Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

Unsurprisingly, given we come from sister political parties, when you look at the President's State of the Union address, there are many words and many phrases and aspirations that ring true and dear for Labor Party members, including governing for the many not the few, including making sure that the doors of opportunity are open to every child. That is President Obama's ambition for his nation, that is an ambition for our nation too, and it has been a driving force of the work of this government and continues to be so.

What that means is that you need to answer some complicated questions, and President Obama outlined for his nation questions we too are engaged in answering today. How do we attract more jobs to our shores? How do we equip our people with the skills to get those jobs? How do we make sure that there is the prospect for Australians that hard work can lead to a decent living? In answering all of these questions you have got to make sure that you have plans not platitudes. You have got to make sure that you are focused on growth not stagnation. You have got to have a plan for jobs, not a plan for cuts. This government is focused on growth, on the opportunities of the future, things that are viewed as humorous by those opposite because they have not been able to focus on jobs and growth. (Time expired)

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