better.

And to build an economy that works for people, not the other way around.

So that when you work hard and make sacrifices, you get fair reward for your effort.

The Albanese Labor Government is delivering a tax cut for every Australian taxpayer commencing on July 1.

These new tax cuts are designed to provide bigger tax cuts for middle Australia to help with cost-of-living, while making our tax system fairer.

The Albanese Government recognises the economic realities of 2024: Australians are under pressure right now and deserve a tax cut.

Labor’s tax cuts will make a real difference for 13.6 million Australians, ensuring that hard working Australians are keeping more of the wages they earn.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: The ABC is one of our most important institutions. A pillar of Australian life that plays a critical role. It is, indeed, one of the great pillars of our democracy. It's part of our cultural identity and our cultural wellbeing. Crucially, it's a life-line in times of disaster. We rely upon the ABC to inform Australians about natural disasters, about weather events and about what is occurring in the world so they can respond in an appropriate way.