This conference marks 130 proud years of Labor history.
 
Founded in the struggle of working people, and grounded in the mighty trade union movement, our party has had a historic task: the creation of a fairer society, a stronger nation, and a better world.
 
For 130 years, ours has been a party that is on your side.
 
Over more than a century, our policies have evolved and modernised with the times.
 
Our cause, though, has not changed:
 
To build our nation and shape it to the benefit of the Australian people.
 
All our people.
 
That’s because we understand that no one should be left behind, and no one held back by a lack of opportunity for a better future.
 
And no matter what situation Australia is in… no matter what crisis we face… our approach is the same: get through it together, and then plan for a brighter tomorrow.
 
We’re never satisfied with simply muddling through and returning to how things were.
 
In Australia’s moment of greatest crisis, at the height of the Second World War, John Curtin led the nation out of military danger.  Then Ben Chifley led it into reconstruction.
 
Their motto: Victory in war, victory in peace.
 
Remember it.
 
Victory in war, victory in peace. After triumph, something better.
 
I want those inspiring words to be the theme of this conference, as a new world crisis hopefully nears its end.
 
The pandemic brought out the best in our country – and the best in Labor.
 
Australians made sacrifices in our common interests.
 
And Labor put the national interest above short term political interest.  Where we saw gaps in the Government’s approach, we offered constructive solutions.  Wage subsidies. Support for renters. An eviction moratorium. Paid pandemic leave.  Medicare rebates for Telehealth. Mental health care.
 
Labor values were the right ones for the crisis – and they’re the right ones for the recovery.
 
Now, as we turn our eyes forward, the question becomes: When the pandemic is over, what follows?
 
Our opponents have already reverted to type.
 
To their usual heartlessness.
 
Strong against the weak, but weak against the strong.
 
And their usual refusal to take responsibility… or to even think about the future.
 
Unlike them, we refuse to accept that the world before the pandemic, with all its imperfections, is the best our nation can do.
 
Because the pandemic laid bare some unacceptable truths…
 
About an aged care system in crisis…
 
About millions of Australians in jobs that simply aren’t safe or secure…
 
Millions more in jobs that don’t pay enough or have enough hours…
 
Women’s voices going unheard…
 
A voice for First Nations people being denied…
 
And the realities of climate change being ignored.
 
A government so addicted to marketing spin that it’s now spinning itself and the country into the ground.
 
They have no plan for the future. None.
 
My question for the country is this:
 
After such a year of sacrifice, is this all they can offer us in return?
 
Labor will offer more. We will say to Australians – we are on your side.
 
The values that got us through the pandemic are the values that will guarantee our success when it’s over.
 
That means an economy that works for people, not the other way around… secure jobs that pay the bills and guarantee a good life… a society with no one held back, no one left behind.
 
We’ve learned the lessons of the pandemic. We’re ready to lead for the recovery.
 
And the next piece of the puzzle is the National Reconstruction Fund – a down-payment on the industries and the jobs of tomorrow.
 
It’s about government working with the private sector, including the superannuation industry to create secure jobs…
 
A nation that can stand on its own two feet…
 
A nation that backs the smarts and talents of the Australian people, and exports our Australian made products to the world.
 
We shouldn’t have to rely on other countries when it comes to protecting and providing for our people.  We are going to invest in Australia.  We are going to invest in Australian workers and Australian skills.
 
A new era of national reconstruction to achieve our potential: a country that makes things and creates better jobs to go with them.
 
Victory over the pandemic, followed by victory for those whose sacrifices made it possible.
 
This new platform that will be considered by our delegates reflects many of the things that I know to be true.
 
My unwavering belief in Australians… my respect for the frontline workers – underpaid and undervalued – who endured so much to keep our country safe: the nurses, the aged care workers, the child care workers, the retail workers, the cleaners, the truckies, the public servants, and those in emergency services.
 
I am determined to repay them with a better future.
 
But words aren’t enough.
 
So, let’s win the next election and give Australians a government that’s on their side
 
A government that believes in their capacity to build a stronger, more secure nation.
 
ENDS