Our Plan Real Solutions for all Australians The direction, values and policy priorities of the next Coalition Government. Sixteen page summary

Transcription

1 Our Plan Real Solutions for all Australians The direction, values and policy priorities of the next Coalition Government. Sixteen page summary

2 A summary of the Coalition s top policy priorities We will deliver a strong, prosperous economy and a safe, secure Australia. Build a stronger economy Get the budget under control Scrap the carbon tax Help small business grow 1. We will build a stronger, more productive and diverse economy with lower taxes, more efficient government and more productive businesses, delivering more jobs, higher real incomes and better services for you and your family. 2. We will secure prosperity by getting the Budget back under control, cutting waste and reducing debt to keep interest rates as low as possible and to protect the Australian economy from economic shocks. 3. We will help families get ahead by freeing them from the carbon tax, protecting Australian jobs and reducing cost-of-living pressures, especially rising electricity and gas prices. 4. We will help small businesses grow and create more jobs by reducing business costs and cutting taxes, as well as cutting red and green tape costs by $1 billion every year. Build a diverse 5-Pillar economy Generate two million new jobs Build more modern infrastructure Deliver better health 5. We will create stronger jobs growth by building a more diverse, 5-Pillar economy through: 1. Manufacturing Innovation 2. Advanced Services 3. Agriculture Exports 4. Education and Research 5. Mining Exports. 6. We will generate one million new jobs over the next five years and two million new jobs within ten years by growing a bigger, more productive and prosperous economy. 7. We will build more modern roads and infrastructure to boost productivity and to get Australia moving, with a special emphasis on reducing the bottlenecks on our major gridlocked roads and highways. 8. We will deliver better health services by increasing co-operation with the states and territories empowering local hospital boards, communities and experts to improve the performance of hospitals at the local level. Deliver better education Reduce carbon emissions Deliver stronger borders Deliver stable government 9. We will deliver better schools, encourage better teachers, better teaching and give principals, communities and parents a greater say over schools. 10. We will take direct action to reduce carbon emissions inside Australia, not overseas and also establish a 15,000-strong Green Army to clean up the environment. 11. We will deliver stronger borders where the boats are stopped with tough, proven measures. 12. Our strong, experienced, united team will deliver a strong and stable government that restores confidence and accountability to you, delivering more for families and a better future for all Australians. MAY 2013 This document sets out the direction, values and policy priorities of the next coalition government. Further detailed policies will be released in the lead up to the election.

3 Delivering a strong, prosperous economy and a safe, secure Australia In the three years since the last election, my colleagues and I have travelled to all parts of Australia listening and talking with people about their lives and their hopes for our country. We have also consulted with experts about opportunities to harness Australia s great potential. From these conversations we have developed our plan to offer Hope, Reward and Opportunity for all Australians. Our plan is to build a stronger Australia by building a stronger economy, stronger communities, a cleaner environment, stronger borders and more modern infrastructure. The Coalition s priority is to build a stronger, more productive and diverse economy through lower taxes, more efficient government and more productive businesses that will deliver more jobs, higher wages and better services for all Australians. With a modernised economy and the right policies, Australians can have competitive manufacturing industries, a dynamic services sector, a growing knowledge economy, as well as strong and growing agriculture and mining industries. We can also have a strong, vibrant small business sector creating stronger jobs growth. Based on our plan I am confident that within five years our economy can deliver at least one million new jobs; and two million new jobs within the next ten years. On September 14, Australians have the starkest choice in a generation. Australians can choose a strong, experienced and united Coalition government that will deliver a strong, prosperous economy with less taxes, less waste and less debt; more for families; better local services; secure borders; and two million new jobs in a strong and growing, diverse 21st century economy. Our vision for Australia is grounded in the belief that I expressed in my very first speech to the Parliament 19 years ago, that there is no limit to what Australia can achieve. In the seven parliaments I have served in since that first speech, I have not wavered in my belief that our best days as a nation are still ahead of us. Here, in these pages, is the stronger Australia a truly 21st century Australia that the next Coalition Government will build. This is the Australia that we believe in. Tony Abbott in his office, Parliament House, Canberra. There is no limit to what Australia can achieve. Tony Abbott May 1994 Real Solutions for all Australians 3

4 1. The Coalition s Plan: building a stronger 21st century Australia We stand for active government not big government. Tony Abbott May 1994 Our positive, inclusive vision for Australia We believe in backing Australia and we believe there is no limit to what Australia can achieve. That s why our plan is to build a stronger, more productive and prosperous Australia a truly 21st century Australia so that all Australians can get ahead in the global economy and have a better future. With your support: we will deliver real hope for a brighter future with genuine cost-of-living relief; we will deliver real rewards with lower taxes and higher wages to keep more in your pocket; we will deliver real opportunities with a stronger economy and two million new jobs. With your support we will deliver a strong, prosperous economy and a safe, secure Australia. We will offer every Australian Hope, Reward and Opportunity. Our aim is to deliver a better future for all Australians With our Plan we are backing all Australians so that every Australian can get ahead and build a better life in the best country in the world. Our aim is to deliver a stronger Australia; a strong and prosperous economy; a safe and secure nation with secure borders and a strong defence force; a decent and respectful society that gives a fair go to all and encourages people to thrive and get ahead; a country with a network of strong communities with more modern roads and infrastructure; a land with a cleaner environment and a more sustainable future; a country with a culture of Hope, Reward and Opportunity; and a Rapidly rising electricity prices are hurting Australian families. country that is a more prosperous, safe and secure place to live. Australians deserve to live in the best country in the world We are a great country and a great people let down by a bad government. We need to remove the shackles and tax burdens holding Australia back and unleash Australia s real potential. It s time to build a truly strong, productive and prosperous 21st century Australia. After all, Australians deserve to live in the best country in the world with the best prospects for the future. Australians deserve better government. 4 Real Solutions for all Australians

5 2. A time for a decision about the future The key challenge facing Australia the nation s future growth and prosperity. On September 14, Australians face the starkest choice in a generation as they choose a new government. This choice is directly relevant to Australia s future prosperity and the key challenges facing Australia. The need for Australia to succeed in a more fiercely competitive world. The need to build a stronger economy by making real improvements in business conditions, productivity growth and jobs. The need to secure Australia s economic future and restore the nation s finances. Australia needs to restore responsible economic management Labor has been taking Australia down the wrong path and remains fixated on the spending side of the economy rather than on the productive side of the economy the side that actually creates a bigger economy and greater wealth which then helps restore the Budget to a healthy position. The truth is that Australia is falling behind and needs to significantly improve productivity growth if we are to deliver real prosperity for all Australians. Productivity growth has fallen The Economist Intelligence Unit ranks Australia as the second worst of 51 countries for productivity growth ahead only of Botswana. 1 It is imperative that Australia adopts a strong economic plan and begins to repair significant structural budget deficits as quickly as possible to get back on the path to building real prosperity, not false prosperity. NET INTEREST PAYMENTS SOURCE: BUDGET Unfortunately, Labor has no economic plan instead it thinks the answer to every problem is more spending, more debt and more taxes. As a result we are now mortgaging our future, wasting billions on debt interest payments and forcing up taxes. We are forcing our children to pay later for the debt of today $ BILLIONS Australia needs to develop a more productive economy Reckless spending policies are now overriding the productivity-enhancing policies that are vital to Source: Economist Intelligence Unit Workplace Flexibility Index 2011, The Austalian, 1 August 2012 Real Solutions for all Australians 5

6 3. Delivering a strong, prosperous economy The best way to restore politicians standing is to have governments which meddle less and lead more. Tony Abbott May 1994 The importance of a responsible economic strategy We have an economic plan for Australia a plan to deliver a strong, prosperous economy based on the fundamental truth that the best long-term economic strategy for Australia is to get our finances in order, build a strong growth-powered economy with less debt and make Australia more productive and competitive in the global economy. Our plan will deliver more jobs, higher real wages and better living standards for all Australians. The elements of our economic plan We will secure prosperity by living within our means, getting the Budget back under control and paying back debt. We will lower taxes to stimulate stronger economic growth and unleash our real economic potential as a nation. We will boost productivity to secure greater prosperity and build more roads and The Shadow Cabinet considering the policy priorities of the next Coalition Government. infrastructure to get Australia moving. We will deepen our engagement with Asia, boost exports and deliver more growth from Asia. We will help small businesses grow to create stronger jobs growth. We will deliver more new jobs by building a more diverse, 5-Pillar economy through Manufacturing Innovation, Advanced Services, Agriculture, Education and Research and Mining Exports that unleashes Australia s real economic potential. Building a strong, productive and prosperous economy with less debt benefits everyone We believe a strong, productive and prosperous economy, ideally free from the burdens of debt, is the practical basis for realising all our other goals for Australia. 6 Real Solutions for all Australians

7 4. Living within our means and getting the Budget back under control Protecting Australia from a debt crisis paying down debt With Australia s debt now heading well over $300 billion, Australia is more vulnerable to an economic shock and has less protection in the event of a financial crisis. This is why we won t shirk the hard decisions needed to prudently get the Budget back under control and get back on the path to real prosperity. We will manage the economy and Budget responsibly to protect families from economic shocks, unfair high taxes and to ensure our children are not left with an unfair debt legacy. Getting the Budget back under control We will secure prosperity by getting the Budget back under control, start paying down debt so the government won t need to spend over $8 billion a year on wasted interest payments and to take pressure off the high Australian dollar. We will immediately establish a Commission of Audit to identify savings and efficiencies in all areas of government so we get better value for government spending. We will deliver a more effective and responsive public service focused on your needs. We will live within our means and end government waste to repair the Budget. Policy Priority We will secure prosperity by getting the Budget back under control, cutting waste and reducing debt, to keep interest rates as low as possible and to protect the Australian economy from economic shocks. 5. Lowering taxes to unleash our real economic potential Delivering lower taxes and growing a stronger economy We have an economic plan for Australia a plan to lower taxes to stimulate stronger economic growth and make Australia more competitive in the global economy. Lower taxes are the key. We will abolish damaging taxes like the carbon tax and the mining tax to unleash Australia s real economic potential and to encourage businesses to invest and grow and create more jobs. We will declare to the world that Australia is open for business again. We will get the economy growing again. Lowering taxes Personal tax cuts we will keep the current income tax thresholds and the current pension and benefit fortnightly rates while scrapping the carbon tax. Cutting company tax without the mining tax. We will deliver a modest cut in company tax as soon as it is affordable. Scrapping the carbon tax reducing cost-ofliving pressures. We will immediately introduce legislation to scrap the world s biggest carbon tax and start reducing cost of living pressures for all Australians caused by rapidly rising electricity and gas prices. Real Solutions for all Australians 7

8 6. Boosting productivity and securing greater prosperity GLOBAL COMPETITIVE RANKINGS SOURCE: WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM REPORT 2012 Wasteful spending Burden of regulation Transparency in policymaking Pay and productivity Delivering higher productivity growth We will create a stronger economy and deliver higher productivity growth and greater prosperity by: encouraging more people into the workforce; making public institutions more cost effective; cutting government red and green tape; improving competition rules so competitive forces drive productivity growth; getting Australia moving and getting greater value from roads and infrastructure spending; rebalancing workplace relations to reduce union militancy in workplaces and to encourage higher pay for better work. 7. Delivering more growth from Asia Focusing on opportunities in the Asian region We will position Australia to seize the opportunities in the Asian region by strengthening our trading relationships, welcoming investment, boosting our exports and deepening Australia s engagement with countries in Asia. We will modernise and transform our economy and make Australia more productive and competitive. We will develop stronger people-to-people relationships and foster the mind-set and skillsset needed to make the most of Asia s ongoing economic transformation. We will deliver new regional Free Trade Agreements. We will build more opportunities for Australia s exporters. We will develop deeper business working relationships with Asia. We will establish a new two-way Colombo Plan to enable the brightest talent from Australia and other countries to build relationships and learn in each other s countries. We will revive study of foreign languages in schools with an emphasis on Asian languages. 8 Real Solutions for all Australians

9 8. Helping small business create stronger jobs growth Helping small business to grow We have an economic plan for Australia a plan to help small businesses grow and create stronger jobs growth. Employing almost half the workforce in Australia, small businesses are the real job creators in the economy. By unshackling the small business sector we will unleash the potential of small businesses to grow and create more jobs. Lowering taxes and reducing business costs We will get businesses growing by cutting red tape costs to business by $1 billion each year. We will scrap the carbon tax which will reduce business costs and provide a modest cut to company tax when we responsibly can. We will extend unfair contract protection to small business. We will make superannuation payments simpler for small business, by making the ATO responsible for its administration. We will do the paperwork for payment of Paid Parental Leave so that business can get on with the job of growing their businesses. We will streamline environmental approvals. 9. Creating stronger jobs growth by building a more diverse 5-Pillar economy Economic diversification stronger industries more jobs To guard against having all our eggs in the one basket of mining, we will build a stronger, more diverse 5-Pillar economy by building on our strengths as a nation and building stronger industries to produce stronger jobs growth and a wider range of diversified jobs. We will build a world-class economy through: 1. Manufacturing Innovation 2. Advanced Services 3. Agriculture 4. Education and Research 5. Mining Exports. The Coalition understands that small businesses are the real job creators in the economy. Real Solutions for all Australians 9

10 10. Delivering modern infrastructure building a 21st century Australia Policy Priority We will build more modern roads and infrastructure to boost productivity and to get Australia moving with a special emphasis on reducing the bottlenecks on our major gridlocked roads and highways. Building the modern roads and infrastructure Australia urgently needs We will build more modern roads and infrastructure to boost productivity and get Australia moving with a special emphasis on reducing the bottlenecks on major gridlocked roads and highways. We will work closely with Infrastructure Australia, the states and territories and the private sector to accelerate the building program. Big new projects will be underway within 12 months of a change of government on Melbourne s East-West Link, Sydney s WestConnex, Brisbane s Gateway Motorway upgrade, Adelaide s South Road and Tasmania s Midland Highway and key roads in Perth and parts of the Bruce Highway. We will build the Sydney F3 to M2 link and the Toowoomba Range crossing as priorities and we will duplicate the Pacific Highway within this decade. Delivering a more practical, affordable NBN sooner, not later Within three years, the Coalition s NBN will deliver broadband speeds at least five times faster than the current average for $60 billion less than Labor s version. We will protect taxpayers from Labor s expensive and delayed roll-out of the NBN. 11. Delivering two million new jobs, higher wages and higher living standards LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYED SOURCE: ABS, LABOUR FORCE 71,000 79, , , , ,000 90,000 60,000 30,000 Delivering stronger jobs growth and a bigger economy Our economic plan will deliver stronger jobs growth right across Australia by lowering taxes; by boosting productivity growth; by helping small businesses grow and by growing a bigger, more productive and diverse 5-Pillar economy that unleashes Australia s real economic potential. Delivering two million new jobs over the next decade We will generate one million new jobs over the next five years and two million new jobs over the next ten years as we grow a bigger, more productive and prosperous economy. 10 Real Solutions for all Australians

11 12. Delivering more for families Helping families reducing cost-of-living pressures We believe that strong families are the bedrock of a healthy society and should receive strong encouragement from government through real rewards for work and real opportunities for families to get ahead. We will scrap the carbon tax to reduce cost-ofliving pressures. We will deliver tax cuts without a carbon tax by keeping the current income tax thresholds. We will keep the current pension and benefit fortnightly rates while scrapping the carbon tax. We will deliver greater job security by building a stronger economy and two million new jobs. We will keep interest rates as low as possible to help families get ahead on their mortgage. We will help ensure child care is more accessible, affordable and flexible and deliver genuine Paid Parental Leave to give women a real choice to have a career. We will protect and strengthen Medicare by restoring the Private Health Insurance Rebate as soon as we responsibly can. 13. Protecting superannuation and delivering a more secure retirement Delivering stability and certainty on superannuation We will make no unexpected adverse changes to the superannuation system in the next Parliament so that all Australians have the stability, confidence and certainty they deserve when planning for their future. Giving older Australians the secure retirement they deserve We will ensure older Australians and seniors enjoy a secure retirement by delivering a stronger economy which will ensure the government has the revenue to provide the support required by older Australians in their later years. We will keep the current pension and benefit fortnightly rates while scrapping Labor s damaging carbon tax. We will scrap the carbon tax to remove Labor s ten per cent hit to electricity prices. We will assist mature age workers by providing better structured incentives for employers who employ workers over the age of 50. We will support defence force veterans by properly indexing the DFRB and DFRDB schemes. We will negotiate an aged care provider agreement with the aged care sector. We will protect and strengthen Medicare by restoring the Private Health Insurance Rebate as soon as we responsibly can. i stand for government which gets off people s backs. Tony Abbott May 1994 Real Solutions for all Australians 11

12 14. Delivering better services and a better society Our aim is to deliver a better future for all Australians. Our aim is to deliver a better future for all Australians The Coalition is determined to deliver a strong, prosperous economy because that is the only way to generate the revenue necessary to invest more in government services like the National Disability Insurance Scheme, health, aged care and education. A strong, growing and prosperous economy is central to everything in our society. With the increased revenue this delivers and by improving cooperation between the states and federal government, we can deliver better services for local communities. Our aim is to build a stronger Australia with a stronger economy so that all Australians can get ahead in the global economy and have a better future. 15. Delivering better health services Policy Priority We will deliver better health services by increasing co-operation with the states and territories empowering local hospital boards, communities and experts to improve the performance of hospitals at the local level. Improving health at the local level We will work with the states to improve hospitals by empowering local hospital boards, local communities and experts to help improve hospital performance and deliver better health services. We will protect our world-class health and medical researchers from any further Budget cuts. We will improve mental health services and fund diabetes research. We will improve access to medicines by restoring the process by which medicines are listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. We will protect and strengthen Medicare by restoring the Private Health Insurance Rebate as soon as we responsibly can. We will empower local communities and experts to help improve the performance of public hospitals. 12 Real Solutions for all Australians

13 16. Delivering better education Improving the performance of schools at the local level We will deliver better schools, encourage better teachers, better teaching and give principals, communities and parents a greater say over schools. We will ensure school funding is maintained in real terms. We will strengthen higher education and invest in job skills training. We will work with parents, schools and children and social media to tackle cyber bullying and other harmful online behaviour. We will deliver new opportunities for our youth to learn foreign languages and study in Asia. Encouraging better teachers and better teaching will improve the performance of schools. 17. Delivering stronger regions and better communities A fair go for regional and rural Australia We will stand up for regional and rural Australia to ensure that they receive their fair share of support on a wide range of policy programmes. We will help our agriculture sector grow to become the food bowl of Asia and achieve food security in a world demanding more food resources. We will unlock potential growth in Northern Australia as we develop new land by building new dams and securing our nation s water supplies. We will restore policy stability and certainty to our live exports trade. We will invest more in regional and rural infrastructure. We are investigating options to improve the transparency of agricultural land and agribusiness sales to foreign entities. We will stand up for our communities. We will improve community safety by using more CCTV cameras to fight crime. We will support and strengthen community groups and the voluntary sector. We will provide practical support and strategies to encourage indigenous Australians to get ahead. Real Solutions for all Australians 13

14 18. Delivering a cleaner and more sustainable environment Policy Priority We will take direct action to reduce carbon emissions inside Australia, not overseas and also establish a 15,000-strong Green Army to clean up the environment. Cleaning up our own environment We will take direct action to reduce carbon emissions and establish a 15,000-strong Green Army charged with the clean-up and conservation of our environment so that we can all enjoy a cleaner environment and a more sustainable future without the impost of the carbon tax which is causing real economic damage to our economy and affecting the living standards of Australian families. We will take direct action to reduce carbon emissions in a practical, affordable way inside Australia, not overseas. We remain committed to a five per cent reduction in emissions by We will restore the Murray-Darling Basin to health while ensuring the viability of Australia s food producing communities. We will start the detailed planning necessary to build new dams and reduce our reliance on energy-hungry desalination plants. We will improve the environmental approval process, with a one-stop shop for state and federal approvals that maintains high environmental standards and delivers certainty for all users. 19. Delivering stronger borders and a more secure nation ILLEGAL ARRIVALS BY BOAT SOURCE: AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT Arrivals 17,086 Boats ,000 Putting the national interest first We will protect the integrity of our immigration programme. Total arrivals 31, Total boats Arrivals 6,889 Boats ,000 We will deliver stronger borders where the boats are stopped with tough, proven measures. We will seek to achieve three per cent real growth per annum on defence spending. Arrivals 179 Boats Arrivals 2,856 Boats Arrivals 4,730 Boats ,000 0 We will strengthen Australia s foreign affairs focus on our region rebuilding damaged relationships with our neighbours. We will deliver improved counter-terrorism and domestic security measures and secure our ports and airports. 14 Real Solutions for all Australians

15 20. Delivering strong, stable, accountable government Restoring responsible government The Coalition s strong, experienced, united team will deliver a strong and stable government. We will restore proper cabinet process and deliver careful, consultative, straightforward government that says what it means and does what it says. We will restore confidence and accountability in government to you. Tony Abbott is a strong leader with a record of success Tony Abbott was a senior, experienced Cabinet Minister in the Howard Coalition Government. The Coalition has a successful track record Sixteen members of the Coalition Team were effective Ministers in the successful Howard Coalition Government which: Turned Australia s economy around, paid back Labor s $96 billion debt, reformed the tax system and made Australia s economy more productive and prosperous; Delivered more than two million new jobs and delivered the lowest unemployment rate since the 1970s; Delivered a more than 20 per cent increase in real wages; and Secured Australia s borders and stopped the boats. All Coalition policies are affordable and fully funded All Coalition policies are fully costed and fully funded. The Coalition has a long track record of managing Budgets responsibly. Policy Priority Our strong, experienced, united team will deliver a strong and stable government that restores confidence and accountability to you delivering more for families and a better future for all Australians. Fairfax Syndication I have not wavered in my belief that our best days as a nation are still ahead of us. Tony Abbott Real Solutions for all Australians 15

16 Our Plan will deliver a strong, prosperous economy and a safe, secure Australia. For further details of the Coalition s Plan go to Authorised and printed by Brian Loughnane, Federal Director, Liberal Party of Australia. Cnr Blackall & Macquarie Streets, Barton, ACT 2600.