GOULBURN ADDRESS MONDAY 8 DECEMBER, 1975
IN THIS ELECTION CAMPAIGN, THE LIBERAL AND NATIONAL
COUNTRY PARTIES HAVE PUT FORWARD POSITIVE AND
CONSTRUCTIVE POLICIES WHICH COME TO GRIPS WITH THE
PROBLEMS FACING AUSTRALIA.
THE A. L. P. HAS NOT OFFERED ONE CONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTION
ONil THESE PROBLEMS,
THE CLOSEST MR. WHITLAM CAME TO CONSTRUCTIVE POLICIES
WAS WHEN HE HELP UP A COPY OF OUR POLICIES EVEN
THEN HE HELD THEM AT ARM'S LENGTH,
IN THE FIRST WEEK OF THE CAMPAIGN, MR. WHITLAM
SAID HE WAS GOING TO STAND ON. HIS RECORD THE
ONLY PROBLEM WAS, WHICH RECORD WAS HE GOING TO STAND
ON RECORD INFLATION, RECORD INDUSTRIAL STRIFE,
OR RECORD UNEMPLOYMENT.
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BUT PERHAPS WE ARE EXAGGERATING MR. WHITLAM'S
FAILURE TO DEAL WITH THE UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEMI
THOUGH HE COULDN'T FIND A JOB FOR 400,000 AUSTRALIANS,
HE CERTAINLY SUCCEEDED IN FINDING A JOB FOR HIS SON,
LABOR'S INCOMPETENCE LEAVES MORE THAN ENOUGH
SCOPE FOR JOKES ABOUT MR. WHITLAM AND HIS MINISTRY
OF SACKED MEN LABOR'S SAD SACKS,
BUT TODAY, WE MUST TALK SERIOUSLY ABOUT THE TYPE
OF AUSTRALIA WE WANT.
ON DECEMBER 13, YOU WILL BE DECIDING THE FUTURE
OF AUSTRALIA.
YOU WILL DECIDE WHAT KIND OF COUNTRY YOU WANT
FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN
DO YOU WANT A SOCIALIST-AUSTRALIA?
DOMINATED BY BIG-GOVERNMENT; BIG BUREAUCRACY,
BY FORMS, RED TAPE; REGULATIONS AN4D CONTROLS?
DO YOU WANT AUSTRALIA RUINED BY SOCIALIST
I NCOMPETENCE?
OR DO YOU WANT AUSTRALIA TO BE FREE, DEMOCRATIC
AND PROSPEROUS?
OUR WAY OF LIFE HAS BEEN BUILT BY PEOPLE FROM
ALMOST EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.
YOU OR YOUR PARENTS OR YOUR GRANDPARENTS CAME
TO AUSTRALIA BECAUSE IT WAS A NEW COUNTRY
A FREE COUNTRY WHEN MEN AND WOMEN COULD DECIDE
FOR THEMSELVES HO' 14. T-HEY WIANTED TO LIVE THEIR LIVES-.
PEOPLE HAVE COME TO AUSTRALIA BECAUSE IT IS
A LAND OF OPPORIUITY--A LAND FREE FROM THE
FEARS, THE WARS OF OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.
THE MOST ENTERPRISING, THE MOST ADVENTUROUS
THE MOST FAR-SIGHTED FROM OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE
MADE THE LONG JOURNEY TO AUSTRALIA.
TOGETHER ALL OF YOU HERE OUR PARENTS AND
OUR GRANDPARENTS HAVE BUILT A COUNTRY TO BE
PROUD OF
AUSTRALIANS CAN HOLD THEIR HEADS UP ANYWHERE
IN THE WORLD FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS.
IiN SPORT
IN MEDICAL RESEARCH
IiN THE ARTS, MUSIC, PAINTING, WRITING
IN THE GREAT ENTERPRISE AND VISION
IT HAS TAKEN TO BUILD AUSTRALIA
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BUT OUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT AS A PEOPLE IS THAT
WE HAVE BUILT A COUNTRY WHICH CAN GUARANTEE A DECENT
LIFE FOR ALL AUSTRALIANS RICH AND POOR, IN THE
CITIES AND IN THE COUNTRY, OLD AND NEW
NO OTHER COUNTRY CAN OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY, THE
SOCIAL EQUALITY, THE TOLERANCE, THE FREEDOM, THE
CONCERN FOR ONE'S FELLOWMAN, THE GOOD LIFE
THAT AUSTRALIANS CAN ENJOY,
NO OTHER COUNTRY HAS THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE
TO BE AN EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD OF WHAT FREE PEOPLE
CAN DO.
WE HAVE ACHIEVED THE BEST. BECAUSE WE HAVE
ENCOURAGED THE BEST-BY ENCOURAGING THE BEST
EFFORTS OF ALL WE tAN PROVIDE THE BEST LIFE
TO ALL
THIS IS THE AUSTRALIAN WAY
THE IDEALS WE ALL SHARE BUILD ON THE BEST
ELEMENTS OF THE AUSTRALIAN WAY
WE WANT EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
FOR ALL
WE WANT-TO ASSIST OTHE VERY BEST OF
OUR ABILITY THE DISADVANTAGED AND
THOSE IN NEED
WE WANT TO PROVIDE ALL AUSTRALIANS WITH A
BASIC LEVEL OF SECURITY BELOW WHICH NO-ONE CAN
INVOLUNTARILY FALL
* WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT ALL AUSTRALIANS
CAN FIND A JOB -AND A SATISFYING JOB
aw./ WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE DIFFERENT TALENTS
THAT PEOPLE HAVE -AND TO BE TOLERANT OF
DIFFERENCES
WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COMPETE
TO DO BETTER TO IMPROVE THEIR OWN
PERFORMANCE WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE AN APPRECIATION
AND ADMIRATION OF ACHIEVEMENT SO THAT WE CANJ
BUILD A GREAT AUSTRALIA
WE WANT FREEDOM SO THAT PEOPLE CAN CONTROL
THEIR OWN LIVES, MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS,
FREEDOM FROM DICTATION AND DOMINATION BY
POLITICIANS AND CIVIL SERVANTS.
WE WANT AN AUSTRALIA BASED ON MUTUAL RESPECT
BETWEEN ALL PEOPLE AN AUSTRALIA WHERE
PEOPLE CAN RECOGNISE AND WORK TOGETHER IN
THE COMMON INTEREST
THAT IS THE KIND OF AUSTRALIA WE WANT
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I BELIEVE THAT IS THE KIND OF AUSTRALIA YOU WANT
THAT IS NOT THE KIND OF AUSTRALIA WE HAVE BEEN
GETTING FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS
FOR-THE LAST THREE YEARS THE LABOR PARTY HAS BEEN
WRECKING AUSTRALIA IN ITS EFFORTS TO IMPOSE
GREATER ANID GREATER GOVERNMENT CONTROL OVER EVERY
ASPECT OF OUR LIVES
MORE AND MORE GOVERNMEIIT SPENDING AND
EXTRAVAGANCE HIGHER AND HIGHER TAXES
MORE AND MORE BUREAUCRACY, REGULATIONS
AND CONTROLS
HAVE ALL DONE IMMENSE DAMAGE TO AUSTRALIA -MUCH
GREATER DAMAGE THAN MANY PEOPLE REALISE
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BECAUSE INCOME TAX COLLECTED HAS GONE UP
2 TIMES MOST OF AUSTRALIA'S FAMILIES FIND
IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO MEET THEIR
OWN NEEDS AS THEY SEE FIT
NO WONDER PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS
MEET, AS A RESULT OF LABOR'S TAXES YOU HAVE TO WORK
AN EXTRA MONTH A YEAR JUST TO PAY THE
GOVERNMENTS BILLS
WE WILL PUT AN END TO EXTRAVAGANCE AND WASTE
LABOR'STAXES HAVE WIPED OUTTENS OF THOUSANDS
OF-JOBS-IN PRIVATE ENTERPRISE
THE MONEY THAT SHOULD HAVE GONE INTO
BUILDING-FACTORIES, BUYING MACHINES,
PROVIDING JOBS-HAS BEEN PAID IN TAXES TO
THE GOVERNMENT
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UNDER LABOR AN AVERAGE OF 207 JOBS HAVE
BEEN LOST EVERY DAY FOR THREE YEARS
ONE JOB EVERY SEVEN MINUTES
IT TOOK MR WHITLAM TO EXPORT OVERSEAS
THE JOBS OF SO MANY THOUSANDS OF AUSTRALIANS
ONLY GOUGH COULD DO IT,
SOME ACHIEVEMENT, SOME RECORD?
WE WILL RESTORE INCENTIVES AND GET AUSTRALIA
MOVING AGAIN.
LABOR'S TAXES, LABOR'S SOCIALISM
FORCED UP PRICES.
GAVE US THE WORST PERIOD OF RISING PRICES,
THE HIGHEST INTEREST RATES IN AUSTRALIA'S
HISTORY.
MR-WHITLAM SAYS LABOR HAS LIVING-POLICIES
HIS POLICIES MAY BE LIVING BUT THEY'RE KILLING
AUSTRALIA.
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ON TOP OF ALL THIS WE HAVE HAD THREE YEARS OF
A GOVERNMENT WHICH HAS DEGRADED THE STANDARDS OF
PUBLIC LIFE
NEVER BEFORE HAVE TWO MEN WHO WERE ACTING
P. M. BEEN SACKED FOR DECEIVING THE PARLIAMENT
NEVER BEFORE HAS A P. M. HAD TO BE SACKED
BECAUSE HE TRIED TO GOVERN WITHOUT PARLIAMENT
BECAUSE HE WAS PREPARED TO DAMAGE AUSTRALIA
RATHER THAN FACE HIS MASTERS AND OURS
THE PEOPLE
AUSTRALIA CAN'T STAND THREE MORE YEARS OF THIS
KIND OF GOVERNMENT
YOU CAN TAKE A STAND FOR AUSTRALIA ON DECEMBER 13
YOU CAN END LABOR'S TAX RIP-OFF AND GIVE
REAL HELP TO AUSTRALIA'S FAMILIES
OUR TAX REFORMS WILL DO THIS
YOU CAN GIVE POWER TO THE LEVELS OF
GOVERNMENT CLOSEST TO THE PEOPLE,
TO STATE. AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
OUR POLICIES WILL GIVE REAL FINANCIAL
INDEPENDENCE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT
WE WILL STOP CANBERRA DICTATING TO EVERY
OTHER GOVERNMENT IN AUSTRALIA,
YOU CAN TAKE ACTION TO START JOB OPPORTUNITIES
S EXPANDING AGAIN ON DECEMBER 13
WE WILL GIVE INCENTIVE TO BUSINESS
ESPECIALLY SMALL BUSINESS, TO START
PROVIDING JOBS AGAIN.
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11
ON DECEMBER 13 YOU CAN GIVE AUSTRALIA A
GOVERNMENT WHICH UNDERSTANDS THE PROBLEMS
OF FARMERS AND IS PREPARED TO DO SOMETHING
ABOUT THEM
THERE CAN BE NO PROSPERITY IN AUSTRALIA UNLESS THE
INTERDEPENDENCE OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE COUNTRY
AND IN THE CITY,
OUR POLICIES RECOGNISE THAT THE INTERESTS OF PEOPLE
WHO LIVE IN THE COUNTRY AND PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE
GREAT CITIES ARE INTERDEPENDENT.
WE WILL-GIVE THE RURAL COMMUNITY THE CONFIDENCE
AND CERTAINTY IT SO DESPERATELY NEEDS.
WE WILL INITIATE THE FARM INCOME RESERVE FUND.
WE WILL ESTABLISH A RURAL
FINAiNCE, BANK FOR LONG-TERM
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AS RECOMMENDED BY THE I. A. C. THE SUPERPHOSPHATE
BOUi'iTY WILL BE RE-ESTABLISHED AND ASSISTANCE
WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE DEPRESSED BEEF
INDUSTRY.
WE WILL CONTINUE THE RESERVE PRICE SCHEME
FOR WOOL AT NOT LESS THAN 250½ A KILO
THROUGHOUT THE 1976-77 SEASON. THIS WILL
GIVE LONG-TERM CONFIDENCE TO THE INDUSTRY.
WE WILL EASE ELIGIBILITY PROVISIONS FOR
UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS.
ON DECEMBER 13 YOU CAN GIVE AUSTRALIA A GOVERNMENT
WILL WILL TAKE POSITIVE ACTION TO IMPROVE INDUSTRIAL
RELATIONS WE WILL GIVE THE AUSTRALIAN WORKER A CHANCE
TO CONTROL HIS OWN UNION
WE WILL INTRODUCE SECRET BALLOTS FOR. ALL
ELECTED OFFICIALS UNDER ELECTORAL OFFICE SUPERVISION
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IN EDUCATION OUR COMMITMENTS ARE ALSO CLEAR.
WE W4ILL RESTORE THE TRIENNIAL FUINDING OF
EDUCATION THAT LABOR HAD TO ABANDON.
WE WILL USE OUR FUNDING TO OVERCOME THE
INADEQUACIES IN EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
WHICH SEVERELY LIMIT THE EDUCATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES OF CHILDREN I MANY AREAS.
WE WILL MAK( E SPECIAL PROVISION FOR DISADVANTAGED
CHILDREN HANDICAPPED, ISOLATED, MIGRANT ANID
ABORIGINAL CHILDREN,
WE SUPPORT GIVING A BASIC GRANT TO CHILDREN
AT ALL SCHOOLS BOTH GOVERNMENT AND
NON-GOVERNMENT WHERE PUPILS ARE SUBJECT
TO EDUCATIONAL DISADVANTAGE WE WILL ENSURE
THAT THEY RECEIVE EXTRA FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
SUCH A SYSTEM WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE
SCHOOLS COMMISSION HI-IT1S RECENT REPORT.
LABOR A. C. T.
r
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ON DECEM1BER 13 YOU CAN GIVE GENUINE
SECURITY TO THE DISADVANTAGED BASED
ON REAL PROSPERITY.
WE WILL MAINTAIN MEDIBANK.
WE WILL MAINTAIN THE REAL VALUE OF PENSIONS.
YOU CAN VOTE ON DECEMBER 13, TO RESTORE
AUSTRALIA'S DEFENCES.
WE WILL NOT GIVE YOUR MONEY TO
AFRICAN TERRORISTS.
WE WILL REVERSE MR WHITLAM'S RECOGNITION
OF THE SOVIET OCCUPATION OF THE BALTIC
STATES.
WE WILL WORK IN OUR REGIOii ANlD ALL NATIONS
WITH WHICH WE HAVE PHILOSOPHICAL COMMITMENTS
IN COMMON.
TOGETHER WE CAN BUILD AN AUSTRALIA IN WHICH
EVERYONE HAS A CHANCE TO FIND SELF-RESPECT
AND SELF-FULFILLMENT IN THEIR OWN WAY
NOT CRUSHED INTO A MOULD OF SOCIALIST CONFORMITY,
WE CAN BUILD AN AUSTRALIA IN WHICH ALL CHILDREN
START OUT IN LIFE WITH DECENT OPPORTUNITIES TO
ACHIEVE TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITIES.
AN AUSTRALIA IN WHICH PEOPLE TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR
WORK AND ARE REWARDED, NOT PENALISED FOR DOING
THEIR BEST.
AN AUSTRALIA IN WHICH PARENTS CAN TAKE PRIDE
IN HANDING ON TO THEIR CHILDREN THE VALUES
THEY BELIEVE IN.
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AN AUSTRALIA IN WHICH PEOPLE ARE PREPARED TO
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS.
AN AUSTRALIA IN WHICH PEOPLE RECOGNISE THEIR
COMMON INTERESTS AS WELL AS THEIR IMMEDIATE
PERSONAL INTEREST.
AN AUSTRALIA IN WHICH ALL ARE SECURE IN A
MATERIAL SENSE, BUT WHERE SPIRITUAL AND ARTISTIC
VALUES ARE APPRECIATED AND ENCOURAGED.
AN AUSTRALIA WHERE THERE IS JUSTICE FOR ALL,
AND WHERE ALL MEN ARE FREE TO LIVE IN DIGNITY
AND SELF-RESPECT.
THIS AUSTRALIA CAN BE OURS.
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IT CAN BE OURS IF YOU VOTE FOR FREEDOM AND
PROSPERITY ON DECEMBER 13,
BUT WE CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE THE OUTCOME
OF DECEMBER 13 FOR GRANTED.
WE CANNOT AFFORD TO BE COMPLACENT.
ONLY IF WE CONTINUE OUR UTMOST EFFORTS CAN WE
LOOK FORWARD TO A BRIGHT NEW FUTURE.
ON DECEMBER 13 YOU CAN TURN ON THE LIGHTS,
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