New Prime Minster Julia Gillard says she will call a Federal election in the “coming months” and says the Government is willing to negotiate on the controversial Resources Super Profits Tax.
Gillard, who said she accepted the job as Prime Minister “with the greatest humility, resolve and enthusiasm” acknowledged that she has not been elected by the Australian people and said she would ask the Governor General to call an election in the next few months.
However, in a major concession that is sure to please the business community, Gillard says she will immediately start fresh negotiations with the mining industry in a bid to resolve the impasse over the divisive RSPT.
“We need to do more than consult, we need to negotiate. We must end this uncertainty, which is not good for Australia,” Gillard said.
“I am throwing open the Government’s doors to the mining industry.”
Gillard also said she would cancel the Government’s advertising campaign on the RSPT and has called on the mining industry to abandon its advertising campaign.
Gillard also said she will look to “reprosecute” the case for an emissions trading scheme at the next election, although said the introduction of such a scheme would rely on economic conditions.
Industrial relations, Gillard’s key focus for the last three years, also looms a key election battleground.
Gillard accused the Coalition of threatening to “smash rights at work” and said she would work to ensure these rights are protected.
“I believed that a good Government was losing it way,” Gillard said.
“I believed that the basic education and health services that Australia’s rely on, and their treatment, was at risk at the next election.”
Gillard also used her speech to praise outgoing PM Kevin Rudd and said he would make an excellent minister.
“It is important, if you lead a team, to rely on the collective efforts of the team.”
Gillard also paid tribute to her parents, who she said had shaped her values and career.
“They taught me the value of hard work. They taught the value of respect. They taught me the value of doing my bit for the community. It is these values that will drive me as Prime Minister.”
James was the editor and publisher of SmartCompany and LeadingCompany for five years. He is now the Australian Financial Review‘s companies & markets editor, and a former BRW editor.
