Australia is a nation of remarkable achievements. We are the first people in history to have voted a nation into existence—a nation created in peace, not in war. We are one of the oldest parliamentary democracies in the world. Our parliament has a proud history of leading the world in social reforms like reasonable working hours, the right of women to vote, a fair wage, an independent umpire for industrial disputes, compensation for injured workers, and provision of the age and widow's pensions.
Since its early convict days, Australia has grown with waves of arrivals from all corners of the globe, each making unique contributions to our national identity. Despite its small population, Australia has played a significant role for more than a century in fighting the forces of oppression, injustice and tyranny, supporting international efforts in favour of peace, freedom and the alleviation of suffering. And in more recent decades, Australia has begun to address the great injustices done to its Indigenous people, including through the apology to the Stolen Generations in 2008.
The Australian Labor Party has played a major role in achieving these great social advances and building the modern Australian nation. The Labor Party grew out of a collective struggle for better living and working conditions in the late 19th century, a struggle that delivered many milestones of social progress such as the establishment of basic rights for working people in the early 20th century, the living wage, the age pension, unemployment benefits and compensation for people injured at work.
Inspired by enduring Labor values, in government Labor has continued implementing great reforms throughout the nation's history—from the expansion of higher education and the creation of Medicare, to the opening up of the Australian economy to the world in the late 20th century. In government, Labor embraces this great tradition of reform and national renewal—to tackle the challenges of a new era, while holding steadfast to the enduring Labor values that have served the nation so well in the past.
Labor is a social democratic party that believes in the unique and positive role that can be played by government in a market economy. Government can play an important role in restoring stability when financial systems are at risk, where there is market failure, and in a time of economic downturn where there is a need to support jobs and economic growth.
Only governments can ensure the universal provision of quality health care, education and a social safety net; implement national security measures and plan national infrastructure needs; and implement legislation to protect the natural environment and create a legal framework for competitive markets. In these and other areas, government involvement achieves better outcomes for all Australians.
Labor is committed to its future partnership with the trade union movement. The Australian Labor Party was born out of the trade union movement and its struggle for a secure, decent and dignified life for working people. In partnership with the labour movement, Labor governments in the past have achieved great things for working Australians. Labor is committed to protecting and advancing the rights of working families, including their rights to join trade unions, to organise in the workplace, to bargain collectively and to exercise their right to strike.
The trade union movement is one of the largest and most representative community movements in Australia, representing millions of Australians and their families. Our partnership with the trade union movement remains crucial for Australia's future. We believe a strong trade union movement is not only good for delivering more cooperative workplaces, but it can also assist in strengthening our goals of a more equitable and democratic Australia. In government, Labor is committed to a constructive partnership with the trade union movement to build a stronger and fairer Australia.
Labor's commitment to a fair go for everyone is at the foundation of our approach to government. Fairness has been grafted into the Australian soul throughout the past century, in large part because of the sustained efforts of the Australian labour movement. Fairness is a guiding principle for Labor in government, whether we are dealing with Australians' rights at work, access to educational opportunities and health care, our tax and welfare systems, or many other aspects of government policy. In recent years, our nation's long-standing belief in the fair go has been under pressure from many directions. Labor believes that sustaining our commitment to fairness will best ensure that Australia meets our future challenges successfully.
Labor believes that one of the most important roles of government is to support Australian families. Labor believes that the family is the fundamental group unit of society, and that its economic security is of paramount importance. For most people, family is central to personal well-being. Families provide individuals with their most important and enduring relationships, fulfilling many of their deepest needs. Families need to be supported in their efforts to balance the pressures of work and family life.
A fair and flexible industrial relations system can help working families to cope with these pressures, such as by ensuring reasonable working hours, proper remuneration for their work and the opportunity for families to spend holiday time together. Family life can also be strengthened by ensuring universal access to first rate health services, educational opportunities, modern infrastructure and community services.