E&OE....................................................................................................
JOURNALIST:
The tax package, is it an election winner?
PRIME MINISTER:
The tax plan is good for Australia. That's our goal, to give
Australia a stronger, more secure, more optimistic move into the
21st Century. This is generational tax reform. It will
boost the growth and the strength of the Australian economy. It
will generate more jobs. It will historically reform Commonwealth/State
financial relations. And it will be widely applauded by fair-minded
Australians. It is, above all, a great investment of faith and hope
in the future of our country.
JOURNALIST:
And were you buoyed by the response yesterday by your backbench?
PRIME MINISTER:
The backbench was very strongly in favour of the plan. They see
that it represents a powerful and unambiguous vision about the future
economic direction of Australia.
JOURNALIST:
What about people like Bob Katter?
PRIME MINISTER:
Everybody will love this plan.
JOURNALIST:
He says that the Party Room was only shown half of the plan.
PRIME MINISTER:
Look, I don't comment on comments.
JOURNALIST:
What do you think the public reaction will be like later in the
day, Prime Minister?
PRIME MINISTER:
I'm very optimistic because it is a comprehensive plan. It's
not a grab bag of isolated tax changes. It is a coherent, integrated
plan which looks to the future. It is, above everything else, good
for Australia's future. Australians are altruistic, fair-minded,
decent people. If they see that something is good for their country
and that it is fair to the underprivileged in the community, they'll
back it. And on both of those tests, this plan will pass with flying
colours.
JOURNALIST:
So how important a day is today for your Government?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well, it's a very important day for Australia. This is a national
interest issue. This is about Australia's future.
JOURNALIST:
Will provisional taxpayers be happy?
PRIME MINISTER:
There are lots of things, some you've not dreamt of.
[ends]