Publisher's Guest
The Hon Philip Ruddock MP, Federal Member for Berowra has always been vitally interested in politics and government administration. The son of a State MP and Minister, the late Max Ruddock, Philip first entered Federal Parliament at a by-election in 1973, becoming the Member for Parramatta. Some 36 years later he is the third longest serving Member of Parliament in Australian history and has just been appointed Shadow Cabinet Secretary, a position through which he will utilise his vast experience and corporate memory.
DG: It was a great honour for me to be with the Hon Philip Ruddock when the announcement was made of his appointment by Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott MP as Shadow Cabinet Secretary. I was a guest in his office having requested an interview for the Magazine.
Mr Ruddock was an influential Minister in John Howard's Government and is the only currently serving Member with a strong National Security and Intelligence background.
After several weeks of particularly interesting and dynamic political activity, there were many questions which Business Resource & Lifestyle wished to put to Mr Ruddock - Here are just a few.
Mr Ruddock, following your appointment today, what will be your priorities and how do you plan to improve small and medium enterprise related issues?
PMR: My appointment as Secretary to the Shadow Cabinet has formalised a role I have been undertaking since the last Federal election. as a source of advice and counsel to my Parliamentary colleagues. Having been a Senior Cabinet Minister in Government and with many years' experience in roles as diverse as Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs and Attorney-General, I am in somewhat of a unique position within the current Opposition team.
Naturally, while we are in Opposition it is our task to critically and methodically scrutinise the Rudd Government, its legislation and policy directions. It is also important to be proactive in outlining an alternative program for the nation's future.
One of my ongoing areas of interest involves seeking reductions in compliance regulations with which business must cope. As Attorney-General, I undertook a rationalisation of corporate regulations, particularly those involved with trade across State and Territory borders.
The work I began on Personal Property Security Reform is still being followed by the Rudd Government. While I receive no credit for beginning the task, it is pleasing to see this important area, which limits and hinders business borrowing, still on the agenda. It is my view that the laws should be harmonised - presently there are some 70 different pieces of legislation and 60 different registers covering personal property. This is a significant impost on business. One register would be better for financial institutions, businesses and individuals. Government should be about making laws more transparent and simpler for business.
Industrial law is another area in which I have an ongoing interest. Deregulating employment commenced under the Hawke and Keating governments, but it seems to me that the ALP is seeking to over regulate again. The Rudd Government is being given a strong message from its union base, which is seeking these changes, particularly in the building and construction industry.
I believe the Rudd Government will be judged harshly on the result of their actions. It is with regret I believe that unemployment levels will rise. As business starts recovering from the effects of the global crisis, operators will be more cautious about employing staff. If it is made more difficult to let go staff who are unable to perform the tasks for which they have been employed effectively, it stands to reason that employers will think twice before employing new staff. I can see a trend developing where more overtime will be offered rather than new personnel employed. In time this will become more of an issue with business becoming less competitive and living standards falling.
DG: In my opinion, climate change is taking place, while its causes are debateable. Where do you stand in relation to the government's proposed ETS and what steps will the Opposition take now that Prime Minister Rudd has refused an open discussion on the ETS with the Leader of the Opposition?
PMR: As I see it, there are three positions which people can take.
At one end of the spectrum there are those who are strongly committed to dealing with what they assume the science dictates, that is, climate change and an ETS. At the opposite end are those who feel there is no problem and any form of government intervention is inappropriate.
Then there are those in the middle who think that if there is a problem, it is one which the whole world needs to deal with together, and Australia should be a part of this process.
My own view is that the Rudd Government has an obligation and responsibility to explain its policy carefully and clearly so that all Australians understand it and its ramifications. Australia should not be ahead or behind the pack.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is firmly of this view and this is why he challenged the Prime Minister to a debate on the subject. By refusing to accept this challenge, Mr Rudd is ignoring the rights and views of Australians who deserve to know more about the ETS and its impost. It is the government's responsibility to do so and they ought not to dismiss the public's concern and interest in such a cavalier manner.
DG: What would be your forecast on the future of the current NSW Government and the prosperity of the State?
PMR: I have a simple and somewhat bleak view of NSW's future under Labor. That is, it has no future. The naming of a new Premier is simply a case of the deck chairs being rearranged on the Titanic. They are essentially down to the point where the last man or woman standing will do.
The new Premier has little experience of portfolio or parliamentary matters. She has been chosen as someone to whom Labor strategists feel the people will give the benefit of the doubt. The recent description of her being a hostage to back-room operators, Tripodi and O'Beid, may be brutal but is, in my view, accurate.
Governments get to a point where people just turn off and stop listening, no matter what the message. Premier Rees was seen as a new broom and a new image. Labor alternatives with more experience are seen as soiled in government and thus were overlooked. The Labor Party has been in power for fourteen years in this State and people have stopped listening.
Federally, the Coalition was still providing good government when the public stopped listening - but NSW Labor is not even doing that. Along with most residents of New South Wales I am looking forward to the State election and I believe there will be a change of government. My State Parliamentary colleague and friend, Barry O'Farrell MP is working extremely hard with his very capable team to take back the government benches and provide this State with the direction, leadership and hope which is presently so sadly lacking.
DG: Thank you for your time Mr Ruddock. We greatly appreciate your straightforward approach and your open and honest manner when in office. I wish you all the best and success in all the challenges the future holds.
Federal Member for Berowra, The Hon Philip Ruddock MP
with Dmitry Greku, Publisher/Editor, GWP Magazines.
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