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February 25th, 2012 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda
‘We can win back disaffected voters.’ Photo: Matt Roberts
ALBO’s [Anthony Albanese] emotion has moved us all. He has risen above the politics of the day.
He has rightly reminded us of what binds all of us together – me, him, Julia. All of us with Labor values. That, whatever our differences, we all want to make Australia a better, fairer place. For Australians. For our children.
See www.theage.com.au for live coverage of the Labor leadership spill from 10am tomorrow.
He reminds us that the reason we want to be in government is to help, to build and to create. He reminds us of the fundamental things that set us apart from our political opponents.
He reminds us that there are some key questions that should animate us. How can we be best placed to defeat Tony Abbott at the next election? How can we save Australia from the ravages that Abbott would bring to us? As Albo has rightly said, Abbott is a reactionary. In the true sense of the word. He just opposes. He cannot create.
He would take Australia backwards – denying climate change, denying our children access to the world’s best broadband, denying us a fair workplace and the jobs that Australia’s working families so desperately need. Australia deserves better than that.
And, let’s be clear, the reality of Australia sliding into the vortex of an Abbott government is a real one. Since 2007, the [Labor] Party has lost the support of 1.5 million voters. The pages of your newspaper tell us that, under my leadership, we would be able to win most of them back.
Let’s put that in stark electoral terms. Without a change, Labor stands to lose 30 or more seats at the next election. No simple defeat. A loss that would set us back for a generation. We’ve got to avoid that. Can we do it? Absolutely we can.
Let’s remind ourselves of what we got done since our election in 2007. First and foremost, we fought off the global financial crisis and kept Australians in work and businesses afloat. Our banks sound. Your savings secure.
Across the Western world, the GFC sent 31 of the world’s 34 advanced economies into recession. Australia, almost uniquely, was spared a recession. Why was that? Because of the stimulus measures that we put in place. That action saved 200,000 jobs.
And that’s not all we did. We abolished WorkChoices. We increased pensions. We acted on climate change through the first mandatory renewal energy target. We invested massively in education. We launched the national broadband network. Increased childcare support. Got Australia into the G20 at leaders level. Apologised to the first Australians.
In 18 months, we got a lot done. It was a busy time, but we worked to build a stronger, more competitive nation. Did we get it all right? No. Would I do some things differently if I had my time again? Of course.
But the fundamental things I stand for have not changed. The vision for a better, fairer, stronger Australia. An Australia that gives workers a fair go. An Australia with a strong manufacturing sector. An Australia where working families are not hopelessly burdened by an ever-escalating cost of living.
I also stand for a more democratic, open [Labor] Party. A party where its members have a real say in who leads them and what policies they deliver. A party that is truly responsive to the Australian people. A party that has dignity at its heart. A party where the representatives of our community feel not just free but compelled to speak and act as they see fit.
In recent days, I’ve had many, many messages of support from people from all walks of life. My office has been inundated.
That’s the voice of the people. Albo had that in mind yesterday. He said that he had listened to the people of his community, called his constituents and taken their advice. We need more of that if our party is to thrive and prosper. Because it’s to the people, and to our great nation, that we are ultimately accountable.
Kevin Rudd was prime minister from 2007 to 2010. He resigned as foreign minister last week.
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