Malcolm Turnbull Launches Liberal Party Election Campaign

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has officially launched the Liberal Party’s election campaign at a rally in the Sydney electorate of Reid. His speech stressed the importance of strong and stable government.

TurnbullPrime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the Liberal Party campaign launch. Picture credit: Image posted on Twitter by Mike Bowers – Mikearoo

During his speech, Turnbull declared that Bill Shorten was “unfit to govern”. He attacked the ALP’s scare campaign over the alleged privatisation of Medicare.

The speech was attended by former prime ministers John Howard and Tony Abbott. Turnbull praised Howard as setting the “gold standard” in successful and effective government. He said Abbott had brought an end “to the chaos and dysfunction of the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd years”. [Read more…]


Bill Shorten Delivers ALP Policy Speech At Penrith Campaign Launch

Bill Shorten has delivered the ALP’s policy speech for the 2016 federal election.

ShortenPicture credit: image posted on Twitter by @AustralianLabor

Speaking in Penrith, in the western Sydney seat of Lindsay, Shorten gave a speech light on new promises but heavy on appeals to the Labor faithful. Defence of Medicare was a constant theme of the speech, with Shorten paying homage to former prime minister Bob Hawke’s role in establishing the scheme in 1983.

The proceedings began with a speech by Emma Husar, the ALP candidate for Lindsay. Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen and Deputy Leader Tanya Plibersek also spoke.
[Read more…]


Jobs And Cuts: Rudd’s Pitch At ALP Election Campaign Launch

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has officially launched the ALP’s election campaign in Brisbane, pitching jobs and training policies whilst warning against budget cuts from Tony Abbott.

Rudd attempted to swing the government’s re-election campaign back to the party’s policy strengths of jobs, training and education. He proposed new measures which would see the federal government take control of TAFE funding. He offered an upfront tax deduction for small business equipment purchases.

Rudd

Rudd also warned repeatedly of the dangers of an Abbott government and the cuts it would bring to government services. [Read more…]


John Faulkner Remembers Whitlam’s 1972 “It’s Time” Policy Speech

Senator John Faulkner has delivered a speech tonight in honour of the 40th anniversary of Gough Whitlam’s 1972 ‘It’s Time’ policy speech.

Senator John FaulknerFaulkner, the ALP’s unofficial historian and Whitlam confidante, spoke at Bowman Hall, Blacktown, site of the famous campaign launch that propelled Whitlam to the prime ministership.

Faulkner paid tribute to the power of political speeches: “We may be cynical about politics and politicians, we may be sceptical of the motives of those men and women who aspire to represent and to lead us – whether in Parliament, in community organisations and campaigns, or in social movements – but it is still their words which have the potential to express our aspirations, our beliefs, and our deepest sense of collective self.” [Read more…]