Australia’s prime minister used his official campaign launch to warn against a change of government during the economic fallout from Britain’s decision to leave the European Union.
Advertisement
The prime minister opened his 40-minute speech by noting the “distinguished” men who came before him – John Howard and Tony Abbott.
“The shockwaves in the past 48 hours from Britain’s vote to leave the European Union are a sharp reminder of the volatility of the global economy”, he said. “You’re seeing that every night on television at the moment”, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said in Adelaide, reinforcing his message in the wake of the referendum. Always expect the unexpected. “We will need to renegotiate vital trade deals with Britain and Europe”.
Mr Howard is Australia’s second longest serving PM, lasting almost 12 years before his government was defeated at 2007 elections.
Shorten also insisted a Labor government would not treat minor parties as “being some sort of social or political inferiors” and would bring a “respectful attitude” towards dealings with minor parties in order to make the parliament work.
“Vote for anyone other than the Liberal and National Party candidates and there is a risk that Australians next week will find themselves with [Labor leader] Bill Shorten as prime minister, a replay of the Gillard years and another power-sharing fiasco with the Greens and independents”.
Deputy Liberal Leader Julie Bishop slammed Mr Shorten over the claims.
Labor held a second campaign launch in Brisbane where Bill Shorten again talked up Medicare being under attack from the coalition.
Turnbull called an election seven weeks ago, setting off a gruelling campaign that has focused around economic management, with issues such as immigration and climate change taking a back seat.
Turnbull said he had ordered the Council of Financial Regulators, including representatives from the Treasury, the Reserve Bank, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), to investigate any potential outcome of the Brexit decision.
He said Australians would be concerned by uncertainty and instability in global markets, including a fall in the Australian dollar.
“Our people can not afford another three years of administration from a weak Liberal Prime Minister who spends half his time worrying about his day-job and the other half fighting a civil war within his party”.
But Treasurer Scott Morrison has questioned Labor’s timing.
Mr Bowen unveiled total budget improvements of more than $130 billion over the decade.
Advertisement
Labor has released the costings of its election campaign promises, making the point it had done so much earlier than the coalition opposition in 2013.
