Dear ,
Last weekend I released Our Plan to build a strong, prosperous economy and a safe, secure Australia which will directly help families with cost of living pressures, small businesses create jobs and keep our borders secure.
Today, Julia Gillard had her chance to put forward her plan for Australia's future and she didn't. Instead, Julia Gillard set out no strategy to grow the economy, refused to commit to getting the budget into surplus, foreshadowed further tax increases on Australian families and retirees, and announced an election date.
Australians woke up this morning with a minority, unstable government which has
broken promise after promise. Instead of providing certainty and stability, Julia Gillard has created even further instability with an election towards the end of the year.
On 14 September, Australians will have the clearest choice in a generation.
The Coalition is ready with clear positive plans for Australia.
My message today is that the Coalition will remove the carbon tax, ease cost of living pressures, create 2 million new jobs, restore stability to government and stop the boats.
We will build a stronger, more productive and diverse economy through lower taxes, more
efficient government and more productive businesses that will deliver more jobs, lower taxes and better services for all Australians.
My team is already working hard and will work every day to earn the support of the Australian people. We have candidates already in the field talking with Australians about our positive plans.
We have clear positive plans for Australia. We will:
* scrap Labor’s carbon tax and help families and small businesses get ahead
* abolish the mining tax and restore confidence to this important sector
* help our businesses grow by abolishing $1 billion a year in red tape and green tape
* build more modern infrastructure and get cranes above our cities again
* deliver better education by putting local communities in charge of improving the performance of local schools
* establish a 15,000 strong green army to make our natural environment cleaner
* get the budget under control and pay back debt by running surpluses from year one, based on the current figures.
We will restore trust – trust in government to keep its word, trust to build a strong economy and trust to deliver a plan that creates jobs so Australians can plan their futures with confidence.
This is our positive plan for Australia. This is the choice we offer Australians. This is the year when Australians can vote for hope, reward and opportunity that this country deserves.
Regards,
Tony Abbott
Oh and Arsie...
Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament
* BEc, LLB (Syd), MA (Oxon).
* Rhodes Scholar.
* Journalist.
* Plant Manager, Pioneer Concrete.
* Press secretary and political adviser to the Leader of the Opposition, Dr JR Hewson 1990-93.
* Executive Director, Australians for Constitutional Monarchy 1993-94.