The history of the 2001 election is still being written, and I doubt that the final version will be that `race' politics won the day. To ascribe racism to 80 per cent of the Australians who agreed with John Howard's handling of the border protection issues is ludicrous. Any historian with any understanding of how elections are run will not put the 2001 Howard election victory down to racism, as Simon Crean hopes. In fact, the ALP's constant bleating, `We was robbed,' since the election shows that there is still no understanding in Simon Crean's `reformed' ALP of what really matters to voters in Western Sydney or of the basic mechanics of a national election campaign. [start page 636]

The Leader of the Opposition fails to acknowledge that the Howard government had more policies for Western Sydney than what was on offer by a fairly ordinary opposition hoping to step into government with only one policy—opposition to the GST. Members of the ALP in my electorate of Lindsay have some understanding of the issues and, at a recent meeting chaired by a former Labor Premier Neville Wran, held at the Penrith RSL, they gave their frank assessment of Labor's election loss. There was a mention of border protection issues, but branch stacking and disenfranchising local members by installing outside candidates over local ones dominated proceedings. Simon Crean—or any other ALP leader—has failed to comment publicly on this meeting. This was left to a disenfranchised local member, who leaked the unofficial minutes of the meeting. There is clearly frustration within the grassroots membership that they have no say on policy.

Immediately after the loss, Simon Crean made a lot of noise about the need for party reform. The people at the Wran committee meeting at the Penrith RSL also believed this was a major reason for the devastating loss in Western Sydney, and yet their leader has gone strangely quiet on this. It was interesting to note that, on his visit to Western Sydney to determine the reasons for `the ALP's loss in the heartland', Simon Crean chose Mark Latham, the member for Werriwa; David Bradbury, the ALP candidate for Lindsay; and Steve Hutchins, a New South Wales senator, to accompany him.

Mark Latham is the ALP's new shadow minister for economic ownership, housing and urban development. Mark's concept of urban development is an airport at Badgerys Creek—something the people of Western Sydney clearly do not want. It appears he has just discovered ownership, especially home ownership, which has been at the epicentre of Liberal policies since Menzies. As for his ideas on housing, Mark appears to be endorsing New South Wales Labor's plans for mass housing in Western Sydney without the infrastructure to support it.

David Bradbury was `parachuted' in as the candidate for Lindsay over the top of rank and file members. Given that there are more mature local Penrith candidates with family and life experience, it is little wonder that the local rank and file Labor members deserted him during the campaign. These people now see branch stacking as the only way of reversing the trend of elite careerists, endorsed by ALP head office, hijacking `safe' seats. The stacking will continue until Simon Crean reforms the party.

Senator Hutchins is the ex-president of the Transport Workers Union. There is a thriving transport industry in Western Sydney with many owner-operators and employees living in the area. Senator Hutchins has crafted a successful career on representing these people, yet when Senator Hutchins had the opportunity to give the biggest tax break to the transport industry, he voted against the diesel fuel rebate. Not surprisingly, he has never denied numerous allegations that he never had a truck driving licence nor had any real experience in truck operations. Being advised by such a team, it is little wonder that Simon Crean is focusing on what John Howard should or should not have known during the election campaign rather than what the ALP has to offer as an alternative for voters in Western Sydney.

In stark contrast, the Howard government's track record of low interest rates, the first-home buyers $14,000 incentive and family incentives like the baby bonus was designed for Western Sydney families. The Liberal Party has a track record on urban development that favours protection of the value of existing homes in the area. These values are yet to surface in ALP policies. [start page 637]

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Hon. I.R. Causley)—Order! In accordance with standing order 275A, the time for members' statements has concluded.