FED:Political leaders reflect on 2011

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-2011
FED:Political leaders reflect on 2011

Eds: Not for use before 0001 Saturday, December 31, 2011

CANBERRA, Dec 31 AAP - Fewer rancorous political debates and more of a focus on what
can be achieved economically is necessary for Australia's medium and long-term strength,
the Treasurer says.

Reflecting on a year in which the federal government ushered its controversial mining
tax through the lower house, along with the bitterly contested passing of the carbon tax,
Wayne Swan acknowledged the federal government's achievements during 2011 had been tainted
with a good deal of criticism.

"2011 has been marked by bruising debates but they were necessary to set the country
up for 2012 and into the decades ahead," he said in a statement on Friday.

He said he hoped there would be less "partisan politics" throughout 2012, and more
emphasis on what could be achieved economically.

"We've got strong growth, low inflation, low unemployment and very low debt," he said.

"As we head into the new year, we know our economic vital signs are good ... "

But with uncertainty surrounding Europe's debt crisis, that didn't mean Australia could
rest on its laurels.

"There will be no easy fix for the global economy in 2012. It will take action by the
Europeans supported by the international community including the International Monetary
Fund and the G20," Mr Swan added.

Opposition leader Tony Abbott, in his own end-of-year statement, complained about debt
built up by the Labor government.

"Ending the waste and repaying the debt means that we can take the pressure off inflation
and interest rates," he said.

"That means we can get taxes down that will help small business to grow and create
jobs and to make our country more prosperous."

AAP bc/jnb/was

KEYWORD: ECONOMY (EMBARGOED)

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