Posted on 11/23/2007 10:55:46 PM PST by naturalman1975
Peter Costello (probably about to become Leader of the Liberal Party and Opposition Leader) about to speak at his campaign HQ.
Thanks party workers.
Says with postal votes, he should have increased his majority in his seat (Higgins).
Basically, it’s a speech thanking his campaign workers.
Thanks his campaign manager, and electorate chairman.
Thanks his staff.
Thanks his children.
Thanks his wife.
Kisses her.
Not his role to discuss the national situation.
It appears there’s been a swing of about 5%. It appears Labor has won significant seats.
The consequence of that will be known to you. It will lead to a change of government, that’s pretty clear. I won’t be doing any analysis tonight. The party leaders will do that.
I intend to speak to my colleagues about their futures.
I want to pay tribute to those members who have lost their seats.
I want to congratulate those who have retained their seats.
Extols the virtues of his party.
“I think the Liberal party will be very very proud of what it has achieved in government over these last eleven and a half years.”
Will have more to say later.
“I believe that our ambitions for our country should be as large as our country itself.”
PM IS ARRIVING AT CAMPAIGN HQ
There’s no doubt it’s a damn shame. I hope he holds on to Bennelong, in any case.
The Prime Minister, John Winston Howard, and wife walking through the auditorium.
Applause.
He has reached the stage.
They had many issues with which we are familiar: immigration, Iraq, anti-terrorism, economic growth, health care, gay rights, social security, education spending, corporate taxes and global warming.
The election doesn't appear to have been as close as some were contending in saying the outcome wouldn't be known until Monday.
We need to look closely at Rudd and see if he had any "help" from Clinton war-room hatchetmen. Carville, for one, has been involved in past foreign elections.
Sky News reported he’d lost his seat too, the first PM in 78 years to do so. Let us know if that’s confirmed.
We won’t know until postal votes are in - and that can be up to two weeks.
“My fellow Australians, a few moments ago, I telephoned Mr Kevin Rudd and congratulate dhim and the Labor Party on an emphatic victory.
“He assumes the mantle of the 26th Prime Minister of AUstralia and there is no greater job.
“I wish him well in the task he will undertake, and I want to say on behalf of the coaltion that has governed for 11 1/2 years this country that we bequeath to him a nation that is stronger and prouder and more propserous than it was 11 1/2 years ago, and can I say to all of you that it has been an immense privilege to be the Prime Minister of this beautiful country, and I want to thank the AUstralian people for the privilege they have given me over that time. I respect it and I honour it.
The Australian people are the greatest people on earth and this is the greatest country on earth.
I’ve lead a government that has taken this country from deep debt to prosperity, a goverment that has never shirked responsibility.
Thanking people - parliamentary colleagues. Particularly Mark Vaile, John Anderson, Tim FIshcer (Deputy PMS), my Treasurer and Deputy, Peter Costello. A special debt of gratitude.
He endorses Costello as the future of the party.
Has to call for quiet so he can continue to speak.
Condolences to those who’ve lost their seats.
Particularly Mal Brough.
Thanks.
Yep. Check my comments at the end of post #140.
It’s hard for Howard to speak - keeps being interrupted by calls from the audience.
Accepts fulls responsibility for the campaign, and for the defeat.
Cries of No from the audience.
The Liberal Party will need to choose a new Leader, and he endorses Peter Costello.
“The end of my political career.”
“I owe more to the Liberal Party than the Liberal Party owes to me.”
Cries of “We love you, John.”
“I will love the Liberal Party for the rest of my life.”
Thanks his family.
Thanks his personal staff.
Thanks his family.
His wife, Janette.
They’re holding hands.
“The love of my life. My rock, my adviser.”
“I owe everything to a wonderful strong family.”
“I want to say how much I love her, and how much I am in her debt.”
Says he may have lost his seat. But thanks the peopel of that seat who have elected him for 33 years.
“TO all the people of Australia, it has been a tremendous honour, privilege and opportunity to have served you.”
He is tearing up.
“I wish this nation well. I believe very profoundly that AUstralia’s best years lie ahead of it, and I wish the government elected today the very best in the time ahead of it.”
I loved how his wife had a dig at him about the ‘had’ comment about their marriage. Easy to see those two are happy and comfortable in their marriage.
I want to go on record thanking you both for helping us follow this election.
Premier of Queensland is introducing Kevin Rudd
Rudd enters Labor Party Campaign Headquarters to rapturous applause.
He’s on the stage with his wife, and a big grin on his face. His family have joined him.
At the podium.
“OK guys. A short time ago, Mr Howard called me to offer his congratulations.
“I thanked him for that and the dignity with which he extended those congratulations.
We should celebrate and honour the way we conduct this great Australian democracy of ours.
I want to acknowledge now for the people of Australia and recognise Mr Howards extensive service to Australia.
There are big differences between us but we share a common pride in this nation.
Today, Australia has looked to the future.
Today the Australian people have decided that we as a nation will move forward.
To write a new page in our nations history.
To make this great country of ours, Australia, even greater.
Today ,many people across Australia have voted Labor for the very first time. Today ,many people across Australia have voted Labor for the first time in a very long time.
ANd, I say tonight to the nation that I will never take their sacred trust for granted.
I understand that this is a great privilege and I will do everything to honour the trust given to me.
I say to each and every person that I will be a Prime Minister for all Australians.
A Prime Minister for indigenous Australians.
Australians who have been born here and Australians who have come here from afar, and who have contributed to the great diversity that is our nation.
More in this vein.
For our men and women in uniform serving in difficult and dangerous environments around the world.
And I make this solemn pledge to the nation, I will always govern in the national interest.
World class education system.
Long term funding needs of public hospitals.
Climate change and water.
Build a twenty first century infrastructure
Balance right between fairness and flexibility in work places.
Strong economy - delievers for working families.
Remain ever vigilant in defence of national security.
Friends and allies around the world - I look forward to working with them on the problems of the world.
Our great friend and ally the United States. In Asia, and in Europe.
Thanks NM1975 & Dundee.
XXXX’s for the house Mates.
I have not read the thread and I Thank naturalman1975 for beginning this thread. Good Luck to our nations, and many prayers our nations will be bless with such. May our nations aways savor the flavor, of the fruit, simply known as Freedom.
Knowing almost nothing about Rudd (I think naturalman once told me that he's 'not all that bad') one can only hope that he serves the legitimate aspirations of his countrymen...at home *and* abroad...and lets hope that he doesn't go down the same road,domestically or internationally,that that clown in Spain (Bin Laden's hand picked candidate) has since a few days after the Madrid bombings.
I know that water has always been an important subject in many parts of the country but does Rudd realize that if he makes it so Australians have to commute to work on tricycles and set their a/c at 34 degrees in January that China will wipe away that "gain" in the "global warming" war just by opening up one of the 250 coal-fired power plants that they open in the typical year?
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