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…]


Kim Beazley’s 2001 Federal Election Policy Speech

The Leader of the Opposition, Kim Beazley, delivered his 2001 Federal Election policy speech at the Hurstville Entertainment Centre in Sydney on October 31.

“I want the job,” Beazley told his audience, claiming that he was committed, qualified and “here for the long haul”.

  • Listen to Beazley’s speech (37m)
  • Watch Beazley:

Text of Kim Beazley’s 2001 election policy speech.

Men and women of Australia:

Today I offer myself as Prime Minister of this great country.

I want the job — I’m committed, I’m qualified, and I’m here for the long haul.

I have a plan to deliver a fair share, and a secure future, for all Australians.

I stand for the best possible education for all, not just the rich.

I stand for a health system where your Medicare Card is more important than your credit card.

I will put the care back into aged care.

I stand for making the GST simpler and fairer, for relieving the burden on small business, and on families. [Read more…]


John Howard’s 2001 Election Policy Speech

Prime Minister John Howard delivered his policy speech for the 2001 federal election on October 28.

First elected in 1996, and re-elected in 1998, Howard was seeking a third term.

The speech is most remembered for Howard’s declaration: “But we will decide who comes to this country and the circumstances in which they come.” This is around the 14.30 point on the video.

This is the video and audio of the official Liberal Party television broadcast of the speech. The full text appears below. [Read more…]


John Howard’s 1996 Federal Election Policy Speech

Opposition Leader John Howard delivered his policy speech for the 1996 Federal Election in Sydney on February 18, 1996.

  • Listen to Liberal Party President Tony Staley (8m)
  • Listen to Shadow Treasurer Peter Costello introduce Howard (4m)
  • Listen to Opposition Leader John Howard’s policy speech (41m)

Text of John Howard’s 1996 Federal Election policy speech.

It is with an immense amount of personal pride and also an enormous amount of humility that I bring together today the essential argument as to why, after 13 long and difficult years, this nation of ours needs emphatically a change of government. [Read more…]