The Albanese Government is supporting the recovery effort in Far North Queensland (FNQ), following ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

At the request of the Queensland Government, Australian Defence Force personnel will be deployed to assist Queensland authorities in the Douglas, Cook and Wujal Wujal regions.

SPIDA EVERITT, HOST: A big name on the show right now.

SEAN FLANAGAN, HOST: Well, it is. It's a very long name, Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister, it is two words, of this country at a time where the Gold Coast is facing easily our biggest challenge in terms of clean ups after a storm in the hinterlands. Prime Minister, good morning and thank you very much for joining us.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Thanks for joining us. It's good to be here with the Premier, Steven Miles, with my Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, my Minister, Murray Watt, the Queensland Treasurer, Cameron Dick, and Nikki Boyd, the state Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery, and also the Mayor of the Gold Coast, Tom Tate, who will speak after the Premier.

• The Australian and Queensland Governments have announced new support measures to boost disaster recovery and resilience operations in South East Queensland.
• The exceptional circumstances assistance is jointly funded through Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and comes in the wake of some of the worst storms SEQ has ever experienced.
• Additional grants for small businesses, farmers and non-profit organisations also activated for SEQ.

The Albanese and Miles Governments are delivering further disaster assistance to help South East Q

DAVID ILIFFE, HOST: Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, good morning.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Good to be with you, David.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: This is an extraordinary legacy that has assisted more than 120,000 families that are dealing with breast cancer. The nurses provide that support so that no one feels as though they're alone during what can be a difficult time for cancer sufferers, but also for family members. Of course, all Australians will have been impacted directly or indirectly. We all know someone who has suffered from breast cancer.

Recognising the broad consensus as expressed by 44 countries around the world on December 19, 2023, as well as the statement by the UN Security Council on December 1, 2023, condemning Houthi attacks against commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea, and in light of ongoing attacks, including a significant escalation over the past week targeting commercial vessels, with missiles, small boats, and attempted hijackings.

We hereby reiterate the following and warn the Houthis against further attacks:

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Happy New Year everyone. In 2024 I'm very positive as we enter the new year. And later this morning I will be attending briefly the beginning of David Warner's last test match at the SCG. And I do hope, if it hasn't happened already, whoever knows anything about the missing caps - David Warner has represented Australia on more than one hundred occasions. The baggy green caps belong to him. He has earnt them and they should be returned.

The thoughts of Australians are with the people of Japan at this difficult time. We are saddened to see the loss of life and destruction following yesterday’s earthquakes. As close friends, we stand ready to support Japan to provide any necessary assistance”.

Happy New Year Australia.

I hope you’ve had the chance to celebrate with friends and loved ones.

There’s no doubt 2023 was a challenging year.

Yet, right around our country, Australians rose to meet those challenges – as they always do.

We achieved a great deal as a nation – and we achieved it together.

That is the Australian spirit.

In these times of global uncertainty, it’s worth reflecting on what we have as a nation.

We are a people of optimism, determination and, above all, fairness.