Ich kann nur wie viele andere, die noch nicht allzu lange hier leben, hoffen, dass Australien wirklich nach vorne sieht ! Kevin Rudd sprach in seiner Rede von der Zukunft, und dass Australien sich öffnen muss, für die Anforderungen, die die Zukunft stellt. Als ich hier vor noch nicht mal 2 Jahren herkam, hatte ich das Gefühl, ich wäre mit einer Zeitmaschine " zurück in die Vergangenheit " geflogen ! Dinge, wie Umweltschutz, erneuerbare Energien, Rechte der Arbeiter...all dies schien hier nicht zu existieren ! Alles wanderte mit " No worries " und " Who cares " in die gleiche Tonne ! John Howard erschien mir wie ein alter Monarch, der die Zeichen der Zeit nicht erkennen kann oder will !
Kevin Rudd sagte gestern: " It is necessary for us to embrace the future
as a nation united and forged
with a common vision. I want to put aside the old battles of the past, the old battles between business and unions, the old battles between growth and environment, the old and tired battles between federal and state, between puplic and private. It is time for a new page to be written in our nation's history. "
Aware that the election of the Labor Party would raise concerns about the future of Australia's alliance with the United States, he extended an olive branch to President George Bush, urging that friends and allies should work together.
The biggest cheer of the night was reserved for his acknowledgement of gravely asbestos campaigner Bernie Banton and the fact the trade union movement had fought his case.
He said : " Mate, you are not going to be forgotten in this place. The values for which you have stood and fought and the fact that you have been
supported in your fight by the great Australian trade union movement.
When so many were prepared to cast you to one side, Bernie Banton you have been a beacon and clarion call for what is decent and necessary in life and I salute you. "