A continuing narrative throughout Australia's history that says it is better to build up than to tear down - this is the continuing mission of Labor.

Australia is a nation of compassion. Courage and compassion. And the third of these great values: resilience.

Having a go at kids with a terminal illness is really beyond the pale, absolutely beyond the pale.

2009 was a tough year, but Australia rose to the challenge of the global financial crisis. It shows what can be done when we all join together and work together, governments of all persuasions state, territory and local; businesses large and small; unions and local communities right across the nation.

Building a new Health and Hospitals Network is fundamental to building a stronger and fairer Australia.

For Australians, climate change is no longer a distant threat. Our rivers are dying, bush fires are more ferocious and more frequent and our natural wonders - the Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu, our rainforests - are now at risk.

It is unlikely that you'll have anything emerge from MEF (Major Economies Forum) by way of detailed programmatic specificity.