Australian Young Liberals

The Young Liberal Movement of Australia today congratulated the Hon Senator Nick Minchin on a distinguished career serving the people of Australia.

“During his long and outstanding career, Senator Minchin has been unwavering in his support of the central tenets of Liberalism,” said the Movement’s Federal President Richard Wilson.

“His time at the Cabinet table and as a member of the Expenditure Review Committee as a key Howard Government Minister saw him involved in some of the most important decisions this country has taken, including the deployment of peacekeepers to East Timor, the sale of Telstra, the protection of Australia from terrorism and increasing support for families,” Mr Wilson said.

“Senator Minchin’s strength, ideological clarity and political acumen have helped make the Liberal Party the dominant force in Australian politics during the modern era.

“Senator Minchin’s longstanding support for the Young Liberal Movement is well known. He frequently gave up his time to speak to Young Liberal conferences and to mentor and support young members of the Liberal Party.

“On behalf of the Young Liberal Movement, I thank Senator Minchin for his contribution to our great party and wish him well in his retirement,” Mr Wilson said.

“Prime Minister Kevin Rudd must either refute or explain shameful reports today that he has ‘made it clear’ that he wants a man to run for the ALP in the seat of Bass at the upcoming federal election,” Federal Young Liberal President, Rachel Fry, said today.

“This flies in the face of comments from Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard in recent days regarding her desire to see an even split between men and women in Parliament (The Mercury, 07/01/10).

“I am proud to hold the position of Federal President of the Young Liberal Movement as a woman and proud to be a member of a political party that judges its candidates, members and office bearers on their merits, not on their gender.

“Once again Labor’s empty rhetoric is not matched by its actions and once again the Prime Minister has shown his true colours.”

The Australian Young Liberal Movement has today welcomed the election of Tony Abbott as the Leader of the Federal Parliamentary Liberal Party.

Rachel Fry, Federal Young Liberal President, said that Young Liberal Movement members were looking forward to getting behind the new Liberal Leader and Deputy Julie Bishop.

“Tony Abbott is a man of strong character and strong convictions,” Miss Fry said.

“For many years Tony Abbott has been a great supporter of the Young Liberals and we welcome his election as leader.

“Young Liberals are now totally focused on the next election and campaigning against the Rudd Government’s poor economic management, reckless spending and record debt,” concluded Miss Fry.

“The Young Liberal Movement also welcomes the clear decision by the Party Room to vote to refer the Emissions Trading Scheme to a Senate committee for further investigation,” added Michael van Dissel, Federal Vice President.

“There is no need to vote in favour of an ETS before the Copenhagen conference and before we know what action our major trading partners will take. We encourage all Liberal Senators to vote in favour of referring the legislation to a Senate Committee for further review,” said Mr van Dissel.

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The Australian Young Liberal Movement has today strongly supported Liberal Senators and Members who have announced their decision to oppose the Rudd Government’s disastrous Emissions Trading Scheme.

Rachel Fry, Federal Young Liberal President, said that Young Liberal Movement members were universally opposed to the ETS.

“The Rudd Government’s Emissions Trading Scheme is poorly designed, will cost Australian jobs and reduce Australia’s international competitiveness for little environmental benefit,” Ms Fry said.

“Young Liberals do not support the passage of this bill and calls on all Liberal Senators and Members to oppose these bills.

“A number of Senators and Members have already announced their intention to cross the floor. These MPs enjoy the full support of the Young Liberal Movement.

“In particular, those frontbenchers who have resigned to cross the floor and vote against Labor’s ETS are to be congratulated for their strong and principled stand,” Ms Fry concluded.

“The Rudd Government is merely using a green rag to try to shroud what is in essence a massive tax grab by the Commonwealth which will result in every single Australian paying higher prices for essential items,” added Michael Van Dissel, Federal Vice President.