AUSTRALIA: Australian politicians launch into day one of five-week election campaign

Record ID: 346813

  • Title: AUSTRALIA: Australian politicians launch into day one of five-week election campaign
  • Date: 5th August 2013
  • Summary: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (AUGUST 05, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS NEWSPAPER HEADLINES
  • Embargoed: 20th August 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Australia
  • Country: Australia
  • Topics: General,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA6O4UNRQP0UYQEUE147MK1QIA8
  • Story Text: Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd launched the first day of the general election campaign by announcing an assistance package for the country's struggling car industry of 178 million U.S. dollars (200 million Australian dollars).
    Rudd said the end of the China resources boom is putting real pressure on the Australian jobs market.
    He also had good news for some parents, offering to boost funding for before and after hours school care for children by 400 million U.S. dollars (450 million U.S. dollars) for 500 schools.
    "This initiative will see, number one, more flexible school opening hours before and after school and during school holidays. Number two, additional places in areas where parents need access to out-of-school-hours care. And significantly new high quality services. Activities and programmes for kids such as music programmes, supervised sport, homework clubs, the practical stuff which makes that time before and after school useful and a fun place to be as well," said Rudd.
    Jobs and trust was the first day theme for Liberal leader Tony Abbott who repeated his promise to repeal the controversial carbon tax, which was introduced in a promise breaking U-turn by Rudd's predecessor Julia Gillard.
    "When I say we will get rid of the carbon tax I am absolutely 'fair dinkum' (slang meaning trustworthy). When I say there will be no carbon tax under the government I lead I am telling the truth," said Abbott.
    Both parties launched campaign television adverts, featuring a slogan from the Labor party offering 'a new way' and from the coalition a promise to find 'real solutions for all Australians.'
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