1996 Federal Election Count – 27 Years Ago

Mar 02, 2023

Twenty-seven years ago tonight, the fifth change of government since World War II took place. This page contains full video of the 1996 federal election night count.

The election saw the Labor government of Paul Keating defeated by the Liberal-Nationals coalition led by John Howard.

The election brought to an end 13 years of Labor government that began under prime minister Bob Hawke in 1983. The Hawke-Keating governments won 5 elections, in 1983, 1984, 1987, 1990 and 1993. It remains the longest-serving Labor government since Federation.

The Howard government went on to win four elections, in 1996, 1998, 2001 and 2004, before losing office to the ALP and Kevin Rudd in 2007.

It was an unprecedented quarter-century of stability, beaten only by the 23 years of coalition rule under Menzies, Holt, Gorton and McMahon from 1949 until 1972.

The current Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, celebrates his 60th birthday today. It is also the 27th anniversary of his election to the NSW electorate of Grayndler on March 2, 1996 at age 33.

The three videos on this page contain 6 hours and 39 minutes of the ABC’s entire election night coverage. The telecast began at 6pm.

Filed Under: 1996 Federal Election, A.L.P., Howard, Keating, Liberal Party, Video Tagged With:

Kristy McBain (ALP – Eden-Monaro) – Maiden Speech

Aug 31, 2020

Kristy McBain has delivered her first speech to the House of Representatives, following her election as the ALP member for Eden-Monaro at a by-election on July 4, 2020.

McBain

McBain’s maiden speech is the first to be delivered in the House since the imposition of COVID-19 rules. Family members were permitted in the public gallery, but not the usual group of supporters and friends. At the end of her speech, colleagues did not hug her or shake her hand. A few bumped elbows. Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said the ALP gave her “a giant virtual hug”.

McBain, 37, is the former mayor of Bega Valley Shire. In her speech, she described herself as not of “the political class”.

At the by-election held to replace her predecessor, Mike Kelly, McBain polled 35.89% of the primary vote, a fall of 3.28%, in a field of 14 candidates. The Liberal Party candidate, Fiona Kotvojs, polled 38.33% of the primary vote, an increase of 1.32%. The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party polled 5.34%. After preferences were distributed, McBain polled 50.39%, to 49.15% for the Liberals, a swing against the ALP of 0.46%.

Watch McBain’s first speech (29m):
[Read more…]

Filed Under: A.L.P., Audio, By-Elections, House of Reps, Maiden Speeches, Video Tagged With: ,

Anthony Albanese Address to the National Press Club

Aug 27, 2020

The Leader of the Opposition, Anthony Albanese, spoke at the National Press Club in Canberra today, attacking the Morrison government over its handling of aged care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Albanese criticised the government over its handling of aged care deaths in Victoria during the coronavirus crisis. He deplored the government’s hostile attitude to superannuation, especially for young people.

Albanese’s appearance came during a parliamentary sitting week in which some members contributed via video link.

Watch Albanese’s Address to the National Press Club (59m):

Listen to Albanese’s Address to the National Press Club (59m):

Official transcript of speech to the National Press Club by Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese. [Read more…]

Filed Under: A.L.P., Aged Care, Audio, Coronavirus, Video Tagged With: , , , ,

Graham Freudenberg Tribute – Anthony Albanese

Sep 10, 2019

This is the tribute to Graham Freudenberg, delivered to the House of Representatives by the Leader of the Opposition, Anthony Albanese.

Freudenberg was an ALP speechwriter and party historian. He began working for the ALP in the 1960s, first for Arthur Calwell and then for Gough Whitlam and Bob Hawke. He also wrote for NSW Premiers Neville Wran, Barrie Unsworth and Bob Carr.

Freudenberg died on July 26, 2019, aged 85.

Albanese’s speech opened the adjournment debate in the House on September 10.

Listen to Albanese’s speech (5m):

Watch Albanese (5m):

Hansard transcript of Anthony Albanese’s speech to the House of Representatives paying tribute to Graham Freudenberg.

Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler—Leader of the Opposition) (19:28): Graham Freudenberg climbed inside the soul of the Australian Labor Party in search of the words that lay there. He came back to us with an entire language. When Freudy said the Labor Party was built on speeches, the identity of the master builder was never a mystery to the rest of us. He spoke to us in so many voices, but in each of them he spoke with clarity and power. He moved us, he persuaded us, and in a world where words barely outlast the moment in which they are spoken, he made us remember. [Read more…]

Filed Under: A.L.P., Audio, Video, Whitlam Tagged With: , ,
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