It was persistently suggested at the last elections that, while the Labor Government was in office, bankers and financiers would not release money for enterprise, and that, with the removal of the Labor Government, millions would flow into industry and employment and prosperity would appear. Thousands of poor people, sorely tried by poverty, voted against their lifetime convictions, but they have had a sad awakening. I am confident that, on this occasion, they will assert their rights as men and women, and, by their votes, will transfer their power to a Labor Government with majorities in both Houses of Parliament. That power, in Labor’s hands, will be used with firmness and with justice. Democracy shall rule Australia, not a financial oligarchy.
August 15th, 1934
agriculture economy employment industrial relations infrastructureOur policies have given people the confidence and incentive to invest in Australia’s future. Australia is ready to go with six thousand million dollars of development in coal, iron ore, bauxite, alumina, petroleum and nickel, in manufacturing industry, in construction and retailing.
November 21st, 1977
economy agriculture arts defence education foreign affairs health immigration Indigenous affairs infrastructure social security trade waterWe believe a nation not only expresses itself through its material achievements, but also through its participation in, and its development of, the arts.
We believe that it is time Australia developed its own film industry and we shall, in our next period of government, establish an Australian Film and Television Development Corporation to administer a Film and Television fund which will invest in, and make loans to, film and television producers for the making of quality films and programmes in Australia with a significant Australian content, and otherwise to encourage the production and distribution overseas of Australian-made films of high quality.
October 9th, 1969
arts defence economy family health immigration agriculture communism education foreign affairs Indigenous affairs infrastructure social security socialism tradeAustralian 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 tradeWe make these assertions: Firstly, that Australians should not be deprived of opportunities which citizens of every comparable country enjoy. Secondly, there is every reason why Australia, wealthy and well-endowed, in many respects incomparably so, should be giving a lead to other nations in the equality of opportunities and the quality of the opportunities we make for our own citizens and in the help we can give to others. Twenty years ago, Australia was indeed a pioneer and a leader; now we lag behind. It is not for lack of resources; it has been for lack of resourcefulness on the part of a national leadership, bogged down in its own past, shackled by the dogmas of an outdated, doctrinaire philosophy.
October 1st, 1969
agriculture communications and technology defence economy education environment family federal capital federal-state relations foreign affairs health Indigenous affairs industrial relations infrastructure social security trade waterLiberal 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 securityThe war of intervention in Vietnam is ending. The great powers are rethinking and remoulding their relationships and their obligations. Australia cannot stand still at such a time. We cannot afford to limp along with men whose attitudes are rooted in the slogans of the 1950s‚ the slogans of fear and hate. If we made such a mistake, we would make Australia a backwater in our region and a back number in history. The Australian Labor Party‚ vindicated as we have been on all the great issues of the past‚ stands ready to take Australia forward to her rightful, proud, secure and independent place in the future of our region.
November 13th, 1972
defence economy education government administration health Indigenous affairs employment infrastructure agriculture arts foreign affairs social security sport tourism waterOne of the tasks of the new Labor Government will be to restore national pride by providing honest, creative and fair administration of the nation’s affairs.
That is our task and that is our challenge–to stop the rot, to arrest the decline, to restore unity and purpose, to raise the standard.
October 1st, 1980
defence economy education employment family foreign affairs health infrastructure social securityFor let there be no mistake - there can be no economic recovery, there cannot be a beginning towards recovery, until there is a national effort towards national reconciliation.
And that effort must begin with the national leadership and the national Government.
February 16th, 1983
economy education infrastructure arts employment environment foreign affairs health Indigenous affairs social security sport womenAt Mr Howard’s policy launch on Monday there was nothing on climate change. Nothing on water. Nothing on hospitals. Nothing on infrastructure. And whatever amount of money Mr Howard may yet throw at these long standing challenges over the next ten days, it just not going to be real. The truth is, it’s all just too late to be believable.
November 14th, 2007
climate change communications and technology economy education health industrial relations water