REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Friday, December 20, 1991

PRIME Minister-elect Paul Keating pledged to deliver a comprehensive and cohesive plan early in 1992 to “get the country cracking” again.

And calling for the public’s help, Mr Keating said he was determined to reduce unemployment to get the nation back on its feet.

He also told a news conference, soon after he was elected Labor leader, that he would take time to think about Cabinet positions but did not think there should be a spill.

Mr Keating defeated Bob Hawke in a Caucus ballot by 56 votes to 51.

He said as he emerged from the party room that it was an honour to be elected leader.

“It’s a very humbling experience,” he said. “I feel the poignancy of the moment.”

Mr Keating said later he was determined to battle against unemployment and achieve economic recovery.

He also made two other pledges – to give his all to the nation and to speak honestly and realistically about policies.

Mr Keating said he wanted to start 1992 with a comprehensive and cohesive plan to “push Australia ahead”.

He said it was important to “get confident in Australia going again”.

But he also said the government’s economic policy must preserve gains already achieved in lowering inflation.

Even so, Mr Keating said the economy was much too weak and unemployment much too high.

Mr Keating went on to win the 1993 election and served as Prime Minister until he was defeated in 1996 by John Howard after 13 years of Labor government.