Audio Archive – 2012

Dr. Jim Stokes and former Prime Minister Bob Hawke discuss the release of the 1982-83 Cabinet Papers by the National Archives.

Video of Bob Hawke downing a beer at the SCG on January 4, 2012. Also audio recording of Paul Jennings singing "Let’s All Drink To Bob Hawke", circa 1975.

Resignation press conference by Western Australian Opposition Leader Eric Ripper. He announced that the ALP caucus would elect Mark McGowan as his replacement.

Andrew Wilkie’s media conference announcing his withdrawal of support for the Gillard minority government. Wilkie claimed Gillard broke her agreement with him to introduce mandatory pre-commitment for poker machines.

The clip of Christopher Pyne describing Julia Gillard’s treatment of Andrew Wilkie as "the most ruthless political act since Richard III disposed of his nephews in the Tower of London".

Full text, audio and video of President Barack Obama’s 2012 State of the Union Address, his final before facing re-election in November.

Text and audio of Indiana Governor Mitch Daniel delivering the Republican Party response to President Obama’s State of the Union Address.

An angry Prime Minister Julia Gillard says insinuations by the Oppostion about her behaviour on Australia Day are "deeply offensive". At a press conference, she said her staffer Tony Hodges acted without authorisation.

Full text, audio and video of Tony Abbott’s Address to the National Press Club: "My Plan For A Stronger Economy And A Stronger Australia".

Text and Audio of Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s speech to the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce: "Building A New Economy".

Michael Willesee returned to television on Channel 7′s ‘Sunday Night’ with this cringe-worthy interview of Julia Gillard. An indictment of interviewer and interviewee.

Audio of separate press conferences by Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Greens leader Senator Bob Brown. Brown claimed that criticism of Gillard is grounded in sexism.

Complete audio collection tracing Julia Gillard’s announcement of Bob Carr’s appointment as Foreign Minister, his nomination to the NSW Senate vacancy, swearing in as a senate and minister, and his maiden speech to the Senate.

Audio and Video compilation of tributes to Margaret Whitlam. The wife of former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam died on March 17, 2012. Parliamentary tributes were offered on March 19. A memorial service was held on March 23.

Details of the political career of Lionel Bowen, a minister in the Whitlam government and Deputy Prime Minister in the Hawke government. Bowen died, aged 89, on April 1, 2012. Includes audio of comments by Foreign Minister Bob Carr and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

The Fair Work Australia investigation of Craig Thomson and the Health Services Union dominated political coverage today. Read statements and listen to comments from Thomson and Tony Abbott.

Audio of Julia Gillard’s media conference in the Chifley electorate today. She faced further questions on the conduct of Craig Thomson and the Health Services Union.

Audio of press conference by ACTU officials Ged Kearney and Jeff Lawrence in which they indicated that the peak union body is considering the suspension of the HSU.

Audio of media conferences held by Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan and state Liberal Treasurers Porter (WA), Nicholls (Qld), Baird (NSW) and Wells (Vic) ahead of the COAG meeting.

Audio of Rick Santorum announcing that he has suspended his campaign for the Republican Party nomination for President. He made the announcement in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, two weeks ahead of the primary in that state. His withdrawal ensures that Mitt Romney will be the Republican candidate against Barack Obama in November’s presidential election.

Senator Bob Brown has resigned as leader of the Australian Greens and will leave the Senate later this year. Senator Christine Milne has been elected the new leader of the party. Greens MP for Melbourne Adam Bandt has been elected deputy leader. Includes audio and video of Brown’s resignation press conference.

Text, Audio & Video of Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s ASPI speech indicating an exit strategy for Australian troops in Afghanistan which could see most of them brought home during 2013-14. Gillard said a summit in Chicago next month would see progress on a withdrawal timetable.

Audio of Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey’s interview with Tony Jones on Lateline.

Audio of Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s Perth speech in which she reaffirmed her government’s intention to produce a budget surplus and claimed the Reserve Bank has scope for further interest rate cuts. Gillard was addressing a business lunch hosted by the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce and the Western Australian Chamber of Minerals and ...

Text and Audio of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s speech on the environment: ‘The Coalition’s Plan for a Cleaner Environment’. Also audio of his media conference after the speech.

Text, Audio and Video with details of the Aged Care policy announced by Prime Minister Gillard and Ageing Minister Mark Butler.

Text of a statement from the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Peter Slipper, announcing that he will step aside, pending the resolution of allegations against him. Also statements from Gillard and Abbott, with audio of Abbott’s two media conferences.

Inflation increased by a negligible 0.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2012. In the year to March, there was a 1.6 percent increase in prices. The underlying inflation rate was 2.1 per cent. Treasurer Wayne Swan said the figures are a reminder of Australia’s strong economic fundamentals.

Audio of Julia Gillard’s speeches at the Gallipoli Dawn Service and Lone Pine. Plus audio of Minister Warren Snowdon’s speech at the Dawn Service at Villers-Brettoneux.

Audio and Video of Tony Abbott’s speech to the Victorian division of the Liberal Party.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced that Craig Thomson is to leave the ALP caucus to sit on the crossbenches and Peter Slipper is to continue to stand aside as Speaker until allegations against him are resolved. She told a press conference that “a line has been crossed in terms of respect for parliament”.

Audio of Craig Thomson media conference confirming he will move to the crossbenches in Parliament but will continue to support the ALP.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has called upon the Prime Minister to reject Craig Thomson’s vote in parliament. Following today’s statements by Julia Gillard and Craig Thomson, Abbott said the government’s survival hinged on a “tainted vote” in the parliament.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut interest rates by 50 basis points to 3.75%. Includes RBA statement and audio of comments by Wayne Swan, Joe Hockey and Peter Anderson.

Text and Audio Peter Slipper’s statement to the House of Representatives prior to standing aside as Speaker.

Full text and audio of Treasurer Wayne Swan’s 2012-13 Budget Speech in the House of Representatives.

Audio of Heather Ewart’s report on 7.30 that Peter Costello has canvassed a return to federal politics via the Melbourne seat of Kooyong.

Text and partial audio of Tasmanian ALP Senator Nick Sherry’s valedictory speech to the Senate. Includes responses from Senators.

Text, Audio and Video of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s 2012 Budget Reply speech in the House of Representatives.

Audio of Michael Kroger’s interviews with Jon Faine on ABC 774 and Neil Mitchell on 3AW. Kroger unloaded on Peter Costello over his attitude to other members of the Liberal Party.

Full audio and video extract of Craig Thomson’s interview with Laurie Oakes in which he claims allegations of misuse of HSU funds are a set-up.

The Critical Decade, a report by the Climate Commission on the impact of climate change on New South Wales, was released today. Download the full report and listen to the media conference with Tim Flannery, Will Steffen and Lesley Hughes.

Audio and Video of answers from Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey and Finance Minister Penny Wong to a question about same-sex marriage on the ABC’s Q&A program.

Text and Audio of Julia Gillard’s address to the triennial ACTU Congress in Sydney.

Audio of ACTU Congress tributes to Bill Kelty from Paul Keating, Ged Kearney, Jeff Lawrence and Dave Oliver. Also includes audio and video of Bill Kelty’s speech and Bob Hawke singing ‘Solidarity Forever’.

Text and audio of speech by Andrew Leigh, ALP member for Fraser (ACT) to the McKell Institute – “What Do We Eat After the Low-Hanging Fruit? A Brief Economic History of Australia”.

Text, Audio and Video of Craig Thomson’s speech to the House of Representatives on allegations of misuse of funds from the Health Services Union. Also contains Channel 7 news report of Thomson’s speech.

Complete audio of House of Reps MPI debate on possible action against Craig Thomson. Speeches by Rob Oakeshott, Mark Dreyfus, Christopher Pyne, Tony Windsor, Harry Jenkins, Julie Bishop, Andrew Wilkie and Stephen Jones.

Text and Audio of Craig Thomson’s statement to the media this morning. “Enough is enough,” he told journalists. “Is this about trying to push someone to the brink?”

Audio, Text and Video of Julia Gillard and Jenny Macklin media conference in Canberra. Called to discuss pensioner assistance for the carbon tax, Gillard faced questions about her leadership, Joel Fitzgibbon and immigrant workers.

The federal government has expelled the Syrian Chargé d’affaires, Mr Jawdat Ali, and one other Syrian diplomat. The expulsion is in response to the massacre of 100 people in Haoula. The diplomats have 72 hours to leave the country. Foreign Minister Bob Carr comments. Includes Australia Network video interview with Carr.

Text and audio of Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s speech regarding a $7 million building grant to assist in housing the Whitlam Institute.

Audio of short speeches by Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott at the lighting of a Diamond Jubilee beacon in Canberra.

Text of statement by Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens announcing a 0.25% reduction in the cash rate. Includes: transcript and audio of Treasurer Wayne Swan’s press conference; audio of Tony Abbott-Joe Hockey for the Opposition; SBS TV news report.

Some images from the last of four days of celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee 1952-2012. Includes President Barack Obama’s video message and audio of Archbishop Rowan Williams’s tribute to the Queen.

Audio and Video of Queen Elizabeth II’s televised message of thanks for the celebrations of her Diamond Jubilee.

National Accounts figures released today show a growth rate of 1.3% in the March quarter. Includes a statement from Treasurer Wayne Swan, audio of press conferences by Swan and Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey, and SBS News video report.

Text, audio and video of Malcolm Fraser’s Whitlam Oration, delivered at the Whitlam Institute. The speech was titled: "Politics, Independence and the National Interest: the legacy of power and how to achieve a peaceful Western Pacific." Includes video of Gough Whitlam and audio of John Faulkner.

Full text and audio of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s Landmark speech to the Pratt Foundation on “The Coalition’s Plan for Stronger Communities”.

Text and Audio of Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s speech to the NSW ALP State Conference in Sydney. Gillard defended her government’s record, declared Labor a “cause”, not a “brand” and said the party is “not done yet”.

Text and Audio of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s foreign policy speech to the Heritage Foundation in Washington DC, plus audio of Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s response to Abbott’s criticism of defence spending cuts.

Text, Audio and Video of the first-ever public speech from the Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service. Nick Warner spoke to the Lowy Institute at the National Portrait Gallery.

The political pressure on Prime Minister Julia Gillard stepped up a notch today as the four coalition premiers refused to sign up to a trial of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Listen to the COAG leader’s press conference.

Audio of Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu’s announcement of a $42 million offer for a trial of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in the Barwon region.

New South Wales has joined Victoria in offering to contribute to a trial of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Prime Minister Julia Gillard has welcomed the breakthrough. Listen to Gillard’s press conference here.

The Shadow Treasurer, Joe Hockey, has castigated Wayne Swan for being inspired by Bruce Springsteen. “We might as well have Glenn A. Baker and Molly Meldrum running the country,” Hockey told a media conference. “This is another ‘look at me’ speech… this is the clown trying to run the circus… it says everything about this government that ...

Text and audio of Treasurer Wayne Swan’s John Button Oration, “Land of Hope and Dreams”, in which Swan explains why Bruce Springsteen’s music has been significant in his political life.

The Commonwealth and NSW governments have reached agreement for a trial of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in the Hunter region next year. Read the media release and listen to Wayne Swan and Jenny Macklin announce the decision to a media conference in Melbourne.

The campaign for the Northern Territory election on August 25 was officially launched today. ALP Chief Minister Paul Henderson and CLP Opposition Leader Terry Mills both spoke to the media at the outset of the 3-week campaign. The minority Labor government will struggle to survive.

Text and audio of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s speech to the Institute of Public Affairs on freedom of speech and media freedom. Abbott was introduced by Rod Kemp, Chris Berg and Tom Switzer.

Text and audio of former Labor Prime Minister Paul Keating’s speech at the launch of Hugh White’s new book, The China Choice. Keating criticises United States policy towards China and says the US could not win a war against China on the Asian mainland.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has written to the state premiers asking them to prepare for a new national agreement on energy prices by the end of the year. Gillard’s announcement came in a speech to the Energy Policy Institute of Australia. Gillard and Martin Ferguson responded to questions following the speech.

Mitt Romney and Wisconsin congressman Paul Ryan have appeared together in Norfolk, Virginia, just hours after Romney confirmed he had chosen Ryan as his vice-presidential running mate. Ryan, 40, has been a Republican congressman from Wisconsin since 1999. He is chairman of the House Budget Committee where he has encouraged his colleagues to adopt an ...

Text, video, audio and photographs of Malcolm Turnbull’s parliamentary tribute to writer and art critic Robert Hughes.

Text, audio and video of statement by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, delivered from a balcony window of the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

Audio of Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s speech to the Association of Heads of Independent Schools in which she promises to increase funding to independent schools.

Text, audio and video reports of Julia Gillard’s Canberra press conference responding to allegations about her time as a lawyer at Slater & Gordon.

The Country Liberal Party has won today’s Northern Territory election. Terry Mills will become Chief Minister, replacing Paul Henderson and the eleven-year-old Labor government. Listen to Henderson concede defeat and Mills claim victory. Includes SBS News video 26/8/12.

Audio of Acting Chief of the ADF, Air Marshal Mark Binskin announcing that three Australian soldiers have been killed by a rogue Afghan soldier in Afghanistan and two members of the SAS have died in a Black Hawk helicopter crash. Also includes audio and video of Julia Gillard from the Cook Islands and a ...

Text, audio and video of Clint Eastwood’s Address to the Republican Party convention in Tampa, Florida. The 82-year-old actor’s speech featured an empty chair and an imaginary conversation with President Obama.

Video and audio of Mitt Romney’s speech of acceptance of the Republican Party’s presidential nomination at the party’s convention in Tampa, Florida. Also includes audio of Senator Marco Rubio’s introduction to Romney.

Audio of Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s National Press Club announcement of new school funding arrangements. The funding changes are in response to the Gonski report.

Text, Audio and Video of First Lady Michelle Obama’s address to the Democratic Party convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Text and audio of Treasurer Wayne Swan’s press conference on the National Accounts figures released today which show economic growth of 0.6% in the June quarter. The annualised growth rate if 3.7%. Swan said the figures showed that Australia’s economy grew faster than every single major advanced economy, not only in the June ...

Full text, audio and video of former President Bill Clinton’s Address to the Democratic Party convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Full text, audio and video of President Barack Obama’s acceptance speech at the Democratic Party convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Text and audio of Treasurer Wayne Swan’s speech to Australia in China’s Century conference.

Audio of Frank Lowy’s Australian Multicultural Council Lecture. Text and audio of Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s introduction and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s vote of thanks.

Audio and video of the press conference held by Alan Jones regarding his remark that Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s father “died of shame” because of his daughter’s political lies.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut the cash rate by 0.25%. The cash rate is now 3.25%. The reduction is the third this year. Rates were cut 0.25% in June and 0.50% in May. Includes audio of Treasurer Wayne Swan’s press conference.

Text, audio, video and images of the first presidential debate between President Barack Obama and former Governor Mitt Romney in Denver, Colorado.

Text, audio and video of Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s misogyny speech attacking Opposition Leader Tony Abbott in a debate on the future of House Speaker Peter Slipper.

Report, audio and video of Australia’s victory in a United Nations vote on non-permanent membership of the Security Council. Includes press conference by Bob Carr, Richard Marles and Gary Quinlan.

Text, video and audio of Julia Gillard’s speech launching the Asian Century White Paper at the Lowy Institute. Includes audio of Gillard’s press conference and PDF download of the White Paper.

Audio and video of Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s press conference announcing a Royal Commission into child abuse.

Audio of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s Brisbane media conference. Amongst other topics, Abbott discussed the Royal Commission into child sexual abuse.

Audio and video of Cardinal George Pell’s press conference on the Royal Commission into child sexual abuse.

Audio of Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s Perth media conference: Hillary Clinton visit, child abuse Royal Commission, opinion polls, et al.

Text and audio of Senator John Faulkner’s speech in honour of the 40th anniversary of Gough Whitlam’s 1972 policy speech.

Audio of Julia Gillard’s media conference at which she accused The Australian of smears over reports of her time at Slater and Gordon.

Video and audio of Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull discussing leadership on the ABC’s Q&A program.

Details of the appointment of Patrick Keane to the High Court of Australia. James Allsop has been appointed to replace Keane as Chief Justice of the Federal Court. Includes audio of Attorney-General Nicola Roxon’s press conference announcement.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen announces another change to the government’s refugee policy. Audio of press conferences by Bowen, Scott Morrison, Christine Milne and Sarah Hanson-Young, and Tony Abbott and Julie Bishop. Video from ABC’s Lateline.

Audio of media conferences by Treasurer Wayne Swan, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and Immigration spokesman Scott Morrison on the government’s 5th anniversary.

Transcript, audio and video extract of Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s press conference dealing with her time at Slater & Gordon and her involvement in an AWU slush fund.

Listen to Lord Leveson release his report on the UK media and download the report.

Audio of UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Opposition Leader Ed Miliband responding to the report of the Leveson inquiry in the House of Commons.

Transcript and audio of Senator George Brandis’s press conference on Julia Gillard and allegations surrounding the AWU and Slater & Gordon.

Audio of Treasurer Wayne Swan and Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey discussing the interest rate cut announced by the Reserve Bank.

Text and audio of debate by federal ALP member for Fraser, Andrew Leigh, and Labor speechwriter, Dennis Glover, on whether the ALP should become the party of liberalism.

Statement from Treasurer Wayne Swan on the National Accounts, showing 0.5% growth in September quarter and 3.1% annual growth. Includes audio of press conferences by Wayne Swan and Joe Hockey.

Audio and video of Tony Abbott’s road trip from Brisbane to Terrigal. Includes audio of his speech to supporters in Port Macquarie.

Text and audio of Shadow Immigration Minister Scott Morrison’s press conference on his visit to the Nauru asylum seeker detention centre. Includes audio of Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Text of Federal-NSW agreement on NDIS funding for NSW from 2018. Includes audio, video and transcript of the joint press conference held by Gillard, O’Farrell, Macklin and Constance.

Full text of COAG Communique, audio of COAG leaders’ press conference, and media statements on the NDIS and electricity reform from Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Includes audio of pre-meeting doorstops by state and territory first ministers.

Full text and downloadable PDF of the COAG Communique released following today’s meeting of first ministers in Canberra. Includes audio of the post-COAG press conference.

Audio of Communications Minister Senator Stephen Conroy’s remarks on the controversy surrounding the prank call by two Sydney FM radio presenters.

The Victorian government has released a White Paper proposing reforms to Emergency Management Services. Includes audio of press conference by Premier Ted Baillieu and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Peter Ryan.

Audio of media appearances by Treasurer Wayne Swan and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott discussing the issues of the day, including the economy and the royal prank call.

James Ashby, the man who levelled allegations of sexual harassment at former Speaker Peter Slipper, says he will appeal a Federal Court decision that dismissed the case as an abuse of process. Includes audio and video of Ashby’s comments.

The federal government has targeted the Liberal National Party candidate for Fisher, Mal Brough, after today’s Federal Court decision in the James Ashby-Peter Slipper sexual harassment case. Listen to audio of Roxon, Garrett, Brandis and Emerson. Includes video of Craig Emerson on 7.30.

Audio of Lord Chief Justice Leveson’s speech on the media at the University of Melbourne.

Text, audio and video of President Barack Obama’s statement on the shootings in Newtown, Connecticut. Includes text of a presidential proclamation ordering flags to be flown at half-mast.

Text, audio and video of President Barack Obama’s address to a memorial service in Newtown, Connecticut.

Text, audio and video of Rupert Murdoch’s eulogy for his mother, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, at her memorial service in St. Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne. Includes audio of former Premier Jeff Kennett’s eulogy and other moments from the service.

Audio of President Obama’s press conference announcing a task force to be led by Vice-President Joe Biden which is to propose gun control measures in January.

Audio and video of Treasurer Wayne Swan’s press conference announcing that the government is unable to meet its target of a budget surplus this financial year.

Audio and video of Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey press conference following the government’s announcement that it is unlikely to meet its budget surplus target. Includes video of 2010 ALP election ad.

Audio of Wayne LaPierre of the NRA and Asa Hutchinson at a press conference proposing a program of armed police guards in all American schools.

Audio and video of Queen Elizabeth II’s Christmas message to the Commonwealth.

Audio of Prime Minister Julia Gillard and former Prime Minister Bob Hawke speaking at the Woodford Folk Festival on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Includes TV news video reports.

The Minister for Regional Australia, Simon Crean, has asked Prime Minister Julia Gillard to call a leadership ballot. Crean says he has asked Gillard to call a spill. He says if she refuses the Caucus should petition her for a ballot. Text and audio available here.