http://australianpolitics.com Resources, News & Commentary from Malcolm Farnsworth Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:23:43 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= Resources, News & Commentary from Malcolm Farnsworth AustralianPolitics.com no Resources, News & Commentary from Malcolm Farnsworth http://australianpolitics.com/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://australianpolitics.com/category/executive/prime-minister http://australianpolitics.com/2008/02/13/rudd-stolen-generations-apology-speech.html http://australianpolitics.com/2008/02/13/rudd-stolen-generations-apology-speech.html#comments Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:50:09 +0000 Malcolm Farnsworth http://australianpolitics.com/2008/02/13/rudd-stolen-generations-apology-speech.shtml http://australianpolitics.com/2008/02/13/rudd-stolen-generations-apology-speech.html/feed 4 Kevin Rudd,sorry,stolen generations The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, has moved the motion of apology to the Stolen Generations, at a sitting of the House of Representatives at 9am today. - Listen to Rudd's Address: - Listen - Watch Rudd's Address: - The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, has moved the motion of apology to the Stolen Generations, at a sitting of the House of Representatives at 9am today. Listen to Rudd's Address: Listen Watch Rudd's Address: This is the text of Kevin Rudd's Address on the motion of apology to the Stolen Generations. I move that today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history. We reflect on their past mistreatment. We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations—this blemished chapter in our nation’s history. The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia’s history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future. We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians. We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country. For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry. To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry. And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry. We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation. For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written. We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians. A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again. A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity. A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed. A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility. A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia. There comes a time in the history of nations when their peoples must become fully reconciled to their past if they are to go forward with confidence to embrace their future. Our nation, Australia, has reached such a time. That is why the parliament is today here assembled: to deal with this unfinished business of the nation, to remove a great stain from the nation’s soul and, in a true spirit of reconciliation, to open a new chapter in the history of this great land, Australia. Last year I made a commitment to the Australian people that if we formed the next government of the Commonwealth we would in parliament say sorry to the stolen generations. Today I honour that commitment. I said we would do so early in the life of the new parliament. Again, today I honour that commitment by doing so at the commencement of this the 42nd parliament of the Commonwealth. Because the time has come, well and truly come, for all peoples of our great country, for all citizens of our great Commonwealth, for all Australians—those who are Indigenous and those who are not—to come together to reconcile and together build a new future for our nation. Some have asked, "Why apologise?" Let me begin to answer by telling the parliament just a little of one person’s story—an elegant, eloquent and wonderful woman in her 80s, full of life, full of funny stories, AustralianPolitics.com no http://australianpolitics.com/2007/12/03/kevin-rudd-sworn-in-as-australias-26th-prime-minister.html http://australianpolitics.com/2007/12/03/kevin-rudd-sworn-in-as-australias-26th-prime-minister.html#comments Sun, 02 Dec 2007 23:00:47 +0000 Malcolm Farnsworth http://australianpolitics.com/2007/12/03/kevin-rudd-sworn-in-as-australias-26th-prime-minister.shtml http://australianpolitics.com/2007/12/03/kevin-rudd-sworn-in-as-australias-26th-prime-minister.html/feed 3 Executive Council,Governor-General,John Howard,Julia Gillard,Kevin Rudd,Michael Jeffery,Prime Minister December 3, 2007 - 10.00am - Kevin Rudd has been sworn in as Prime Minister by the Governor-General, Michael Jeffery, in a ceremony at Government House, in Canberra. - Rudd becomes the nation's 26th prime minister and the head of the first Labor ... December 3, 2007 - 10.00am Kevin Rudd has been sworn in as Prime Minister by the Governor-General, Michael Jeffery, in a ceremony at Government House, in Canberra. Rudd becomes the nation's 26th prime minister and the head of the first Labor administration since 1996. He replaces the second-longest serving prime minister in the nation's history, John Howard. At the ceremony, the Governor-General asked Rudd for an assurance "that you have been elected leader of the party holding a majority in the House of Representatives, that you can form a government and that you will have the confidence of the House of Representatives." Rudd gave this assurance and on that basis the Governor-General accepted the resignation of John Howard, which had been tendered last Friday. Accepting Howard's resignation also terminated the commissions of all the previous government's ministers. Rudd was first sworn as an Executive Councillor. He was then sworn in as prime minister, bringing an end to the Howard government after 11 years, 8 months and 22 days in office. Julia Gillard has also been sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister, the highest executive position ever held by a woman in the Australian government. The remainder of the ministry is now being sworn in. Listen to Kevin Rudd Being Sworn In As Prime Minister: Listen to Kevin Rudd Being Sworn In As Prime Minister GOVERNOR GENERAL: Well, Mr Rudd, on Monday the 26th of November, I invited you to form a government and today we're gathered to swear with those nominated by you as the leader of the governing party in the House of Representatives. I must therefore formally ask you to give me your assurance that you have been elected leader of the party, holding majority of seats in the House of Representatives, that you can form a government and that you will have the confidence of the House of Representatives. KEVIN RUDD: Your Excellency, I'm pleased to advise you that we have such a position and to provide you with that assurance. GOVERNOR GENERAL: Thank you very much. In that case I'll now accept the resignation of the Prime Minister, the Honourable John Howard, which has the effect of terminating all the appointments of the former government. Under the powers conferred on me by the Constitution I'm therefore pleased to swear you in as Australia's 26th Prime Minister. Before I do that, and again in accordance with the Constitution, I'm pleased to summon you as an executive councillor and ask you to take the oath as an executive councillor. Malcolm, thank you. SPEAKER: Do you Kevin Michael Rudd being chosen and summoned by the Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia to be a member of the Federal Executive Council, swear that you will, when required, advise the Governor General or the person for the time being administering the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia to the best of your judgement and consistently with the good government of the Commonwealth of Australia and that you will not disclose the confidential deliberations of the Council. KEVIN RUDD: I do swear, so help me God. GOVERNOR GENERAL: Congratulations. Now if we can get to the real key and I invite you to take and subscribe the oath of office as Prime Minister. KEVIN RUDD: I, Kevin Michael Rudd, do swear that I will well and truly serve the Commonwealth of Australia, her land and her people in the office of Prime Minister, so help me God. GOVERNOR GENERAL: Thank you. Prime Minister I congratulate you most sincerely and I know you have the very, very best wishes of the nation as you undertake your very important challenge [indistinct]. Congratulations and well done. KEVIN RUDD: Thank you very much your Excellency. AustralianPolitics.com no http://australianpolitics.com/2007/11/29/rudd-announces-new-labor-government-ministry.html http://australianpolitics.com/2007/11/29/rudd-announces-new-labor-government-ministry.html#comments Thu, 29 Nov 2007 06:34:49 +0000 Malcolm Farnsworth http://australianpolitics.com/2007/11/29/rudd-announces-new-labor-government-ministry.shtml http://australianpolitics.com/2007/11/29/rudd-announces-new-labor-government-ministry.html/feed 0 2007 Election,Cabinet,Kevin Rudd,Ministry,Parliamentary Secretaries,Rudd Government The Prime Minister-elect, Kevin Rudd, has announced his new ministry at a press conference in Canberra. One of the most significant changes is that Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard will be both Education Minister and Employment & Workplace Relat... The Prime Minister-elect, Kevin Rudd, has announced his new ministry at a press conference in Canberra. One of the most significant changes is that Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard will be both Education Minister and Employment & Workplace Relations Minister. The highly-regarded Senator John Faulkner has been appointed Special Minister of State and Cabinet Secretary. The ministry will be sworn in by the Governor-General next Monday. Listen to Kevin Rudd's Press Conference Announcing the Labor Ministry: Listen to Kevin Rudd's Press Conference Announcing the Labor Ministry Listen to Kevin Rudd Address the ALP Caucus: Listen to Kevin Rudd Address the ALP Caucus The Rudd Ministry Download the Ministry as a PDF Cabinet: Prime Minister: Kevin Rudd Deputy Prime Minister, Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Social Inclusion: Julia Gillard Treasurer: Wayne Swan Immigration and Citizenship, Leader of the Government in the Senate: Sen. Chris Evans Special Minister of State, Cabinet Secretary, Vice President of the Executive Council: Sen. John Faulkner Trade: Simon Crean Foreign Affairs: Stephen Smith Defence: Joel Fitzgibbon Health and Ageing: Nicola Roxon Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs: Jenny Macklin Finance and Deregulation: Lindsay Tanner Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Local Government, Leader of the House: Anthony Albanese Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate: Sen. Stephen Conroy Innovation, Industry, Science and Research: Sen. Kim Carr Climate Change and Water: Sen. Penny Wong Environment, Heritage and The Arts: Peter Garrett Attorney General: Robert McClelland Human Services, Manager of Government Business in the Senate: Sen. Joe Ludwig Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry: Tony Burke Resources and Energy, Tourism: Martin Ferguson Outer Ministry: Home Affairs: Bob Debus Assistant Treasurer, Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs: Chris Bowen Veterans' Affairs: Alan Griffin Housing, Status of Women: Tanya Plibersek Employment Participation: Brendan O'Connor Defence Science and Personnel: Warren Snowdon Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy, Assisting the Finance Minister on Deregulation: Craig Emerson Superannuation and Corporate Governance: Sen. Nick Sherry Ageing: Justine Elliot Youth, Sport: Kate Ellis Parliamentary Secretaries: Prime Minister and Cabinet: Maxine McKew Defence: Greg Combet Defence: Mike Kelly Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development: Gary Gray Families, Housing, Community Servies and Indigenous Affairs: Bill Shorten Foreign Affairs: Bob McMullan Foreign Affairs: Duncan Kerr Prime Minister and Cabinet: Anthony Byrne Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector: Sen. Ursula Stephens Trade: John Murphy Health and Ageing: Sen. Jan McLucas Immigration and Citizenship: Laurie Ferguson AustralianPolitics.com no http://australianpolitics.com/2007/11/26/mckew-wins-bennelong.html http://australianpolitics.com/2007/11/26/mckew-wins-bennelong.html#comments Mon, 26 Nov 2007 05:20:56 +0000 Malcolm Farnsworth http://australianpolitics.com/2007/11/26/mckew-wins-bennelong.shtml http://australianpolitics.com/2007/11/26/mckew-wins-bennelong.html/feed 0 http://australianpolitics.com/2007/11/25/prime-minister-elect-rudd-holds-press-conference.html http://australianpolitics.com/2007/11/25/prime-minister-elect-rudd-holds-press-conference.html#comments Sun, 25 Nov 2007 03:20:31 +0000 Malcolm Farnsworth http://australianpolitics.com/2007/11/25/prime-minister-elect-rudd-holds-press-conference.shtml http://australianpolitics.com/2007/11/25/prime-minister-elect-rudd-holds-press-conference.html/feed 0 2007 Election,Kevin Rudd,Prime Minister 2.20pm - The Prime Minister-elect, Kevin Rudd, has held a press conference in Brisbane, announcing that he has spoken to a number of world leaders, including US President Bush and UK Prime Minister Brown. - 2.20pm The Prime Minister-elect, Kevin Rudd, has held a press conference in Brisbane, announcing that he has spoken to a number of world leaders, including US President Bush and UK Prime Minister Brown. Rudd said there would be a caucus meeting on Thursday, with the ministry to be sworn shortly thereafter. He reiterated that he would be choosing his ministry and defended Peter Garrett's performance as Environment spokesman. Listen to Kevin Rudd's Press Conference: Listen to Kevin Rudd's Press Conference AustralianPolitics.com no http://australianpolitics.com/2007/09/12/howard-survives-party-room-meeting-without-challenge.html http://australianpolitics.com/2007/09/12/howard-survives-party-room-meeting-without-challenge.html#comments Wed, 12 Sep 2007 10:19:01 +0000 Malcolm Farnsworth http://australianpolitics.com/2007/09/12/howard-survives-party-room-meeting-without-challenge.shtml http://australianpolitics.com/2007/09/12/howard-survives-party-room-meeting-without-challenge.html/feed 0 Alexander Downer,John Howard,leadership,Liberal Party,Peter Costello,Tony Abbott The leadership of the Prime Minister, John Howard, has survived a parliamentary Liberal Party meeting in Canberra today. - Following a day of crisis yesterday, it now appears certain that Howard will take the coalition to its fifth consecutive electio... The leadership of the Prime Minister, John Howard, has survived a parliamentary Liberal Party meeting in Canberra today. Following a day of crisis yesterday, it now appears certain that Howard will take the coalition to its fifth consecutive election under his stewardship. The Treasurer, Peter Costello, has broken his silence on the issue today, claiming his position has not altered since last year and that he was not privy to the meetings and discussions within the Liberal Party over the past week. Reacting to days of speculation that he might stand down to allow Peter Costello to become Prime Minister, Howard went on a media blitz on Monday to reassert his leadership and to claim that his government was not finished. He committed the Parliament to sit until the end of next week, implying that he would not call an election before then. This means that October 27 is now the earliest possible date for the poll, with November 3, 10, 17 or 24 also in contention. An election on December 1, 8 or 15 remains an outside chance. Howard's leadership came under renewed pressure yesterday after Sky News reported that senior ministers had told him he should consider his position. The Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer, and Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull, were reported as having lost confidence in Howard's leadership. By the end of a day of frenetic speculation, senior Cabinet ministers signalled that they were falling in behind Howard. Downer, Minchin and Abbott all gave media interviews to this effect. They followed a declaration by Howard that he had never run away from a fight "and I don't intend to start now". It has since become known that the discussions over Howard's leadership stemmed from the Prime Minister authorising Downer to sound out Liberal Party sentiment. Downer held a number of meetings with ministers during the APEC conference, notably on last Thursday evening. Some reports suggest that a majority of the Cabinet believe they cannot win with Howard as leader. These sentiments were conveyed to Howard who has confirmed that he discussed the matter with his wife and family on Sunday evening. At his media appearance today, Costello sought to distance himself from the turmoil of the past week and spoke of his policy vision for the future. However, it appears that the Treasurer's political ambitions have taken another hit with many commentators discussing his lack of willingness to seize the leadership. Costello was questioned about his courage at his media appearance today. Listen to Peter Costello's comments on the Liberal leadership crisis (Sep 12): Listen to Peter Costello's comments on the Liberal leadership crisis Listen to Alexander Downer's interview on Sky News (Sep 11 - 5.30pm): Listen to Alexander Downer's interview on Sky News (5.30pm) Listen to Tony Abbott's comments on the the leadership (Sep 11 - 4.30pm): Listen to Tony Abbott's comments on the leadership (4.30pm) Listen to Howard's Press Conference at APEC where he commented on his leadership (Sep 09): Listen to Howard's Press Conference at APEC where he commented on his leadership AustralianPolitics.com no http://australianpolitics.com/2005/12/16/john-howards-senate-abuses.html http://australianpolitics.com/2005/12/16/john-howards-senate-abuses.html#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2005 03:13:56 +0000 Malcolm Farnsworth http://australianpolitics.com/2005/12/16/john-howards-senate-abuses.shtml http://australianpolitics.com/2005/12/16/john-howards-senate-abuses.html/feed 0 http://australianpolitics.com/2000/10/16/peter-costello-on-australian-prime-ministers.html http://australianpolitics.com/2000/10/16/peter-costello-on-australian-prime-ministers.html#comments Mon, 16 Oct 2000 04:17:40 +0000 Malcolm Farnsworth http://australianpolitics.com/?p=4473 http://australianpolitics.com/2000/10/16/peter-costello-on-australian-prime-ministers.html/feed 0