Tony Abbott Says Gillard Cannot Be Trusted

Jul 17, 2010

The Leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott, has responded to Julia Gillard’s announcement of an August 21 election by saying she cannot be trusted.

Speaking in Brisbane, Abbott said that the Australian people can trust Gillard as much as Kevin Rudd could trust her.

Abbott said a government led by him would be different from previous coalition governments. He said it would be liberal, conservative, “and most of all it will be mine”.

Journalists peppered Abbott with questions about WorkChoices, following an earlier speech by Abbott in which he said WorkChoices had been “cremated”.

Click the PLAY button to listen to Tony Abbott’s remarks:

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Filed Under: 2010 Federal Election, Audio, Liberal Party Tagged With: , ,

“Partially Treated Sewage Sandwich” From Julie Bishop

Feb 19, 2008

The Federal Opposition’s Julie Bishop has given an extraordinary press conference in which she attempted to justify the coalition’s decision not to to oppose the government’s legislation abolishing WorkChoices.

Listen to Julie Bishop’s press conference:

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Julie Bishop, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2007 Federal Election, Audio, Howard Government, Industrial Relations, Liberal Party Tagged With: ,

Costello To Quit Politics; Will Not Seek Or Accept Liberal Leadership

Nov 25, 2007

The Treasurer in the defeated coalition government, Peter Costello, has announced that he “will not seek and will not accept” the leadership or deputy leadership of the Liberal Party.

Speaking at a press conference in Melbourne, Costello said: “I will continue to serve my constituents and in serving my constituents I hope that I will have a role to play perhaps mentoring some of the newer MPs.” Significantly, he did not commit to serving the full three years of the term he was elected to yesterday.

Costello said he “will be looking to build a career post-politics in the commercial world”.

Costello has been deputy leader of the Liberal Party since May 23, 1994. He was been Treasurer since the Howard government was elected in 1996. His decision to vacate the field will likely lead to a contest between outgoing ministers such as Malcolm Turnbull, Brendan Nelson, Tony Abbott, Joe Hockey and Julie Bishop. [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2007 Federal Election, Audio, Howard Government, Liberal Party Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Andrews Finally Presents Workplace Relations Bill To Parliament

Nov 02, 2005

The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Kevin Andrews, presented the Federal Government’s long-awaited ‘WorkChoices’ Legislation to the House of Representatives this morning.

Amid uproar in the House, Andrews claimed that the legislation accommodates “the greater demand for choice and flexibility in our workplaces”.

This is the text of the Second Reading Speech delivered to the House of Representatives by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Kevin Andrews.

Kevin AndrewsToday I am introducing the Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Bill – a bill that moves Australia towards a flexible, simple and fair system of workplace laws.

Australians have come a long way by improving the way they work.  Because of this, we now have one of the strongest economies in the world.  We have created over 1.7 million new jobs.  Australia’s unemployment rate has been markedly reduced, reaching a 30 year low and interest rates are at historically low levels.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Howard Government, Industrial Relations Tagged With: ,

Workplace Changes Not Family Friendly: Beazley

Oct 10, 2005

Kim BeazleyThe Federal Government’s proposed changes to industrial relations laws are not about choice but about cutting wages and reducing conditions, according to the Leader of the Opposition, Kim Beazley.

Addressing a press conference in Canberra, Beazley derided the notion of employees negotiating with employers: “You know that an 18 year old with a few skills, sitting down with the boss, is not going to negotiate with the boss on an equal basis.”

The Labor leader also attacked the government’s use of public money to promote its proposals. “If John Howard was confident in this legislation he would not be spending $100 million worth of taxpayers’ funds – effectively an open-ended cheque – in order to mislead absolutely everybody.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: A.L.P., Audio, Audio2005, Howard Government, Industrial Relations Tagged With: ,

WorkChoices: Howard Announces Details Of Industrial Relations Changes

Oct 09, 2005

Following a lockup briefing for industry representatives in Canberra this morning, the details of the government’s industrial relations changes were announced.

The Prime Minister, John Howard, and the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Kevin Andrews, announced the changes, nicknamed “Workchoices”, at a press conference.

  • Listen to the Howard-Andrews press conference:

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This is the text of a media release from the Prime Minister, John Howard.

WORKCHOICES – A NEW WORKPLACE RELATIONS SYSTEM

In May of this year I announced in Parliament the framework of the Government’s proposals to reform Australia’s workplace relations system. Today the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and I are delighted to release ‘WorkChoices – A New Workplace Relations System’ which explains, in detail, how the new workplace relations system will work. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Audio, Howard Government, Industrial Relations Tagged With: , ,