SUBJECTS: Australia Day; First Nations people; Grace Tame.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, LEADER OF THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY: Well, I would like to say happy Australia Day for everybody. And for all Australians, we are, of course, the most successful multicultural nation on Earth. Today's a day when we celebrate what a great nation Australia is, but we always look forward, as well, to how we can improve, how we can be better in the future and an even greater nation. I'm very confident that Australia's best days are ahead of us. Because we know that history didn't end with the First Fleet. We've continued to develop as a multicultural nation and evolve. And we need to continue to do that into the future. And in order to do that, we need to recognise that our history goes back at least 60,000 years, which is why one of my priorities will be to recognise First Nations people in Australia's Constitution with a constitutionally recognised Voice to Parliament. That is a very important reform to reconcile Australia, for all of our history, we need to consider the good and the bad. We are a great nation. I look forward to us being even greater in the future. And one way we can do that is by recognising our full history. And it goes back at least 60,000 years. We should be very proud that we are home to the oldest continuous civilisation on the planet.

JOURNALIST: Mr Albanese, the Prime Minister extended his hand and you refused to shake it. Was that a deliberate stunt?

ALBANESE: No, I haven't shaken anyone's hand today. And the health advice is to not shake hands.

JOURNALIST: Do you think it's inevitable, given the shifting views of younger Australians, that the date will change over time?

ALBANESE: My priority is in recognising First Nations people in our constitution. That's my priority. I'm interested in bringing the nation together, in uniting the nation. It is important that we're able to have conversations about Australia's future direction. I'm interested in ways in which we unite, not in ways in which we're divided

JOURNALIST: Was it fair enough for Grace Tame to snub the PM yesterday?

ALBANESE: Grace Tame doesn't need my advice. And she doesn't need, with respect, your advice either. Grace Tame is a courageous Australian. I think she did a great job as the Australian of the Year. I'm sure Dylan Alcott will also do a great job as the Australian of the Year. Thanks very much.

ENDS