LEICHHARDT MP Warren Entsch has called for an end to the country’s political “paralysis”, saying re-instated Prime Minister Kevin Rudd must call an election to let the Australian people have their say.
“There has been so much speculation over a considerable period of time, the first thing Kevin Rudd needs to do is bring on an election,” Mr Entsch said from Canberra this morning.
“People are sick and tired of this see-sawing of Prime Ministers they need some clear air, some clarity of policy, businesses need to know where they can go, so he should let the Australian people decide who will be the next Prime Minister rather than the party caucus.”
Mr Entsch said it was clear that the decision to re-instate Mr Rudd was only done to help the Labor party at the election and had nothing to do with helping the Australian people.
“Every time you hear the other Labor MPs talking about Kevin Rudd regaining the Prime Ministership, notice that they say ‘He gives us the best chance of winning the election’ or ‘It gives us the best chance of winning our seat’ – there’s no reference to what he’s going to do in the best interests of the country.
“Their attitude is that ‘We don’t know whether we’ll save the sinking ship but at least we’ll save a few deck chairs’.
“It has nothing to do with whether they have been good local members it’s all about their own self-interest. What a sad indictment, and a hallmark of the current government.”
Mr Entsch said Labor had “underestimated the intellect of voters” as while it was Julia Gillard’s policies that made her so unpopular, they were all introduced by Kevin Rudd.
“Instead of getting rid of them, she implemented them. Take the Carbon Tax, the totally failed border protection policies, the botched home insulation program, the school hall and set-top box farces and the NBN blow-out.
“It’s also interesting to note that the Labor candidate for Leichhardt, Billy Gordon, and I no longer have a policy in common. That is, we both wanted to get rid of Julia Gillard, but he has now achieved it.
“I’m now keen to hear about what Mr Gordon is going to do to create opportunities in Cairns his policies for the Tropical Campus of the AIS, the expansion of the navy base, supporting the tourism industry, boosting small business, dredging, the fishing industry and marine park closures, botched consultation in regards to the World Heritage listing of Cape York and the revitalisation of Port Douglas, for example.
“It’s time to start talking about policy, getting some clear air away from the leadership debacle, and let the people decide.”
