WONG: Thanks very much, its great to be here to give a speech about the economy, to talk about the challenges and the opportunities that this century holds for Australia. To look at the long-term, because thats how we ensure that we have jobs today and jobs tomorrow.
And the perspective of looking to the long-term is one of the reasons Im supporting Prime Minister Gillard in the upcoming ballot for the Labor leadership. This is a woman who has shown fortitude, grace, determination and a willingness to look to the future. We need to do that, because that is how we continue to deliver good government for Australians, and how we will go to the next election with a policy platform that is all about jobs tomorrow and the prosperity of the nation tomorrow. Happy to take questions.
JOURNALIST: If Julia Gillard doesnt win, will you serve in a Rudd cabinet?
WONG: Im not countenancing that. I want to serve in a Julia Gillard ministry, as I currently do.
JOURNALIST: Did Kevin Rudd run a dysfunctional government?
WONG: I think theres enough in the public record now that its clear that there were a lot of challenges through that time. And certainly one of the things I think Prime Minister Gillard has brought to the Government is a much more methodical process of decision making. And that is important because thats about how you deliver good government. Having a proper decision making process is key to delivering good government.
JOURNALIST: Both you and Julia Gillard were part of the gang of four though. If there were serious issues, why didnt either of you resign or, you know, go into Kevin Rudd and say this has to change or youre out. No one took that option?
WONG: What Id say is this I think members of the Cabinet are indicating their support for the Prime Minister and we are doing so because were informed by our judgements of the individuals concerned. Particularly, remember this the decision that we are making is not a decision on personalities. It is a decision about who is the best person to lead the nation.
JOURNALIST: What do you make of Kevin Rudds speech? (inaudible)
WONG: He mentioned a number of things. I understand he is standing up soon. What I would say is this: I welcome very much the Prime Ministers indication that she would go to the backbench should she not achieve the leadership on Monday. I think that is the right thing to do by the party, and the right thing to do by the nation. I think Kevin Rudd should make the same commitment. Anything on this side?
JOURNALIST: After the (inaudible)
WONG: I dont know what Mr Rudd is going to say, but I would say this, it is incumbent upon him to make the same commitment that the Prime Minister has made. I think all Australians want this matter resolved. Well resolve it on Monday, and we must resolve it on Monday.
JOURNALIST: What do you make of Nick Champions decision today to quit his position today and back Kevin Rudd?
WONG: There are people on both sides whove made different decisions. I like Nick, and hes made a decision, its not a decision I agree with.
JOURNALIST: Are peoples preselections under threat here, as Kevin Rudd was saying?
WONG: Im going to respond directly to that. I have not heard anybody mention anything that even remotely approximates any such threat. If anything like that was said, it would be inappropriate. Im certainly going to be very clear, Ive made the decision Im making because I think its in the best interests of the country.
JOURNALIST: Have you spoken to Tony Zappia, whos a member of the Left faction, about how he intends to vote?
WONG: Youd have to speak to Tony about that.
JOURNALIST: Do you see this as somewhat of an issue for Labor that the fact that it appears, certainly by opinion polls, and by what Nick Champions saying, that while the country may want Kevin Rudd, the party wants Julia Gillard. Do you see that as an ongoing issue for Labor?
WONG: The Prime Minister herself said we need to continue to get out there and tell people what were doing and why were doing it. We make changes, not just because theyre good policy, but because you want to deliver good outcomes for working Australians. Things like more superannuation. Things like an increase in wages for low-paid workers, particularly women. These are things that we have delivered, and we need to get out and continue to sell them.
But I answered this question earlier today, and Id make this point: if I stood in front of you and said we should just do what polling tells us, I think, to a person youd be highly critical. And rightly so. Government is about doing whats right for the country, and thats what the Prime Minister is doing.
JOURNALIST: Has the Government failed to sell its message under Julia Gillard?
WONG: I think certainly our message has been obscured. Our very good set of reforms have been obscured by the destabilisation that we have seen. That is why again I repeat: Monday must be the end of this, and the Labor party caucus should make that decision.
JOURNALIST: Regardless of who wins on Monday, will that leader be fundamentally already undermined by what the people in the party are saying about each other now?
WONG: Ultimately thats a matter for the caucus. The caucus, I think, needs to make that decision, and unite behind the leader on Monday.
Thanks very much.
ENDS