2007 - 2013 LABOR BROKEN PROMISES
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7th September, 2013 PROMISE — “I am an economic conservative, I am committed to balancing the budget” - Kevin Rudd 2007 election BROKEN — Labor’s first budget produced a $27.1 billion deficit (double the previous highest ever deficit). The 2009-10 budget deficit was $54.8 billion. The 2010-11 budget deficit was $47.7 billion. The 2011-12 budget deficit was $49.4 billion, in 2012-13 it reached $18.8 billion and on leaving office the 2012-13 budget was heading for a $47 billion deficit Net debt predicted to reach $107 billion in 2011-12. Labor increases its debt ceiling from $75 billion to $200 billion in 2009, to $250 billion in 2011, and $300 billion in 2013. That figure was exceeded in 2013 and is now headed for $667 billion over the next ten years. PROMISE - Parliament will resume before Christmas and Ministers will not be allowed a Christmas holiday break BROKEN - Ministers all have 2007 Christmas holidays and Parliament does not sit until February 12 2008, the latest start in memory PROMISE - Labor will deliver fibre to the node broadband with speeds of 100 megabits per second to 98% of Australians beginning by Christmas 2008 at a cost of $4.7 billion BROKEN - Labor axed the $900 million Opel contract to deliver wireless broadband to regional Australia and has not delivered fast speeds to any household by Christmas 2009. Labor watered down its promise so that only 90% of Australians would ever get fibre to the home and 2 million Australians in regional areas were excluded from Labor's promise. The cost of Labor's scheme had blown out to $43 billion. At the end of 2011 only 2,315 subscribers had been connected to NBN fibre optic cable. When Labor left office in September 2013 a review of the NBN found that only 80,000 premises were connected, less than 3% of the total target and the estimated cost of completing the NBN was now $73 billion PROMISE - Labor will give a computer to every secondary school student in years 9-12. The scheme will cost $900 million and be completed in 2009. BROKEN — The promise was downgraded. Computers would only be available for every second child and only if the State Government or parents pay for electricity, programs, cables, repairs, upgrades etc. Later the program was restructures to Year 9 students and completion delayed til 2012 and the cost blew out to $2.4 billion PROMISE - Labor will create an education revolution BROKEN - Literacy and numeracy at record lows. National curriculum was mired in controversy and most states have deferred its implementation PROMISE - Labor will provide a Trade Training Centre at all 2650 secondary schools in Australia BROKEN — Promise to provide a centre to every school abandoned and instead the centres would be provided only to a cluster of schools. Only one has been opened after Labor's first two years in office. As of October 2011, only 111 are operational and in May 2013 only 252 had opened PROMISE - Labor will establish Grocery Watch to put downward pressure on grocery prices BROKEN - After spending $13 million on failed grocery price reporting schemes, Labor abandons Grocery Watch PROMISE - Labor will establish Fuel Watch to help motorists buy the cheapest petrol BROKEN - Labor abandons its failed Fuel Watch scheme after spending $21 million PROMISE - Labor will provide an extra $15 million for Rural Research and Development Corporations affected by drought BROKEN - $10 million provided for climate change activities instead PROMISE - Labor will establish an Office for Children and Young People BROKEN - Never delivered PROMISE - Labor will reduce expenditure on consultancies by $395 million BROKEN - Labor paid $952 million in consultancy contracts in its first two years in office, more than any other government in history. In 2009-10 Labor spent $458 million and in 2010-11 $441 million. In its first four years, Labor spent $2.17 billion on consultancies. Labor also changed the definition of consultancies so that many were classified as ‘general contracts’ PROMISE - Labor will give the states until mid 2009 to fix hospitals or the Government will hold a constitutional referendum to transfer responsibility for health to the Commonwealth BROKEN - June 30 2009 passes with no action - just an announcement to review the review. In April 2010, the Rudd Government backs down entirely and allows the States to continue to run hospitals. The promised local Hospital Boards became large Regional Health Authorities. Julia Gillard concedes that the States will not be required to give up any of their GST revenue as originally required PROMISE - Labor's modern award will not make workers or employers worse off BROKEN - Labor's new awards leave most employers worse off and also many employees. ACTU Secretary admitted Labor's changes to industry based awards had left child care workers, aged care nurses, bar staff, funeral workers and some transport workers worse off (Hobart Mercury 2-3-2011) PROMISE - Labor will maintain and improve the Regional Partnerships Program BROKEN - Labor axes the Regional Partnership Program PROMISE - Labor will take legal action to stop Japanese whaling BROKEN - Japanese whaling continues without interruption and no court action commenced until demanded by The Greens very late in their term. PROMISE - Labor will establish 35 general practice super clinics to improve local medical care BROKEN - After two years in office only one super clinic was operational and another was opened at the end of January 2010. The 2010-11 Budget promised 23 more general practice super clinics, all in centres that already have many doctors. By late 2011, only 19 were fully operational and only four bulk bill all patients. By May 2012, only 24 of the clinics were operating and others are mired in controversy, contractual disputes and poor services PROMISE — At the 2007 election, Labor promised to establish 12 Defence Force Family Healthcare Clinics, to provide free GP and dental care to families of serving ADF members at defence bases BROKEN — 8 trial services introduced but no Defence Family Healthcare Clinics ever established PROMISE - Labor will hold a referendum with the 2010 federal election for four year terms for Members of the House of Representatives and Senate BROKEN - Government abandons referendum promise (28-1-10) PROMISE - Labor will deliver 750 new homes, rebuild 230 houses and refurbish 2500 dwellings in the Northern Territory at a cost of $672 million BROKEN - $170 million spent and only seven new houses completed PROMISE - Mr Rudd promised he would update the House of Representatives on the progress towards closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage on the first sitting day of each year BROKEN - Mr Rudd didn't do that in 2009 or 2010. A report was given on the second sitting day of 2011 PROMISE - Labor promised to take legal action against Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on a charge of incitement to genocide BROKEN - Labor never took any action PROMISE - Labor will spend $100 million to re-engineer Menindee Lakes to save 200 billion litres of water a year for the Murray Darling BROKEN - Nothing has been done PROMISE - Labor will establish a Coastguard with purpose built vessels and dedicated trained staff BROKEN - Coastguard promise abandoned and Labor cut the budgets for Customs and Quarantine in nearly every budget, slashing inspection staff numbers and reducing the number of inspections by many millions of items every year PROMISE — “We will create the right incentives for individuals and business” BROKEN - Labor gutted $1 billion from business incentives including axing the Commercial Ready program, Small Business Field Officer program, New Business Incentive Scheme and the Global Opportunities program. Labor abolishes the 25% Entrepreneur’s Tax Offset increasing the tax burden of Australia’s 400,000 small businesses. 300,000 jobs lost in manufacturing industry in Labor’s first four years. One job in manufacturing was lost every 19 minutes Labor was in office PROMISE — Labor will simplify GST paperwork for small business BROKEN — Labor abandons its BAS Easy Scheme after review reports it will deliver minimal reductions in red tape and be a cost to revenue PROMISE - Labor will increase the overall size of the Australian Federal Police by 500 sworn officers BROKEN - Only 100 officers to be recruited between 2008-10, Labor winds back the Air Marshals program and cuts AFP budget. Another $23.5 million cut from AFP in 2010-11 Budget PROMISE - Labor will retain private health insurance rebates (letter to private health funds, September 2007) BROKEN - Labor repeatedly introduces legislation into Parliament to reduce the rebates and finnay succeeds winning Greens support to index the rebates PROMISE - Labor will end the blame game BROKEN - Of the first 500 Questions Without Notice in Parliament asked of Labor Government Ministers, Labor blamed the Coalition in 77% of their answers (81% of answers to questions asked by Labor Members of themselves) PROMISE - 260 child care centres will be built in schools and TAFEs BROKEN - After two years in office only one has been opened. The Rudd Government abandons the promise ‘to end the double drop off’ saying only 38 will be built PROMISE - Labor will pay a $6,000 bonus to attract 7,750 nurses back to work BROKEN - Only 752 nurses accepted the offer PROMISE - Labor will introduce mandatory filtering of all unlawful and inappropriate online material on websites BROKEN — After years of procrastination Labor decides only "refused classification" material is to be filtered and that is already banned. Labor then abandons its internet censorship promise altogether and announces a new 12 month inquiry to be followed by COAG consideration PROMISE - Labor is the Party for the environment BROKEN - Labor axed the previous Government's Natural Heritage Trust and the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality and replaced them with its Caring for Our Country program spending $1 billion less PROMISE - Labor will lower the tax burden BROKEN - Since the Labor Government was elected in 2007, Labor has introduced or increased more than 40 taxes including 1 - Great big new Carbon Tax, $9 billion per year and increasing every year 2 — The Mining Tax, $11 billion over 4 years 3 — Cutting what Australians can put into superannuation tax free, $2.8 billion over 4 years. Twice delay higher tax free superannuation contribution increases, $4.3 billion over four years 4 — Restrictions on business losses, $700 million over 4 years 5 — Alcopops Tax, $3.1 billion over 4 years 6 — Cigarette Tax hike of 25%, $5 billion over 4 years. Only two packets of cigarettes can be purchased duty free, $600 million over four years 7 - New tax on Australians working overseas, $675 million over four years 8 — Changes to Employee Share Scheme, $200 million over 4 years 9 — Ethanol and Biodiesel Tax increases 10 — LPG Excise increase - $540 million over 4 years. Truck Road User Charge increased by $166 million, $700 million over four years 11 — Tightening restrictions on medical expenses before you can claim them on tax, $350 million over 4 years. Medicare Safety Net means tested, threshold increased from $2000 to $5000 and tax concession slashed 12 — Increase in Luxury Car Tax, $555 million over 4 years 13 — Increase the Income Tax Rates from 15% to 19% and from 30% to 33% 14 — Flood Tax, $1.8 billion 15 - Tax increase on company cars, $970 million over 4 years 16 — Abolition of Entrepreneurs Tax offset for small business, $356 million over 4 years 17 — Phasing out of Dependent Spouse Tax Offset, $755 million over 4 years 18 — Disallowance of deductions against government assistance payments 19 — Removing minors’ eligibility for the low income tax offset on unearned income, $740 million over 4 years 20 — Defer and in 2011 Budget axe the tax breaks for Green Buildings, $700 million over four years 21 — Increased taxation on Employment Termination Payments, $200 million over four years 22 — $500 mature age tax offset axed, $255 million over four years 23 — Superannuation tax doubled to 30% for people on income above $300,000, $1 billion over four years 24 — Passenger movement charge increased in almost every budget — to $55 in 2012 budget raising $610 million over four years 25 — Increased charges for aged care for all but full pensioners, $2.1 billion over four years At the time of leaving office, Labor had failed to legislate more than 100 tax measures which it had announced up to seven years earlier PROMISE - Labor will request UN Security Council to take court action against the Burmese Junta for crimes against humanity BROKEN - No action taken PROMISE - Labor will provide rain water tanks to all of Australia's 305 surf lifesaving clubs BROKEN - After two years only 45 have been provided and program axed altogether in 2010-11 Budget PROMISE - Labor will standardise business regulation across the states and reduce red tape BROKEN - Labor admits its program is behind schedule and virtually nothing has been achieved PROMISE - Labor will close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage BROKEN - Labor's reports to Parliament shows little or no progress in health, education or employment outcomes PROMISE - Labor will provide 200,000 households with interest free loans of up to $10,000 each under its Green Loans scheme BROKEN - After the election, the commitment was cut to 75,000 households. The scheme was scrapped after providing loans to only 1,008 households, leaving 10,000 Green Loan assessors who paid up to $2,000 for their own training with no work PROMISE — Labor will address the systemic skills shortage faced by the shipping industry due to high training costs BROKEN — Despite a Coastal Shipping Inquiry, no action was taken to address skills shortages until the last year of Labor’s term when Labor established a $5 million committee to improve training. Labor’s union inspired shipping reform legislation devastates what is left of Australia’s coastal shipping industry PROMISE — Labor will establish a fourth free to air commercial TV network BROKEN — Labor abandons the fourth network and grants a $250 million reduction in licence fees for the existing commercial TV networks PROMISE — Labor will take “a very hard line… a very tough line on people smuggling”. On the day of her election, Julia Gillard said she would fix the flood of illegal boat arrivals BROKEN — In August 2008, the Rudd Government relaxed Australia’s border protection laws — after only 18 boats carrying 201 people had arrived in the last 5 years of the Howard Government. By 19 May 2010, 121 boats carrying 5932 unauthorised people had arrived Australia. By 18 November 2011, 13,205 had arrived in 255 boats. In December 2011, 1,050 people arrived — the most in a month since Tampa. The total for 2011 was 4,573 — over half in 10 weeks after Labor re-introduced on-shore processing. During Labor’s term more than 50,000 unauthorised people arrived in Australia by boat. At least 1,100 more perished at sea. Border protection costs blew out by $11.6 billion PROMISE — “Labor’s policy is that if people are intercepted on the high seas, then the vessel should be turned around” BROKEN — Not one vessel was turned around PROMISE — Labor will “increase… x-raying and inspecting containers arriving at our ports from overseas” (Arch Bevis 5-10-2007) BROKEN — In its 2009-10 Budget alone, Labor cuts $58.1 million from Customs and Border Protection’s air and sea cargo inspection measures. 4.7 million less cargo consignments to be inspected PROMISE — “Ministers must accept the full implications of the principle of ministerial responsibility. They will be required to answer for the consequences of their decisions and actions” BROKEN — Peter Garrett stays in office in spite of his failed home insulation scheme which has funded up to 250,000 botched home insulations, leaving at least 1,000 roofs electrified, at least 100 house fires and four died. PROMISE — Kevin Rudd describes Government advertising as “obscene” and “a cancer on democracy” and declares that the Auditor General will scrutinize Government advertising to ensure it is not political. There will be no Government advertising 6 months before a federal election BROKEN — Rudd Government reneges on its promise and subjects its advertisements for scrutiny only by a Government appointed committee. The 2010-11 Budget announces $126 million on new political advertising before the 2010 election. Prior to the 2013 Federal Election, Kevin Rudd launched a Government funded advertising blitz on disability care, education funding, and advertisements in Australia to warn asylum seekers they will be sent to PNG if they come to Australia by boat The Rudd Government declares that its $38 million advertising campaign to support its super tax on mining is a national emergency and overrides all scrutiny of the advertisements The Government also decided to spend $16 million on the NBN (even though the Government has no idea on how to build it) $10 million on the health plan (even though the Rudd Government has backed down to the states and will not take over running hospitals) $13.9 million on the CPRS even though the Government will not be proceeding with the scheme until after two elections In 2011-12 the Gillard Labor Government spent another $100 million on carbon tax advertising without mentioning the words “carbon tax” PROMISE — Labor will return the management of immigration detention centres to Government employees BROKEN — Labor renews contract for Serco to manage the centres for a further four years despite at least ten recent escapes with most escapees still at large PROMISE — Labor will reduce regulation. For every new regulation we will repeal another BROKEN — Between 2008 and 2010, Labor introduced 12,835 regulations and repealed just 58. By April 2012, Labor had introduced 16,173 regulations but has only repealed 79 PROMISE — There will be no net increase in health bureaucrats (Kevin Rudd 3 March 2010) BROKEN - $500 million provided for a new layer of health bureaucracy in 2010-11 Budget PROMISE — A Labor Government will mark International Day of the Family with a special Cabinet meeting (Kevin Rudd, press release, August 07) BROKEN — No special Cabinet meeting was ever held PROMISE — Labor will establish an Independent Election Debate Commission to conduct 3 debates between leaders during the election campaign BROKEN — No commission established and Labor refused to commit to three election debates PROMISE — Labor will rein in excessive corporate salaries BROKEN — No action taken PROMISE — Labor will provide 2500 new aged care beds BROKEN — 10,493 residential care beds were offered in 2011 round. Only 7,933 were sought and few will ever be built as aged care subsidies do not meet costs. 24,000 applications for community care (in home services were received but only 1,698 places were offered. In April 2012, the Government announced new aged care funding arrangements which will require everyone except full pensioners to pay more for their own aged care - $2.1 billion over four years PROMISE — Labor will conduct a ‘root and branch’ restructure of the tax system (Henry Review) BROKEN — Only parts of four out of its 138 recommendations were accepted PROMISE — Labor will establish a Department of Homeland Security BROKEN — Never delivered PROMISE — Kevin Rudd as Prime Minister will live solely at The Lodge in Canberra to save the cost of Kirribilli House in Sydney BROKEN — Both Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard maintained both houses and spent much of their time in Sydney PROMISE — Labor promises to extend eligibility for the Export Market Development Scheme to more exporters and increase the size of the maximum grants (ALP 2007 election platform) BROKEN — Government introduced legislation to Parliament on 26-5-10 to reverse the changes following cost blow outs PROMISE — Labor will work with the states to reduce their reliance on poker machine revenue BROKEN — Government accepts only one of the 48 recommendations in the Productivity Commission report on gambling. The report said Australians spend $19 billion on gambling PROMISE — Rudd vows no pre-poll cash splash BROKEN — Labor promises billions of dollars in new spending in 2010 and 2013 election campaign PROMISE — Julia Gillard repeatedly promises her loyalty to PM Kevin Rudd. Kevin Rudd repeatedly pledges his loyalty to PM Julia Gillard and promises never to challenge again for the leadership BROKEN — Supported by factional warlords, Julia Gillard deposes Kevin Rudd in a midnight coup. Just before the 2013 election, Kevin Rudd deposes Julia Gillard. PROMISE — Labor will fix the benefit indexation issue for retired defence personnel in the DFRDB Scheme BROKEN — Labor commissions a report on DFRDB and then decides to do nothing PROMISE — Labor will establish a 150 member Citizens Assembly to determine the Government’s climate change policy BROKEN — Labor dumps Citizens Assembly and instead will have a Parliamentary Committee but only those who support a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme can participate PROMISE — "There will be no Carbon tax under the Government I lead" (Julia Gillard, Channel 10 news, 16 August 2010) and "I rule out a carbon tax" (Julia Gillard, 20 August 2010) BROKEN — Labor Government Ministers such as Martin Ferguson publicly call for an early introduction of a Carbon Tax. On 20-9-2010 the Gillard Government appoints a series of committees to report on how to implement a Carbon Tax. Julia Gillard names a Carbon Tax as her highest priority for 2011. Julia Gillard, accompanied by Greens leaders Senators Brown and Milne, and Independents, announces that Australia will have a carbon tax commencing on 1-7-2012 (25-02-2011) PROMISE — There will be no more onshore detention centres for asylum seekers. “Labor specifically rules out the expansion of Curtain and Melbourne Immigration Transit facility, and the use of Scherger RAAF Base” BROKEN — Labor opens new detention centres and proceeds with Curtain, Melbourne and Scherger PROMISE — Labor will not build a nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory BROKEN — Labor introduces legislation to Parliament for the construction of a dump (probably on the same Northern Territory site as was proposed by the previous Government, Muckaty Station) 24-2-2010 PROMISE - 31 Labor MPs including many Ministers sign a pledge to support equal pay for women BROKEN - Government refuses to back equal pay case because of $4 billion cost PROMISE - Government has a "set of policies" to lift pressure off working families (Oct 2007) BROKEN - By October 2010, electricity prices are up 42%, water and sewerage up by 45%, mortgage interest rates up seven times in the past year. By September quarter of 2011, electricity prices have increased by an average of 60%, gas 36%, health 21%, education 24%, rent 23% and food 15%. By March quarter 2012 electricity prices are up 66%, water and sewerage are up by 59%, gas is up by 39%, education costs are up by 31%, rent is up by 26%, health costs are up by 25%, petrol prices are up by 11%, and grocery prices are up by 11% PROMISE - The Government will introduce a new national schools curriculum for the 2011 school year BROKEN - The Government admits the curriculum will not start anywhere before October 2011 and in most states will only begin in 2013 (27-12-10). Labor leaves office without the school curriculum being introduced in most states and a $1.8 billion hole in its education funding for the next four years. PROMISE - Labor will spend $394 million to provide grants of $2,000 to people who scrap their old car to buy a new model (27-7-10) BROKEN - Labor scraps its much ridiculed cash for clunkers scheme (27-1-11) PROMISE - Labor will establish a $1.3 billion Green Car Innovation Fund (Government contribution $500 million - 2008 Budget) BROKEN - Labor axes the Green Car Fund which had failed to deliver significant new technology to Australia (27-1-11) PROMISE - The Government cannot "see any basis for any school then subsequently charging parents for its use" in relation to its promise to provide free laptops to secondary school students (PM Rudd, 18-1-2010 The Australian) BROKEN - Government agrees to allow many schools to charge parents to use computers funded under the schools computer program with some charging $300 per year PROMISE - “Yes I do commit to keeping the promises at a local level that Labor and Labor candidates made at the last election” (Gillard, Question Time, 20-10-10) BROKEN - Prime Minister Gillard says she did not believe that she would be able to honour her election promises because of the "new environment" (18-9-2010). At least 20 election promises have been ditched and a new tax announced to pay for flood restitution costs (27-1-11) PROMISE — Labor will not support a (maternity leave) scheme that imposes additional financial burden or administrative complexity on small business (Julia Gillard / Jenny Macklin media statement 13-7-2007) BROKEN — Government introduced a paid parental leave scheme which requires employers to be the pay clerk PROMISE — Labor has a “national plan for Australia’s future” BROKEN — Labor had no plan. Instead it commissioned 185 policy reviews and inquiries in its first four years. Many of the reviews were never acted upon. Only 9% of 962 ideas generated at the 2020 summit had been accepted four years later PROMISE — There will be no cutbacks including in IVF treatment BROKEN - In the 2010-11 Budget, Labor announced capping of benefits under the Extended Medicare Safety Net, especially affecting IVF PROMISE — There will be no changes to the Baby Bonus BROKEN — Baby Bonus was means tested in Labor’s 2008 Budget and reduced in the 2011 mini-budget and Labor cut the Baby Bonus four times PROMISE — Labor will increase defence spending by 3% per annum (Defence White Paper) BROKEN — By 2012 Budget Labor had reduced defence expenditure by $17 billion. Expenditure in 2012-13 was the lowest proportion of GDP since 1938 PROMISE — Labor will not introduce compulsory student unionism or service fees BROKEN — Labor legislates for a compulsory $254 per year (indexed) services fee for all students — even if students are unable to access services PROMISE — Labor will make no changes to superannuation laws BROKEN — In its 2009 Budget Labor slashed $4 billion from superannuation and cut the Superannuation Co-Contribution Scheme for low and middle income workers Labor twice deferred higher tax free superannuation contribution increases saving $4.3 billion over four years and in the 2012 Budget doubled to 30% the tax on contributions by people with incomes above $300,000. Labor increased taxation on superannuation by $9 billion during its term and reduced benefits for low income earners by $3.3 billion PROMISE — Labor will establish an off shore asylum processing centre in East Timor BROKEN — Labor had failed to seek East Timor approval before making the announcement and abandoned the proposal PROMISE — Labor will not make asylum seeker processing deals with any countries that are not signatories to the UN Refugee Convention BROKEN — In May 2011, Labor announces an asylum seeker regional processing deal with Malaysia (Australia will take 4,000 refugees from Malaysia in return for Malaysia processing 800 asylum seekers arriving in Australia) even though Malaysia has never signed the 1951 Refugee Convention or its protocol. The deal was never implemented PROMISE — In a deal with The Greens and Independents to form Government after 2010 election, Labor promised to hold a referendum to provide constitutional recognition for Aborigines at or before the 2013 federal election BROKEN — The referendum is delayed indefinitely PROMISE — In a deal with Independent MP Andrew Wilkie, Labor promises to introduce legislation for mandatory pre-commitment technology for poker machines by 8 Mary 2012-04-11 BROKEN — Government walks away from the deal and instead promises an $87 million trial in the ACT PROMISE — “I can very much commit to him, that the Government is committed to duplicating the Pacific Highway by 2016 (Question Time 21-10-2010) BROKEN — Rob Oakeshott conceded that the deadline can not be met (ABC 25-1-2012) In 2012 Budget, the Government allocates $3.5 billion (actually only $2.6 billion) over four years to the Pacific Highway but only if NSW increases its share of the cost of the project from 20% to 50% PROMISE — “The Government is firmly committed to retaining the existing private health insurance rebates” (Roxon 24-2-2009) “If I were Minister for Health it would be my duty to implement lock stock and barrel exactly what we promised in the election campaign” “When I make an iron clad guarantee, I actually intend on keeping it “(Gillard) BROKEN — After several unsuccessful attempts to force cuts to the rebate through the Parliament, legislation finally passes the House of Representatives to phase out the rebate for middle and higher income earners (15-2-2012) PROMISE — “We have determined as a Labor Party the Marriage Act will stay unchanged.” The promise was repeated at least eight times BROKEN — Labor decided to give its Members of Parliament a free vote on the issue PROMISE — Labor will provide a tax concession on 50% of interest earned BROKEN — The promise was delayed in the 2011 Budget and axed altogether in the 2012 Budget PROMISE — Labor will allow a $500 standard tax deduction (rising to $1000) to ease the burden of completing tax returns BROKEN — The promise was delayed twice and axed in the 2012 Budget PROMISE — Labor will lower company tax from proceeds of the mining super tax BROKEN — Promise axed in 2012 Budget PROMISE - "Every time we announce something we properly account for it and properly fund it" (J Gillard 11-2-11 Canberra press conference) BROKEN - Government announced new $4 billion dental scheme, $8 billion National Disability Insurance Scheme, $6.5 billion Gonski education funding, submarines and other defence expenditure, all without funding, contributing to a $120 billion black hole PROMISE - Julia Gillard said "you can't run the country if you can't manage its budget" BROKEN - Every Gillard budget has delivered a massive deficit PROMISE - Julia Gillard and Wayne Swan promised a budget surplus for 2012-13 over 200 times. Wayne Swan said it was a "rolled gold" "iron clad" and a guarantee BROKEN - Only days after repeating the assurance, Wayne Swan admits that a balanced budget was unlikely. Swan's 5th deficit budget out of 5 - Labor's 11th in a row PROMISE - Labor's 2011 budget promised "jobs, jobs, jobs" BROKEN - No jobs growth in 2011-12. Jobless queues grew by 200,000 during Labor’s term (they declined by 250,000 under the Howard Government) PROMISE - 2009 Defence White Paper committed $275 billion of equipment purchases and 3% real growth in Defence spending out to 2017-18 and 2.2% from 2018-19 to 2030 BROKEN - Since the White Paper, $25 billion cut from Defence budgets - including $7.16 billion in 2012-13 PROMISE - Kevin Rudd promised Labor would make no changes to superannuation "not one jot, not one tiddle" BROKEN - Over five years Labor increased taxes on superannuation by more than $8 billion and cut the super co-contribution by $1,000 reducing super benefits for low income earners by $3.3 billion PROMISE - There will be no tax levy to pay for the National Disability Insurance Scheme BROKEN — Prime Minister announces an increase in the Medicare Levy from 1.5% to 2% to partially fund the NDIS PROMISE — We will take a “meat axe” to the public service — Kevin Rudd BROKEN — In its first five years Labor added 12,000 to the size of the public service but in 2013 Labor secretly budgeted to reduce the size of the public service by 20,000 but only funded severance benefits for 700 PROMISE — Labor will create 500,000 new jobs in two years (Budget 2011) BROKEN — Labor never delivered on its target PROMISE — “The household assistance is permanent and fully funded” (G Combet, June 2012) “Further tax cuts have been legislated from 2015” (G Combet 28-8-2012) “Increased family payments will flow from 1 July next year” (J Gillard electorate newsletter) BROKEN — Labor axes its carbon tax compensation PROMISE - We will honour every promise made to the Australian people (Rudd 17/03/2008). “…the Labor Party is the Party of truth telling. When we go out into the electorate and make promises, … we would keep them. When we say them we mean them” (J Gillard 10/5/05) BROKEN - Scores of broken promises |
