Reading is a gift that grows by being shared. No part of a good education is more important than literacy and reading because the power of education is transformative. As Tom Stoppard once said: "Words are sacred... If you get the right ones in the right order you can nudge the world a little." I want every Australian to have the power of words and ideas at their command so that together we can "nudge the world a little."
It is so important to celebrate Australian writing and also Australian publishing and to ensure that in Australia, books and ideas always have a home.
The Prime Ministers Literary Awards show the maturity of Australian writing. Writing that transcends geographical and social borders. Writing that reaches across genres and narrative faultlines to bring stories of humanity home to our libraries and bookshelves.
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With the expansion of these awards to include children and young adults, these are now truly national prizes, backed by the office of the Prime Ministership in the same way that the various state awards have for so long been supported by our Premiers. It is a simple yet powerful way of saying to our publishers and writers that we treasure what you mean for our nation.
I am deeply proud of this year’s winners and nominees. But I am prouder still of the industry and the society that has made them possible.
This is an edited and condensed version of a speech delivered by Prime Minister Julia Gillard at Federation Square, Melbourne on Monday, 8 November 2010.
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