National security is therefore about a proper response to terrorism. It’s also about having a far sighted, strong, well thought out defence policy. It is also about having an uncompromising view about the fundamental right of this country to protect its borders. It’s about this nation saying to the world we are a generous open hearted people taking more refugees on a per capita basis than any nation except Canada, we have a proud record of welcoming people from 140 different nations.
But we will decide who comes to this country and the circumstances in which they come.
October 28th, 2001
defence family health social security education environment industrial relations crimeLiberal policies are designed to enable Australians to live free and independent lives in a secure nation. They are policies to promote the enterprise and initiative which will enable people to secure their own future through the rewards of their own efforts. They are also policies of compassion and concern for those in need.
September 30th, 1980
defence economy industrial relations infrastructure arts communications and technology family foreign affairs health immigration Indigenous affairs social securityWe offer you good government. The essential quality of good government is that it should have sound and intelligible principles, that it should pursue great national and social objectives with resoluteness, that it should be able to meet the storms that arise from time to time with a proper sense of navigation, that it should have cohesion in its own ranks and a strong sense of mutual loyalty.
November 15th, 1961
economy infrastructure communications and technology communism defence education employment family foreign affairs health immigration Indigenous affairs industrial relations social security socialism tradeCommunism in Australia is an alien and destructive pest. If elected, we shall outlaw it. The Communist Party will be declared subversive and unlawful, and dissolved. A receiver will be appointed to deal with its assets. Subject to appeal, the Attorney-General will be em-powered to declare other bodies substantially Communist; to follow the party into any new form and attach illegality to that new association.
November 10th, 1949
communism economy employment family immigration White Australia policy socialismAustralian Labor stands for the establishment and expansion of industry in all its forms. Industry furnishes an ever increasing local market for the consumption of local products. Tariff protection is one of the methods by which national economic expansion can be secured. Labor endorses not only protection at the customs but every method whereby the self-sustaining power of the nation can be extended.
October 9th, 1925
economy health employment industrial relations tradeI can give you no better advice than to tune in with Britain. Trust the United Australia Party as the British people trusted the United British Party. Turn a deaf ear and a blind eye, as they did, to proposals for financial tricks and devices. Resolve as they did to stick to the old sane ways in Government and in finance.
December 2nd, 1931
communism defence economy industrial relations tradeThe Labor Party pledges itself to take every measure necessary to halt the present disastrous inflation. To do that, a programme is required to stabilise the Australian economy.
March 28th, 1951
communism economy health immigration Indigenous affairs industrial relations social securityDuring our period of office, we have seen increases in wealth in trade, in the areas of crops, in banking assets and banking deposits in savings, bank deposits in the number of depositors, in marriages, in births and in immigration. We have built, manned and equipped an Australian navy with our own money, and established an effective defence force.
March 31st, 1913
defence economy communications and technology federal capital federal-state relations foreign affairs health industrial relations infrastructure social security trade White Australia policyInflation is Labor’s greatest failure. It is at its highest rate for 20 years–and going up! No amount of wishful talking will convince the shopper or shopkeeper that the highest inflation rate in the March 14 quarter for more than 20 years which has been just published is a success.
April 30th, 1974
defence economy education foreign affairs health infrastructure social security womenThis is no time for kid gloves or beating about the bush. It is the time for plain speaking. It is a fight to a finish. It is no time for mealy-mouthed speaking. We must say what we believe in this fight. You must do your duty the same as the men who are fighting your battles, and if you do it half as well we shall win the greatest victory ever known in Australia.
March 27th, 1917
defence economy immigration trade