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Labor leader Bill Shorten on Bill Shorten: Is he who he claims to be?

Nick EvansThe West Australian
Opposition Leader and would-be PM Bill Shorten takes his famous sausage sandwich bite on election day 2016.
Camera IconOpposition Leader and would-be PM Bill Shorten takes his famous sausage sandwich bite on election day 2016. Credit: AAPIMAGE

When the government changes, the country changes, according to Paul Keating’s famous dictum as he stared down an electoral drubbing in 1996, ahead of John Howard’s sweeping victory.

If the polls are correct, Australia is about to be changed again, this time in Bill Shorten’s image.

Mr Shorten has always been dogged by the allegation he is one of Labor’s faceless men — a machine man, more intent on winning and holding power than on policy.

To address that image Mr Shorten released his manifesto, For the Common Good: Reflections on Australia’s Future, ahead of his narrow loss to Malcolm Turnbull in 2016. It still provides an insight into how he would govern.

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Aside from the usual Labor focus on the importance of health, education and unions, the volume provides little in the way concrete policy.

Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten and his frontbench during Question Time in the House of Representatives.
Camera IconLeader of the Opposition Bill Shorten and his frontbench during Question Time in the House of Representatives. Credit: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

But it outlines his underlying principles — a Labor government should be involved in all aspects of Australian life, fundamentally centrist, and big-hearted to boot.

Mr Shorten has often been criticised as a fence-sitter on important issues. But, with its theme of consensus decision-making and community empowerment, the book shows that if Mr Shorten has a flaw it’s not that he wants to sit on fences, it’s that he wants to start a massive national effort to build a fence big enough for all of us to sit on together.

BILL SHORTEN IN HIS OWN WORDSHIS PERSONALITY

“Being an official in a blue-collar union was an excellent expression of what I knew about Australian history and about social justice. As Labor leader, I still think like an organiser.

“Mum taught me that merit is the measure by which we should all be judged — not birth or gender, or the accumulation of wealth.

Bill Shorten’s book ... on Bill Shorten.
Camera IconBill Shorten’s book ... on Bill Shorten. Credit: supplied

“Merit is defined by hard work, attainment, taking responsibility and doing the right thing.”

HIS LEADERSHIP

“Real leadership means understanding the minimum and the maximum that people will accept. You aim for the maximum, yet always understand the minimum. In every negotiation I have been involved in, I refer to the 90:10 rule — let’s work on the 90 per cent we agree on, not the 10 per cent where we differ.

“Substantial policy trumps spin every time and great policy tops personality.

“Voters will reward a political party that takes them into its trust by arguing the case for practical, achievable, worthwhile change.”

ON GOVERNMENT AND THE ECONOMY

“Governments have a role to play in planning for the future, not just in hoping something will turn up.

“The goal of full employment will be at the core of the policy agenda of the national government I lead.

“Moreover, the objective of full employment has to be underpinned by decent wages and a strong safety net; it is a goal that means little unless it improves living standards and household incomes.

“I’m passionate about revitalising advanced manufacturing, especially in defence and biotechnology.”

Australia's Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten and his wife Chloe Shorten are seen in the TAB marquee during the Lexus Melbourne Cup Day.
Camera IconAustralia's Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten and his wife Chloe Shorten are seen in the TAB marquee during the Lexus Melbourne Cup Day. Credit: AAP Image/Julian Smith

CLIMATE CHANGE

“I’m convinced that Labor will be able to introduce, implement and bed down an emissions trading scheme when it takes office. That’s because Labor sees climate change action as part of a comprehensive set of policies aimed at renewing and modernising the Australian economy and its workforce.

“At the core of our climate action policy will be renewable energy.”

ON AUSTRALIA

“Australian society is at its best when it is ruled by the laws of meritocracy and we work together for the common good.

“This creed is the key to our nation’s ability to adapt to a changing workplace and preserving the Australian Way in our lives.

“It will be the defining ethos of my government.”

ON THE WORLD

“Labor is the natural party of ... national security.

“Labor has always conceived of Australia’s middle-power role in the world. Australia’s defence policy must focus on our own region.

“It is here our allies ... look for Australia to play a key leadership role.”

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