It is one year since the Indian Ocean tsunami devastated areas of the sub-continent and South Asia.
Around a quarter of a million people lost their lives in one of the most deadly natural disasters of recent times.
This is the text of a media statement from the Prime Minister, John Howard.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDIAN OCEAN TSUNAMI
I invite all Australians to join me today in marking the first anniversary of the terrible events of Boxing Day last year, when the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami caused loss of life and property on an almost unimaginable scale.