Prime Minister's Statement 2010

MESSAGE: NATIONAL DAY OF THANKSGIVING


I commend this year’s National Day of Thanksgiving to all Australians, and once again: thank you to everyone who makes a difference in our lives.

Across Australia women and men of all ages work tirelessly in their families and communities, making quiet contributions, often without reward.
There’s a simple thing all of us can do to recognise their efforts: say ‘thank you’.

This year’s National Day of Thanksgiving on 29 May 2010 is a wonderful opportunity to remember the importance of saying thank you. A heartfelt thank you can make someone’s day, and by saying those words we remind ourselves of what we have and acknowledge the contribution of those around us.

This year, I particularly thank people engaged in small business. There are around 1.93 million active small businesses in Australia, making up 96 per cent of all businesses in the nation. From sole traders to shopkeepers to tradespeople, such as builders, electricians, plumbers, and carpenters, small business people are engaged in every industry. Small businesses operate in our cities, regional centres and rural communities, employing 3.8 million people and contributing around 35 per cent of Australia’s GDP. On this National Day of Thanksgiving, let us remember that communities all around Australia depend on the prosperity and success of our small business people.

I would also like to thank primary producers, who, day in and day out, bring effort and dedication to their enterprises. Australians have some of the world’s best and freshest produce across sectors as diverse as seafood, dairy and horticulture. Primary producers make an important contribution to sustaining and strengthening the fabric of their rural and regional communities.

I commend this year’s National Day of Thanksgiving to all Australians, and once again: thank you to everyone who makes a difference in our lives.


The Honourable Kevin Rudd MP

Prime Minister of Australia

Author: The Honourable Kevin Rudd MP