This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2019/may/21/labor-liberals-morrison-politics-live

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Federal election 2019: Chris Bowen says Labor policy now a 'blank canvas' as he confirms run for leadership – politics live Federal election 2019: Chris Bowen says Labor policy now a 'blank canvas' as he confirms run for leadership – politics live
(32 minutes later)
There are currently 50 votes separating Macquarie, with Labor behind
The advice keeps coming:
Stephen Conroy: Australian's sent the message. They're not prepared to suffer further increases in electricity prices without a practical path forward. Labor has to step back from the @Greens and @GetUp led demonisation of coal.MORE: https://t.co/ZDLxzYd6Cq #amagenda pic.twitter.com/mNXHbeOJcO
Clare O’Neil was asked last night on ABC radio what she believed went wrong for Labor:
... Some things are just complicated, Raf. And one of the things I’ve been reflecting on is that you can do one or two complex things at once but maybe not five or six. And the difference between being in government and trying to prosecute a complex agenda and being in opposition and doing it is quite stark.
So if I can just remind people about John Hewson tried to bring in a GST from opposition – failed terribly. But Howard did it from government and got re-elected on that basis. So I’m just thinking also about Daniel Andrews in Victoria – he’s got a very complex and deep infrastructure agenda but we all know he’s going to do it because, in his first term, he set about showing us that he could do it. And that’s what you get the opportunity to do in government. So I think that was part of it.
Chris Bowen’s pitch for the leadership boils down to this:Chris Bowen’s pitch for the leadership boils down to this:
My pitch is that I can connect with suburban and regional Australia. I come from the suburbs, from here.My pitch is that I can connect with suburban and regional Australia. I come from the suburbs, from here.
My wife and I are raising two wonderful kids down the road from here in Smithfield, the same suburb that I grew up in, in this house.My wife and I are raising two wonderful kids down the road from here in Smithfield, the same suburb that I grew up in, in this house.
I can, I think, lead the economic debate, which we must win, as leader. We must win. In my experience.I can, I think, lead the economic debate, which we must win, as leader. We must win. In my experience.
I’ve got some things right and some things wrong over the years. I’ve been in parliament 15 years. I’m not perfect but I’ve learned. We have to win the economic growth story and I think that I can do that.I’ve got some things right and some things wrong over the years. I’ve been in parliament 15 years. I’m not perfect but I’ve learned. We have to win the economic growth story and I think that I can do that.
I think that I can take the party to a good position on economic growth and creating jobs.I think that I can take the party to a good position on economic growth and creating jobs.
We can’t leave jobs and growth to the other side. The Labor party is the party of economic growth for the reasons that I outlined.We can’t leave jobs and growth to the other side. The Labor party is the party of economic growth for the reasons that I outlined.
To lead people out of poverty and into reality. I believe that I can add value there.To lead people out of poverty and into reality. I believe that I can add value there.
The party members can weigh up the competing option and decide from there. Thank you very much.The party members can weigh up the competing option and decide from there. Thank you very much.
Question: Are you willing to support mining jobs?Question: Are you willing to support mining jobs?
Bowen: Yes. [He gives the same answer when asked if coalmining has a future.]Bowen: Yes. [He gives the same answer when asked if coalmining has a future.]
Question: Just on the contest, how do you go to the questions and would you and Anthony Albanese do a series of debates in the country?Question: Just on the contest, how do you go to the questions and would you and Anthony Albanese do a series of debates in the country?
Bowen: Possibly, probably. I think that branch members should see us in various formats. He will no doubt be doing functioning and doing campaign functions for himself. I’ll do the same and there will probably be some formal debates but that hasn’t been agreed.Bowen: Possibly, probably. I think that branch members should see us in various formats. He will no doubt be doing functioning and doing campaign functions for himself. I’ll do the same and there will probably be some formal debates but that hasn’t been agreed.
Question: If Albo does win, would you want to stay on as shadow treasurer?Question: If Albo does win, would you want to stay on as shadow treasurer?
Bowen: I would discuss that with him.Bowen: I would discuss that with him.
Question: On the party membership vote, Albo won in 2013. If he wins again, how many times can you ignore the party membership?Question: On the party membership vote, Albo won in 2013. If he wins again, how many times can you ignore the party membership?
Bowen: We have a system. The system says that the caucus has a say and whoever has the most votes in the end wins. That’s the system. The system that I support. It used to just be caucus. I would expect that if it was just a caucus vote, I would do pretty good. It’s not just that, it’s the party members vote.Bowen: We have a system. The system says that the caucus has a say and whoever has the most votes in the end wins. That’s the system. The system that I support. It used to just be caucus. I would expect that if it was just a caucus vote, I would do pretty good. It’s not just that, it’s the party members vote.
Albo, I’m sure, wouldn’t have it any other way. We both were supporters of the new system when it came in.Albo, I’m sure, wouldn’t have it any other way. We both were supporters of the new system when it came in.
But the system means that you’ve got to try your luck with both.But the system means that you’ve got to try your luck with both.
Question: Two questions here. Firstly, Queensland is a big problem for you. One: how will you personally win back voters in Queensland? And secondly, we saw today, Scott Morrison looks like he’s broken his first promise of not getting the tax cuts through.Question: Two questions here. Firstly, Queensland is a big problem for you. One: how will you personally win back voters in Queensland? And secondly, we saw today, Scott Morrison looks like he’s broken his first promise of not getting the tax cuts through.
Bowen: I’ll deal with the second point first.Bowen: I’ll deal with the second point first.
Here we go. The election is not even a couple of days over and Scott Morrison has broken his promise.Here we go. The election is not even a couple of days over and Scott Morrison has broken his promise.
And it’s worse than that – he lied about it. I said at the time, for those of you who aren’t sure what Chris is referring to, he’s now said that the parliament won’t come back and they won’t pass the tax cuts and they might need to wait a year.And it’s worse than that – he lied about it. I said at the time, for those of you who aren’t sure what Chris is referring to, he’s now said that the parliament won’t come back and they won’t pass the tax cuts and they might need to wait a year.
He said back then – it doesn’t matter, parliament doesn’t need to sit and I could do it administratively.He said back then – it doesn’t matter, parliament doesn’t need to sit and I could do it administratively.
I pointed out that that was wrong and the ATO said it was wrong. And he denied it. He wasn’t telling the truth.I pointed out that that was wrong and the ATO said it was wrong. And he denied it. He wasn’t telling the truth.
That, I think, says a lot about this government.That, I think, says a lot about this government.
Here we are a couple of days in and they’re already breaking promises and important once.Here we are a couple of days in and they’re already breaking promises and important once.
Because tax cuts were a pretty important part of the election pitch, right!Because tax cuts were a pretty important part of the election pitch, right!
And if the Australian people have to wait another year for the tax cuts, I think it’s an indictment on his government and the character of the prime minister.And if the Australian people have to wait another year for the tax cuts, I think it’s an indictment on his government and the character of the prime minister.
The first question you asked me was about Queensland. I’d work closely with my Queensland colleagues, strategising what we would have to do.The first question you asked me was about Queensland. I’d work closely with my Queensland colleagues, strategising what we would have to do.
I spent a lot of time going up Queensland’s coast and some inland, particularly with Jim Chalmers and Anthony Chisholm.I spent a lot of time going up Queensland’s coast and some inland, particularly with Jim Chalmers and Anthony Chisholm.
We’ve been to Rockhampton, Mackay, Bowen. Great place! Cairns, Townsville, Mount Isa, Gympie. Gin Gin. We’ve done a lot in the last six years and I would continue to do that if I was leader.We’ve been to Rockhampton, Mackay, Bowen. Great place! Cairns, Townsville, Mount Isa, Gympie. Gin Gin. We’ve done a lot in the last six years and I would continue to do that if I was leader.
My family moved to Australia from Wales in 1880, and they settled in Mount Morgan, a small town in Queensland.My family moved to Australia from Wales in 1880, and they settled in Mount Morgan, a small town in Queensland.
I don’t suggest to you that that means that I some particular affinity because my family moved to Sydney many decades ago. But it’s important to me. It’s important to me. And we need to have a plan for Queensland jobs. People in some of those towns are doing it very tough, and saying that the 26 years of uninterrupted growth, what’s in it for me. And people like Clive Palmer come along and say that they’ve got a solution. No, they don’t. But they are talking to people about things on their mine. So we need to do the same.I don’t suggest to you that that means that I some particular affinity because my family moved to Sydney many decades ago. But it’s important to me. It’s important to me. And we need to have a plan for Queensland jobs. People in some of those towns are doing it very tough, and saying that the 26 years of uninterrupted growth, what’s in it for me. And people like Clive Palmer come along and say that they’ve got a solution. No, they don’t. But they are talking to people about things on their mine. So we need to do the same.
Question: Just on the point of Queensland jobs, what would be your stance about Adani?Question: Just on the point of Queensland jobs, what would be your stance about Adani?
Bowen: I pretty much agree with what Joel said there. I think in hindsight, we weren’t very clear. I don’t accept that the criticism that we were trying to be all things for all people. I don’t accept that. I think that our position was, perhaps, not as clear as it should have been and we should adopt a clear position. Now, in terms of going forward, again, I’m not the leader. I may or may not be the leader. It will be a collective decision through the shadow cabinet working closely with the relevant shadow minister.Bowen: I pretty much agree with what Joel said there. I think in hindsight, we weren’t very clear. I don’t accept that the criticism that we were trying to be all things for all people. I don’t accept that. I think that our position was, perhaps, not as clear as it should have been and we should adopt a clear position. Now, in terms of going forward, again, I’m not the leader. I may or may not be the leader. It will be a collective decision through the shadow cabinet working closely with the relevant shadow minister.
Question: Do you think that there is too much overconfidence in the election?Question: Do you think that there is too much overconfidence in the election?
Bowen: We were confident. I think that in our defence, so was everybody on our behalf, including your good selves. It looked like we were going to win. We were never complacent. We never thought that it was in the bag. I know that Bill didn’t. We spoke every day during the campaign, he never thought that it was over. He thought that we were in with a good chance. So did I. I thought we’d win. I don’t think that I’m alone there.Bowen: We were confident. I think that in our defence, so was everybody on our behalf, including your good selves. It looked like we were going to win. We were never complacent. We never thought that it was in the bag. I know that Bill didn’t. We spoke every day during the campaign, he never thought that it was over. He thought that we were in with a good chance. So did I. I thought we’d win. I don’t think that I’m alone there.
That’s what makes the loss so crushing for the party.That’s what makes the loss so crushing for the party.
You know, we did expect to win. There’s no point glossing over that, but we weren’t complacent. We were fighting to the last fight. And so was Bill, but now we have to think about how to change that.You know, we did expect to win. There’s no point glossing over that, but we weren’t complacent. We were fighting to the last fight. And so was Bill, but now we have to think about how to change that.
Question: If the ALP doesn’t have someone from the bush to make the table, that the party will still making the same mistakes. Do you agree with that?Question: If the ALP doesn’t have someone from the bush to make the table, that the party will still making the same mistakes. Do you agree with that?
Bowen: Yes, I do think that those members from the regional area should have a say in our policy deliberations at a senior level. Joel is a close friend of mine and consistent in saying that the Labor party has to be about the bush and the regions as well as the cities and inner cities. He’s 100% right. We’ve got to lift our performance there and win more in the recent ones. So he’s right about that. It’s up to Joel to run whether he’s going to run as leader or not. But I would very much, and I spent a lot of time in the regions as shadow treasurer.Bowen: Yes, I do think that those members from the regional area should have a say in our policy deliberations at a senior level. Joel is a close friend of mine and consistent in saying that the Labor party has to be about the bush and the regions as well as the cities and inner cities. He’s 100% right. We’ve got to lift our performance there and win more in the recent ones. So he’s right about that. It’s up to Joel to run whether he’s going to run as leader or not. But I would very much, and I spent a lot of time in the regions as shadow treasurer.
I always had the view that the economy is not just about Sydney and Melbourne. I needed to get out and hear what was happening and a lot things that I saw worried me in regional Australia, so I have gotten to know regional Australia. And Joel, which I fully support him on, we need to bring the voices of regional Australia to a more senior level.I always had the view that the economy is not just about Sydney and Melbourne. I needed to get out and hear what was happening and a lot things that I saw worried me in regional Australia, so I have gotten to know regional Australia. And Joel, which I fully support him on, we need to bring the voices of regional Australia to a more senior level.
Asked about his chances against Anthony Albanese, who is a very, very popular figure within the rank and file, Chris Bowen dances dangerously close to the Peter Dutton, “now I can smile” line:Asked about his chances against Anthony Albanese, who is a very, very popular figure within the rank and file, Chris Bowen dances dangerously close to the Peter Dutton, “now I can smile” line:
Bowen: It’s too soon. Too soon! He’s run before. He got a good vote amongst the party members. He’s popular, for good reason. He’s respected. I think that I’ve got something to offer. You know, I’ve been shadow treasurer for six years. Whether you’re shadow treasurer or treasurer, you’re doing a certain job. You have to be serious all the time and very in suit and talking about numbers. Not often an opportunity to talk about your values and principles so I welcome the chance to do that in this leadership contest. And ... I’m putting my name forward.Bowen: It’s too soon. Too soon! He’s run before. He got a good vote amongst the party members. He’s popular, for good reason. He’s respected. I think that I’ve got something to offer. You know, I’ve been shadow treasurer for six years. Whether you’re shadow treasurer or treasurer, you’re doing a certain job. You have to be serious all the time and very in suit and talking about numbers. Not often an opportunity to talk about your values and principles so I welcome the chance to do that in this leadership contest. And ... I’m putting my name forward.
... It’s not a factional ballot. I’ve spoken to most of my New South Wales right colleagues. I’ve been encouraged by the level of support I’ve received from them, and continue to receive. But they’re not bound to vote for me. It’s not a NSW right situation. Those who will vote for Albo will do so with my full understanding and blessing. Likewise, I’ve spoken to some in the left. Again I’m not going to reveal who said what to me about voting but I’m encouraged by their support.... It’s not a factional ballot. I’ve spoken to most of my New South Wales right colleagues. I’ve been encouraged by the level of support I’ve received from them, and continue to receive. But they’re not bound to vote for me. It’s not a NSW right situation. Those who will vote for Albo will do so with my full understanding and blessing. Likewise, I’ve spoken to some in the left. Again I’m not going to reveal who said what to me about voting but I’m encouraged by their support.
Question: You were talking about wanting to share your values. Do you think – is it part of your values that you want to see more money taken from the top end of town in Australia and distributed to some of Australia’s poorest workers? Is that your ethos? You want to talk about your values?Question: You were talking about wanting to share your values. Do you think – is it part of your values that you want to see more money taken from the top end of town in Australia and distributed to some of Australia’s poorest workers? Is that your ethos? You want to talk about your values?
Bowen: Fair enough. We all have our own ways of describing thing. And talking about our policies. I’m any own man. I’m my own way of saying it’s different to others. Different to Albo, different to Bill. I’ve always while supporting all of our policies and I don’t want to get into all of them, but explained them in my own way. I haven’t gone down the road of talking about so much top end of town. I do think, as I said before, there is a two-class tax system in Australia. If you’re working in the factories here in the industrial estate, you’re in the economy lounge. You don’t get many concessions or deductions, you just pay your marginal rate. If you’re a person of means and wealth, you’ve got access to good accounts, you’re in the first-class lounge. I have nothing against those people. They’ve worked hard and they’re smart people. I just want the tax system to be fair. That was underpinning our policy. I come back to the point that, you know, it’s a blank canvas and we start again. I’m not saying that you vote for me and all of the policies would be the same. I’m sure that there would be some the same. I think that you wanted a question.Bowen: Fair enough. We all have our own ways of describing thing. And talking about our policies. I’m any own man. I’m my own way of saying it’s different to others. Different to Albo, different to Bill. I’ve always while supporting all of our policies and I don’t want to get into all of them, but explained them in my own way. I haven’t gone down the road of talking about so much top end of town. I do think, as I said before, there is a two-class tax system in Australia. If you’re working in the factories here in the industrial estate, you’re in the economy lounge. You don’t get many concessions or deductions, you just pay your marginal rate. If you’re a person of means and wealth, you’ve got access to good accounts, you’re in the first-class lounge. I have nothing against those people. They’ve worked hard and they’re smart people. I just want the tax system to be fair. That was underpinning our policy. I come back to the point that, you know, it’s a blank canvas and we start again. I’m not saying that you vote for me and all of the policies would be the same. I’m sure that there would be some the same. I think that you wanted a question.
Question: You’ve got a personality clash with head office. How are you going to negotiate that?Question: You’ve got a personality clash with head office. How are you going to negotiate that?
Bowen: It’s a fair question. I’ve had my differences with Michaela at various points over the years. I’ve spoken to her. I would work very effectively with her. This is not a factional ballot, as I said. There’s ... I could work with people across the party, I think. And that wouldn’t be an issue for me.Bowen: It’s a fair question. I’ve had my differences with Michaela at various points over the years. I’ve spoken to her. I would work very effectively with her. This is not a factional ballot, as I said. There’s ... I could work with people across the party, I think. And that wouldn’t be an issue for me.
Question: Why won’t you run as a deputy?Question: Why won’t you run as a deputy?
Bowen: The deputy ballot position is entirely a matter for the caucus. I would leave it as a matter for the caucus. I’m not running a ticket. Traditionally, if I won, the deputy would come from the left. I would expect that to continue. It may be that Tanya Plibersek would like to continue. That would be fine with me. It may be that the party might want to, if she didn’t want to do that, move to somebody like Linda Burney or Mark Butler but that would be for the caucus to decide.Bowen: The deputy ballot position is entirely a matter for the caucus. I would leave it as a matter for the caucus. I’m not running a ticket. Traditionally, if I won, the deputy would come from the left. I would expect that to continue. It may be that Tanya Plibersek would like to continue. That would be fine with me. It may be that the party might want to, if she didn’t want to do that, move to somebody like Linda Burney or Mark Butler but that would be for the caucus to decide.
Q: Some of your colleagues are saying that you know that you can’t win the ballot but just doing it in case the Albo experiment doesn’t work and you’re next cab off the rank.Q: Some of your colleagues are saying that you know that you can’t win the ballot but just doing it in case the Albo experiment doesn’t work and you’re next cab off the rank.
Bowen: I’m happy to concede that Albo probably goes in favourite. The Labor party went in on Saturday as favourite, too, I’m a bit over favourites. It doesn’t always work out so well!Bowen: I’m happy to concede that Albo probably goes in favourite. The Labor party went in on Saturday as favourite, too, I’m a bit over favourites. It doesn’t always work out so well!
Question: You’ve mentioned franking credits and you’re also closely linked to some other policies that were unpopular in this election. Negative gearing and capital gains tax and many of the policies and you told people – if they don’t like your policies don’t vote for you and they didn’t. What makes you think that they’ve got the right instincts to take the fight up to Scott Morrison?Question: You’ve mentioned franking credits and you’re also closely linked to some other policies that were unpopular in this election. Negative gearing and capital gains tax and many of the policies and you told people – if they don’t like your policies don’t vote for you and they didn’t. What makes you think that they’ve got the right instincts to take the fight up to Scott Morrison?
Chris Bowen: I don’t accept that all of our policies were unpopular. Sure, negative gearing was controversial. It also had a lot of support in a lot of segments, particularly young people. So these always swing in roundabouts. On a particular comment that I made in that radio interview, what I was trying to say is that we have had the courage to put the policies out there for the Australian people to judge, unlike the Liberal party, who, threw 100,000 people off the aged pension after saying no changes to the pension. That of the point that I was making. I could have worded it better, I’m happy to concede. I could have worded it better. I meant – no offence to anybody, but on the contrary, I deeply respect people who have worked hard and saved all their life. I respect them so much, we put the policy out there for them to judge. That of the point that I was making, trying to make. You know, those of us in public life do, and as many of you know, do many interviews and sometimes you could do things a bit better here and there and that was one of them. It was, I think, taken out of context, I think, by the Liberal party, they knew what I was saying but it didn’t suit their purposes. But I accept responsibility for saying it. I just could have worded it better.Chris Bowen: I don’t accept that all of our policies were unpopular. Sure, negative gearing was controversial. It also had a lot of support in a lot of segments, particularly young people. So these always swing in roundabouts. On a particular comment that I made in that radio interview, what I was trying to say is that we have had the courage to put the policies out there for the Australian people to judge, unlike the Liberal party, who, threw 100,000 people off the aged pension after saying no changes to the pension. That of the point that I was making. I could have worded it better, I’m happy to concede. I could have worded it better. I meant – no offence to anybody, but on the contrary, I deeply respect people who have worked hard and saved all their life. I respect them so much, we put the policy out there for them to judge. That of the point that I was making, trying to make. You know, those of us in public life do, and as many of you know, do many interviews and sometimes you could do things a bit better here and there and that was one of them. It was, I think, taken out of context, I think, by the Liberal party, they knew what I was saying but it didn’t suit their purposes. But I accept responsibility for saying it. I just could have worded it better.
Q: Has Bill Shorten encouraged you to run?Q: Has Bill Shorten encouraged you to run?
Bowen: I’ll leave it up to Bill to comment. I’ve been ringing around colleagues. Some will vote for me and some won’t. They’ve been very honest with me. I’m not here to speak on behalf of Bill Shorten. I’ve spoken to him. And I am ...Bowen: I’ll leave it up to Bill to comment. I’ve been ringing around colleagues. Some will vote for me and some won’t. They’ve been very honest with me. I’m not here to speak on behalf of Bill Shorten. I’ve spoken to him. And I am ...
Q: What did he say?Q: What did he say?
Bowen: Well, I don’t want to put words in his mouth. With respect. Nor any other colleague. There are colleagues who told me that they’re voting for me. There’s colleagues who said that they won’t. I haven’t spoke been to all because obviously I only decided to do this yesterday. But I fully respect everybody’s decision.Bowen: Well, I don’t want to put words in his mouth. With respect. Nor any other colleague. There are colleagues who told me that they’re voting for me. There’s colleagues who said that they won’t. I haven’t spoke been to all because obviously I only decided to do this yesterday. But I fully respect everybody’s decision.
Question: You mentioned the review of policies. Does that mean that Labor should scrap negative gearing?Question: You mentioned the review of policies. Does that mean that Labor should scrap negative gearing?
Chris Bowen: All policy, I think it’s a blank canvas. You know, as I said ...Chris Bowen: All policy, I think it’s a blank canvas. You know, as I said ...
Q: So you would ask for that?Q: So you would ask for that?
Bowen: It’s a blank canvas. They were policies for the 2019 election. News flash: the 2019 election is over. We’re facing the 2022 election. Now, it may be that we look at the policies and think of better ways of achieving the better objective. We’ll come up with new policies as well in different areas. You know, family trust is an area that I don’t think was controversial. That would be available for the party to adopt as well. But all of these things, regardless of whether I’m leader or not, it’s automatic that they’d be reviewed. I’d expect Anthony to do the same.Bowen: It’s a blank canvas. They were policies for the 2019 election. News flash: the 2019 election is over. We’re facing the 2022 election. Now, it may be that we look at the policies and think of better ways of achieving the better objective. We’ll come up with new policies as well in different areas. You know, family trust is an area that I don’t think was controversial. That would be available for the party to adopt as well. But all of these things, regardless of whether I’m leader or not, it’s automatic that they’d be reviewed. I’d expect Anthony to do the same.
... Those policies were for the 2019 election. We faced and fought the 2019 election and lost it.... Those policies were for the 2019 election. We faced and fought the 2019 election and lost it.
Bowen then says he will not be standing as a deputy leader, “under any circumstances”:Bowen then says he will not be standing as a deputy leader, “under any circumstances”:
One thing Anthony and I would agree on is that the shadow cabinet needs to be brought together to work collectively on policy development.One thing Anthony and I would agree on is that the shadow cabinet needs to be brought together to work collectively on policy development.
I believe the next election might seem like a funny thing to say, just a few days after this election is eminently winnable for the Labor party.I believe the next election might seem like a funny thing to say, just a few days after this election is eminently winnable for the Labor party.
A government that was elected without plan, policy or strategy is, I think, not a good government for Australia, but I congratulate them on that.A government that was elected without plan, policy or strategy is, I think, not a good government for Australia, but I congratulate them on that.
But our job is to bring the Labor party together, to all think about how we can best serve the party.But our job is to bring the Labor party together, to all think about how we can best serve the party.
As I said, I think that I can best serve the party as leader. I will completely accept the verdict if the party decides otherwise and serve Anthony loyally, and I won’t be a candidate for deputy leadership of the Labor party under any circumstances.As I said, I think that I can best serve the party as leader. I will completely accept the verdict if the party decides otherwise and serve Anthony loyally, and I won’t be a candidate for deputy leadership of the Labor party under any circumstances.
Chris Bowen says Labor’s policy platform is now “a blank canvas”.Chris Bowen says Labor’s policy platform is now “a blank canvas”.
I do want to deal with one thing upfront, and let’s talk about the elephant in the room.I do want to deal with one thing upfront, and let’s talk about the elephant in the room.
Some say Labor lost the election because of franking credits which is a policy that I designed.Some say Labor lost the election because of franking credits which is a policy that I designed.
I designed it to invest more in schools and hospitals, to give Labor a good program of investment.I designed it to invest more in schools and hospitals, to give Labor a good program of investment.
We lost this election for a whole range of reasons – some of probably we haven’t yet determined. Franking credits was a controversial policy. A controversial policy, for which, no doubt, we lost some votes.We lost this election for a whole range of reasons – some of probably we haven’t yet determined. Franking credits was a controversial policy. A controversial policy, for which, no doubt, we lost some votes.
But I don’t accept that it is why we lost the election in it’s entirety.But I don’t accept that it is why we lost the election in it’s entirety.
We also lost the election because the policies we don’t have, like a death tax.We also lost the election because the policies we don’t have, like a death tax.
They are more people raising the death tax on the polling booths with me than on the franking credits. I woke up on Sunday morning devastated.They are more people raising the death tax on the polling booths with me than on the franking credits. I woke up on Sunday morning devastated.
I admit – devastated for myself, devastated for my party and devastated for the country. But also, deep respect for the verdict of the people of the country. Deeply respectful.I admit – devastated for myself, devastated for my party and devastated for the country. But also, deep respect for the verdict of the people of the country. Deeply respectful.
What I didn’t wake up thinking on Sunday morning is that all of a sudden, the tax system is now fair.What I didn’t wake up thinking on Sunday morning is that all of a sudden, the tax system is now fair.
I didn’t wake up suddenly on Sunday morning thinking that we don’t need to spend any more money on health and education.I didn’t wake up suddenly on Sunday morning thinking that we don’t need to spend any more money on health and education.
I didn’t wake up on Sunday morning thinking that we should no longer worry about giving first homebuyers a go.I didn’t wake up on Sunday morning thinking that we should no longer worry about giving first homebuyers a go.
These are the values which underpinned all the policies and they’ll continue to be my values and they’ll continue to inform my policymaking if I’m leader, or in whatever capacity I serve the party.These are the values which underpinned all the policies and they’ll continue to be my values and they’ll continue to inform my policymaking if I’m leader, or in whatever capacity I serve the party.
But no political party ever takes to the next election, exactly the same policies they took to the last. That would be dumb. They all have to be reviewed. It’s a blank canvas. We start again with new policies, collectively.But no political party ever takes to the next election, exactly the same policies they took to the last. That would be dumb. They all have to be reviewed. It’s a blank canvas. We start again with new policies, collectively.
Bowen continued:Bowen continued:
I make it clear that this is not a factional ballot. There will be no seeking to bind rightwing members. That is entirely a matter for them. I would hope and expect for people to weigh up the two options and vote for whom they think is the best candidate.I make it clear that this is not a factional ballot. There will be no seeking to bind rightwing members. That is entirely a matter for them. I would hope and expect for people to weigh up the two options and vote for whom they think is the best candidate.
There will be no ill-will from me for anybody who determines that they should vote for Anthony.There will be no ill-will from me for anybody who determines that they should vote for Anthony.
And also would expect, and I know that that will apply from the left as well, that they will vote for the best candidate available.And also would expect, and I know that that will apply from the left as well, that they will vote for the best candidate available.
I’ll be talking to branch members, many of whom are not in a faction, and pulling my case.I’ll be talking to branch members, many of whom are not in a faction, and pulling my case.
Chris Bowen:Chris Bowen:
I want to make it very clear – Anthony Albanese is a friend of mine, a good man.I want to make it very clear – Anthony Albanese is a friend of mine, a good man.
I think that he would make a good leader of the Labor party. And if he wins the ballot, he will have my full and undivided loyalty. But I think that the party deserves contest.I think that he would make a good leader of the Labor party. And if he wins the ballot, he will have my full and undivided loyalty. But I think that the party deserves contest.
I think that the party deserves choice. It deserves to hear competing ideas. I think it would be wrong of me not to provide that choice to the party. I believe in growth and opportunity, economic growth.I think that the party deserves choice. It deserves to hear competing ideas. I think it would be wrong of me not to provide that choice to the party. I believe in growth and opportunity, economic growth.
I believe in reconnecting with the suburbs like this and the regions.I believe in reconnecting with the suburbs like this and the regions.
I believe in connecting with people from all walks of life – manufacturing workers for example.I believe in connecting with people from all walks of life – manufacturing workers for example.
Just up the road from here is the Smithfield Weatherill Park industrial estate, the biggest industrial estate in the southern hemisphere. I believe in government working with private sector to ensure that Australia has a manufacturing future. I believe in these things deeply.Just up the road from here is the Smithfield Weatherill Park industrial estate, the biggest industrial estate in the southern hemisphere. I believe in government working with private sector to ensure that Australia has a manufacturing future. I believe in these things deeply.
I believe that this government has no plans or policies for economic growth for the future.I believe that this government has no plans or policies for economic growth for the future.
Economic growth lifts people out of poverty, turns aspiration into reality. It is the poverty alleviation program ever invented.Economic growth lifts people out of poverty, turns aspiration into reality. It is the poverty alleviation program ever invented.
I want to lead that debate for Labor.I want to lead that debate for Labor.
To ensure that it is spread across the regions of our great country. This will be a great process. As I said, Anthony is a good man and you’ll hear not one word of criticism leave my lips about him. I’ve spoken to him this morning and told him what I’m doing, and this will be a good balanceTo ensure that it is spread across the regions of our great country. This will be a great process. As I said, Anthony is a good man and you’ll hear not one word of criticism leave my lips about him. I’ve spoken to him this morning and told him what I’m doing, and this will be a good balance
Chris Bowen is holding his press conference in the street he grew up in – in front of the house he grew up in.Chris Bowen is holding his press conference in the street he grew up in – in front of the house he grew up in.
The truth of the matter is, this is the house I grew up in. Dad was a shift worker working with the NRMA. Worked every Sunday. Worked most Christmas. Every Easter.The truth of the matter is, this is the house I grew up in. Dad was a shift worker working with the NRMA. Worked every Sunday. Worked most Christmas. Every Easter.
My mum was a childcare worker. She looked after children in this home, including fostering disabled children. Raised my brothers and I here. This is an important end of who I am. They still at the other end of Smithfield. Smithfield is an important part of me and my story. That’s why I’ve asked you here today. I’ve asked you here today so that I can announce that I will run for the leadership of the Australian Labor party.My mum was a childcare worker. She looked after children in this home, including fostering disabled children. Raised my brothers and I here. This is an important end of who I am. They still at the other end of Smithfield. Smithfield is an important part of me and my story. That’s why I’ve asked you here today. I’ve asked you here today so that I can announce that I will run for the leadership of the Australian Labor party.
Chris Bowen is due to address the media very soon to formally announce his candidacy for the Labor leadershipChris Bowen is due to address the media very soon to formally announce his candidacy for the Labor leadership