John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I am very happy to answer a question on the subject matter that the leader has raised—that is, the value of Work Choices to Australia’s economic future and the relevance of Work Choices in the recent New South Wales election campaign. We introduced Work Choices as a major contribution to the further strengthening of the Australian economy. Whatever the Leader of the Opposition or the deputy leader may say about Work Choices, the truth is that if this reform is reversed it will be the first time in 25 years that a major economic reform in this country has been reversed. It would be akin to reimposing a controlled exchange rate, reintroducing tariff protection or dismantling taxation reform. It would signal not only to the Australian people but also to the rest of the world that this country had downed tools on economic reform. The contribution that Work Choices makes to the future strengthening of the Australian economy is undoubted, and that is why the government remains committed to Work Choices.

As far as the New South Wales election is concerned, the evidence is pretty mixed. I do not know what was said to an individual candidate in a particular electorate; I am not in a position to know that. But I am in a position to observe that the National Party secured its greatest vote ever in the city of Broken Hill, which is a quintessential union town. I also note with some interest that there was an average nine per cent swing against the Labor Party in the Hunter Valley. Whilst messages out of the state election are being referred to, perhaps the member for Kingsford Smith might find a message in the fact that the member named Hunter, who is the member for Lake Macquarie, is in danger of losing his seat. Maybe the member for Kingsford Smith should have a look at the anti-coalmining remarks of the Labor member for Lake Macquarie, who is in danger of losing his seat.

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