Gillard in election mode
DEPUTY Prime Minister Julia Gillard looked to be in election mode as she addressed a lunch of community philanthropists, senior business people and top members of the legal profession on Friday.
DEPUTY Prime Minister Julia Gillard looked to be in election mode as she addressed a lunch of community philanthropists, senior business people and top members of the legal profession on Friday.
In a wide-ranging address and in question time afterwards, Gillard spoke on a range of topics from the ongoing economic crisis to climate change, from Israel to Jewish schools. She spoke candidly, but still managed to focus on the Rudd Government’s successes.
Despite being in election mode, she refused to speculate on a possible polling date but added “I’m looking forward to it, I like campaigning”.
She warned that Australia is not yet out of economic danger, referring to the ongoing crisis in Europe, particularly Greece, which has impacted this country. She also reminded guests that the Rudd Government has worked hard to keep Australia from tumbling into recession.
“It hasn’t been easy,” she said. “And there have been legitimate criticisms of some of the stimulus we have rolled out.
But, she added, “We have managed to keep the country in a productive cycle.”
She confronted community concerns, including changes in Australia’s position on a small number of votes in the United Nations relating to Israel, whether Australia aid to the Palestinian territories was remaining out of terrorists’ hands and assurances about the continuation of Jewish school funding.
The lunch was hosted by the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council.
Read more in The Australian Jewish News, in newsagents on Thursday.
NAOMI LEVIN
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