RogerRabbit
Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined: 05 Sep 2004
Posts: 748
Location: Oregon
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 Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2004 1:49 pm Post subject: Howard Claims victory in Australia |
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200410/s1216569.htm
| Quote: | Howard claims victory
Prime Minister John Howard has thanked the Australian people for his historic fourth federal election victory.
Federal Labor leader Mark Latham conceded defeat after the Howard Government won an increased majority in the federal Parliament.
Mr Howard was greeted with a tumultuous reception when he arrived to address the party faithful at the Wentworth Hotel in Sydney.
He was joined on stage by wife Janette and his children.
"My fellow Australians, can I say first of all I am truly humbled by this extraordinary expression of confidence in the leadership of this great nation by the Coalition," he said.
"The first thing I say to the Australian people in accepting their charge to lead the nation in the years ahead is to re-dedicate myself and all of my colleagues to the service of the Australian people.
"This nation stands on the threshold of great achievements."
He thanked Labor leader Mark Latham for his gracious comments in conceding defeat.
He also paid tribute to deputy Prime Minister and Nationals leader John Anderson and Treasurer Peter Costello for his management of the economy.
"One of the reasons we have won is that we have been a united team," he said.
New era
Mr Howard says Australia "stands on the threshold of a new era of great achievement".
"This is a proud nation, a confident nation, a cohesive nation, a united nation, a nation that can achieve anything if it sets its mind to it," he said.
He described Australia as a beacon of hope and tolerance all around the world.
"The rest of the world sees us as a strong, successful nation and tonight the Australian people, by their decision, have declared themselves confident about their future," he said.
"We have a strong economy, we are a nation that is respected around the world because we are prepared to stand up for what we believe in," he said.
"Never forget the fact that governments are elected to govern for the people who voted for them, but also for the people who voted against them," he said.
He says the election result is historic, being the first time since the 1960s that an incumbent government has increased its majority at two consecutive elections.
Latham concedes
Addressing the party faithful in Sydney, Mr Latham congratulated John Howard on his election victory.
"We honour and respect the decision of the Australian people," Mr Latham said.
"We wanted to run a positive campaign."
Mr Latham says his party ran on principle and on beliefs.
He harked back to his working class roots saying he had "always remained true to a place called Green Valley".
He thanked all the Labor candidates and party workers, parliamentary colleagues, national campaign team, staff, family and the Australian people.
"They've done the cause of Labor proud in advancing our policies," he said.
"We made a decision to run a positive campaign. We wanted to put forward hope and opportunity for the Australian people and we'll continue to advance our beliefs and our policies in the Parliament in the coming three years.
"We put forward clear choices to the Australian people. Choices about the future of Medicare, about fair funding for our schools, about opportunity in our TAFE and university systems and in saving the Australian environment and playing a role in the international arena," he said.
He also thanked former prime minister and mentor Gough Whitlam.
"Gough has been a great friend of my family and is loved by Labor supporters all around the country," Mr Latham said.
"We'll continue to advance our policies and our beliefs in the coming Parliament," he said.
"We ran on principle.
"Tonight is not our night, it's not the night we were hoping for. We'll make sure the Government is held to account. Thank you very much and I'll see you again," he said. |
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