Hon. Tamazoid AO - Deputy Opposition Leader

New Conservative website

2005-01-22T23:14:00.000-08:00

The new official website for The Conservatives has been launched. Go and have a LOOK!

Conservatives release workplace relations policy

2005-01-22T23:12:00.000-08:00

On January 11th, Opposition Leader and newly appointed Shadow Minister for Workplace Relations, Tamazoid released the Conservative Party's workplace relations policy.

A full copy of the policy can be viewed HERE

Conservatives release Agricultural Policy

2004-12-14T19:25:00.000-08:00

Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry, Far North Queenslander MHR yesterday released The Conservatives' policy on agriculture.

The policy and comments from both the Shadow Minister and Opposition Leader can be found HERE

Conservative reshuffle

2004-12-10T02:11:00.000-08:00

Tamazoid tonight revealed the shakeup that has occurred in The Conservative lineup at the National Press Club in Canberra.

"Thankyou for turning up for this announcement today, I appreciate your interest in The Conservatives. I guess I'll just get straight into it.

"Firstly, it is a pleasure to announce that after caucus having voted, a new Deputy Opposition Leader has been appointed. And that lucky man is none other than Custard Tart, whom I have great faith in to serve The Conservatives well and help achieve our comprehensive vision for a better Australia.

"There has also been a reshuffle of some sorts, as follows:

Tamazoid (Gippsland)
Leader of the Oppositon
Shadow Minister for Environment, Transport & Regional Affairs

Custard Tart (Warringah)
Deputy Opposition Leader
Shadow Treasurer
Shadow Minister for Small Business, Industry, Employment & Workplace Relations

adamj (Lowe)
Chairman of The Conservatives
Shadow Attorney-General
Shadow Minister for Justice, Customs, Citizenship

Brendan (Bennelong)
Shadow Minister for Science & Innovation

darrinh (Sydney)
Shadow Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs

Far North Queenslander (Kennedy)
Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry, Indigenous Affairs
Manager of Opposition Business

Grug (Bowman)
Shadow Minister for Communications & Technology

Gryphon (Pearce)
Shadow Minister for Finance & Administration

Hagar (Menzies)
Shadow Minister for Local Government & Territories

Robert (Indi)
Shadow Minister for Defence, Health, Foreign Affairs & Trade
Chief Whip

ZRFK (Hasluck)
Shadow Minister for Education & Training, Children & Youth Affairs, Arts & Sport
Shadow Minister for Community Services

SDGP abandon human rights

2004-12-10T02:08:00.000-08:00

The Leader of the Opposition, Tamazoid has attacked the SDGP over plans to reintroduce compulsory student unionism.

"Well the Education Minister has let the cat out of the bag - in Question Time last night, he admitted to parliament that he intends to reintroduce Compulsory Student Unionism.

"As you'd be aware, it was The Conservatives who successfully passed the legislation to make student unionism voluntary.

"Now the Education Minister wants to violate the basic human rights of university students - the freedom of association.

The Education Minister said:
"The abolition of Voluntary Student Unionism. This measure, introduced by the former Edwards government, has hurt student representation on campus and has weakened their ability to work together and collectively protect their rights."

"The Education Minister should be ashamed of himself. Compulsory student unionism only leads to ineffective unions, which end up being nothing more than a cash cow for a few student politicians. One must wonder why the Education Minister wants to allow for endemic corruption by making student unionism compulsory. Obviously, the SDGP is concerned that the progressive reforms of The Conservatives force student unions to represent the interests of university students effectively, or else people won't pay to join them. More often than not student unions fail to serve students and instead are only a front shop for corrupt officials to embezzle money.

"I refer the Minister for Education to Article 20 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, which clearly states people shall not be coerced into joining associations they do not wish to. The minister wants a return to the dark old days where universtiy students are threatened with being failed in their courses unless they pay their student union membership upfront and in full.

"Forcing student unionism on students is very much similar to conscription and communism.

"The SDGP have a record of turning their backs on people, and this list now extends to human rights and university students. A government that does not defend human rights is a government unfit to hold its position.

Conservatives release Small Business policy

2004-12-10T02:02:00.000-08:00

The Conservatives have released their policy on small business.

The Opposition Leader told reporters: "This policy demonstrates the committment of The Conservatives to the ability of small business, the backbone of the Australian economy, to continue to thrive in the future. Only under a Conservative Government will small business be successful and continue to expand all around Australia."

"Small business as I said is the backbone of our economy, employing more people than any other market segment. Thus it is of vital importance that we have a plan to ensure the continued success of small business."

A copy of the policy can be seen HERE

Congratulations INC: Test passed

2004-11-30T17:38:00.000-08:00

This morning, I hereby public congratulate The Independent Coalition on waking up to their loopy Green friends and pulling the foundations out from beneath the party they helped return to power barely a day after they did so.

These next few weeks were a test for TIC: whether they would stand up for ordinary Australians, or submit to Green extremism, kowtowing to the loopy deranged of the SDGP.

The Conservatives were quite rightly fearful of what would happen to the Australian Defence Force under another term of extremist socialist government, what would happen to economy with Brizza's plan to drive it into the ground among many other nasty SDGP initiatives.

Today is a victory for common sense, and hopefully it is a lesson to the extremists of the SDGP that their radical, downright stupid agendas just won't wash with ordinary Australians.

On behalf of The Conservatives, I congratulate MrM and Astronaut for finally showing some guts and standing up to the SDGP.

Quit dithering, Prime Minister

2004-11-29T17:36:00.000-08:00

The Prime Minister cries foul and makes unsubstantiated allegations of cheating after The Conservatives continue to prove that they are the true party of environmental concern, with their submission of the Plastic Bag Eradication Bill. The Conservatives originally submitted the bill to the Parliamentary Business Committee on 4 November 2004, and again at the new PBC at New Parliament House initially on November 17, and again on November 25 after the House Clerk requested it be rewritten into a specific format.

The Prime Minister now claims that the idea was his and that he had been sitting on it since the beginning of the year. That begs the question: why have the Prime Minister and his party been dithering on such a serious issue for the past twelve months? Plastic bags are one of the biggest environmental blights today, with six billion plastic bags distributed in Australia annually. Unlike the supposed Social Democratic “Green” Party, The Conservatives take the environment and plastic bags seriously and will act swiftly to preserve Australia’s pristine environment.

If the SDGP were serious about environmental protection, and serious about plastic bags, then why didn’t they release their draft bill before The Conservatives? One must wonder what has happened to ‘Green’ meaning environmental concern, and if Brizza’s cohort of extremists has hijacked the term. If the SDGP are going to be so slow on environmental protection, then perhaps they should dump the ‘Green’ part from their name to avoid misleading the public.

At present the SDGP’s environmental record stands at zero. Time and time again, The Conservatives have shown themselves to be the party that stands up for the environment, with the first energy policy released which has now been adopted by the SDGP, and the Cleaner Energy Act which was written by Conservatives, and subsequently passed by the parliament. The record says it all, clear to see for everyone: the SDGP have failed the environment. Australians concerned about the environment have only one option, and that is The Conservatives.

Brizza and the SDGP need to quit whinging and either get behind The Conservatives on environmental protection, or admit they have no right to call themselves green. The real issue at hand is the SDGP’s sluggishness and failure to act for the benefit of the environment, so their deceitful leader has to continue living up to his reputation and spread his lies and hatred of all things Conservative.

Brizza’s allegations against The Conservatives are not only unsubstantiated, but also of a libellous, hurtful nature and the Prime Minister owes all Conservatives an apology for slandering them.

The Conservatives take the environment seriously and will not waste time in acting. Will the SDGP follow suit?

Tamazoid on the John Laws Morning Show (25/11)

2004-11-24T17:05:00.000-08:00

Transcript of the Opposition Leader on The John Laws Morning Show.

Laws: This is the John Laws Morning Show, broadcast right across the country, and now we speak with the Opposition Leader, Tamazoid about the latest from parliament and about the party he leads, The Conservarives. Good Morning Tamazoid.

Pleasure to be on this show Lawsy.

Laws: Currently, it appears that parliament is conducting a new ballot for Prime Minister. How do you feel about your chances? Last time I note you only lost it by 2 votes.

That’s right, it was a very close run encounter last time and I think it’ll be very close again. It’ll be a vote decided by the independents.

Laws: Have you been negotiating with the crossbenches for support?

Of course, though I doubt that the SDGP haven’t been doing the same. We’re hopeful of gaining their support, but you never know what happens in politics. Our discussions have been positive though.

Laws: I’ve noticed that many in the SDGP and TIC have been saying that your leadership is near the end of the road so to speak, and that you should be disciplining Robert to save your position.

Look, I just take that as a glowing endorsement of our policies. Our socialist opponents realise that we are the only party with a comprehensive reform agenda to ensure Australia has a prosperous future, so the only thing they can do is fabricate rumours about the people. I know I have the confidence of the party, and Robert has been a strong, loyal deputy who I will continue to work with in the future.

Laws: Last night of course there was an announcement from the government that the Greens and TIC will be continuing their coalition into the next term. What do you make of that?

Regardless they were going to support each other anyway, so it doesn’t make a difference to us. But what it does show is that the Independent Coalition have sold out once again. They are supporting exorbitant tax rises and the destruction of the Australian Defence Force in its current form. They’re endorsing a lot of nasty things, and I pray that they won’t end up with blood on their hands.

Laws: Can you expand on that last comment?

What I’m referring to is the INC’s endorsement of destructive Defence policies, which include not upgrading our airforce to maintain air superiority, and selling off the submarine fleet which makes us extremely vulnerable. The government, especially Arwon, is in it’s own fairy land which will ultimately have repercussions for our national security. This was a test of whether the INC had any principles, whether they were concerned with Australia’s national security, and they’ve failed that test.

Laws: Should you win government, what would be on your agenda?

If I end up with the honour of being Prime Minister, The Conservatives would look to put in place our broad reform agenda that we have made public so far, and during the course of the election we’d be looking to unveil further policies that will be of benefit to all Australians. The Conservatives in government will reform welfare, maintain a strong economy, keep taxes low, reform industrial relations and protect the environment, areas the government has neglected during its term of ineptitude. There are issues important to ordinary Australians that have been neglected, and the Conservatives will look to fix these.

Laws: You’ve spoken much about relieving small business, and MrM has recently said publicly that his party want to abolish payroll tax, which is a policy position you also hold. What do you make of that?

Naturally I welcome the INC developing a policy position, which is pretty rare, and even more so given that it is an endorsement of what The Conservatives want to do. I doubt he would be successful in implementing that however, Brizza and their Green masters have consistently denied that payroll tax inhibits small business.

Laws: On the environment, The Conservatives have certainly been the more proactive party. But the Prime Minister seems to have copied your Plastic Bag Levy Bill.

Whilst I welcome him actually wanting to do something for the environment, it is rather disappointing that he and his party are so devoid of their own ideas that they have to come and blatantly copy Conservative ones. But the public knows which party has the record of preserving the environment, and they will see the Greens have run out of ideas. They have no long-term vision, no reform agenda, except to dismantle our defence forces. And may I just say that this is absolutely shameful of the socialists, and one expects them to perform poorly in the Senate elections as a result.

Laws: The PDP have re-emerged on the political scene, does that affect The Conservatives?

For one it means that we’re no longer the only active non-socialist force in politics. After losing government they seemed to lose direction, and perhaps this is the start of something for them. But time will tell if that happens. Nevertheless I get on quite well with the PDP, and a Conservative Government would look to work together with other parliamentarians to achieve real reform that benefits ordinary Australians.

Laws: Well, we’ll have to leave it there. Opposition Leader, thankyou for your time.

Cheers Lawsy.

I will stand for Gippsland again

2004-11-18T01:10:00.000-08:00

The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Tamazoid MP has announced his intention to seek his return to the next term of parliament as the representative of Gippsland.

Tamazoid has described representing Gippsland as a "thoroughly enjoying, challenging experience," and wishes to "get on with the job," to "fix the many issues that Gippsland wants solutions to."

Frustrated by the bumbling incompetence, sheer recklessness and inactivity of an extremist Green Government, the Opposition Leader told reporters that he was standing again to "make the voices of millions heard by an aloof, arrogant socialist government who think they know what people want when they never talk to anyone outside their little latte-sipping shell."

Reshuffle of Shadow Cabinet

2004-11-11T01:58:00.000-08:00

This morning, the Opposition Leader, the Honourable Tamazoid MP announced his reshuffle of Shadow Cabinet. Below is a full list of the Shadow Cabinet:

Tamazoid (Gippsland)
Opposition Leader
Shadow Minister for Environment, Regional Affairs, Transport

Robert (Indi)
Deputy Opposition Leader
Shadow Treasurer
Shadow Minister for Defence, Health & Ageing

JA (Lowe)
Shadow Attorney-General
Shadow Minister for Justice, Customs

darrinh (Hughes)
Shadow Minister for Immigration, Multicultural Affairs
Chief Opposition Whip

Far North Queenslander (Kennedy)
Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, Indigenous Affairs

Keg (Parramatta)
Shadow Minister for Industry, Small Business, Employment & Workplace Relations

ZRFK (Hasluck)
Shadow Minister for Education & Training, Children & Youth Affairs

Centre (Deakin)
Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
Parliamentary Secretary to the Opposition Leader

VanderVaart (Lingiari)
Shadow Minister for Arts, Sport

Niccolo (Lilley)
Shadow Minister for Local Government & Territories
Parliamentary Secretary to the Defence Minister

Brendan (Reid)
Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Opposition Leader
Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister

Conservatives unveil new Defence Policy

2004-11-11T01:49:00.000-08:00

In conjunction with the Shadow Minister for Defence and his Parliamentary Secretary, Tamazoid yesterday released The Conservatives' new Defence Policy.

A copy of the Defence Policy is located here.

Tamazoid blasts SDGP on welfare

2004-11-08T16:14:00.000-08:00

During this weekend's adjournment debate, the Opposition Leader seized on comments from the Immigration Minister that Australia "should be proud" of the welfare state and proceeded to blast the government for its failure to treat welfare reform as a serious issue. The following is the Hansard text of Tamazoid's speech.

HANSARD

Hon. Tamazoid (Gippsland, TCP) 1707: Mr. Speaker,

Following the Member for Canberra's mass exhalation of hot air I must take issue with his main contention:

"The Australian welfare state is something we should all (be) proud of"

Mr. Speaker, you won't find a clearer demonstration of the government's welfare state mentality - they have said it in black and white themselves!When there is room for improvement, and mind you, there is plenty of room thanks to the government's ineptitude and shameless ignorance, which the Member for Canberra is part of, surely a government should work towards getting more people in the workforce? Watch the reactions of shock and horror when you put forward such a proposal to a government MP, Mr. Speaker! Job creation? Those two very words send our socialist government into haywire mode!

On the other side of this chamber, the government has no vision for the future of this great nation, but instead misguided, shortsighted goals aimed to appease the special interests which prop up their government. Every economist under the sun and anybody with common sense knows that current welfare spending is unsustainable for the future, so what does the government do? It remains in its delusional Hakunah Mattata land off with the fairies where saying "She'll be right, mate" ensures problems are fixed.

This lack of foresight on the government's behalf is astounding Mr. Speaker. Statistics show Mr. Speaker that in 1995, the proportion of over 65s in comparison to the national population was 11.9%. But by 2050, this figure will more than double to 24.1%. I table the following graph to the House for substantiation:

Source: Madge A (2000) Long Term Aged Care: Expenditure Trends and Projections, Productivity Commission Staff Research Paper - table 2.1

Due to this trend Mr. Speaker, and the government's appalling attitude to this problem, let's go through the implications of the disastrous apathy:

*Reduced national savings, both public and private due to the increased usage by an ageing population to fund their retirement.
*Reduced national investment as a result;
*A shrinking labour market
*A reduced tax base, hence higher taxes and federal budget deficits
*Slow productivity growth due to the contraction of labour supply
*Loss of human capital through retirement without replacement by the younger generation

Mr. Speaker, for a government to knowingly do nothing in the face of such dire consequences is reprehensible. Such apathy and failure to act will destroy the Australian economy and strain our budget; which can only lead to one thing: higher taxes.

I think it is quite well known Mr. Speaker that The Conservatives have continued to stand up for ordinary hard working Australians vehemently against increases in income tax because it only provides a higher disincentive to work harder and have a more productive economy. Unlike this government, who are attempting to invoke the highest tax hikes in history, The Conservatives are actually in touch with the electorate - and if this government were at all interested in what the citizens thought, how they felt, they would know that they struggle to pay exorbitant amounts of tax, and the status quo is enough as it is. You have people scaling back their hours - reducing their productivity, Mr. Speaker, because of this punitive taxation system. And the aloof Prime Minister wants to exacerbate the punishing nature of income taxation Mr. Speaker! Shame on the Prime Minister and his government, Mr. Speaker. It just goes to show that the Greens are completely out of touch, and only The Conservatives are willing to heed the calls of the electorate. Only The Conservatives will make the tough decisions, create jobs and maintain a healthy economy.

Secondly Mr. Speaker, there is the issue of welfare dependency. It's time to change the culture of lethargically riding on government handouts for life. This sort of culture has become somewhat endemic in Australia and its time to end it. Initiative, and hard work, must be rewarded.

Why should we be proud of promoting a divisive, racist welfare policy that pays people based on their ethnicity? Mr. Speaker, this policy is simply outrageous and must be stopped. Welfare should be distributed on the basis of need – not because of skin colour.But back to the original statement by the Member for Canberra, Mr. Speaker. His government is your classic socialist, middle class hating group of rag tags and ineffectual ministers, led by a deceitful Prime Minister and they simply cannot wait to fully complete their inane agenda of implementing a mega welfare state. Let's not work hard, let's not have any personal responsibility whatsoever, let's not have high living standards, just give us all the rights and we'll let the state prop us up.

Mr. Speaker, I really question what makes the Member for Canberra and his colleagues tick. Naturally I abhor his attitude of throwing government money everywhere, regardless of the need for it or the implications it has for the budget, the future and society.Only The Conservatives have a comprehensive vision for the future Mr. Speaker. A train wreck looms unless we undertake reform now, but this government is too spineless and shortsighted to even make a token attempt to do so. This government has failed, Australia needs solutions and The Conservatives have them.

Tamazoid with Kelly O'Ryan on the 8.40 Report

2004-11-07T22:59:00.000-08:00

Kelly O'Ryan: Tonight on the 8:40 Report we are joined by the Opposition Leader. Tamazoid, welcome to the 8:40 Report.

Tamazoid: Glad to be here Kelly

Kelly O'Ryan:Your party has been quite critical in the way the government proposes to fix the budgetary problems. Where do you think they have erred?

Tamazoid: I think the main problem with the government has been their short sightedness in attempting to fix the mess. Instead of looking for savings, or attempting any reform, they take the easy route and invoke the highest tax increases in history. That's not good economic management, that's pure laziness.

Kelly O'Ryan: They would argue they are merely reversing unaffordable tax cuts. And you also propose an income tax increase for some do you not?

Tamazoid: Well Kelly, the reason they claim the tax cuts are unaffordable is because they refuse to reform government spending like a Conservative Government will. The way things are going with the ageing population crisis, spending reform is necessary and this government doesn't have the ticker to engage in any sort of reform, instead leaving the status quo for now, letting healthcare spiral out of control, letting welfare balloon to unimaginable heights, and let our children deal with the mess. A Conservative Government under my leadership will not be so oblivious to reality and will do what is necessary to prepare Australia for the problem. And we are ready to fix it up.

Kelly O'Ryan: Yes, you mentioned the ageing population in your recent interview on Political Correspondent. What reforms will you be advancing in the area?

Tamazoid: Well firstly you must realise that an ageing population will mean that our welfare costs will explode. What we propose to do right now is get rid of the middle-class welfare and the welfare dependency and turn those savings into investment in research and development. Australia is woefully behind in R&D investment and a Conservative Government by 2010 will be investing 3% of our GDP in R&D.

Kelly O'Ryan:Middle class welfare is largely separate from the ageing population though. Again, what will you put in place to deal with that issue specifically? Or do you expect to pay for the elderly by savings in other areas?

Tamazoid: Cutting back middle class welfare will give us the ability to maintain aged pensions, however, bear in mind we are abolishing the Super Surcharge. No longer will Australians be penalised by attempting to self-fund their own retirements under The Conservatives. the economic growth through our policy of investing more in research and development and through taxation reform will allow there to be enough money set aside for aged pensions. Also a Conservative Government will meet with business leaders and older Australian groups to find solutions to allow for older Australians to work part-time, a possibility is a tax credit per worker to businesses.

Kelly O'Ryan: Would you agree that that will still leave a substantial extra expense over the next 10 to 20 years as the so-called baby boomers retire, and those with super are the ones still in the workforce.

Tamazoid: that is a substantial expense, but with our welfare reform plan, taxation reform plan, jobs growth and economic growth plans, we will see those expenses not lead to either massive income tax hikes which will cause a recession, or huge deficits

Kelly O'Ryan: Let's move on then to the related topic of welfare reform. This seems to be a big issue for TCP.

Tamazoid: It certainly is.

Kelly O'Ryan: What sort of reforms do you have in mind? And how much your budget savings would come from the sector?

Tamazoid: I think the most prominent of our reforms are the abolition of Aboriginal welfare and Youth Allowance. Handing out welfare to Aboriginals because of their ethnicity is a racist welfare policy which we will not be pursuing. A Conservative Government would give out welfare on the basis of need, not race. The Youth Allowance creates the beginning of the welfare dependency problem at a young age, so its abolition will ensure people are responsible for themselves and don't ride off the government's back for a lifetime without doing some work.In the first year of a Conservative Government, our reforms would save a minimum of around $17 billion.With regard to middle class welfare, unlike some international comparisons where there are lots of middle class hand outs with things like "baby bonuses", Conservative Governments will give back far more by keeping taxes at a low level. These benefits will continue to be enjoyed for as long as a person works, not for some one off event.

Kelly O'Ryan: On the baby bonuses, don't they assist in the longer term solutions to an ageing population by encouraging families to have children?

Tamazoid: Whilst I don't want to become too preoccupied with international events, there would be no need for hand outs like the baby bonus because we will be keeping taxes low, thereby alleviating the financial constraints surrounding having a family.

Kelly O'Ryan: And youth allowance? Surely the group with the highest unemployment rates need support, as do students.

Tamazoid: The Youth Allowance only creates a generation of Australians who are dependant on welfare handouts. Instead of allowing them to use their own initiative all the Government does is handout money. Our proposals will see massive private sector job creation, so that the individual initiative will win instead of lethargic dependency on handouts.

Kelly O'Ryan: Are you saying job creation under a TCP government would eliminate youth unemployment?

Tamazoid: I'm saying that under a Conservative Government, there will be large-scale job creation which will leave no excuses for people to need the Youth Allowance. Job creation will be large because business will be given the opportunities to expand and that will outstrip the people on Youth Allowance and private initiative will win against lethargic welfare dependency.

Kelly O'Ryan: But some will still be left behind won't they? Even if they try to find work.

Tamazoid: True; but our job creation will outstrip that. if people have problems finding work then that is one reason why we have unemployment benefits. Our job creation will see nearly everyone who wants to get a job actually get one

Kelly O'Ryan:And you project saving of $17billion from these welfare reforms?

Tamazoid:Or to be more precise, $17.8778 billion in the first year. Over the next four years, it will be a $71.5112 billion saving.

Kelly O'Ryan:And anther $6 billion a year from the controversial proposal to no longer fund health care for smoking related illnesses.

Tamazoid: That's correct.

Kelly O'Ryan: I know you've been asked this before. But why smokers? Why not drink-drivers, IV drug users, and any other group who has actually broken the law in receiving their illness or injury?

Tamazoid: Yes, I have. The situation is though, with a $6 billion cost smoking related diseases cost far more than the costs associated with drug users, drink drivers, alcohol etcetera. There's also been the most public awareness and intensive education campaign on smoking and its inherent dangers.

Kelly O'Ryan: Even if you win government its not likely the proposal would pass through parliament is it?

Tamazoid: The way the parliament is poised with the four parties, there is a requirement for the others to be co-operative and not just operate as unconstructive obstructionist forces.

Kelly O'Ryan: Its certainly an interesting ride for many Bills. Do you have a backup plan to save the $6 billion from other areas should the proposal fail?

Tamazoid: If the Parliament does not pass this legislation, it would show to the Australian people that other parties do not take personal responsibility seriously. The way it affects our budgetary position is that in the first year of a Conservative Government, we might be faced with a possibility of a surplus, but if we cannot get the entire welfare reform bill passed, then we will enact smaller reform legislation which, taken as a whole, will see savings to the healthcare system

Kelly O'Ryan: Or maybe it would show that other parties believe that healthcare should be universal regardless of how the damage was done to the person?

Tamazoid: Universal healthcare in theory is wonderful, in practise it is otherwise. In no country in the world where there is universal healthcare is the not a problem with the delivery of the system, the best example was in France during last years summer where their health system virtually collapsed.Yet you bring up an interesting point in the other party's opinions. It is apparent that they believe in universal healthcare, but without the responsibility that should go with being a member of this nation.They want the rights, but not the responsibility. Remember that the healthcare system is paid for my the taxpayer, and without responsibility, it is the taxpayer that hurts financially and it is time that we begin to look to be more responsible and treat the taxpayer with humility and not demand more funds through higher taxes.

Kelly O'Ryan: I'd like to now to move away from anything economic and to your rather controversial recent bill, the one to repeal the relationship equality act. Why does your party think this is necessary?

Tamazoid: The Conservatives took the step to repeal this act because the Act undermines ordinary Australian families. It was just the tip of the iceberg down a sharp slide towards full gay marriage.This is not about regulating bedrooms or who people can love. It would seem to me that the love would be fickle if you cannot love your partner without marriage, because love is not really something you can stop happening.

Kelly O'Ryan: And why is gay marriage to be opposed?

Tamazoid: Marriage is more than just a mere gesture, it is the very building block for society. Marriage is a sacred institution which allows the interweaving of society. Homosexual marriage will breakdown that sacred institution, it would make a mockery of faith-based beliefs which marriage takes precedent. Homosexual marriage itself is an unpopular notion with the Australian people, and all it does is further erode our nations social fabric. A Conservative Government can not & will not allow this to happen.

Kelly O'Ryan: Finally, to the Constitution. Your party are quite happy with the document produced?

Tamazoid: Most certainly we are. It has taken a lot of effort to write the final product, but the extended process and lengthy debate ensured that the document produced was of the standard high enough to be upheld as our official constitution

Kelly O'Ryan: At least we finish on a point of agreement between yourself and the Prime Minister.

Tamazoid: (laughs)

Kelly O'Ryan: Tamazoid, thank you for your time. I hope you will agree to come on the program again some time.

Tamazoid: Thank you very much Kelly. It was most enjoyable to appear here tonight.

Tamazoid on Political Correspondent

2004-11-07T22:31:00.000-08:00

The Opposition Leader spoke with Michael Willesee on Sky's Political Correspondent.

Michael: After a hectic legislative week, we now have the Opposition Leader, Tamazoid joining us live in our Sydney studio. Mr Tamazoid, a big thankyou for joining us on the show today.

Tamazoid: Cheers Mike, I always enjoy appearing on this show.

Michael: Well, where do we start - there are so many questions we have for you. I don't remember interviewing you since you became Opposition Leader, so firstly, how's it like in that new chair?

Tamazoid: (laughs) Yeah, I've been in that chair for a bit of time now and so far I've been really satisfied doing this job. We have worked hard on policy and bills behind the scenes and I think you're going to be seeing a lot more of us in the public starting from now.

Michael: Let's move to some current issues regarding your Conservative Party. The SDGP and TIC have come out saying that you are homophobic because you are attempting to repeal the Relationship Equality Act.

Tamazoid: Mate, that's the sort of typical misguided rubbish you'd expect from the socialist parties. The current Relationship Equality Act undermines the institution of marriage, it undermines the family and is counterproductive for society. People are free to love whoever they want however marriage is between a man and a woman, to the exclusion of all others. And I will never let families, I will never let commonly shared values be threatened on my watch.

Michael: We had your deputy talk about this issue more extensively, but there are some other areas we need to cover during the time constraints of this show. There has been very heated debate over the SDGP's Emergency Economic Recovery Bill, including both yourself, Brizza and your Shadow Treasurer attacking the opposing person's economic credibility. Can you explain to our viewers what this is all about?

Tamazoid: Certainly. Due to the PDP's $25 billion budget deficit, there is a commonly recognised need to bring it back into surplus. However, Brizza has sought a superficial solution by simply raising income taxes - the highest tax hikes in our history, Mike. And The Conservatives' cannot stomach such punitive increases, which is why we vehemently oppose this quick fix solution that hurts all Australians.

Michael: Do The Conservatives have a solution? Your critics like to claim that your policies are based on class politics and you are not interested in the average person or small business.

Tamazoid: That's rather hypocritical given the socialists' hatred of the middle class.I can tell you now that The Conservatives have a comprehensive plan to not just solve this budgetary crisis, but a plan that will ensure Australia's long-term future. Unlike the Greens and the INC, we don't solely focus on the short-term.

Michael: The SDGP and INC are short-sighted?

Tamazoid: Yes.

Michael: Can you tell us more about your plan? What about small business?

Tamazoid: Mike, Brizza knows himself that he is being deceitful on the subject of small business. He can deny deny deny all he likes, but at the end of the day the abolition of payroll tax benefits small business, it is the tax small business hates the most and its abolition will see a healthier small business sector and extra job creation as there will be no penalty for employing more people. While on the subject, let me tell a large audience watching to stay tuned for some more announcements on small business from The Conservatives that will occur not too far away.

Michael: And the plan?

Tamazoid: Ah, yes. Yesterday, I released The Conservatives' policy to transform Australia from a welfare state to an entrepreneurial state, where initiative is the key and the hard work ethic is rewarded. Welfare reform alone is going to save $17 billion minimum. The ageing population is another potential epidemic we are facing unless we act now, which is why we are committed to boosting R&D funding to at least 3% of GDP, contrasted to nominal token increases from the SDGP.

Michael: Some say you are taking welfare away from those who need it most. What do you say to those people?

Tamazoid: That is simply untrue. The fact is, currently Australia has a culture of welfare dependency. The Youth Allowance commences welfare dependence from an early age. We are currently running a racist welfare policy because indigenous Australians get money simply because of their ethnicity; and I don’t deny that a disproportionate amount of Aborigines are in the poorer socio-economic area, but welfare needs to be allocated on the basis of need rather than race. Then there is middle class welfare, which is atrocious and we can attack this without hurting people because we are not invoking the highest income tax increases in history like the SDGP.

Michael: As much as I’m enjoying this, I’ve received a message that we’re running out of time. So finally, what is this extra R&D funding all about?

Tamazoid: There are several reasons for such a policy. Firstly, there is the ageing population problem. If we don’t act now, the budget is going to balloon beyond belief. Welfare already accounts for almost $80 billion of the budget, and with the ageing population age pension costs would skyrocket, as would healthcare costs. As a sidenote that’s part of the reason we’re doing away with the Super Surcharge, but back to the R&D funding issue. It’s all part of a concerted push to transform Australia from the welfare state that it is into an entrepreneurial state. This policy assures the future of the Australian economy. The private sector investment in research and development is far short of the investment seen in countries such as the United States where technology companies can be created and expanded due to ready sources of capital. Australia's private sector needs to be encouraged to invest in research and development and a Conservative Government will look to work with business to ensure that there is extra private sector investment. This policy sets out to complete long-term objectives that benefit this nation, unlike the short-sighted policy of the government parties that attempt to appease special interests. Increasing R&D funding will ensure our productivity stays high for the future and helps the Australian economy continue robust growth with a smaller labour force.

Michael: Unfortunately we are over time. Opposition Leader, thanks for joining us. This is Political Correspondent on Sky around the world, I’m Michael Willesee, thankyou and good afternoon.