Rudd: election will shape nation's future

An election eve message from the leader of the ALP, Kevin Rudd:

This Saturday's election presents Australians with a clear choice which will shape not only the next three years but the long-term future of our country.

Our economy is at a critical juncture.

The China mining investment boom is winding down.

We need to diversify our economy so we don't have all our eggs in one basket.

We need to demonstrate the same commitment to jobs which Australian businesses, workers and the Labor Government displayed during the global financial crisis.

Labor understands this central issue - that is why we have put forward a positive plan to build the future.

A plan to support jobs by keeping the economy strong.

A plan to build better schools so our kids realise their potential.

A plan for world-class healthcare; for super-fast broadband to transform our economy; and for a fair society which provides decent care for the elderly and those with disabilities.

By contrast, Tony Abbott offers three-word political slogans as a substitute for a long-term vision.

And all of his policies boil down to just one thing: cuts.

The Coalition is planning cuts to government services. Cuts to education and health. Cuts to family payments and cuts to jobs.

Mr Abbott has spent the entire election campaign avoiding scrutiny.

He waited until the last minute to release his costings - and then he failed to live up to standards of disclosure required under the Charter of Budget Honesty.

You have to ask why?

Mr Abbott's economic austerity policies are the last thing Australia needs as we face the end of the mining investment boom.

We need to invest in new industries and new jobs - not to cut.

Labor has a $1 billion plan to create jobs beyond the boom.

We will ensure more Australian businesses get work on big investment projects - creating more local jobs.

Multinational companies developing these large projects often default to using overseas suppliers and contractors.

Labor will require all projects worth more than $300 million to identify Australian suppliers and give them the early information and opportunities they need to bid for contracts.

This will deliver hundreds of millions of dollars in extra work for Australian firms in manufacturing, construction, engineering, technical and professional services.

We will also ensure more young people get jobs as apprentices on federally-funded construction projects.

And we will tackle unemployment through a new Jobs, Training and Apprenticeships Guarantee which will give jobseekers and employers alike the skills they need.

Labor's $15 billion Better Schools Plan will ensure our kids get more one-on-one attention in the classroom.

Mr Abbott will cut school funding - and he will cut the Schoolkids Bonus, making it harder for hundreds of thousands of families to make ends meet.

Labor is building the National Broadband Network to provide affordable, super-fast broadband for families and businesses.

Mr Abbott will scrap the NBN and leave Australians to rely on outmoded copper wire. Labor will continue investing in our health and hospital system.

Mr Abbott's track record when he was Health Minister was to slash $1 billion from hospitals - now he plans to cut Medicare Locals.

Labor is building co-operative workplaces and supporting women in the workforce with the nation's first Paid Parental Leave scheme.

Our Fair Work Act has restored balance in the workplace.

By contrast, when Mr Abbott was in power the Coalition introduced the WorkChoices legislation which cut wages and conditions.

Labor is standing on our record and on our plans for the future.

Our record is one of strong achievement.

While many of the world's advanced economies plunged into recession, we kept Australia's economy growing.

While millions of people around the world lost their jobs, Labor created nearly one million new jobs in Australia.

But we cannot take the future for granted.

We can build a prosperous future by working together and implementing Labor's positive plans, not by cutting to the bone.

This is why I ask Australians for their support on Saturday - let's work together to build our future.

Ends