Happy anniversary, Julia Gillard.
Three years ago today, Gillard knifed Kevin Rudd, and in her first speech as Prime Minister made these commitments:
I believed that a good Government was losing its way…
- Today I want to make some commitments to the Australian people.
- I want to make firstly a commitment that I will lead a strong and responsible Government that will take control of our future…
- I can assure every Australian that their Budget will be back in surplus in 2013…
- It is my intention to lead a Government that does more to harness the wind and the sun and the new emerging technologies…
- I believe human beings contribute to climate change. And it is as disappointing to me as it is to millions of Australians that we do not have a price on carbon.
- And in the future we will need one. But first we will need to establish a community consensus for action.
- If elected as Prime Minister I will re-prosecute the case for a carbon price at home and abroad. I will do that as global economic conditions improve and as our economy continues to strengthen.
- There is another question on which I will seek consensus and that is the proposed Resources Super Profits Tax.
- Australians are entitled to a fairer share of our inheritance, the mineral wealth that lies in our grounds. They are entitled to that fairer share…
- I can understand that Australians are disturbed when they see boats arrive on our shores unannounced. I can understand that Australians are disturbed by that… I am full of understanding of the perspective of the Australian people that they want strong management of our borders and I will provide it…
- I also believe that it’s important if you lead a team to rely on the collective efforts of the team. We are all enhanced by working in a team together. So it is my intention as Prime Minister to lead a Government that draws on the best efforts of my Cabinet and ministerial colleagues, on the best efforts of each member of our parliamentary executive and the best efforts of each member of our caucus to ensure that our Government is on track.
When Labor asks itself why the public has stopped listening to Gillard, it should resist the comforting fancies some are peddling - that it’s because voters are sexists or the Murdoch media evil.
They should merely read Gillard’s first speech as leader and ask: did she deliver? If not, why believe any other of her promises?
