The rank and file ballot for the Labor leadership is a great opportunity for members to guide the future direction of the party and we believe that Bill Shorten is the right man to lead Labor in 2013 and beyond.
He is someone who has acted decisively and demonstrated incredible perseverance when people have looked to him to lead. Tasmanians will remember that during the Beaconsfield mine disaster, Bill stood up as National Secretary of the Australian Workers Union and worked around the clock to make sure that the miners were being looked after.
We can also tell you that Bill’s policy credentials and vision for our country are of the highest calibre. During his time as Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services Bill pushed hard for the Government to provide better support for people with disabilities and his efforts eventually led to the creation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (now DisabilityCare Australia). Tasmania has the highest rate of disability in the country with one in four people affected and this scheme will dramatically improve their quality of life and future prospects.
After taking on the portfolios of Employment and Workplace Relations as well as Financial Services and Superannuation Bill worked even harder to ensure a fair go for all. The increase to the superannuation guarantee from 9 per cent to 12 per cent is just one example of Bill’s dedication to the future prosperity of Australians. Labor will always be the party of the worker and Bill’s commitment to Australian workers is well documented. He is determined to protect workers from unfair dismissal and ensure benefits like weekend penalty rates and overtime pay remain intact.
As federal Minister for Education he led the Government’s reforms to deliver much needed resources for students in every school, regardless of where they live. In July this year he announced that the Better Schools Plan will deliver an extra $382 million to Tasmanian schools to ensure each of the 82,400 Tasmanian school students can reach their full potential.
His vision for our great country is clear. He has said that he wants to be known as the Prime Minister for the powerless and has earmarked reforms to protect the most marginalised in Australia, including older Australians. No one will be left behind under Bill’s leadership.
Bill has the right mix of skills and experience to galvanise support from a wide range of interests across Australia; he has the confidence and awareness to successfully engage the business community, the union movement and the Australian public. He has appeal across the entire community, is a great negotiator, an outstanding parliamentary performer and someone who can relate to all types of voters.
A vote for Bill is also a vote for greater unity in the Labor cause. If he is elected as leader of Labor, Tanya Plibersek has said she will nominate for Deputy Leader. We think this would be a real winning combination and one that would provide balance within Caucus and help heal the wounds of the recent past.
It is clear that the Labor Party needs someone with the necessary presence, conviction and insight to take the fight up to Tony Abbott. Bill firmly believes that we can win the next election and understands that Labor needs to position itself as the party of the future in order to do so.
He is the person who can rebuild Labor and successfully prosecute the party’s message in order to reclaim power and complete the unfinished business that drives the Labor cause.
SENATOR HELEN POLLEY
Labor Senator for Tasmania
SENATOR CATRYNA BILYK
Labor Senator for Tasmania
MADELEINE OGILVIE
Vice President of the Tasmanian Labor Party
