Prime Minister
PRIME MINISTER: Can I welcome my colleagues here from right across all or parts of our parliament.
It's tremendous to come together at this time of year. We all know that this has been the most extraordinary year for Australians. It's also been a pretty extraordinary here in the Parliament. Anthony's been here longer than all of us, and he understands that probably better than most, the changes to the way parliament has had to operate this year. And I appreciate everybody's cooperation as we've worked through this difficult year together.
But now is a time, importantly, to send a very strong message to all Australians, from all of us, that we appreciate your great strength. And most importantly, your love and care for each other, as we've got through this very difficult year.
And there's no better time for us as a country to reflect on that care and love for each other, amongst family, amongst community, amongst friends.
And can I particularly thank Commissioner Donaldson for the great work of the Salvos and the wonderful work they've done this year. It was pleasing just to hear that the Red Shield Appeal this year was their most successful that they’ve had. And even at the time of COVID, that people understood that the Salvos were one of those wonderful institutions in our country which is out there helping people at a time of need. And they were in need this year. And we appreciate that as they were just mentioning to us, that the supports that were provided to keep organisations like the Salvos going this year so they could do their job, which means that they are here, again, for the 33rd year in a row, which is tremendous.
And I also want to thank Mr Bailey from Kmart for your great support of this tremendous event. Kmart, I've learnt this year from my daughters is quite a thing that you go along to. It's become a social event to actually go to Kmart this year as well as a shopping event. So well done to Kmart. I'm sure they'll be getting plenty of people coming along in the run in to Christmas. And you can feel good about that because they're a great supporter of this.