Excerpts of Tony Abbott's speech to the National Press Club on 2 Feb 2014

abbott-1.md

1. 2014 was a tumultuous year that’s reminded us to expect the unexpected.

2. Thirty eight Australians were shot out of the sky by Russian-backed rebels.

3. A death cult, claiming justification in Islam, is creating a new dark age over much of Syria and Iraq.

4. And the terrorism it inspires has hit Melbourne and Sydney.

5. It was an anxious year for our well-being, as well as for our security.

6. At last, the US is growing, but Europe is stagnating, and China — our economic locomotive — is now growing at its slowest rate in a quarter of a century.

7. And the price of iron ore — our biggest export — has halved in just over a year.

8. In troubled times, people expect more of government, not less — and we have to deliver.

9. That’s why a government with the plan and the will to strengthen our economy and to protect our nation is so important.

10. This government is more determined than ever to make the changes our country needs.

11. This government will deliver Australia’s economic future because only a Coalition government can.

12. As Liberals and Nationals, sound economic management is in our DNA.

13. We’ve done it before and we are doing it again.