Australia’s Prime Minister Gave a Speech About the Impact of Midnight Oil

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese presented music icons Midnight Oil with the prestigious Excellence in the Community Award this week, hailing the band as a “force of nature.”

Music In The House, Support Act’s longest-running fundraising event, returned this week after a two-year hiatus in Sydney. Leaders from across the music industry and beyond attended the event at The Grounds of Alexandria, where Midnight Oil were honoured for their wonderful contribution to music, activism, Indigenous rights and much more.

While presenting them with the Excellence in the Community Award, PM Albanese gave a short speech praising the band. “From pubs and clubs to stadiums, they’ve been a force of nature,” he said, adding that Midnight Oil are “very much part of our national soundtrack.”

After praising them for their myriad political acts, including refusing to play in South Africa during the reviled apartheid regime, Albanese noted the massive impact Midnight Oil’s music has played in his and countless Australians’ lives.

“The message was always about bringing people together,” he said. “They’re a reminder that music enriches us, that it sustains our soul, and broadens our horizons.”

Hosted by presenter Zan Rowe, the event featured several stunning acoustic performances of classic Midnight Oil songs by William Barton and Veronique Serret, Olympia, All Our Exes Live In Texas and Dave Faulkner.

A raffle and online auction of the band’s memorabilia was also held, ultimately raising $100K for the charity, which will go towards helping music workers in need through its crisis relief, mental health and wellbeing programs, and Wellbeing Helpline.

Music In The House was created in 2006 as a way for Support Act to recognise someone in Australian music for their musicianship and broader contribution to their community. Previous artists to be celebrated include Paul Kelly, Tina Arena, and the late Archie Roach.

For further information on Support Act and Music In The House, visit supportact.org.au.