Dr Brendan Nelson - Real Life Experience and Leadership

Jobs for the boys, flying blind, and the butler: Week 1, Senate Estimates

Labor's anti-modelling approach to Government - Week Two - Senate Estimates

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Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
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Policies & Plans

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OUR POLICIES AND PLANS

The Liberals’ 9-Point Plan to protect and grow Australia.

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Election 2007: Coalition Policies

Date	Policy Documents
22 November 2007	Australia: A Significant Country Under the Coalition, Australia has both played an important leadership role in our own neighbourhood and proved itself willing to fulfil broader international responsibilities with confidence and resolve. Our international standing has never been higher. All Australians can be proud of the significant role our country is playing globally and in our region.
22 November 2007	Australian Women: Security and Opportunity The Coalition recognises the central role women play in the life of the Australian community. While women have achieved significant gains in terms of the choices and opportunities available to them over the last 11 years, they still face significant challenges and pressures in realising their personal goals and aspirations. The challenges and choices women have to make are as varied and different as the women who make them. There is no one answer for women in resolving the often competing demands of work and family life, or in ensuring opportunities for economic and social participation by women.
22 November 2007	Strong Support for Far North Queensland The Coalition Government has presided over a period in which Australians have experienced low inflation, low interest rates and an unemployment rate which has nearly halved to just over 4 per cent. Unemployment in Far North Queensland currently stands at 3.4 per cent. It was more than 10 per cent in 1996. The Coalition’s priority for the future is to implement policies that can strengthen the economy further to support more job creation and a national unemployment rate of 3 per cent.
22 November 2007	Suppporting a Strong Western Australia The Coalition Government has presided over a period in which Australians have experienced low inflation, low interest rates and an unemployment rate which has nearly halved to just over 4 per cent. The Coalition’s plan for the future, is to implement policies that can strengthen the economy further to support more job creation to reach our goal of a national unemployment rate of 3 per cent during the next 3 years. At a time of turbulence in the global economy, Australia needs the strong and experienced leadership being offered by the Coalition to entrench our hard won prosperity and our future security.
22 November 2007	Supporting Western Sydney The Coalition Government has a comprehensive plan to support the people, communities and businesses of Western Sydney. Western Sydney residents, like all Australians, are keen to take advantage of the opportunities that a strong and growing economy offers. These opportunities include the creation of thousands of new jobs so that people can not only get a job but they can get the job they want.
22 November 2007	Partnerships For Regional Growth Regional Australia is a special part of our nation. It is home to a third of the population – 7.5 million people live outside our capital cities. It is the source of much of our export wealth, the destination for millions of inbound tourists and the inspiration for many of the myths and legends that make up our national identity.
22 November 2007	Securing Australia's Sporting Future Australia is a great sporting nation. We love playing it, watching it, and excelling in it. On a per capita basis, we have headed the medal tally at the last two Olympic Games, and we dominate the sports of cricket, rugby, hockey, netball and swimming. In recent years, we have fallen in love with football, which many people still call soccer. We excel in games which are entirely our own, such as Australian Rules Football, and we are sharing them with the world.
21 November 2007	Our 2020 Plan for Australia's Transport Future Australia’s roads and railways are the arteries of our nation. The Coalition understands these arteries must be continually developed and maintained in a strategic and targeted manner in order to ensure a safe and efficient transport network that moves families from home to work and goods from producers to consumers.
21 November 2007	Keeping Australia's Finances Strong Strong, disciplined financial management has always been and remains a core philosophical principle for the Coalition. Since 1996 the Coalition Government has worked to strengthen Australia’s public finances.
21 November 2007	Getting Tough on Hoons, Vandals & Violence A re-elected Coalition Government has a plan to help local communities crack down on crime and tackle hoons and vandals, through practical measures like closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, portable heavy rubber speed humps and additional security in crime hotspots.
21 November 2007	Building a Safe, Strong and Prosperous Northern Territory Over the past eleven and a half years the Northern Territory has prospered under the policies of the Coalition Government. Unemployment in the Territory currently stands at 4.6 per cent, compared with 7.8 per cent in 1996. Around the Darwin area alone, unemployment has plummeted from 5.8 per cent in 1996 to just 1.9 per cent today. There are more than 3,500 apprentices in training, compared with just 920 in 1996.
20 November 2007	Building A Strong, Safe and Prosperous Tasmania The Coalition Government has presided over a period in which Australians have experienced low inflation, low interest rates and an unemployment rate which has nearly halved to just over 4 per cent.
20 November 2007	Our 2020 Plan for Tasmanis's Transport Future Only the Coalition’s strong record of economic management can provide a policy of this magnitude that will deliver real transport improvements for Tasmania.
20 November 2007	Making Every Drop Count A re-elected Coalition Government will deliver practical urban water projects and implement a National Urban Water Plan to deliver urban water security for Australia.
20 November 2007	A Climate Resilient Future: A Clean Energy Plan for Australia The Coalition is committed to growing Australia’s economy, in a way that is responsible, not just in terms of locking in national prosperity but also in terms of protecting our environment and our way of life.
19 November 2007	Forestry For The Future As a result of this balanced approach, Australia's forest sector is now a world leader in sustainable forest management, protecting both the environment and jobs.
18 November 2007	Tough on Drugs The Coalition’s Tough on Drugs initiative tackles drug abuse at all levels, with measures designed to halt supply, reduce demand and assist people with drug abuse problems into treatment.
15 November 2007	The Coalition's Plan for Better Public Hospitals & Health Care The Coalition is committed to keeping Australia’s economy strong and growing. This enables us to invest in practical plans that support Australian families. Australia has a good health system by international standards, particularly Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. However we believe public hospitals, many of which are staffed by world leading medical professionals, are under pressure.
14 November 2007	Strengthening & Protecting Australia's Fishing Industry Australia’s fish stocks and fisheries are among our most valuable natural assets, with seafood exports worth $1.6 billion in 2005-06. The Australian seafood industry generates more than $2 billion each year at the point of first sale, supplies fresh local seafood to domestic consumers and supports thousands of jobs, particularly in regional areas. Recreational fishing is one of our most popular national pastimes, with over three million Australians wetting a line annually. Recreational and sport fishing also makes a significant contribution to the economies of many regional communities.
14 November 2007	Australian Aviation - Aiming Even Higher As an island nation Australia is heavily reliant on air transport for the movement of passengers and trade. The Australian aviation industry is currently experiencing strong growth characterised by record passenger numbers, increased flying training hours and unprecedented development in airport infrastructure. This brings benefits for all Australians with flow-on benefits throughout the economy, including our enormous tourism industry.
13 November 2007	Agriculture Advancing A strong and profitable agricultural sector is vital to Australia’s future prosperity. Our innovative agriculture, fishing, forest and food industries continue to make a vital contribution to our economy and our community. Rural communities provide the social fabric across much of Australia and our farmers have stewardship of two-thirds of our natural resources and landscape.
12 November 2007	Helping Families to Provide More Education Opportunities for Their Children The Coalition believes that Australian children deserve the best possible start in life. We believe that the values and habits children learn early are the ones they take with them throughout their life. Parents have the greatest responsibility for choosing how children start and proceed through their early years and schooling.
12 November 2007	Biofuels for the Future: The Coalition's plan for Alternative Fuels The Coalition has a long-term plan to give motorists the choice of cheaper, cleaner biofuels. We are also committed to supporting the development of a sustainable Australian biofuels industry.
12 November 2007	New Summer School for Teachers to Support Students with Special Needs The Coalition believes that all Australian children deserve the opportunity to fulfil their potential. We also recognise that some students, particularly those with special needs may need extra support to reach their goals and dreams.
12 November 2007	Saving for the Future: Helping young Australians buy their own home The Coalition’s disciplined economic management has delivered a strong, stable and growing Australian economy.
12 November 2007	Improving Financial Literacy Australians know the first basic principle of managing money – if you spend more than you earn, you go into debt. Going into debt means paying extra in interest – dead money that could otherwise be spent on other priorities, such as your family, a holiday, or invested to secure your future in retirement.
12 November 2007	Better Child Care for Families The Coalition recognises that families are seeking to take advantage of the employment opportunities provided by our strong and growing national economy. The Coalition also recognises families need support to balance their family and work commitments.
12 November 2007	Better Support for Carers Carers are critical to enabling older Australians and people with disabilities to remain living independently at home and in their communities.
10 November 2007	Supporting Our Veterans The Coalition is committed to providing top-quality, comprehensive health care and support services to the veteran community.
10 November 2007	A New ABC Television Channel just for children A re-elected Coalition Government will fully fund a new and dedicated children’s television channel on the ABC with an emphasis on educational and entertaining content for all ages from pre-school through to late teens.
7 November 2007	Employment & Workplace Relations - Targeting Full Employment A more flexible Industrial Relations System.
5 November 2007	Our 2020 Plan for South Australia's Transport Future The largest ever investment in South Australian roads and railways.
4 November 2007	Our 2020 Plan for Sydney's Transport Future Better roads and rail connections for Australia’s biggest city.
4 November 2007	Our 2020 Plan for Victoria's Transport Future Investing in Victoria’s road and rail networks.
4 November 2007	Our 2020 Plan for South East Queensland's Transport Future Building better roads in Australia’s fastest growing region.
3 November 2007	Critical Care at the Royal Darwin Hospital Better cardiac care for the people of Darwin.
1 November 2007	Family Emergency Medical Centres Ensuring easier access to family friendly, after hours medical care.
31 October 2007	Trade - Building a Stronger Economy Helping Australian businesses to grow by opening up overseas markets.
31 October 2007	More Practice Nurses and New Home Visits to older Australians & Veterans Improving health care by helping Australian GPs to employ practice nurses, and ensuring 800,000 home visits by practice nurses over the next four years.
31 October 2007	More Australian-trained Doctors, Nurses and Specialists Training more GPs, medical specialists and nurses.
30 October 2007	New Skills for Small Business Owners and their Employees Helping small business owners and their employees to improve their skills by providing at least 100,000 training vouchers worth up to $1,500 each.
30 October 2007	Our 2020 Plan for Australia's Local Roads An even greater investment in our nation’s roads.
29 October 2007	Building the Australian Technical Colleges of Tomorrow A further 100 Australian Technical Colleges, providing the quality technical education that is critical to our future prosperity.
28 October 2007	New Skills: Vouchers for Training Uncapping the Work Skills Voucher programme, providing opportunities for thousands of Australians to enter the workforce with practical and marketable skills.
28 October 2007	The Coalition's plan for Tasmania: Bass Strait Transport Practical measures to ensure affordable transport to and from Tasmania
26 October 2007	Emerging Renewable Energy: Part of our Clean Energy Plan for Australia Supporting new and emerging renewable energy technologies, enabling Australia to remain at the forefront of renewable energy development.
26 October 2007	Better Cancer Care for Teenagers and Young Adults Improving care and support for young Australians with cancer by helping fund six Collaborative Cancer Centres dedicated to the needs of patients aged 15 to 25.
25 October 2007	Our 2020 Plan for Perth's Transport Future A comprehensive, long term plan to upgrade Perth’s urban road network.
25 October 2007	Healthier Rural Communities - New Clinics Further investment in the Rural Medical Infrastructure Fund, which helps provide walk-in walk-out medical facilities, including dental clinics, in rural Australia.
24 October 2007	Securing Australia: Skills for Australia's Future Defence Ensuring the ADF and defence related industries have the skilled workforce they need.
23 October 2007	More support for pensioners, self funded retirees, people with disabilities and their carers Practical measures to support pensioners, self funded retirees, people with disabilities and their carers.
23 October 2007	Australian Council for Mental Health A practical plan to coordinate services which support Australians with mental illness.
23 October 2007	Tackling the Feral Pest Menace A consolidated, national programme of pest and feral animal control and eradication.
22 October 2007	A Stronger Dental Workforce for Northern Australia Establishing a School of Tropical Dentistry at James Cook University, ensuring more dentists for the people of Northern Australia.
22 October 2007	Better Cancer Care and Support for Women Practical measures to support the more than 15,000 Australian women diagnosed with breast and gynaecological cancers each year.
21 October 2007	Climate Change Fund Ensuring substantial investment in clean energy technology and supporting households most affected by a price on carbon.
19 October 2007	Safety in Our Waters A practical plan to improve water safety in Australia.
15 October 2007	Personal Income Tax Reform - Go for Growth A comprehensive plan to reform Australia’s personal income tax system, ensuring significant income tax cuts for every Australian taxpayer from 1 July 2008 and further cuts in 2009 and 2010.

Australia: Strong, Prosperous and Secure

The coming election boils down to a single question: which side of politics has what it takes to keep Australia strong, prosperous and secure into the future?

The choice is between a Coalition team with a clear policy agenda and a record of doing what’s right for Australia and an untested, union-dominated Labor Party that has failed to spell out how it would make our country better.

Prime Minister - The Hon John Howard MP

Download: Australia: Strong, Prosperous and Secure

This document sets out the Howard Government’s priorities and goals for Australia drawing on key prime ministerial speeches in recent years.

It highlights how this governing agenda has delivered real benefits to Australia.

In the Budget and the months since, the Coalition’s policies have made further progress in implementing this agenda and in the coming election campaign we will announce new plans to keep Australia strong, prosperous and secure into the future.

1. A Foundation of Economic Strength

Taking the tough decisions
Australia is working again
Preparing for the future
Australia’s economic report card

2. Australia in the World

A pivotal nation
National defence
Security at home

3. The Human Dividend

Greater support and more choice for families
Older Australians, Carers and Veterans
Aspiration and fairness: A new synthesis
Lifting all boats

4. Investing for the Future

Land Transport
Education and Training
Broadband
Science and Innovation
Health and Aged Care
Climate Change, Energy and Water Security

5. Australia United

Rural and Regional Australia
Indigenous Australians
Successful Integration
Respecting our history