Speeches

Mr Speaker As honourable members know, the last two weeks have been a tumultuous period on global financial markets, to say the least.

Thank you, Professor Allan Fels. And thank you to the Australia and New Zealand School of Government for the invitation to speak with you this morning about federalism and education.

Thank you for that welcome and for providing the opportunity to speak on something of deep personal interest to me and of great policy interest to the Rudd Government - improving Queensland's and

Mr Speaker There have been a lot of economic numbers in the last week or so, a lot of debate and commentary about our economic circumstances.

Thank you very much to everyone who has come here today to support this terrific organisation in its vital fundraising appeal.

Michael [Roux], thanks for the invitation to join you here today.

Thank you for the invitation to this Queensland Leadership Forum.

I would like to begin by thanking Peter Watson for hosting tonight's event, and also Steve Howard from the Global Foundation for the invitation to speak to you all on a topic so central to Austr

Thanks so much for inviting me tonight. What an absolute honour to join you here on the Gold Coast for your Innovate 08 Conference.

Thanks Mike [Fitzpatrick, Chair of the AFL and Board member of the Victorian PCFA] for that introduction.

It is my great pleasure to officially welcome you to our Ministerial Meeting on Structural Reform. 

Thank you to the Institute of Public Administration Australia for the invitation to speak with you this morning.

Sub-Branch President, John Henderson, Parliamentary colleagues Claire Moore, Bronwyn Bishop, Alex Somlyay and Peter Wellington, Mayor Bob Abbot and local councillors, veterans and guests.

It is a real pleasure to be with you here in Wellington this morning.

It's a great pleasure to be here tonight to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Labour Union Cooperative Retirement Fund.

Thanks for that introduction, Lyall, and for the warm welcome. Consul General Liang. Ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you so much for that warm Western Australian welcome.

Thank you for that warm and generous welcome.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it's a real honour to be addressing you.

I can't tell you how pleased and honoured I am to address you in my first trip to the United Kingdom since becoming Australian Treasurer. I thank you for inviting me.