Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton share upbeat New Year’s messages ahead of election battle

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised Australia as the “greatest country in the world” in an upbeat message to bring in the New Year, while opposition leader Peter Dutton has promised to restore “a sense of hope.”

In a video message to the nation, Mr Albanese reinforces his Christmas message of thanking the Australian Defence Force, emergency services and health workers, as well as hospitality and retail staff who have made personal sacrifices over the holiday period.

“Happy New Year Australia!” he says. “We live in the greatest country in the world, and in the year ahead, with new determination and renewed optimism, we can build an even stronger Australia together. I wish you all a safe, happy and prosperous 2025.”

The Prime Minister’s message echoes an optimistic outlook from Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who urged Australians to be confident about the future of the economy next year in an opinion piece published in the Herald Sun.

“When we look at the direction of our economy now, we can be more optimistic about the year ahead,” he wrote.

“The worst of the inflation challenge is behind us, better days are ahead of us. 2024 was difficult but 2025 will be better,” Dr Chalmers pledged.

“We’ve been planning and preparing for a soft landing in our economy, and that’s what economists are now expecting.

“They expect inflationary pressures to ease further, growth to improve and unemployment to remain at or near historically low levels.”

Opposition leader Peter Dutton reflects on 2024’s “incidents that shocked us, athletes who inspired us, heroes who awed us, and people defending freedom against those who would harm us,” in his own New Year’s message, before pivoting to 2025’s upcoming Federal election with his pitch to get the country “Back on Track.”

“Australians will again exercise the greatest gift democracy affords: the privilege of having a say in determining the future of our great country,” he says, urging voters to “choose a better path.”

Setting the tone for the election battle to come, Mr Dutton references “three tough years” where Australians have “become worse off” as families and small businesses have been hit by the cost-of-living crisis.

“Setbacks don’t need to be set in stone,” he says, previewing the Coalition’s election strategy to promise to support struggling businesses and families, lower power bills, restore balance to the migration system and revive the dream of home ownership.

“Together, let’s reignite our national confidence, and our sense of hope,” he says.