Tony vs Kevin – The Debate

KR – Kevin Rudd TA: Tony Abbott

6:30 – We begin. Scott Bevan looks the wrong way and after turning to the correct camera tells us that Peter Hartcher, Lyndal Curtis and Simon Benson will be on the panel.

6:33 – The PM begins. He talks up the economy and says everyone is very important. The election is on who is the best for the future. Talks about interest rates and the positive things they have done for Australia – They got rid of Work Choices!

• We need to transition – we have before and we can again
• Better schools plan, hospital funding
• Great future for Australia and I can do it.

6:36 – Tony Abbott states the obvious – it’s a debate between him and Kevin

• We can make future secure
• Job safety
• Good for you
• Stronger economy
• Scrap the tax but keep the compo
• Get the economy under control.
• Upgrading major roads
• STOP THE BOATS – apparently we shouldn’t be letting the people smugglers do our job.
• We can’t have a another three years like the last six
• A new way means a new govt.

6:39 – Kev is asked about economy

• We invested in our future to avoid the GFC
• We saved ourselves and stopped our debt being HUGE

6:41 – Tony is asked about his economic plans

• Lots of waste
• Brought up insulation scandal
• China boom kept us out of recession
• You will see closer to polling day how our numbers add up

6:43 – Kev rebukes

• Surely Tony could be open about the money 4 weeks before an election
• They keep evading the economy questions – legitimate to ask them what they’re doing

6:45 – Tony looks like the smarmy cat that got the cream as he bitches and moans about the Labor party.

6:47 – “THE GST CAN’T CHANGE!” Tony says, over and over and over

6:48 – KR asks about Tony’s policies again. The host is trying to move it on. KR then goes on about Pacific Solution.

6:50 – TA asked what his problem is with Pacific Solution

• We will try to fix what we can
• Coalition invented offshore processing
• PNG Solution is not what KR says it is
• If safe to do so, on the orders on the Navy, like they do with pirates – he gets cut off

6:52:

• Under international maritime law, nearest ship is meant to help boats in distress
• TA has not answered the question at all
• TA then rebukes and says that KR needs to get his facts right

6:53 – Lyndal Curtis asked about taxes and trust

• KR says that under Coalition last time, taxes were at 25% related to GDP – it has been 22% under labour
• Abbott wants to give big business tax breaks
• TA says that the Carbon tax will help the families who are suffering terribly

6:56 – Peter Hartcher asks about tax revenues – What programs will you cut, what taxes will you increase

KR:

• That is not the appropriate action
• it will transfer the pain to families
• Budget management is fine – we just released info
• We will responsibly over time return to surplus
• We do not want to create problems while trying to keep the economy stable

TA:

• NBN is way behind schedule and over budget
• Yes, revenues are under pressure
• We need to grow a stronger economy
• eliminate unnecessary taxes
• No specific plans that will decrease productivity
• Stronger economy means we can fund systems
• NEITHER ANSWERED THE QUESTION!
• TA: I am being honest – KR is running a scare campaign
• KR: there are real economic pressures on families – we are supporting them!

7:03 – Simon Benson asks: Surely after 30 years of debate we should just build a second airport in Sydney

TA:

• We should do it
• It will take time because Labor has been useless
• I will make a decision in my first term if I win
• Let’s build WestConnex too!

KR:

• Yay! Fair work Act!
• We are investing in infrastructure
• we can increase productivity that way
• Where will it be???
• recommendations and decisions will be made at the right time
• Ask Albo about it – he’s the transport minister
• Mr Abbott won’t invest in rail systems

7:08 – Lyndal Curtis asks about legislation policy for aged care

TA:

• My relatives were in aged care centres – they’re good and we can make them better
• We need to ensure that the workers are doing their amazing jobs not dealing with paperwork

KR:

• we need to deal with it effectively
• We are dealing with how we are funding it
• help people to age with dignity in care and in homes
• Nurses do a good job
• There need to be more people working in aged care – not just in care centres but at home
• It’s only fair to seniors

7:12 – Peter Hartcher asks about Climate Change and cutting emissions

TA:

• I want to deal with the facts not hypotheticals
• reduce emissions by 5% by 2020
• We won’t use a tax
• we will go to the market and buy cost-effective way to help reduce emissions (Trees!)
• We will adjust to changes.
• No one else in the world has a carbon tax

KR:

• We need to deal with it now to help the future generations
• The impact on the Great Barrier Reef is scary to think about
• We are moving to an emissions trading scheme and away from a carbon tax
• Emission are not increasing

7:17 – Simon Benson asks about the economy and rhetoric.

KR:

• We need to transition our economy and diversify it
• We have terrific agriculture – lets sell it to the chinese

TA:

• He said the same thing six years ago
• It’s the same waffle
• If the mining boom is over because of the mining tax, carbon tax and other things
• We will stop the carbon and mining taxes
• a strong resources sector is good

KR:

• We have to prepare for the day and we need to be prepared!

7:22 – Same sex marriage

TA:

• it’s an important issue
• My gay sister is in the audience
• Will he give it a conscience vote

KR:

• I support it!
• It is a mark of decency for same-sex couples
• Within the first 100 days of the Labor Govt will have a bill for same-sex marriage and have a conscience vote

7:24 – KR Closes

• I am happy to talk about my plans about the country’s future
• we’ve kept the economy strong
• we’ve invested in everything for our future
• We’ve invested in hospitals
• We need to create new jobs
• We have the NBN and the Better schools plan
• We want to put evil bitchy politics away and have nice talks about the future
• People don’t want to see a stronger economy by killing things off
• We are going to deal with the challenges of the future

7:27 – TA Closes

• KR is wrong
• I have to get back to basics
• No limits on what Aussies could achieve
• It’s hard to be optimistic about the government
• If there is an LNP govt elected we will solve all your problems
• STOP THE BOATS
• I believe in my team
• I believe in YOU! (OH YUCK)
• I am ready , the team is ready the plans are ready and we will be strong and united

7:29 – The end. Thanks to everyone. Back patting ensues.