With his government struggling in the polls, Prime Minister Paul Keating appeared at the National Press Club on March 11, 1993, two days before the federal election.
Keating’s address is notable for its focus on Opposition Leader John Hewson’s Fightback! plan, particularly its 15% Goods and Services Tax. But Keating’s attack on Hewson is broader than just the GST. He talks of industrial relations, Medicare and a host of other policies. The address is a masterclass in Keating’s ability to construct a cohesive story around a disparate range of policies.
Keating also attacks Hewson for refusing to appear at the Press Club, breaking what was then a 20-year election tradition.