Exposing the Labor Budget Spin, Standing up for Bondi and other news
The first Budget of the new Labor Government has come and gone. In my view the Budget failed to deliver on any of its promises. It wasn't the tough inflation fighting, cost cutting Budget promised by Mr Swan, nor did it do anything to help Australians battling with higher prices. Indeed the Budget has resulted in higher prices for car, alcohol and private health insurance.
There was also a meanness about the new Government's approach - shown on a local scale too with the new Government reneging on a commitment made last June by Prime Minister John Howard to provide $1.7 million towards the renovation of North Bondi Surf Club.
In yesterday's speech at the Press Club I also described the key philosophical differences between Labor and the Liberal Party and the importance of our commitment to individual freedom and choice. In the Q&A I was asked about economic credibility:
"....economic credibility is about having runs on the board. And it's a long-term achievement. I've been involved in business and economics for most of my 53 years, in a whole range of enterprises, large and small. I've been through stock market crashes, several of them. I've been involved with very big companies and seen how similar they are to being run as governments, which is a key insight.
"And I've also been involved with a lot of very small companies. I've started a lot of companies. I've created a lot of jobs.
"I passionately believe and practise the enterprise, the entrepreneurship, the initiative, the have a go, get knocked down, get up, have another go, the risk-taking spirit. That is what drives our economy. That's what gives our economy strength and it is that experience that makes me know, enables me to know what drives the engine of our economy and I tell you, it is not governments.
"Governments do their best work for the economy when they enable others to get on with the job. When they create the environment where each and every one of you and millions of other Australians are able to take a risk, to make an investment, to hire somebody, to get on with their own personal ventures, to fulfil their visions. That's what government's about.
"It isn't about imposing a great economic plan, a sort of reversion to the Soviet era, vast infrastructure projects. I tell you, I've seen a few of them too, collapsed in the Soviet Siberian wilderness. The enterprise of this country is built on the energy of individuals. And that's our job as governments, to enable, and that life, that life of enterprise, is the one I've lived."
There is also lots of other Wentworth news including a very intriguing upcoming trial sponsored by WAYS!. Also for recent transcripts and video files of media interviews, click here to go to our website's media centre.
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Response to the Budget
Speech at the National Press Club yesterday:
"Mr Rudd has promised us new leadership with new ideas. Courage, vision and a readiness to take on the great challenges of our times.
And as the Federal Budget is “the embodiment of the total program of the Federal Government” then we would expect this new Government coming into power after 12 years of Opposition to reveal its vision for Australia’s future.
But instead this was a Budget of indecision, missed opportunities, and challenges that have not been faced.
We were told our greatest immediate economic challenge was the inflation genie: out of the bottle and out of control.
A horror Budget with savage cuts in expenditure would fix all that.
An anxious nation flinched last Tuesday night bracing for the axe to fall.
And then nothing happened. The Budget was as mild as its authors’ rhetoric was fierce. No bang, all whimper.
And so we see the most consistent theme of this Government and this Budget – spin and hype. There has never been a Government more hypocritical or less sincere. Ready to talk the talk – too weak to walk the walk.
This is a Government that says climate change is the greatest long term economic challenge of our times, but presents a Budget with nothing to say about the likely impact and costs of an emissions trading scheme due to start in less than two years. A government that kills off the solar energy industry in one blow.
This is a Government that says it wants to stop young people drinking RTDs, but has $3 billion of new tax revenue banking on the RTD binge continuing to grow.
A Government which promises to bring down petrol and grocery prices, but can do nothing but pay people to watch them go up.
This is a Government that feels our pain about the crumbling public hospital system, and then manages to drive half a million people or more out of private health insurance.
A ghastly trifecta of more pressure on public hospitals, higher premiums for those remaining in private health insurance and a revenue windfall for the Federal Government.
This is a Government that preaches accountability – but then establishes a $40 billion Labor Party slush fund, advised by its mates and without any rules, any limits, any investment benchmarks. Nothing to stand in the way of buying the next Federal election or bailing out incompetent State Labor Governments, their mismanaged utilities and great infrastructure disasters.
This is a Government fond of symbols – but delivers a Budget whose symbolic measures speak of meanness, division and the politics of envy.
And this is a Government that speaks endlessly of reform, but whose Budget offers no reform of its own – just a six month old tax package designed by Peter Costello."
Read the rest of the speech here.
You can also see the rest of our Budget material in our dedicated section on the website here
Bondi Bashed by Labor
Last week in Parliament, Labor's Infrastructure Minister, Anthony Albanese let loose with a bitter outburst attacking the making of several Federal grants to Bondi. He said that the decision to contribute $2 million to the upgrade of Campbell Parade was wrong - even though it was part of a national roads funding programme and had been announced in 2004. He then turned on North Bondi Surf Club and revealed that a grant of $1.7 million the Prime Minister John Howard had announced last June to assist in the renovation of the Club would not go ahead. This grant was not an election promise. It had been the subject of full due diligence on the part of the Department of Transport and Regional Services and had been officially announced at the time. The Club had also secured commitments of support from the NSW State Government and Waverley Council as well as private donors.
The Club relied on the offer of the grant and proceeded to develop its plans and funding. No suggestion was ever made by Labor that it would revoke grants properly announced and it was only very recently that there was any hint that the funding might be in jeopardy.
Mr Albanese obviously despises the residents of Wentworth - that much is clear from his remarks in Parliament - but he overlooks the fact that Bondi Beach is host to millions of visitors every year. On a summer weekend most of the swimmers are not from the Eastern Suburbs. Many, no doubt, come from Mr Albanese's inner west electorate and are grateful that the lifesavers are there to pull them out of the surf if they get into trouble.
The volunteer surf lifesaving movement is vital to the safety of our beaches and none more so than Bondi, our most famous and most visited. To read more about this disgraceful decison by Labor click here.
Ergas Tax Review
In my last e-newsletter I discussed our establishment of a review of Australia's Commonwealth, State, Territory and Local tax system, to be conducted by the distinguished economist Henry Ergas. We have set up a new website www.ergasreview.com to receive public submissions. The terms of reference for the review can also be found on the website.
The case for tax reform
When Kevin Rudd recently acknowledged the need for a “root and branch” review of Australia’s tax system, following our announcement of the Ergas Review, I had hoped that Labor was set to reverse its long-held opposition to tax reform. However, Wayne Swan soon downgraded Labor’s review, saying only “bits and pieces” of the tax system would be examined.
I wrote this piece for the Australian about the importance of tax reform to our economic future which can be read here
Emissions Trading Scheme and the Insurance Industry
Last week I spoke to the Insurance Council of Australia about the policy challenges of climate change. The Insurance Industry faces unique opportunities in developing new products to manage the risk associated with climate change.
The full text of the speech is available here
Yom Ha’atzmaut –Israel’s 60th Anniversary
Last week Israel celebrated the 60th anniversary of its founding. It is the great hope of Israelis and their friends around the world that a secure Israel will live side by side with their Palestinian and Arab neighbours in peace and security.
Right from the outset this was their hope. As the Declaration of Independence on May 14 1948 proclaimed: “We offer peace and neighbourliness to all the neighbouring states and their peoples and invite them to cooperate with the independent Hebrew nation for the common good of all.”
Israel and its supporters should be enormously proud of its accomplishments. For such a small nation, it is so rich in talent, human and natural resources and achievements.
To read the full release click here
Australian Defence Medal Presentation
Last month I was delighted to present five Wentworth residents with the Australian Defence Medal at a ceremony at the Rose Bay RSL.
The recipients were: Michael Davis, Barry Heller, Laurie Lyttleton, Terence Morahan and David Rasko
Unable to attend the presentation were: Simon Carless, Kirk Keating and Ashley Page.
Over one million Australians are eligible for the Australian Defence Medal. The medal was established by the Howard Government to recognise ADF Regular and Reserve personnel who have demonstrated their service to the nation by serving four years or their initial enlistment period, whichever is the lesser, since the end of World War II. Both volunteers and national servicemen are eligible. I was very ably assisted by Major Colin Gould who is currently serving as an army reserve officer on full time duty with the army’s Headquarters Training Command based at Victoria Barracks.
Photos from the ceremony can be found in the photo gallery here
Monsignor Doherty launches a new book
I recently has the great honour of attending the Rose Bay Catholic Church, St Mary Magdalene's, for the launch of Monsignor Tony Doherty's new book ' A Friendly Guide To The Catholic Tradition'.
Tony Doherty has been the parish priest at Rose Bay for five years now having previously been the Dean of St Mary's Cathedral and the large crowd who attended the launch is a testament to the affection in which Tony is held in our local community. Tony is a great communicator as both his homilies and now this book attest.
To obtain a copy of the book feel free to call the parish on 9371 7112.
Montefiore Arts & Crafts Exhibition
The inaugural exhibition, launched earlier last month, celebrates the creative work of the residents of the Montefiore Home in Randwick. It also coincides with the celebration of Seniors Week, when the spotlight is on the wonderful talents and skills that seniors have to offer our community.
The majority of residents who join the art sessions come without a background in art but with the desire to give it a go, to be engaged in creative activity and to challenge themselves and enjoy the social experience. There were many fine mosaics, ceramics, paintings and drawings at the exhibition which I was pleased to open with the Mayor of Randwick Cr Bruce Notley-Smith.
Thank God for the Salvos – Red Shield Appeal Sunday May 25
Last month Lucy and I saw the documentary film , The Oasis, about a group of homeless kids living at the Salvation Army's Oasis hostel in Surrey Hills. It was an eloquent but confronting reminder of how raw and close the problems of youth homelessness are to all of us especially living in the Inner East. The film reminds us too of the incredible work that the Salvation Army does. If you missed it, I suggest you take a look. You can watch it here.
It confirmed the reasons Lucy and I always lend practical and financial support to the annual Salvos Red Shield Door Knock Appeal. Lucy is the Chair of the Salvos Fundraising Committee.
The response by the local Liberal Party to the request for volunteers to support this year’s appeal in the eastern suburbs has been great but more ‘hands on’ help is still needed.
The target is to doorknock every home this year in the Vaucluse Zone which includes Watsons Bay, Rose Bay, Vaucluse and Dover Heights.
So if you can spare two hours to help door knock or drive volunteers on Sunday May 25, please contact the Vaucluse Zone Director Major Robert Sneller of the Salvation Army 0411 188 400 or the Zone Chair Mary-Lou Jarvis 0414 309179 mjarvis@jarvispr.com
Visit to Ways and an upcoming Trial of Comedian James O'Loughlin to consider!
Earlier this week I had breakfast with the volunteers of WAYS Youth Services in Bondi.
WAYS provides social, educational and counselling services for young people in the Eastern Suburbs and I was delighted to be able to thank the volunteers for their hard work.
WAYS are holding a fundraiser for their Education Programmes on Sunday 1st June at the Eastern Hotel in Bondi Junction. The evening involves a Mock Trial of ABC Comedian James O’Loughlin by barristers Mark Tedeschi QC and Jeffrey Phillips SC. Tickets can be purchased by calling (02) 9365 2500. See more about WAYS and www.ways.org.au
Visit to Matthew Talbot Hostel
Last week I had the very great pleasure of visiting the Matthew Talbot Hostel in Woolloomooloo.
The Matthew Talbot Hostel is Sydney's largest hostel for homeless men. Based in Woolloomooloo, the main hostel has 112 beds and serves over 700 free meals each day. There are also several outreach houses providing stepping stones to independent living in the wider community.
It was a great pleasure to visit the Hostel and to see first hand the wonderful work that the St Vincent de Paul Society and all the staff at Matt Talbot do for the least fortunate in our community.
If you wish to donate or volunteer at Matthew Talbot or with the St Vincent de Paul please click here
Yours sincerely,
Malcolm Turnbull