Education is both a tool of social justice as well as a fundamental driver of economic development.

I deeply believe that if the Australian Labor Party, a party of which I have been a proud member for more than 30 years, is to have the best future for our nation, then it must change fundamentally its culture and to end the power of faceless men. Australia must be governed by the people, not by the factions.

I was elected by the Australian people to bring back a fair go for all Australians. I have given my absolute best to do that.

We want a national emissions trading scheme, the Government does not and has rejected one for years. We want to boost the mandatory renewable energies target, the Government has failed to do that. We want a national demand side management strategy for the country to reduce electricity consumption and the Government, up until now, has done very little on that score.

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.

Australians are a passionate lot. We are also a very practical lot.

John Howard has gone a bridge too far by not going far enough