The sun has set on a challenging year yet prime minister Anthony Albanese says much has been achieved.

Wishing Australians a happy new year, Mr Albanese acknowledged the difficulties of 2023.

“Yet, right around our country, Australians rose to meet those challenges – as they always do,” he said.

“We achieved a great deal as a nation – and we achieved it together.”

The prime minister said the “Australian spirit” had always served the nation well through times of global uncertainty.

“We have the unique privilege of being home to the oldest continuous culture in the world,” he said.

“And our society has been enriched and enlarged by people of every faith, background and tradition.”

The PM said there was much to cherish and that would “guide us in 2024 as we make the greatest country on earth even better”.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said 2023 had been tough, a year of hardships at home and adversity abroad.

“But we should never forget that we live in the best country in the world, and that’s because of the Australian people,” he said.

“In tough times, let us not lose sight of the optimism, aspiration, the courage, the confidence, the camaraderie and the sense of duty which makes us tick as individuals and makes our nation truly remarkable.”

Poppy Johnston
(Australian Associated Press)