The Albanese Labor Government is activating financial support for Victorians directly affected by bushfires burning in and around the Grampians National Park and Macedon Ranges – through the Disaster Recovery Allowance.

The Disaster Recovery Allowance provides up to 13 weeks of income support for workers and sole traders who have experienced loss of income as a result of recent bushfires in the Rural City of Ararat, Shire of Macedon Ranges, Shire of Northern Grampians and Shire of Southern Grampians.

LUKE GOSLING, MEMBER FOR SOLOMON: Good morning everyone, and welcome to beautiful Darwin, to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, where it's just been an absolute pleasure to be taken through the new Cyclone Tracy exhibition. We're so thankful to have our Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, here with us in Darwin for this really special anniversary, the 50th anniversary of when Cyclone Tracy visited bad times, terror on this community, but in the aftermath of that, we rebuilt, and that's what we're also celebrating.

CONOR BYRNE, HOST: Your special guest this morning, spending his Christmas in the top end this year, your Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. Prime Minister, good morning.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Wonderful to be here for what's a really important commemoration of 50 years since Cyclone Tracy devastated this great city.

Honoured guests.

My fellow Australians.

Fifty years ago, children across Darwin went to bed dreaming of Santa Claus and Christmas and awoke to a nightmare.

The sound of torrential rain gave way to the screech of corrugated iron as sheets ripped from roofs hurtled through the sky and scraped across the ground at over 200 kilometres an hour.

Windows shattered.

Trees uprooted.

Cars upended.

Fibro walls torn clean away.

An entire city almost wiped off the map.  

I want to wish every Australian a very merry Christmas.

For so many, this can be a chance for a well-earned break, spending time with family and catching up with friends, and creating beautiful new memories with those that we love.

For Christians, of course, this is a holy celebration.

For all of us, it is a season of generosity and kindness.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, I'm delighted to be here at Gough Whitlam Park, here in Earlwood, to announce Ash Ambihaipahar as our candidate for the Federal election for Barton. Of course, Ash will replace Linda Burney. And I do want to pay tribute to Linda Burney for her many years of service in the Federal Parliament as a Minister, in the State Parliament as a Minister and as someone who is cherished very much as a great Australian.

China has today notified Australia that full resumption of live rock lobster trade can recommence.

The Australian Government welcomed this notification which followed agreement between Prime Minister Albanese and Premier Li in October 2024 to resume live rock lobster trade by the end of this year.

This is a major win for our hard-hit live rock lobster industry and follows sustained engagement and advocacy by government and industry. We thank the Australian live rock lobster industry for its patience and resilience as we worked to reinstate market access.

There is a deep reservoir of friendship and solidarity between the Timorese and Australian people. Our governments are working closely together to further our bilateral ties and our shared interest in a peaceful, stable and prosperous region. Befitting the close relationship between our countries, Australia and Timor-Leste are pleased to announce important new initiatives to support Timor-Leste’s economic development.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Today is another very good day in relations between Australia and our Pacific family. This morning I spoke to the Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manele, and I'm pleased to announce that a new foundation for Australia's security relationship with the Solomon Islands has been advanced. We’ve worked tirelessly in the Pacific to improve relations upon coming to government and everyone knows – including people here in the Press Gallery – know that it was at a very low ebb in 2022.

Today, Australia and Solomon Islands announce a new step in our bilateral relationship.

Australia will provide a package of support to grow the size and capability of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), in response to a request by Solomon Islands. Our announcement follows discussions initiated between Prime Ministers in June 2024 and reflects Australia’s role as Solomon Islands’ security partner of choice.