LEIGH SALES: Well, Labor has had a warning for awhile that this early electionwas a strong possibility. Now ithas to move immediately intocampaign mode. With me now fromCanberra is Labor's Leader in theSenate Penny Wong. Senator, isLabor ready the start an electioncampaign tomorrow?
SENATOR PENNY WONG, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE: Yes, we are. Weare obviously, like everybody, weare well aware of MalcolmTurnbull's plan and he certainlyhad a plan to get an election, but I don't think he's got a plan forgovernment. I don't think he's gota plan for the future of thecountry.
So we have already been rollingout policy, a lot more than mostoppositions have, on schools,health, on education, on jobs andthose are the things that thiselection will be fought on. Its going to be a long campaign and a hardcampaign, but it should be becauseit is about the future of thecountry.
SALE: As you say, Labor hasalready rolled out a few policies.Do you have enough policies to filla 75-day campaign?
WONG:I think the more important questionis, is not so much that, that isprobably what the journalists wantto know. We have got policies forthe future of the country. I amsure you will see those being addedto because, ultimately, thiselection is about which party has aplan for the future. And I am afraidwhat we have seen from MalcolmTurnbull, disappointingly for manyAustralians, for someone about whompeople had a lot of high hopes, wehaven't seen very much in terms ofthe real issues that people careabout.
SALES: You talk about having a planfor the future, but people oftenjudge future performance on thebasis of past performance. It wasjust three years ago that Australiansbooted out the Rudd-GillardGovernment pretty comprehensively.How can they trust they won't get arerun of Labor's last term inoffice?
WONG: In terms of the last termof government I think you can point to someimportant policy achievements. Westeered Australia through theglobal financial crisis and avoidedthe sort of levels of unemploymentyou see in many countries. Weintroduced the National DisabilityInsurance Scheme. We did good workin mental health and of course werolled out the school reforms, the Gonski reforms.
But youare right, there was a lot ofdisunity and we have learnt from that. Australians made their viewsabout that very clear and I think what hascharacterised the Labor Oppositionin this term of government has beena strength of purpose and unity.
SALES: The Government is obviously goingto point to Labor's ties to theunions as part of its electioncampaign. What do you say toAustralians who say well, look atLabor's close relationship with theunion movement versus the fact thatonly one in five Australians topsare members of unions?
WONG: The firstthing I would say, is this allMalcolm Turnbull has to say to you?He doesn't want the talk abouteconomic growth, unemployment. He doesn't want to talk about the factthat Australians' incomes are in amuch worse place than they oughtbe. People are feeling the cost ofliving. We know why. He doesn'twant to talk about Medicare or hisplan to remove federalfunding from Australia's publicschools. He wants to talk about-
SALES: -Let's stick to your side, because I want to stick to the core question that Im asking here, which is Labor isvery closely affiliated with the unions, most Australians are not.
WONG: Well,you are accepting MalcolmTurnbull's frame. You are acceptingthat the frame of this electionshould be about Labors
SALES: -No, I am justasking you about the Labor Party'srelationship with the unions versusregular Australians.
WONG: The unionshave a lot of regular Australiansin them, thats who the membersare. We have a long history ofassociation with the trade unionsand we have a long history, also,of being a party of government for all Australians. Thats our job.
SALES: Why is Labor stuck with BillShorten when, if you look at hispersonal popularity, it has to be adrag on Labor's vote?
WONG: Look, I thinkBill is doing a great job. He iscampaigning very hard. He haspresided over a team, he has led ateam, that I think has shown a unityof purpose and a willingness to putideas on the table.
I mean, hehasn't been a small targetOpposition Leader. He has been anOpposition Leader who has beenprepared to work with his team toput forward policies, somedifficult savings measures, whichare all about making sure you havea budget and a plan that is fit forthe future.
SALES: If he is doing such agreat job, why don't moreAustralians view him as a potentialalternative Prime Minister?
WONG: Look, I think Bill isworking very hard around thecountry. I have been to a couple ofTown Halls that he's done inmarginal seats or in a number ofseats and I can tell you theresponse has been very good.Because he's talking about theissues people care about andI think it stands in stark contrast to thedisappointment that people feelabout Malcolm Turnbull. What doesMalcolm Turnbull stand for?
SALES: Youmentioned earlier the differencebetween the two parties plans forthe future. Is Labor's corecampaign message going to be that?Is your campaign slogan going to besomething about a plan for thefuture?
WONG: I don't know that Ill be announcing campaign slogans on7.30 Report, with all due respect. But we have an agenda and it isabout jobs, at a time the economy ischanging. It is about protectingimportant institutions, likeMedicare, and its about makingsure every child has the chance tobe the best of who they are. Thatis what our schools policy isabout and I think these are thingsthat Australians care about. Ourjob as the Opposition and as peoplewho will be seeking to formgovernment, will be askingAustralians for their support, is togo out and talk to Australians about, these are our plans and thisis why we think they are important.
SALES: I am sure, Senator, we will beseeing you again over the next 75days.
WONG: I am sure you will.
SALES: Thank youvery much for your time this evening.
WONG: Good to bewith you.