UPDATE: Scott Morrison has completed his first official address as Prime Minister in Albury on Thursday.
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Mr Morrison addressed the Mirambeena Community Centre in Lavington for the Menzies Research Centre.
He said he chose Albury – where The Liberal Party name was settled on October 16, 1944 – over the National Press Club in Canberra because he wanted to be with the people.
Mr Morrison did not announce any new policies, instead focusing on the values of individuals, families and communities.
Australia’s 30th prime minister asked the audience of 100 people in Lavington if they “loved being Australian”. A room-full of hands shot up before he asked “do you love all Australians?”.
Mr Morrison posed for photos with school children and also donned a Deniliquin Ute Muster cap at one stage.
More to come
EARLIER: Prime Minister Scott Morrison will make his first visit to Albury since replacing Malcolm Turnbull in the job on Thursday.
Mr Morrison will be returning to the city of where Sir Robert Menzies laid the groundwork for the formation of the Liberal Party in 1944.
The Liberal Party name was settled on October 16, 1944 and two months later, at a three-day conference in the Mate’s building in central Albury, its organisational and constitutional framework was drawn up.
Seventy-four years later the invite-only affair for 100 people will be held at Mirambeena Community Centre in Lavington.
The event is being held in conjunction with the Menzies Research Centre.
“It is extremely rare for a prime minister to give his first keynote address in regional Australia,” centre executive director Nick Cater said.
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“It demonstrates both the importance of the Liberal Party’s historical ties with Albury and Scott Morrison’s determination to speak face-to-face with ordinary Australians, not just to the metropolitan media.
“Like Robert Menzies, the PM clearly understands the importance of the so-called forgotten people.
“This will be a proud moment for the people of Albury and Wodonga, whatever their political persuasion."
Mr Morrison took over as prime minister when he defeated Peter Dutton and Julie Bishop in a three-way battle to replace Mr Turnbull, who made a visit to the Overall Forge factory at Ettamogah 12 months ago to speak about sky-rocketing energy prices.
Since becoming PM, Mr Morrison has returned Farrer MP Sussan Ley to the ministry in an assistant role in regional development in support of National Party leader Michael McCormack, who was in Albury last Friday.
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