SENATOR THE HON PENNY WONG
LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE SENATE
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Friends. Thank you, friends. Thank you all. Thank you for believing in Labor.

Thank you for believing in the power of this great nation.

The power in our 26 million people from more than 300 ancestries and from the oldest continuing civilisation on the planet. And I acknowledge the traditional owners.

Friends, we love this country. We love this country. And representing it to the world is the honour of my life.

Because of who we are and what we strive to be.

A Nation that stands on its own two feet. That invests in the aspirations of all of its people.

A Nation of courage and of kindness.

I saw this purpose and these principles in our campaign across the country.

Our hardworking candidates, the thousands of Labor volunteers. In every state and territory, in every community, working for a better future.

Friends, three years ago the Australian people made a collective decision to turn the page and write a new future for ourselves.

Tonight, together, we start the new chapter.

And we will write this next chapter so all Australians are part of our nation’s story.

No matter who we are or where we come from, no matter age or gender, no matter the lottery of birth; Australia’s opportunity is for all of us.

And friends, that Australian story is embodied by our Australian Prime Minister.

A man who shows what real strength is. A man of courage. A man of compassion.

A leader with the conviction of who we are and what we can be. A leader with a conviction that builds Australia’s future.

Friends, some might want to mimic the worst of other countries. Albo always backs what’s best about our country.

Please welcome my dear friend, our Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese.

ENDS

Media Contacts:
Foreign Minister's Office: +61 2 6277 7500

Authorised by Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia.