"We are as you all know in a new and dangerous part of the world’s history. The tragic events of the 11th of September have changed our lives, they have caused us to take pause and think about the values we hold in common with the American people and free people around the world. That was an attack on Australia as much as it was an attack on the United States. It not only claimed the lives of Australians but it assaulted the very values that we hold dear and that we take for granted. So therefore a military response and wise diplomacy and a steady hand on the helm are needed to guide Australia through those very difficult circumstances. National Security is therefore about a proper response to terrorism. It's also about having a far sighted, strong, well thought out defence policy. It is also about having an uncompromising view about the fundamental right of this country to protect its borders. It's about this nation saying to the world we are a generous open hearted people, taking more refugees on a per capita basis than any nation except Canada, we have a proud record of welcoming people from 140 different nations. But we will decide who comes to this country and the circumstances in which they come."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
2001 Federal Election Campaign Launch Speech (28 October 2001)
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Howard
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
John Howard
John Winston Howard (born 26 July 1939) is an Australian politician and was the Prime Minister of Australia from 1996 until 2007. He previously served as Treasurer from 1977 to 1983 and was Leader of the Liberal Party from 1985 until 1989, and again from 1995 to 2007.
35 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by John Howard →
Related Quotes
"I don't think it is wrong, racist, immoral or anything, for a country to say 'we will decide what the cultural identi…"
".. you must remember that the Australian voter has a short memory span... in fact, less than 14 days in most cases!"
"Truth is absolute, truth is supreme, truth is never disposable in national political life."
"There's no way that a GST will ever be part of our policy... never ever, it's dead it was killed by the voters in the…"
"I've never believed in lower wages. Never. Never believed in lower wages, I've never believed in lower wages as an ec…"
"By the year 2000 I would like to see an Australian nation that feels comfortable and relaxed about three things. I wo…"
"In a sense, it's always a sombre moment in a country where you ask the people who have done the right thing to put up…"
"The 'black armband' view of our history reflects a belief that most Australian history since 1788 has been little mor…"
"The debate over Australian history .. risks being distorted if its focus is confined only to the shortcomings of prev…"
"I'm not in favour of going back to a White Australia policy. I do believe that, if it [non-European immigration] is i…"