Currently in Federal politics
Women's budget statement (15 May)
By Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Housing; and Status of Women
The Rudd Government's first Women's Budget Statement delivers on our commitment to improve the lives of Australian women and their families.
The deregulatory journey (12 May)
By Craig Emerson, Minister for Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy , Minister Assisting the Finance Minister on Deregulation
Australia's prosperity is best served through an open, competitive market economy.
Inflation must be beaten (09 May)
By Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister
Inflation is a cancer which eats away at the living standards of all Australians.
More super-centenarians (05 May)
By Justine Elliot, Minister for Ageing
Life expectancy at birth continues on an upward trend.
Action on housing (01 May)
By Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Housing; and Status of Women
With leadership and the right housing policies, we can make a difference in the medium to longer term.
Snapshot of citizenship (28 Apr)
By Chris Evans, Leader of the Government in the Senate , Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
99 per cent of candidates who came to Australia as skilled migrants passed the test.
Lest We Forget (25 Apr)
This is Kevin Rudd's address to the National War Memorial, Canberra.
Shared priorities at 2020 (21 Apr)
This is an edited excerpt from the Initial Report of the 2020 Summit, held in Canberra on the 19/20 April. The full report is available as a PDF under 'downloads' on this page.
A service centre for kids (17 Apr)
By Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister
A single service centre model for all 0-5 year olds would offer great benefits to kids, great benefits to parents, and great benefits to the whole community.
Helping seniors cope (15 Apr)
By Joe Ludwig, Minister for Human Services; Manager of Government Business in the Senate
Climate change projects (12 Apr)
By Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister and Penny Wong, Shadow Minister for Public Administration & Accountability , Corporate Governance & Responsibility, Workforce Participation
The Prime Minister and Minister for Climate Change and Water have announced funding for three new climate change and water projects in China.
New healthcare taskforce (09 Apr)
Government acts on tobacco, alcohol and obesity.
Deregulate for prosperity (02 Apr)
By Lindsay Tanner, Minister for Finance and Deregulation
Deregulation is just as important as regulation for achieving a fair and progressive society.
HMAS Sydney inquiry (31 Mar)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Prime Minister , Minister for Education , Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations , Minister for Social Inclusion
This Inquiry will have special significance to the families of those who lost loved ones on Sydney II.
Work Choices gets the boot (27 Mar)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Prime Minister , Minister for Education , Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations , Minister for Social Inclusion
The proclamation of the Transition to Forward with Fairness Act reflects the Rudd Government's election commitment and is the beginning of the end of the Liberals' extreme Work Choices laws.
Indigenous health summit (22 Mar)
The Government’s commitment is to close the gap in Indigenous life expectancy within a generation.
Launch of binge strategy (15 Mar)
By Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister
Binge drinking is a community wide problem that demands a community wide response.
International Women's Day (11 Mar)
By Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister
This is the PM's speech to mark International Women's Day.
Trade training centres (09 Mar)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Prime Minister , Minister for Education , Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations , Minister for Social Inclusion
Trade Training Centres in Schools Program was a major election commitment to help address the skills shortage.
School computers, round 1 (06 Mar)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Prime Minister , Minister for Education , Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations , Minister for Social Inclusion
As promised, the Rudd Government will deliver the first $100 million of funding for the computers in schools program by June.
Little Black Book of Scams (04 Mar)
By Chris Bowen, Assistant Treasurer; Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs
100 days of achievement (01 Mar)
The Rudd Government is committed to making government more accountable and to giving Australians a greater, direct say in government decision-making.
Buying back the Murray (29 Feb)
This will be the first time the Australian Government has ever directly purchased water.
AWA data comes to light (24 Feb)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Prime Minister , Minister for Education , Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations , Minister for Social Inclusion
These are the statistics the former Liberal government didn’t want to tell the Australian people about.
Community Cabinet (20 Feb)
By Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister
These meetings provide an opportunity to meet and question members of the Rudd Labor Government.
Saying sorry (13 Feb)
By Jenny Macklin, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Saying sorry gives us the impetus to move on. It means we can now get on with the vital job of closing the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.
Switch bank? (08 Feb)
The Rudd Government's new Account Switching Package will increase competition among banks, and make it easier for families to change banks.
Planning for 2020 (03 Feb)
We need to develop an agreed national direction that looks at the next ten years and beyond.
Help for the homeless (29 Jan)
By Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Housing; and Status of Women and Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister
The Rudd Government will develop a comprehensive, long-term plan to tackle homelessness as a matter of national priority.
A nation of optimism (26 Jan)
By Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister
This is the text of PM Kevin Rudd's Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony Speech.
Infrastructure overhaul (22 Jan)
By Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure; for Transport and Regional Development; and for Local Government; and Leader of the House. and Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister
The nation’s long-term infrastructure bottlenecks put upward pressure on inflation.
Grocery prices inquiry (21 Jan)
By Chris Bowen, Assistant Treasurer; Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs
Making sure working families get a fair deal at the supermarket.
Skills reform fast-tracked (18 Jan)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Prime Minister , Minister for Education , Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations , Minister for Social Inclusion and Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister and Wayne Swan, Federal Treasurer
Skill shortages are contributing to higher inflation and interest rates.
Incentives for nurses (16 Jan)
By Nicola Roxon, Minister for Health & Ageing and Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister
The target is to bring 1,000 nurses back into the hospital workforce by the end of the year.
Cartel crooks to face jail (14 Jan)
By Chris Bowen, Assistant Treasurer; Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs
Submissions are now sought on draft legislation to criminalise serious cartel conduct.
Petitions reform at long last (11 Jan)
By Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure; for Transport and Regional Development; and for Local Government; and Leader of the House.
Since Federation, petitions have largely been ignored by the parliament. Thus the creation of the Petitions Committee is an important reform to strengthen the democratic rights of citizens.
The PM's Xmas message (25 Dec)
By Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister
Bali Climate Conference (12 Dec)
By Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister
This is Kevin Rudd's speech to the Bali conference in which he says that climate change represents one of the greatest moral, economic and environmental challenges of our age.
How victory became ours (05 Dec)
By Tim Gartrell, ALP National Secretary
A tribute to the thousands and thousands of Australians who never gave up on the Labor Party and what we stand for.
Now to repay the faith (30 Nov)
By Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Housing; and Status of Women
Many voted Labor for the first time because they wanted to change the country.
In praise of Bernie Banton (27 Nov)
By Greg Combet, ACTU Federal Secretary
Election victory speech (24 Nov)
By Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader
It’s time to write a new page in the nation’s history
Libs in deal with One Nation (19 Nov)
One Nation's divisive and extremist views have no place in Australian politics, yet the Liberals are preferencing them in key seats.
Peace through cooperation (16 Nov)
By Robert McClelland, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
By building partnerships through better co-operation, Australia can do much to build a more stable, safe and prosperous neighbourhood.
Securing the future of coal (12 Nov)
Australian’s face a stark choice between the clean coal and renewable energy future offered by Labor and Mr Howard’s nuclear nation.
Costello & WorkChoices (08 Nov)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Employment & Industrial Relations, Social Inclusion
Peter Costello has a long and deep involvement in the HR Nicholls Society and its campaign for extreme industrial relations deregulation.
Eleven years of neglect (05 Nov)
By Nicola Roxon, Shadow Minister for Health
It’s little wonder Mr Howard refuses to debate Kevin Rudd a second time.
Those silly ads scare no-one (01 Nov)
By Tony Burke, Shadow Minster for Immigration, Integration & Citizenship
The dramatic sound effects and grainy photos are a way of hiding their embarrassment at having nothing to say about the future.
Families face soaring prices (30 Oct)
By Nicola Roxon, Shadow Minister for Health
Labor will help families out with child care, education or health costs.
Walking the tightrope (24 Oct)
By Nicola Roxon, Shadow Minister for Health
With soaring petrol costs and childcare costs on top of grocery costs and health costs and rising mortgages, everyone ends up feeling they are walking a tightrope.
Labor's child care policy (22 Oct)
By Jenny Macklin, Shadow Minister for Families & Community Services, Indigenous Affairs & Reconciliation
A Rudd Labor Government will make sure that working families are reimbursed every three months for their out-of-pocket child care costs.
Reform for work and family (17 Oct)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Employment & Industrial Relations, Social Inclusion
Labor is committed to effective and practical measures that help all working parents balance their work and family responsibilities.
New leadership for Australia (15 Oct)
By Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader
New leadership for Australia's future is the key pitch in Kevin Rudd's opening statement.
Public administration principles (13 Oct)
By Penny Wong, Shadow Minister for Public Administration & Accountability , Corporate Governance & Responsibility, Workforce Participation
There is a need for continuous improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness of government service delivery.
Freedom for small business (11 Oct)
By Craig Emerson, Shadow Minister for Service Economy, Small Business & Independent Contractors
Labor will drive the business deregulation reform agenda, giving small businesses the freedom to do what they do best - create jobs and prosperity.
A decade of neglect in health (09 Oct)
By Nicola Roxon, Shadow Minister for Health
Opportunities to plan and invest and design a better health system have been lost during the Howard era.
A revenue flood, squandered (07 Oct)
By Wayne Swan, Shadow Treasurer
The mining boom has gifted the government a fortune, yet it has failed to alleviate the mounting cost-of-living pressures on Australian families.
Howard blows $2 billion, cold (05 Oct)
By Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Human Services, Housing, Youth and Women
It's galling to see taxpayers’ money being poured into TV advertising that is plainly political in its intent.
A new type of industrial umpire (03 Oct)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Employment & Industrial Relations, Social Inclusion
It’s time to achieve better than a neutered industrial umpire and a tawdry system of appointing political mates.
Libs backflipping to the election (26 Sep)
By Robert McClelland, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
It’s purely the domestic political climate that has got the Howard Government moving on climate change.
The polls that drive politics (24 Sep)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Employment & Industrial Relations, Social Inclusion
Polls are like thermometers. They can tell if you have a fever, but they can't diagnose its cause.
Two sides of the same old coin (19 Sep)
By Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Human Services, Housing, Youth and Women
Howard and Costello both supported WorkChoices. Neither has a plan for the future beyond their own re-election.
Labor's 2007 election slogan (15 Sep)
Federal Labor today (September 15 at 10.45am) launched its official 2007 election slogan.
John Howard's vast hole (13 Sep)
By Kim Carr, Shadow Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science & Research
The Government's ideological-driven policies on universities has left a vast hole at the place where innovation should be thriving and driving the economy.
Innovation & manufacturing (11 Sep)
By Kim Carr, Shadow Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science & Research
Innovation policy is the core to helping the manufacturing sector compete successfully in the international environment.
Learn living, breathing languages (07 Sep)
By Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Human Services, Housing, Youth and Women
Teaching Aboriginal languages in schools is important for reasons other than abstract calculations of the sum of human knowledge.
Building a pro-disclosure culture (05 Sep)
By Joe Ludwig, Shadow Minister for Justice & Customs
The ageing architecture that governs information policy must be renovated so Australia can gear up in the online marketplace.
Dismissal for small business (03 Sep)
By Craig Emerson, Shadow Minister for Service Economy, Small Business & Independent Contractors
Labor's system provides small business with a simple procedure for terminating the employment of underperforming staff.
Hockey desperate on IR (31 Aug)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Employment & Industrial Relations, Social Inclusion
Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey has consistently and deliberately misrepresented Labor's industrial relations policy.
Labor's leadership in health (29 Aug)
By Nicola Roxon, Shadow Minister for Health
Labor is taking leadership and is focused on achieving better health outcomes for all Australians.
Supporting the TCF revival (27 Aug)
By Kim Carr, Shadow Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science & Research
Labor's vision for the TCF industry will provide clear pathways for companies without the forest of red tape.
PM wants it both ways on IR (24 Aug)
By Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Human Services, Housing, Youth and Women
The truth is that real wages have fallen with the take-up of AWAs.
Climate change pillars of straw (22 Aug)
By Robert McClelland, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
Achieving the best climate change outcomes requires much more support than the Government's “pillars” can provide.
Balance the key in Labor's IR (20 Aug)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Employment & Industrial Relations, Social Inclusion
Labor will implement laws that are all about balancing the needs of employers and employees.
Terrorism, Iraq and Afghanistan (16 Aug)
By Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader
Yhe ADF has earned a reputation for being, pound for pound, one of the best military forces in the world.
Cutting the cost of government (13 Aug)
By Lindsay Tanner, Shadow Minister for Finance and Penny Wong, Shadow Minister for Public Administration & Accountability , Corporate Governance & Responsibility, Workforce Participation
After 11 years, the Howard Government’s abuse of taxpayers’ money for political purposes has become completely brazen.
Climate Change: Labor's aid offer (08 Aug)
By Peter Garrett, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment & Heritage, Arts and Bob McMullan, Shadow Minister for Federal/State Relations, International Development Assistance
Rising sea levels could lead to the submergence of tiny Pacific atolls, and by 2050 up to 150 million people may be displaced.
Dental crisis shows Govt in decay (05 Aug)
By Nicola Roxon, Shadow Minister for Health
John Howard's age -old government is responsible for the nation's dental crisis.
Wanted: more houses now (02 Aug)
By Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Human Services, Housing, Youth and Women
Children should not be sleeping in cars or trying to do their homework in draughty caravans.
Abbott's focus is all wrong (31 Jul)
By Nicola Roxon, Shadow Minister for Health
Tony Abbott says his current major focus is getting re-elected. Too bad about the pressing needs of hospital funding.
Ruddock's murkey waters (29 Jul)
By Joe Ludwig, Shadow Minister for Justice & Customs
Transparency and accountability to reinforce public confidence in the judicial system is one of the key tasks of good government.
Saving the rainforests (27 Jul)
By Peter Garrett, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment & Heritage, Arts
We can only stop the clearing of rainforests if we end illegal logging and stop the importation of illegal timber.
Defaults up as housing crisis hits (25 Jul)
By Tony Burke, Shadow Minster for Immigration, Integration & Citizenship
John Howard is more interested in staying in Kirribilli House than helping families afford their homes.
Crank up the car industry (23 Jul)
By Kim Carr, Shadow Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science & Research
Australia needs a vital automotive industry to drive innovation.
Questions hover over NT plan (21 Jul)
By Nicola Roxon, Shadow Minister for Health
While the initial plan for NT's Indigenous communities demanded attention, it is starting to look like very little thought was given to what comes next.
S*x: Say it out loud (19 Jul)
By Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Human Services, Housing, Youth and Women
We should talk about sex in the context of healthy human relationships.
Get behind the car industry (17 Jul)
By Kim Carr, Shadow Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science & Research
The car industry is at the cutting edge as an innovator and has a central role in knowledge transfer and technology diffusion.
Climate change opportunities (15 Jul)
By Kim Carr, Shadow Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science & Research
When it comes to climate change, Labor will act to seize opportunities in new and existing industries.
Housing costs are far too high (13 Jul)
By Lindsay Tanner, Shadow Minister for Finance
Kevin Rudd is convening a housing affordability summit in a few weeks to consider solutions to the housing affordability issue.
IR and modern parenting (11 Jul)
By Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Human Services, Housing, Youth and Women
Work Choices has caused the adoption of individual contracts that trade away family-friendly conditions
The good works of the UN (09 Jul)
By Robert McClelland, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
The Howard Government’s s ambivalent attitude to the United Nations has been extremely short sighted.
Don't be tricked out of your vote (05 Jul)
By Tony Burke, Shadow Minster for Immigration, Integration & Citizenship
John Howard's fiddling with electoral law is designed to prevent young people casting their vote against WorkChoices.
Child abuse: Keep politics out (03 Jul)
By Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Human Services, Housing, Youth and Women
It’s worth supporting urgent intervention to protect children in indigenous communities– even if it is politically motivated.
A back-flip on Iraq is in the air (01 Jul)
The word is about that John Howard intends to make another election year back-flip and announce the withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
Funding for the handy types (30 Jun)
By Lindsay Tanner, Shadow Minister for Finance
Labor will fund a big program of upgrading technical facilities in schools.
A bureaucratic monster (28 Jun)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Employment & Industrial Relations, Social Inclusion
The Work Choices bureaucracy exposes the Howard myth of small government.
A strategy on urban water (26 Jun)
By Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader
Water must be part of a long-term economic plan for our nation’s future.
Rhetoric and reality in Iraq (25 Jun)
By Robert McClelland, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
Howard's snow-job on Iraq is exposed by an observant digger.
Howard's two-tier broadband (24 Jun)
By Tony Burke, Shadow Minster for Immigration, Integration & Citizenship
The Government's broadband proposal mean regional and rural communities will miss out on fibre-to-the-node technology.
Productivity and interest rates (21 Jun)
By Wayne Swan, Shadow Treasurer
If interest rates rise for the ninth consecutive time, it will be in large part due to the Howard Government's refusal to face up to Australia's productivity challenge.
Time to end the culture war (18 Jun)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Employment & Industrial Relations, Social Inclusion
Australians must nurture and celebrate their own culture.
Costello Myth Number 15 (13 Jun)
By Wayne Swan, Shadow Treasurer
Peter Costello has added to his growing list of economic myths and epic misrepresentations.
IR: No more us-and-them (10 Jun)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Employment & Industrial Relations, Social Inclusion
Labor will drop the us-and-them approach to industrial relations into the dustbin for good.
Education: the hard facts (08 Jun)
By Stephen Smith, Shadow Minister for Education & Training
Labor’s education plans will provide real career paths to trades and apprenticeships.
The burdens on business (06 Jun)
By Craig Emerson, Shadow Minister for Service Economy, Small Business & Independent Contractors
Removing productivity-stifling business regulation is central to any effective new economic reform program.
The budget forgets the future (05 Jun)
By Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Human Services, Housing, Youth and Women
Memo Costello: the time to fix the roof is when the sun is shining.
The life of Reilly...not! (04 Jun)
By Lindsay Tanner, Shadow Minister for Finance
Students are being squeezed with rising living costs, rising debts, and falling incomes.
Incompetence, extravagance & rorts (02 Jun)
By Chris Evans, Labor Leader in the Senate, Shadow Minister for National Development, Resources & Energy
Senate Estimates reveals the cost of the Howard government’s incompetence and extravagance.
Are the Libs eyeing a swap? (01 Jun)
By Bob McMullan, Shadow Minister for Federal/State Relations, International Development Assistance
John Howard’s approval rating has been on the wane for a long time.
Labor's advertising guidelines plan (31 May)
By Penny Wong, Shadow Minister for Public Administration & Accountability , Corporate Governance & Responsibility, Workforce Participation
Labor will put a stop to the wasteful extravagance of taxpayers’ money.
IR: Working families know the score (30 May)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Employment & Industrial Relations, Social Inclusion
The only job the Prime Minister is worried about is his own.
The stench of WorkChoices (29 May)
By Tony Burke, Shadow Minster for Immigration, Integration & Citizenship
WorkChoices by any other name is still on the nose.
The future of reconciliation (27 May)
By Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader
Let us have about ourselves a determined and realistic optimism – one that can make a difference for the future.
The bulldust detector outs Howard (24 May)
Australia deserves more than trickery and self-interest from its politicians.
Howard's authority on the wane (23 May)
By Tony Burke, Shadow Minster for Immigration, Integration & Citizenship
During Kevin Rudd’s Budget-in-Reply speech, Government MPs behaved like a rabble of spoilt brats.
Family-friendly workplaces work (22 May)
By Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Human Services, Housing, Youth and Women
Australia lags behind the rest of the world when it comes to mothers' workforce participation.
Howard's IR test chaos (21 May)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Employment & Industrial Relations, Social Inclusion
The Government's political manoeuvre has left good, honest employers in a limbo.
Spending like there's no tomorrow (19 May)
By Lindsay Tanner, Shadow Minister for Finance
Australia needs leaders who are more interested in long-term economic results...not the current wasteful spending for short-term political outcomes.
Think global, act local (17 May)
By Peter Garrett, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment & Heritage, Arts
Labor's Renovations Plan is designed to make a big difference to greenhouse pollution by doing simple things.
IR: the war of words (15 May)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Employment & Industrial Relations, Social Inclusion
It's said that truth is the first casualty of war. The same seems to apply to the Government's war of words on industrial relations.
No reform in defence budget (13 May)
By Joel Fitzgibbon, Shadow Minister for Defence
Defence expenditure might have risen in the Budget, but the real problem is that so much of it is being wasted.
Not much for health in budget (11 May)
By Nicola Roxon, Shadow Minister for Health
There isn't a lot for the average family in Costello's vote-buying Budget.
IR: setting the record straight (09 May)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Employment & Industrial Relations, Social Inclusion
Fairness is at the heart of Labor's industrial relations policy.
IR & productivity goals (08 May)
By Wayne Swan, Shadow Treasurer
Labor’s IR reforms will set the nation up for a new wave of prosperity when the mining boom is over.
The neglect of innovation (07 May)
By Kim Carr, Shadow Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science & Research
In the 21st century, industry policy and innovation policy must be the same thing.
Howard's nuclear backyard (06 May)
By Wayne Swan, Shadow Treasurer
Labor has set realistic emissions targets to protect the environment for future generations; John Howard's only answer is nuclear power plants.
ADHD needs answers (05 May)
By Nicola Roxon, Shadow Minister for Health
Is there any connection between ADHD and our education system, or the health system?
Family friendly workplaces (04 May)
By Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Human Services, Housing, Youth and Women
We will bear both a social and an economic cost if we fail to make our workplaces more family-friendly
Double standards (03 May)
By Penny Wong, Shadow Minister for Public Administration & Accountability , Corporate Governance & Responsibility, Workforce Participation
Balance and diversity should be considered an essential ingredient in the parliaments of the nation.
IR: Family Friendly (02 May)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Employment & Industrial Relations, Social Inclusion
Labor's policy introduces a new era of family-friendly working arrangements.
IR: Balanced & Simple (01 May)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Employment & Industrial Relations, Social Inclusion
Labor will bring new era and a new balance for work and family life.
The innovation revolution (28 Apr)
By Kim Carr, Shadow Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science & Research
We must build a culture of innovation in Australian business.
A party for the future (27 Apr)
By Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader
These are the challenges which must occupy the nation’s mind.
Focus on productivity (26 Apr)
By Craig Emerson, Shadow Minister for Service Economy, Small Business & Independent Contractors
A new, productivity-raising reform agenda is urgently needed, a major component of which must be the removal of overbearing business regulation.
A Government in denial (25 Apr)
By Penny Wong, Shadow Minister for Public Administration & Accountability , Corporate Governance & Responsibility, Workforce Participation
How can anyone expect the Howard Government to come up with solutions to climate change if they don’t believe it is occurring?
The evolution of uranium policy (24 Apr)
By Chris Evans, Labor Leader in the Senate, Shadow Minister for National Development, Resources & Energy
Clinging to a policy which has failed for 25 years is no response to the energy challenges facing Australia in 2007
Proliferation a key issue (23 Apr)
By Anthony Albanese, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure & Water, Manager of Opposition Business
It can't be guaranteed that uranium mining won't lead to nuclear weapons.
Five big differences (20 Apr)
By Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader
Five big differences between the parties on core policy issues make the choice clear.
Productivity the prosperity key (19 Apr)
By Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader
Poor productivity growth threatens the nation’s future prosperity. It must be fixed.
Business regulation: 7 new steps (18 Apr)
By Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader
labor plans a coordinated national strategy to radically reduce the regulatory burden on productive Australian businesses.
IR: Four key new directions (17 Apr)
By Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader
Labor will reform the nation’s industrial relations laws by going forward, not back.
A Social Inclusion agenda (13 Apr)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Employment & Industrial Relations, Social Inclusion
The Social Inclusion portfolio is new to federal politics…what does it mean?
Fix the R&D woes (11 Apr)
By Kim Carr, Shadow Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science & Research
Various new measures are needed to lift Australia’s R&R effort and build sustainable prosperity.
Labor's education pledges (09 Apr)
By Stephen Smith, Shadow Minister for Education & Training
Labor’s positive policies will lift the performance of the education sector.
Warning bells go unheeded (05 Apr)
By Wayne Swan, Shadow Treasurer
The Howard Government has failed to act on the warnings of Treasury as expressed in its intergenerational reports.
The future of water policy (04 Apr)
By Anthony Albanese, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure & Water, Manager of Opposition Business
Federal Labor will provide the consistent leadership in water the nation needs.
Climate Change Summit issues (01 Apr)
By Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader
Here are some of the questions which were considered by Labor’s National Climate Change Summit in Canberra.
Broadband spells prosperity (29 Mar)
By Wayne Swan, Shadow Treasurer
It seems John Howard simply can't grasp the fact that a national high speed broadband network is critical to future prosperity.
Labor's vision for science (27 Mar)
By Kim Carr, Shadow Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science & Research
Labor values science and scientists and will encourage young people to seek careers in science for the national good.
Labor & uranium: an evolution (23 Mar)
By Chris Evans, Labor Leader in the Senate, Shadow Minister for National Development, Resources & Energy
The time has come for Federal Labor to abandon its sentimental attachment to a failed and cynical policy and moved to tackle the real energy issues of the twenty-first century.
Climate policies build wealth (21 Mar)
By Peter Garrett, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment & Heritage, Arts
The PM can’t see it, but policies to cut emissions will also generate substantial economic dividends.
Labor's plans for IR in 2007 (19 Mar)
By Julia Gillard, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Employment & Industrial Relations, Social Inclusion
Labor’s industrial relations policy for modern, productive, flexible workplaces will be released well before the next election.
Building prosperity through super (17 Mar)
By Wayne Swan, Shadow Treasurer
The ALP is responsible for arguably the most significant financial sector reform of the modern era – Australia’s superannuation system.
East Timor a forceful reminder (15 Mar)
By Robert McClelland, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
Australia needs to undertake broad-scale nation-building within the failing states in our own backyard.
Labor's commitment to Aussie coal (13 Mar)
By Chris Evans, Labor Leader in the Senate, Shadow Minister for National Development, Resources & Energy
Labor is committed to clean coal for Australia's future – for our domestic energy needs and as a vital export industry.
On being a good global citizen (11 Mar)
By Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader
Australia should aim to become a greater force for good in the world.
New settlers need a hand (09 Mar)
By Lindsay Tanner, Shadow Minister for Finance
The key to integrating African refugees into society is jobs.
Honour & cynicism in politics (07 Mar)
By Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Human Services, Housing, Youth and Women
John Howard is an expert at cynical politics – and there’s no honour in that.
The case for a new direction (05 Mar)
By Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader
Federal Labor is armed with ideas to write a new chapter in Australian history.
The big spend (03 Mar)
By Lindsay Tanner, Shadow Minister for Finance
The Howard Government is spending big without regard to the nation's long term future - and all just to shore up its own political support.
History repeats for Howard (01 Mar)
By Tony Burke, Shadow Minster for Immigration, Integration & Citizenship
John Howard's own words are coming back to haunt him
Hicks denied a fair trial (28 Feb)
By Kelvin Thomson, Shadow Attorney General, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business
Labor's position on David Hicks is simple - give him a fair trial.
Labor will lead on water (26 Feb)
By Anthony Albanese, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure & Water, Manager of Opposition Business
Where the Government has lagged, Labor will step up and deliver sustainable water supplies to help future generations live and prosper.
Govt useless on climate challenge (23 Feb)
By Peter Garrett, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment & Heritage, Arts
The Government is in climate change denial and fails to see the new opportunities and markets this global challenge presents.
Housing crisis needs solutions (21 Feb)
By Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Human Services, Housing, Youth and Women
The spiralling cost of housing is endangering the great Australian dream.
Revelations in the Senate (19 Feb)
By Chris Evans, Labor Leader in the Senate, Shadow Minister for National Development, Resources & Energy
Mismanagement, politically motivated decision making and waste are common elements of the Howard government's administration.
Australia less secure under Howard (17 Feb)
By Joe Ludwig, Shadow Minister for Justice & Customs
On security issues, the Howard Government is all talk.
Howard blind to Iraq reality (15 Feb)
By Robert McClelland, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
Over 3,000 US citizens have died in Iraq, and even senior US Republicans are seeking a way to exit the war. Yet still John Howard refuses to engage with reality.
Howard's insult harms Australia (13 Feb)
By Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader
John Howard’s assertion that al Qaeda terrorists would be hoping for a Democratic President is irresponsible, insulting and damaging to our nation’s longer term security interests.
Change is in the air (12 Feb)
By Wayne Swan, Shadow Treasurer
John Howard will say anything and do anything to get a vote – but the country is tiring of his old tricks.
Labor will lead on dental care (10 Feb)
By Nicola Roxon, Shadow Minister for Health
John Howard abandoned the Commonwealth Dental Scheme in 1996. The result? Long waiting lists and a huge increase in the number of kids requiring hospitalisation.
Time to fix the Federation (07 Feb)
By Bob McMullan, Shadow Minister for Federal/State Relations, International Development Assistance
If the essential task of federation reform is going to be done, it is clear that will have to be done by Labor.
Why we should act on warming (05 Feb)
Taking action on global warming would yield some much-needed moral authority.
Laying the ground for business (04 Feb)
By Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader
Labor commits to working with business to build a historic partnership to tackle future national challenges.
Incentives for maths & science (02 Feb)
By Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader and Stephen Smith, Shadow Minister for Education & Training
The next chapter of Federal Labor’s education revolution is entitled: New Directions for Maths and Science.
FTA impairs a proven safe system (31 Jan)
By Nicola Roxon, Shadow Minister for Health
When it comes to blood supplies, it seems the Government is more interested in pleasing America than in protecting the health of Australians.
Flexibility aids productivity (30 Jan)
By Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Human Services, Housing, Youth and Women
Australia should follow the lead of other developed nations and reap the benefits of greater flexibility in the workplace.
Give children the very best start (29 Jan)
By Jenny Macklin, Shadow Minister for Families & Community Services, Indigenous Affairs & Reconciliation and Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader
Labor’s education revolution has been kick started with new commitments in early childhood education.
Health care for school starters (28 Jan)
By Nicola Roxon, Shadow Minister for Health
More could be done to help parents ensure their child's health is in good shape as they start school for the first time.
A nation built on hope, not fear (26 Jan)
By Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader
Labor believes in opportunity, creativity and innovation and being rewarded for individual hard work, achievement and success.
Labor's education revolution (24 Jan)
By Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader
Labor’s vision is to create the best educated country, the most skilled economy, and the best trained workforce in the world.
Govt sluggish on water crisis (23 Jan)
By Anthony Albanese, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure & Water, Manager of Opposition Business
Australia’s water crisis requires fixing now, not pork-barrelling at election time.
Trade policy makes us worse off (22 Jan)
By Simon Crean, Shadow Minister for Trade & Regional Development
The Howard Government has signed bilateral free trade agreements with Singapore, US, and Thailand, and our trade position has deteriorated with all three countries.
Mining boom just a short term fix (18 Jan)
By Wayne Swan, Shadow Treasurer
Higher productivity, not the mining boom, is the guarantee of future prosperity.
At least Bush tried to explain (16 Jan)
By Robert McClelland, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
John Howard has not even bothered to explain why Australia must be involved in the Iraq war to the tune of $2 billion and rising.
Balance vital in counselling issue (14 Jan)
By Nicola Roxon, Shadow Minister for Health
Women need the benefit of balanced pregnancy counselling services.
Hicks' case puts justice on trial (12 Jan)
By Kelvin Thomson, Shadow Attorney General, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business
David Hicks' continued incarceration tests our nation’s commitment to elementary principles like the right to a fair trial.
Rising debt threatens family home (10 Jan)
By Wayne Swan, Shadow Treasurer
After eight consecutive interest rate rises, many families are facing the prospect of losing roof over their heads.
Alarm bells ring on access card (08 Jan)
By Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Human Services, Housing, Youth and Women
Experts say that the Howard Government’s proposed access card may make identity fraud easier.
Stop the blame game on water (04 Jan)
By Anthony Albanese, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure & Water, Manager of Opposition Business
Labor will act on the water crisis by setting national benchmarks for water supply, quality, recycling and river health.
Reward the new entrepreneurs (31 Dec)
By Craig Emerson, Shadow Minister for Service Economy, Small Business & Independent Contractors
Independent contractors and small businesses can be supported by removing the shackles that hold them back.
Arts industry can light the way (28 Dec)
By Peter Garrett, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment & Heritage, Arts
The arts industry is a big employer and a significant part of the economy, but it gets short shrift from the Howard Government.
Labor rejects Howard's fundamentalism (22 Dec)
By Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader
With total control of the parliament, John Howard has gone too far and Labor offers the nation the path back to the centre ground.
Towards sustainable agriculture (20 Dec)
By Lindsay Tanner, Shadow Minister for Finance
The drought provides an opportunity to restructure agriculture and ensure its long term sustainability.
Reviving Australian manufacturing (18 Dec)
By Kim Carr, Industry, Innovation, Science & Research
Australia’s manufacturing industry has been in decline under Howard and Labor has the plans and the will to revive it.
Kevin Rudd's new Shadow Ministry (11 Dec)
By Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader
Labor's new team will give the people a clear choice at the next election.
Broadband is core economic policy (06 Dec)
By Kate Lundy, Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation
The Howard Government’s short-sightedness has put the nation in the slow lane of the global economy.
The battle of ideas for Australia (05 Dec)
By Kevin Rudd, Federal Labor Leader
A strong economy based on nation-building and a fair go for all are not incompatible.
Labor elects new leadership team (04 Dec)
Federal Caucus today elected Kevin Rudd as Leader of the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition, and Julia Gillard as his deputy. Here are their comments to the press conference; Kevin Rudd first.
Timber is part of the solution (03 Dec)
By Martin Ferguson, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Forestry, Resources & Tourism
Australia’s forest industry can curtail the market for illegal and unsustainable timber products – and the Greens should get behind it.
Govt passes buck on AWB bribery (01 Dec)
By Kelvin Thomson, Shadow Minister for Public Accountability, Shadow Minister for Human Services
The arrogance of the Government is on display with its refusal to accept responsibility for the AWB bribery scandal.
Howard must act on emissions (30 Nov)
By Martin Ferguson, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Forestry, Resources & Tourism
The Howard Government’s refusal to adopt national emissions trading is costing Australians money on their power and gas bills.
Howard weak on Hicks trial (29 Nov)
By Nicola Roxon, Shadow Attorney-General
The leaders of all other western nations have gained the release of their citizens from Guantanamo Bay.
Security issues in the Asia-Pacific (28 Nov)
By Robert McClelland, Shadow Minister for Defence
Recent disturbances in the Pacific region serve to emphasise the benefits of pursuing long term stabilisation through institutional reform.
Pacific must unite to prosper (27 Nov)
By Bob Sercombe, Shadow Minister for Overseas Aid and Pacific Island Affairs
The benefits for the Pacific would be that much greater if they had a united front through a real economic and political community.
T3 sell-off sells the nation short (26 Nov)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader
Telstra sell-off is driven by ideology and contrary to the national interest.
Nation-building in the regions (24 Nov)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader
Labor will bring nation-building to the regions, instead of National Party pork-barrelling.
Labor is a love of learning (23 Nov)
By Lindsay Tanner, Shadow Minister for Finance
Belief in the power of learning is at the heart of Labor. In contrast, the Libs under Howard have become the party of ignorance.
Nuclear power wrong for Australia (22 Nov)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader
The choice for voters is between John Howard’s nuclear reactors and Kim Beazley’s clean coal, gas and renewable energy sources.
The PBS in Howard's firing line (21 Nov)
By Julia Gillard, Shadow Minister for Health , Manager of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives
The Howard Government’s so-called “savings” on the PBS will mean poorer health care for those most in need.
Fix tax to aid small business (20 Nov)
By Joel Fitzgibbon, Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Revenue; Small Business and Competition
Governments have to find new and creative ways of compensating small firms for the red tape and compliance burdens they endure.
Howard should stand up to Bush (17 Nov)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader
Following George Bush into Iraq and on climate change has put Australia out on a limb.
Global poverty and climate change (16 Nov)
By Wayne Swan, Federal Shadow Treasurer
Making poverty history is one of the starkest challenges for the global economy, and it involves tackling climate change.
Coal is good, clean coal better (15 Nov)
By Martin Ferguson, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Forestry, Resources & Tourism
Coal is a critical energy source and export product for the nation, but the industry must be required to meet the highest environmental standards.
Rising debt needs export solution (14 Nov)
By Kevin Rudd, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and International Security.
It is foolish to rely on the resources boom alone to maintain national prosperity.
IR changes won't help workers (13 Nov)
By Stephen Smith, Shadow Minister for Industry, Infrastructure & Industrial Relations
The recent changes to the IR laws are merely cosmetic and will do nothing to ease the problems the laws are causing.
Jobs: all is not what it seems (10 Nov)
By Penny Wong, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workforce Participation; Corporate Governance and Responsibility
Behind the headline figures on the jobs market, millions of people cannot find enough work and continue to live in hardship.
New rate hike will really hurt (08 Nov)
By Wayne Swan, Federal Shadow Treasurer
The Howard Government is losing control of the economy, and the latest rates hike will put working families under even more pressure.
Howard fails on rates promise (07 Nov)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader
At the last election, John Howard says he would keep interest rates low…he has failed.
Sloppy spending imperils prosperity (06 Nov)
By Lindsay Tanner, Shadow Minister for Finance
The Government’s poll-driven spending spree is forcing up interest rates and wasting this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lay the foundations for future prosperity.
Home ownership just gets harder (05 Nov)
By Kim Carr, Shadow Minister for Housing; Urban Development; Local Government and Territories
New data proves that mortgage costs take more of the household weekly income today than it has for many decades.
IR laws for productive workplaces (03 Nov)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader
Labor’s new industrial relations system will be all about the national interest, not vested interests.
PM short-sighted on climate change (01 Nov)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader
Only the future party – the Labor Party – is facing up to the climate change reality
Pay boost for the best teachers (31 Oct)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader
Labor proposes higher salaries for the best teachers to reward excellence and to provide the best education for children.
Finding ways to build the peace (30 Oct)
By Peter Garrett, Parliamentary Secretary for Reconciliation and the Arts
The quagmire of war and human suffering makes the need to construct reliable paths to peace a fundamental task for world leaders.
Helping those who have given up (24 Oct)
By Penny Wong, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workforce Participation; Corporate Governance and Responsibility
While the nation is facing a skills crisis, over two million Australians are out of work and often out of hope. It’s in everybody’s interests to find ways to help these people back into the jobs market.
Money tossed like confetti: report (19 Oct)
By Chris Bowen, Member for Prospect
The annual report of Labor’s Wastewatch committee shows the Howard Government is also ‘loose with the cash’.
It's a bleak life north of the DMZ (16 Oct)
By Kevin Rudd, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and International Security.
The ordinary citizens of North Korea are caught in an Orwellian nightmare.
A long term strategy for tax reform (13 Oct)
By Wayne Swan, Federal Shadow Treasurer
Fewer and lower marginal tax rates would help put incentive back into the system, especially for women seeking a return to the workforce.
Three planks to fix disadvantage (09 Oct)
Indigenous disadvantage is not a natural and insurmountable problem, but overcoming it requires political will – and Labor’s three planks.
Labor leads on renewable energy (05 Oct)
By Anthony Albanese, Federal Shadow Environment Minister
Investing in and developing the renewable energy industry is an important part of Labor’s nation building plan.
The arts need a political voice (04 Oct)
By Peter Garrett, Parliamentary Secretary for Reconciliation and the Arts
The creative industry’s contribution to employment and economic activity is significant, yet political champions for the arts are rarely to be found.
Economics from a moral perspective (03 Oct)
Fairness is the secret weapon of good economics.
What inspires women in politics? (02 Oct)
By Julia Gillard, Shadow Minister for Health , Manager of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives
Politics is about nation building, and that challenge can inspire women as strongly as it might men.
Making Australia a force for good (28 Sep)
By Kevin Rudd, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and International Security.
Here are five specific things that should be done to revive Australia’s status as an effective middle power intent on doing good in the regional and global community.
Democracy not what it used to be (26 Sep)
By Kelvin Thomson, Shadow Minister for Public Accountability, Shadow Minister for Human Services
Transparency and accountability are key features of an open and free society, and the Howard Government has trampled on them both.
Labor's IR is open, fair & democratic (25 Sep)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader
Collective bargaining is at the heart of Labor's future industrial relations system.
Labor's solutions for the skills crisis (21 Sep)
By Jenny Macklin, Deputy Federal Labor Leader , Shadow Minister for Education, Training, Science & Research
Labor would re-invigorate the education and training system with solid investment in the core skills, both technical and professional.
Key incentives for sustaining growth (20 Sep)
By Wayne Swan, Federal Shadow Treasurer
Australia has had a good run of prosperity but to stay strong in a changing world, we need a boost in education, skills and innovation along with a substantially better tax system.
Health system needs reform, pronto (18 Sep)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader
The Howard Government’s buck-passing on health has meant that preventive health, outpatient services, mental health services and aged care are all chronically under-funded.
FOI laws need urgent reform (13 Sep)
By Nicola Roxon, Shadow Attorney-General
The Freedom of Information Act is a cornerstone of an open and democratic society, but the Howard Government is spelling its demise.
Medibank Private must not be sold (11 Sep)
By Julia Gillard, Shadow Minister for Health , Manager of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives
The Howard Government’s claim that the sale of Medibank Private would lead to lower premiums can scarcely be believed - indeed, it's a recipe for increased premiums..
Labor to revive the fair-go country (07 Sep)
By Nicola Roxon, Shadow Attorney-General
Labor has clear alternatives to the harsh and extreme laws of the Howard Government, and that includes strengthening anti-discrimination law and empowering the national human rights commission.
Australia lags the world in broadband (05 Sep)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader
The Howard Government, as the major shareholder of Telstra, should forget the sell-off and start demanding the company provide the super fast broadband the nation desperately needs.
The evidence mounts on IR laws (03 Sep)
By Stephen Smith, Shadow Minister for Industry, Infrastructure & Industrial Relations
Recent research confirms that the Government’s IR laws are driven by ideology alone, unsupported by economic modelling or overseas experience.
Uranium issue brings new challenges (30 Aug)
By Martin Ferguson, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Forestry, Resources & Tourism
No-one wants rogue nations processing uranium. The nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty must be reviewed to make it more relevant and effective in the modern world.
Solar energy has a bright future (28 Aug)
By Anthony Albanese, Federal Shadow Environment Minister
Solar thermal technology may be cost competitive with coal within seven years – it just needs unequivocal government support.
A new cold war over oil? (27 Aug)
By Martin Ferguson, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Forestry, Resources & Tourism
The world is a less safe place since the invasion of Iraq, and that insecurity is causing a rush among powerful nations to lock up oil supplies.
A single funder for health care? (24 Aug)
By Julia Gillard, Shadow Minister for Health , Manager of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives
A Beazley Labor Government would put equity back into our hospitals and health care services - the question is whether a single funder arrangement would help or hinder.
Labor commits to water recycling (23 Aug)
By Anthony Albanese, Federal Shadow Environment Minister
Labor sees for a strong role for the national government in establishing water markets, supporting recycling and encouraging investment in water infrastructure.
Labor will fix the childcare shambles (22 Aug)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader
Kim Beazley’s Blueprint Number 8 aims to help middle Australia’s mothers whether they chose to be in the workforce or remain at home.
The Iraq war forces petrol prices up (21 Aug)
By Kevin Rudd, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and International Security.
Expert analysis has revealed that the failure of Australian and US policies in Iraq have made petrol prices for motorists higher than they would otherwise have been.
Not much for most in LPG move (20 Aug)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader
The LPG subsidy offers little benefit to most people and, if it was designed to deflect attention from Government backflips and seedy denials on the interest rate promise, it has comprehensively failed.
Govt shortsighted on manufacturing (17 Aug)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader
The manufacturing sector is central to our nation's development and it deserves a Prime Minister who genuinely believes in its capacity to succeed in global markets for high value, manufactured goods.
So, what about Reconciliation? (16 Aug)
By Peter Garrett, Parliamentary Secretary for Reconciliation and the Arts
Labor will kick start Reconciliation so the ghosts of our collective past can be put to bed at last.
Action needed to safeguard our ports (09 Aug)
By Arch Bevis, Shadow Minister for Homeland Security; Aviation and Transport Security
The importance of border control and port security is a higher priority today than at any time since the end of World War II. Labor’s proposals have long been on the table.
Govt out of touch on rate rises (08 Aug)
By Tony Burke, Shadow Minster for Immigration
John Howard has broken his promise on interest rates, and recent comments by his wealthy Parliamentary Secretary Malcolm Turnbull shows just how out of touch the Government is.
Christianity, ethics, and real politics (07 Aug)
By Kevin Rudd, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and International Security.
Labor has solid positions on the key ethical issues of our time and does not accept the proposition that God has somehow become the wholly-owned subsidiary of the political conservatives.
Infrastructure plans will build better cities (05 Aug)
By Wayne Swan, Federal Shadow Treasurer
Labor will invest in the physical and social infrastructure needed to make sustainable cities a reality – for all our postcodes.
Howard's quarry & dump nuclear fantasy (27 Jul)
By Anthony Albanese, Federal Shadow Environment Minister
The plan under secret consideration by the Howard Government would see Australia mine and enrich uranium as well as become the world’s nuclear waste dump.
IR laws mean lower pay for women (19 Jul)
By Penny Wong, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workforce Participation; Corporate Governance and Responsibility
All working people will feel the pinch of the new laws but the most vulnerable – the casuals, part-timers and minimum wage earners where women are over-represented – will feel it most savagely.
Thoughts on welfare policy renewal (15 Jul)
By Chris Evans, Federal Labor Leader in the Senate , Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs; Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services
Investment brings returns. Governments invest in capital infrastructure to produce tangible assets and physical results. Social investment, or investment in people and their skills, should be viewed in the same way.
Labor wants the best in health care (05 Jul)
By Julia Gillard, Shadow Minister for Health , Manager of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives
The focus of Australia's health care providers, public and private, should be firmly on prevention and early intervention.
Senators rally to try to stop the rot (02 Jul)
By Chris Evans, Federal Labor Leader in the Senate , Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs; Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services
Labor will not sit by and watch as John Howard trashes the Senate. It has announced two new initiatives as part of a plan to break the shackles that have been imposed on the Senate since 1 July 2005.
The Senate corrupted, absolutely (28 Jun)
By Chris Evans, Federal Labor Leader in the Senate , Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs; Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services
The Senate was established as a house of check on the government of the day. It is a vital part of our parliamentary democracy. But the Howard Government is abusing its newfound control of the Senate to stop it doing its work.
It's time to bring the troops home (22 Jun)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader
The Howard Government’s rationale for involvement in Iraq has moved from weapons of mass destruction (which didn’t exist), to regime change (which has happened), to protecting Japanese engineers (who have now leaving). It’s time our troops came home too.
Urban problems need urgent attention (20 Jun)
By Kim Carr, Shadow Minister for Housing; Urban Development; Local Government and Territories
Reshaping our cities will help reshape society, making it more productive, sustainable, fairer and more decent.
Brough's myths must be dispelled (19 Jun)
By Chris Evans, Federal Labor Leader in the Senate , Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs; Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services
The problems in some Indigenous communities are well documented. The first task towards a long term solution is to dispel the six myths put about by the Howard Government to disguise a decade of inaction.
The IR pain we didn't have to have (18 Jun)
By Wayne Swan, Federal Shadow Treasurer
New research by the OECD proves that the Howard Government’s lower wages IR policy is out of date, and that it is spruiking yesterday's workplace solutions to tomorrow's economic problems.
Put the blowtorch on the monarchists (15 Jun)
By Nicola Roxon, Shadow Attorney-General
If the push for Australian to become a republic is to gain momentum, applying the intellectual blow-torch to the monarchists has to a part of the strategy.
Howard out of step on civil unions (13 Jun)
By Nicola Roxon, Shadow Attorney-General
The ACT’s Civil Unions Act does not create same-sex marriages, and pretending otherwise is just muddying the waters. Same-sex relationships are already acknowledged in most states and territories - it's the Commonwealth that's out of step.
Labor will abolish Howard's AWAs (12 Jun)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader
Labor will abolish John Howard’s AWAs in order to protect employees from individual contracts that drive down pay and eliminate many hard-earned working conditions.
Low paid workers face wage freeze (08 Jun)
By Stephen Smith, Shadow Minister for Industry, Infrastructure & Industrial Relations
John Howard is forcing two million Australians who rely on the AIRC for their modest minimum wage increase to wait an additional six months for the first hearing of his Orwellian ‘Fair Pay Commission’.
Australian fishing hung out to dry (07 Jun)
By Anna Burke, Chair of the Transport and Maritime Security Taskforce
Illegal fishing in Australia’s northern waters has reached crisis-point. Labor’s Taskforce Report documents the problem and presents measures to halt the plundering of fish stocks and protect the local industry.
More solar panels, not nuclear reactors (06 Jun)
By Anthony Albanese, Federal Shadow Environment Minister
John Howard wants to take Australia down the nuclear reactor path while arrogantly refusing to tell Australians just where the reactors will be built.
IR laws a costly can of worms (05 Jun)
By Nicola Roxon, Shadow Attorney-General
The evidence is now irrefutable – the new IR laws mean lower wages. But the laws will also have a range of other deleterious effects, including the disruption and distortion of the work of the States’ anti-discriminatory tribunals.
Revelations at Senate Estimates (04 Jun)
By Chris Evans, Federal Labor Leader in the Senate , Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs; Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services
The Howard Government, drunk with power, stymies debate and blocks efforts to keep it accountable. But Labor’s Senators soldier on…here’s some of what they’ve found out in the last fortnight.
Chest-beating won't fix indigenous strife (01 Jun)
By Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Child Care; Youth; Women.
Fixing the endemic problems in some Aboriginal communities requires political will, not political chest-beating.
Emulating the goodies is not funny (31 May)
By Tony Burke, Shadow Minster for Immigration
When Jakarta says ‘jump’, John Howard says,‘how high?’. Changing Australian law to suit others doesn’t help anyone, especially those fleeing persecution.
Spotlight shows IR wage cuts are real (30 May)
By Stephen Smith, Shadow Minister for Industry, Infrastructure & Industrial Relations
The disclosure of Spotlight’s new AWA clearly demonstrates that the Government’s IR legislation means real wage cuts for Middle Australia.
The obligations of a uranium exporter (29 May)
By Martin Ferguson, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Forestry, Resources & Tourism
John Howard wants nuclear power plants in this country – Labor does not. But being a major exporter of uranium brings with it the obligation, and the opportunity, to help keep enrichment technology in safe hands.
The fading dream of reconciliation (28 May)
By Peter Garrett, Parliamentary Secretary for Reconciliation and the Arts
The Howard Government’s so-called “practical reconciliation” has failed. The basic services have not been delivered, and there is no national strategy to deal with the underlying causes of abuse, like poverty and social dysfunction.
Australia's duty to the calamity in Iraq (23 May)
By Kevin Rudd, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and International Security.
Australia’s participation in the Iraq war and the dire economic and humanitarian consequences it has caused demand that we play a prominent role in the reconstruction of civil society and the alleviation of hardship and suffering.
Labor's priorities for prosperity (21 May)
By Wayne Swan, Federal Shadow Treasurer
Labor is happy to endorse some initiatives in the federal budget, but their benefits will quickly disappear if the government continues to neglect the long-tem competitiveness of the economy.
Costello's debt threatens prosperity (17 May)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader
Australia’s rapidly escalating national debt is a time bomb. It must be defused by nation building policies that make for a more productive economy and set us on the path to future prosperity.
Workplace safety is a union concern (16 May)
By Stephen Smith, Shadow Minister for Industry, Infrastructure & Industrial Relations
The Howard Government’s antipathy to trade unions has extended to their cutting union involvement in workplace health and safety issues. Labor knows the value of union involvement and, in government, will return unions to a central role.
Skilling up for the nuclear challenge (15 May)
By Martin Ferguson, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Forestry, Resources & Tourism
For a quarter of a century, Australia has let its nuclear skills base decline. As the world demand for uranium soars, so does the need to create a centre of excellence in nuclear science and engineering.
Labor Women dissect the budget (14 May)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader and Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Child Care; Youth; Women.
The Federal Budget has failed women in a number of key areas, including health, safety, financial security and the work and family balancing act. The Labor’s Women’s Budget Statement outlines a better plan.
Poverty is a price too high (08 May)
By Chris Evans, Federal Labor Leader in the Senate , Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs; Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services
The benefits of the current good times are not being shared by all in our community. Strong leadership and practical measures to alleviate poverty could enjoy widespread community support, but it’s simply not on the Howard Government’s radar.
A vision of a Pacific Community (04 May)
By Bob Sercombe, Shadow Minister for Overseas Aid and Pacific Island Affairs
The crisis in the Solomon Islands points to the need for the formation of a Pacific Community, similar to the European Community, to ease security tensions and promote economic growth.
Everyone wins in new schools policy (03 May)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader
Labor's education policy will see the largest funding increases will go to the neediest schools, whether they are government or non-government, but no school will be worse off - the Labor Party will not cut funding to any Australian school.
The path to better Indigenous health (01 May)
By Chris Evans, Federal Labor Leader in the Senate , Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs; Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services
The path to improving indigenous health is to focus on success. There are a number of programs that are really working and they deserve the strongest support.
Chernobyl and the nuclear debate (30 Apr)
By Anthony Albanese, Federal Shadow Environment Minister
The 20th anniversary of the meltdown of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor is one reason Australians are reluctant to be further involved in the nuclear fuel cycle – there are also the intractable problems of cost, safety, waste disposal and proliferation.
PM does nothing about petrol prices (27 Apr)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader
The high cost of petrol means families are paying about $660 extra per year to keep the car on the road. John Howard once promised an investigation into fuel pricing but has refused to follow through…he thinks he can get away with it.
Ten reasons why Downer must go (25 Apr)
By Kelvin Thomson, Shadow Minister for Public Accountability, Shadow Minister for Human Services
The AWB affair is a repeat of the ‘children overboard’ and ‘weapons of mass destruction’ debacles. It’s one lie after another. Downer must resign. Parliament must not tolerate such miserably low standards of ministerial performance.
Costello delusional on debt threat (20 Apr)
By Wayne Swan, Federal Shadow Treasurer
The Treasurer has called this day the nation’s “debt free day” – the very day that our foreign debt reaches a staggering half a trillion dollars. It’s yet another sign of a government completely out of touch with reality.
Labor's plan for a strong car industry (19 Apr)
By Stephen Smith, Shadow Minister for Industry, Infrastructure & Industrial Relations
The global automotive industry is undergoing rapid change, with tens of thousands of jobs being lost in the USA and Europe. It is incumbent on the Australian government to assist the industry to prosper in this country and in the global marketplace.
Getting the mix right on skills (18 Apr)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader
The Howard Government is under-funding TAFE places and ratcheting up skilled migration and the same time as we have high rates of youth unemployment. This is wrong and Labor will find a way to fix it.
Securing the nation's water needs (17 Apr)
By Kim Beazley, Federal Labor Leader
Labor will develop guidelines for stormwater reuse or underground water storage systems, and for the use of recycled water for drinking supplies, where public confidence is most crucial.
Think big on nation-building industries (11 Apr)
By Martin Ferguson, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Forestry, Resources & Tourism
Governments and the private sector must get together to develop the physical and human infrastructure to properly exploit Australia’s vast natural mineral resources and build national prosperity.
Labor's plan for some honest costing (09 Apr)
By Nick Sherry, Shadow Minister for Superannuation and Intergenerational Finance; Banking and Financial Services and Lindsay Tanner, Shadow Minister for Finance
It’s time that politicians and policy-makers think beyond electoral cycles. Labor’s plan to ensure accurate costing of the long-term cost of new programs should have just that effect.
Global warming, local solutions (06 Apr)
By Anthony Albanese, Federal Shadow Environment Minister
Labor is committed to ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, introducing a national emissions trading scheme and significantly increasing the mandatory renewable energy target.
Can women in politics change politics? (05 Apr)
By Julia Gillard, Shadow Minister for Health , Manager of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives
That RU 486 debate in the federal parliament showed that, while women do not all think the same way, they also do not think