Originally published in The Times. Never underestimate Britain. It is the world’s fifth biggest economy and fourth largest military power and London is the world’s most important financial centre. With British institutions copied almost everywhere and with English the global second language, Britain’s soft power arguably exceeds that of any other country. That’s why any…
First published in Quadrant April 2016 Edition Apart from building the country’s wealth, the principal task of government is to keep its citizens safe. When the Abbott government came to office, very few people anticipated a resurgence of Islamist terrorism. In 2013, Prime Minister Gillard had declared the “end of the 9/11 decade”. Likewise, few…
The best response to this book is the objective record of the Abbott government. After fighting Labor to a draw in 2010 and winning a strong majority in 2013, the Abbott government substantially delivered on its commitments. The boats were stopped. The carbon tax and the mining tax were repealed. Three free trade agreements that…
The first law of governing is that you can’t spend what you can’t raise through taxes and borrowings; and the second law is that today’s borrowings have to be paid for – with interest – by tomorrow’s taxes. Governments, like households and businesses, have to live within their means. Although governments have some unique capabilities,…
E&OE…………………………………………….. AGAINST STRATEGIC PESSIMISM On my first meeting as prime minister with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, I described Japan as “Australia’s best friend in Asia”. Some months later, Prime Minister Abe deftly rescued me from the difficulty that had created by upgrading the friendship between Japan and Australia to a “special relationship”. Prime Minister Abe’s…
Originally published in The Australian It’s good that ministers have been told to “stop spending” (The Australian, February 17) because the national government has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. In the final Swan budget, revenue was $65 billion higher than in the final Costello budget but spending was $135bn higher — hence the…
It is an honour and a thrill to rise to acknowledge two great Australians who have announced that they are leaving this parliament at the next election. There are few members of parliament who leave at their peak, in their prime and at a time of their own choosing. It is very much to the…
The Hon Warren Truss MP has been a steady and effective minister in the Howard government, a universally respected leader of the National Party for almost a decade and an outstanding Minister for Infrastructure in the Abbott government. Thanks to Warren Truss, Sydney’s second airport is finally underway; Sydney’s Westconnex is finally being built; the…
It is an honour to follow my colleagues the member for Berowra and the member for Ryan in this tribute to the late, great Jim Carlton. I should also note that it is a pleasure to be back in the Federation Chamber after quite a long absence. Jim Carlton had a glittering career. He excelled…
28 January 2016 E&OE……………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… It is an honour to attend this gathering of leaders and representatives working with the United Nations to support the family. I have always regarded myself as a “pro-family” member of parliament – but the reality of elected office means that MPs who are as supportive of the family, in…