In a recent interview with Jim Lloyd, Federal Member for Robertson, Minister for Local Government, Territories & Roads, I asked if he would like to comment on the coming election and what he intends if re-elected.
Here is his response.
"Running a small business is hard work. Prior to being elected as your
Federal Member for Robertson, I spent more than 20 years involved in
running my own small businesses here on the Central Coast and members
of my family are still currently running local small businesses.
"I
can assure you that it was much harder to make ends meet under a
Federal Labor Government when we were struggling with 18% home loan
interest rates - and up to 22% for business loans, more than one
million Australians out of work and inflation out of control.
"On
top of that we had an antiquated industrial relations system which
allowed total union domination in our workplaces which then in turn
allowed secondary boycotts, delays on our waterfronts and many
bully-boy tactics to our daily lives through strike activity.
"Labor
is still run by the unions – for the unions. Of Kevin Rudd’s Labor
front bench, 70% are ex-union officials while only 15% of Australia’s
private sector workforce are members of a union.
"Over the past
eleven years, the Howard Government has been prepared to make the tough
decisions which have been right for the future economic prosperity of
Australia. Decisions such as: · Waterfront reforms – ensuring an
efficient and productive waterfront; · Tax reform – modernising our tax
system · Industrial Relations reform – getting rid of the job
destroying unfair dismissal laws.
"The sound economic management
of the Howard Government has now resulted in the lowest unemployment in
33 years, strong business investment creating more local jobs, low
interest rates and low inflation.
"All these achievements would
be put at risk with the election of an inexperienced, union dominated
Rudd Labor Government and would wipe out any gains we have made over
the past decade.
"I will continue to focus my efforts for the
Central Coast by ensuring the best possible road links to Sydney
including the completion of the F3 widening, the construction of the
missing link between the F3 and the M2 and investigating direct access
from the Woy Woy Peninsula to the F3.
"In addition, the
installation of CCTV systems in all major commercial areas including
Ettalong, Umina and Woy Woy remain one of my highest priorities which
will complement the already installed cameras in Gosford.
"If
re-elected as a member of the Howard Government, I will continue my
efforts to ensure the Central Coast’s status as one of the best places
to be in business, to raise a family and enjoy a quality lifestyle".
The Howard Goverment has now released its tax reform policy and Labor
candidate for the seat, Belinda Neal, may well have a 'me too'
response...... buts that another story.
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