Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's a great honour to welcome our 2025 Australian of the Year, Neale Daniher, to the House. I was able to meet with Neale earlier today and it was a delight, just as it was absolutely a wonderful evening at the Arboretum, where Neale was designated as a very worthy Australian of the Year. Since Neale was diagnosed with MND in 2013, he has inspired all Australians with his battle against what he calls 'the Beast'. Neale, I know that you are fond of saying, 'When all is said and done, more is said than done.' What you have done is truly extraordinary. Through FightMND, those iconic beanies and the famous Big Freeze slide on the King's Birthday at the 'G, over $117 million has been raised to fund research into a cure. I know this whole parliament is proud to support those efforts, as governments from both sides have over many years. Neale, yours is a message of hope, a message of courage and a message of determination. It has touched the lives of so many Australians. You lift us all up. Welcome to our parliament and thank you, mate, for what you do.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

on indulgence—May I rise to join the Prime Minister to acknowledge Australian of the Year Neale Daniher AO, who joins us in the parliament and in the chamber today. Many of us remember with great fondness Neale's footy career, playing with the Bombers and later as coach with the Demons. I want to take the opportunity to congratulate you on being named Australian of the Year, Neale, in the company of your daughter, Rebecca, and I want to recognise, as do all of the coalition and, of course, the whole parliament, the tremendous contribution that you continue to make fighting MND. Every day in Australia, two people are diagnosed with MND and we lose two people to the disease. Many of us know the FightMND brand, which is the annual fundraising campaign the Big Freeze with the AFL. It is a tremendous Australian organisation that, as the Prime Minister has said, has raised and invested over $115 million. I remember, Neale, attending with you and your family a FightMND football/netball fundraising event in my home town of Albury just a few years ago, where it was very clear to me that you are universally loved and admired. Your commitment to fighting the Beast is a testament to your vision, your courage and your sense of community. Welcome.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!