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

It is one of my greatest honours as Prime Minister to be here every year.

Of course, we wish that we weren't commemorating the apology, because we wish there wasn't a need for that apology to occur.

But indeed, of course, there was.

I particularly want to welcome the survivors who honour us with your presence here this morning.

KRISTY MCBAIN, MINISTER FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Well, welcome everybody to beautiful Merimbula Airport in the mighty Eden-Monaro, where today I'm extremely pleased and grateful to the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for coming here. To Transport and Infrastructure Minister Catherine King, to my amazing colleague, the Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips, and to our local mayor, Russell Fitzpatrick.

The Albanese Labor Government is building Australia’s Future, today announcing regional Australia will continue to receive critical aviation services into the future.

The Albanese Government will work with the Administrators of Regional Express Holdings (Rex), as part of an upcoming competitive sale process, to ensure crucial regional aviation services continue beyond 30 June 2025.

We will work with shortlisted bidders on what support the Albanese Government may be able to provide to maximise the prospect of a successful sale.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: This morning I had a constructive call with President Trump in the United States. The call lasted for just under forty minutes, and we had a good discussion about the relationship between our two great nations. I spoke about the need to, our commitment, to work constructively with President Trump and his administration. And we've been working calmly and methodically and diplomatically, as we do, with nations to defend Australia's interest and to advance Australia's interests.

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.

Thank you for the invitation this evening – and for the contribution you make to our nation every day.

The industries, businesses and workers represented in this room have played such an important role in dealing with the global challenges that have confronted our economy and our people over the past three years.

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

I would also like to acknowledge all the Indigenous members of Parliament, in particular the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy and her predecessor the member for Barton, Linda Burney.

I am grateful for the commitment to the Partnership shown by States and Territories, responsible for so many of the services and supports that can help close the gap.

The Albanese Labor Government is building Australia’s future, delivering on commitments to First Nations people to help close the gap in partnership with peak bodies, states, territories and local government.

Today, the Government releases the Commonwealth’s 2024 Closing the Gap Annual Report and 2025 Implementation Plan.

Chuc mung nam moi.

I’m delighted to be here and to share in these celebrations with you.

I am proud to be only the second prime minister to be here following the Labor Prime Minister, Julia Gillard,

And very pleased that my friend and our fantastic Labor candidate for Fowler, Tu Le, is joining me on stage and has offered to translate my remarks.

I acknowledge Chris Bowen, Anne Stanley, Dai Le and all the other federal and state parliamentarians who have the great privilege of representing this wonderful part of Sydney and Australia.

Xian nian kuai le

Gong hei fat choy

Saehae bok mani badeusey

Chuc mung nam moi

Thank you so much for your kind invitation to be here with you today.

Thank you to the organisers and every volunteer and every member of this great community for making this festival reality.

This is what community is all about.

It also gives me great pleasure to acknowledge Premier Chris Minns, Mayor Trenton Brown, and of course your fantastic representative in Federal Parliament, Jerome Laxale.

JUSTINE ELLIOT, MEMBER FOR RICHMOND: Well, great to be here today in Lennox. And of course wonderful to have our Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, back on the north coast. And of course, the Prime Minister knows our area well, he knows the people here very well, we're really pleased that he's here again today.