Speech – Rebecca White MP, Labor Leader, 11 March 2024
Campaign launch speech
Thank you to Aunty Sharon Holbrook for your kind welcome to country. Reminding us that it always was and always will be. And I pay my deepest respect to you and all elders of lutruwita.
Thank you Prime Minister, for such a generous introduction, and for all your support over the years.
Thank you Anita, for being an incredible Deputy who I know is always there for wise advice and moral support.
Thank you Dean, for reminding us why we can’t give the Liberals 14 years.
And most of all, thanks to all of you for coming here today, from all around the state.
Our incredible candidates and supporters who are working hard every day.
Thank you for all the hours you volunteer to help us fight for a better future for Tasmania.
For all the doors you knock on and the conversations you have with Tasmanians.
For sharing Labor’s plans with them, and hearing their stories about how they’ve been let down by 10 years of the Liberals.
I hear those same stories everywhere I go across Tasmania.
From people who are drowning under the cost of living – which the Liberals have done nothing about for 10 years.
From people who can’t afford their power bill, and dread the next one – since Jeremy Rockliff voted against capping prices three times.
Who can’t believe we’re paying mainland prices for our power after 100 years of investment in the Hydro.
From people who are finding it harder and harder to afford the weekly shop.
People who can’t get the childcare they need, to go to work and pay the bills.
People whose rents just keep going up, and up, and up – $200 a week more over the past 10 years.
People who are stuck in the rental cycle.
Who can’t get close to saving enough for a deposit.
And who’ve lost all hope of ever owning a home of their own.
Or who worry their kids, or their grandkids, won’t get their shot at home ownership either.
People right across this state, who can see that if the Liberals haven’t done anything by now, they never will.
But friends, don’t be mistaken.
The fact the Liberals haven’t done anything on cost of living in 10 years doesn’t mean there’s nothing that can be done.
The fact they’ve broken all their promises on power prices doesn’t mean Tasmanians have to keep paying mainland prices for our power.
The fact the Liberals spend five times more on government ads than on childcare doesn’t mean parents have to keep turning down shifts, turning down jobs, or postponing their careers, all while struggling to pay the bills.
The fact the Liberals have done nothing in 10 years to address the housing crisis doesn’t mean renters should have to keep forking out for unaffordable rents.
And it certainly doesn’t mean young Tasmanians should give up on their dream of owning their own home.
It just means that after 10 years, it’s time for the Tasmanian Liberals to go.
Because in their place we can elect a government that will take urgent action on the cost of living.
That will ensure Tasmanians once again pay Tasmanian prices for Tasmanian power – just as we did for 100 years.
A government that will invest in more affordable childcare, so parents can go to work and pay the bills.
That will provide free, healthy lunches in primary schools, so parents save money on the weekly shop and so no Tasmanian child goes hungry.
A government that will invest in social and public housing so people aren’t left out in the cold.
A government with a plan to increase renters’ rights, and axe the unfair fees they’re charged.
A government with a plan to build 2,000 new apartments, to help first home buyers get a foot in the door.
A government with a plan for a better future.
Urgent action on cost of living.
Tasmanian prices for Tasmanian power.
More affordable childcare, and free school lunches.
A better deal for renters.
A better shot for first home buyers.
That’s my plan for Tasmania.
For a better future for Tasmania.
But there’s more we need to do.
I want to share with you today more details of Labor’s plan.
It’s a plan to bring back hope for Tasmania’s young people and renters.
A plan to slam the door shut on 10 years of Liberal failure.
And to enable thousands of young Tasmanians to open a new one.
It’s a plan I call GameChanger.
And it’s based on a very simple idea: if you can afford to pay your rent, you can afford to pay a mortgage.
Labor’s GameChanger scheme will enable any eligible Tasmanian who does not currently own their own home to buy a house with zero deposit.
Zero deposit. Zero barriers.
GameChanger means a young couple renting today could start looking at open homes next weekend – and be living in their very own home before they know it.
It means they’ll be paying their own mortgage – not someone else’s.
It means a chance to get a foot in the door.
A real shot at long term financial security.
A GameChanger for their future.
After 10 years of the Liberals, we know the housing crisis is so bad that even people with good jobs are shut out of the housing market.
Housing is a problem the Liberals have allowed to get so bad that it’s affecting people from all walks of life.
Which is why we will set the income thresholds for GameChanger at $150,000 for singles, and $200,000 for couples – with extra allowances for those with kids.
You’ll still need to meet the other requirements from banks, but we’ll ensure people are pre-approved through a simple process, so people who’ve been waiting far too long already can get into a home sooner.
And we’ll commit to keeping the scheme open for at least the next two years, so people who aren’t quite there yet know they’ll get their shot too.
Under Labor, if you can pay your rent, we’ll help you get a mortgage.
We’ll put up the deposit you need – and you can pay us back when you sell the house.
After you’ve built up equity of your own.
When you’re ready to move into a bigger place, because your family’s grown.
Or when you’ve got ahead of your repayments, and want to buy us out.
It’s up to you.
But the point is that choice will be yours.
Because Labor will make sure you have a shot at home ownership.
We’ll make sure that having to pay rent each week doesn’t stop you from being able to afford to buy a place of your own.
In fact, more than that.
We’ll recognise that paying rent each week means you should be able to buy a place of your own.
Because if you can afford rent, you can afford a mortgage.
Zero deposit. Zero barriers.
A better future for Tasmanians.
This is the sort of thing Labor governments do best.
They tackle the hardest problems.
They think big.
They change lives for the better.
And they do everything they can to make sure everyone gets a crack.
And that’s what this election is all about.
Do you really want to stick with the Liberals, who’ve done nothing for 10 years while the cost of living has gone up and up?
Or do you want someone who’ll take urgent action on cost of living?
Do you stick with the Liberals, who’ve broken all the promises they made on power prices?
Or do you want someone who’ll ensure Tasmanians pay Tasmanian prices for Tasmanian power?
Do you stick with the Liberals, who’ve spent five times as much on ads to promote themselves, as they have on childcare for your kids?
Or do you want someone who’ll invest in more affordable childcare, so you can go to work and pay the bills?
Do you stick with the people who’ve seen Tasmania go from the most affordable state for housing, to the least?
Or do you go with Labor, who’ll bring back the dream of home ownership for thousands of Tasmanians?
Do you really believe giving the Liberals 14 years will make things any better for you and your family?
Or is it time to give someone else a go?
You know the answer.
They’ve had 10 years.
If they haven’t done it by now, they never will.
We can’t give them 14 years.
Because we need urgent action on the cost of living.
We need to pay Tasmanian prices for Tasmanian power.
We need more affordable childcare, and free school lunches.
We need a game changer on housing, to bring back hope.
We need a better future for Tasmania.
We need a Labor government.
Thank you.
Speech – Anthony Albanese, 1 2 March 2024
Tasmanian Labor campaign launch
I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
I salute all my federal and state colleagues here today, each and every one of them a champion for the people of Tasmania.
And I want to give a special shout out to the volunteers and campaign workers here with us, as well as all those working across the state as we speak: people knocking on doors, making phone calls and spreading the word.
Last year, we came together to celebrate 120 years of Tasmanian Labor.
Through every one of those years, Labor has relied on the energy, passion and dedication of true believers like you.
As leaders and members and candidates, we all stand on the shoulders of people who put up their hand and put in the hours.
True believers who carry the Labor message to every part of the community.
And that’s never been more important.
Because in tough contests like this election, at a time when people are busier than ever and the media they consume is more fragmented than ever.
Real conversations – face to face, door-to-door – are more powerful than ever.
That’s where every minute of the next 12 days matters – and every Labor volunteer can be the difference.
That’s what the next 12 days are about: Tasmanians talking to Tasmanians about Labor’s positive plans for jobs and housing, skills, services – and the cost of living.
That’s how Labor can win, and will win this election.
Friends
We know how Labor can win in Tasmania – and we know why Tasmania needs Labor to win.
Because there are a lot of Tasmanians who are under pressure right now.
That’s why – as a Federal Labor Government – we’re strengthening Medicare.
We’ve tripled the bulk-billing incentive and have opened new Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in Devonport, Hobart and Launceston – so more Tasmanians can see a doctor for free.
We’re helping people with chronic conditions save money with cheaper medicines.
We’re taking pressure off family budgets with cheaper child care and the largest increase to rent assistance in 30 years.
We’re holding the big supermarkets to account – to make sure that Tasmanian farmers and Tasmanian shoppers get a fair deal.
We’ve helped thousands of Tasmanians train for new jobs through fee-free TAFE.
We’ve supported back-to-back increases in the minimum wage.
We’ve delivered an historic pay rise for aged care workers and we’ve got wages moving again.
We want people to earn more – and we want people to keep more of what they earn.
Which is why, from 1 July, we’re delivering a tax cut for every Tasmanian taxpayer.
And 9 out of 10 Tasmanian workers get a bigger tax cut under Labor than they would have under the Liberals.
Helping people with their cost of living is our Federal Government’s number one priority.
And I know helping Tasmanians with their cost of living will be Rebecca White’s number one priority as Premier.
Tasmanians know Rebecca White, they know she’s a person of substance.
A leader with the conviction to fight for what she believes in – and the strength of character to see it through.
Rebecca isn’t running for Premier for the title or the trappings of office, her team aren’t seeking Government to just occupy the space.
Rebecca White wants to be the Premier of Tasmania – so she can deliver for the people she serves and the state she loves.
That’s the sense of purpose and urgency that drives her – a determination to create more opportunities for Tasmanians here in Tasmania.
To go to uni, or TAFE and find a good job, without having to move interstate.
To save for a home of their own, in their hometown.
To know the security of strong Medicare, good hospitals and decent aged care.
That’s the difference between a Labor Party that knows people need help here and now.
And a dysfunctional Liberal Government that is going through this campaign pretending to discover problems that it has spent 10 years creating.
A Liberal Government asking for a second decade in power.
After the endless chaos and conflict and confusion of their third term, they’re asking people to reward them with a fourth term.
As if the first 10 years was just a warm-up, a dress rehearsal.
And they’re up to the same tricks in Canberra.
The same Liberal Party who wasted a decade in Government fighting each other about whether climate change was real, instead of investing in renewable energy now say they want to build nuclear reactors all over Australia.
There’s a reason they didn’t do it during their 9 years in Government.
It’s because nuclear power is the most expensive form of new energy – and it’s the slowest to build.
It doesn’t make sense for our economy – or our environment.
It doesn’t help with cost of living – and it doesn’t help with climate change.
For decades, Tasmania has shown Australia that renewable energy is the answer.
Not some far-off dream – a concrete, reliable and affordable reality.
And our Government is investing in new jobs and new projects – like green hydrogen in Bell Bay and community batteries in Howrah and Shorewell Park.
Because we see Tasmania as vital and central to our vision for Australia as a renewable energy superpower.
By contrast, the Liberals’ Nuclear Fantasy isn’t a plan to do something – it’s an excuse for doing nothing.
An alibi for inaction – a new stage of denial.
In fact, nuclear power is a lot like the Liberal Party.
No help to anyone today, completely wrong for Australia’s future – and notorious for waste that takes forever to clean up.
Labor is the party of the light on the hill – the Liberals want Australia to glow in the dark.
Now, I say this to Tasmanians.
After a decade in office, why would anyone think they are going to be better in their second decade?
The reason why this third election in just six years is being held is because they couldn’t govern themselves.
People voted for Premier Hodgman and they got Premier Gutwein.
They voted for Premier Gutwein and they got Premier Rockliff.
If they vote for Premier Rockliff, will they get Michael Ferguson? Or there is worse, will they get Eric Abetz?
The sequel no one wanted heading to a state parliament near you.
The truth is, if Tasmanians want to change the Government, there is only one way to do it.
And that is by voting Labor.
Whether it’s energy or housing, jobs, Medicare or the cost of living.
Only Labor ever comes to the table with real policies to solve the problem.
That’s what election campaigns are about – because it’s what Government should be about.
The great reward of victory, the privilege of governing is the opportunity to make a positive difference to people’s lives.
Rebecca White understands this, she lives and breathes it.
Her determination to deliver has made her a great Labor leader.
And I know it will drive her every day as a great Labor Premier.
Please welcome, my friend, your leader and the next Premier of Tasmania: Rebecca White!
