People Are Happiest When They

I Conclude Where I Began, I Was Elected By The People Of Australia To Do A Job. I Was Not Elected By The Factional Leaders Of Australia, Of The Australian Labor Party To Do A Job - Though They May Be Seeking To Do A Job On Me, That's A Separate Matter. The Challenge Therefore Is To Honour The Mandate Given To Me By The Australian People.

The Alternatives [to The Stimulus Packages] Were To Do Nothing Or, Worse, Effectively Replicate The Premiers' Plan Of 1931 When Governments Cut Expenditure, Thereby Compounding The Problems Created By A Private Sector Already In Retreat. The Result, Of Course, Was An Economic Rout, Appalling Unemployment And A Decade Of Negligible Growth Through The 1930s

But Australia Faces Additional Regional And Global Challenges Also Crucial To Our Nation's Future - Climate Change, Questions Of Energy And Food Security, The Rise Of China And The Rise Of India. And We Need A Strong System Of Global And Regional Relationships And Institutions To Underpin Stability.

Compassion Is Not A Dirty Word. Compassion Is Not A Sign Of Weakness. In My View, Compassion In Politics And In Public Policy Is In Fact A Hallmark Of Great Strength. It Is A Hallmark Of A Society Which Has About It A Decency Which Speaks For Itself.

Building A New Health And Hospitals Network Is Fundamental To Building A Stronger And Fairer Australia.