Fed: Latham says it's time for a change of government

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2004
Fed: Latham says it's time for a change of government

CANBERRA, Aug 30 AAP - Opposition Leader Mark Latham says it's time for a change of
government and a new generation of leadership.

Only a week after a crippling bout of pancreatitis put him in hospital, Mr Latham says
he has the energy for the six-week campaign leading up to the October 9 federal election.

He will begin the first full day of campaigning today with several radio interviews
in which he will question Prime Minister John Howard's credibility and promote Labor's
positive policies.

"In this campaign, Labor will be highlighting the failures of the Howard government,
the dishonesty, the attacks on Medicare, the loss of affordable education, the way in
which it has made Australia less safe in the war against terror," Mr Latham said.

"But, overwhelmingly, our campaign will be positive."

Mr Latham said Australia needed to move to a new generation of national leadership,
and a government that was willing to invest in education and healthcare.

He singled out health as a major issue for the campaign and accused Mr Howard of lacking
commitment for refusing to guarantee he would serve a full three-year term if re-elected
or hand over to Treasurer Peter Costello.

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