FACTBOX: Key policy themes for Australia's Labor
(Reuters) - Australia's Labor Party swept into power at national elections, propelling 50-year old former diplomat Kevin Rudd into office on a wave of support for generational change.
Following are some key policy themes for Labor.
FOREIGN POLICY
- Withdraw few hundred combat troops from Iraq, look to transfer Australia's training of Iraqi security forces to another country, keep and possibly increase troop numbers in Afghanistan.
- New Homeland Security department.
- Maintain close U.S. alliance, but more independent voice on foreign policy.
- Shut Australia's offshore refugee detention centers on Nauru and Papua New Guinea.
ECONOMY
- A$59 billion ($52 billion) in spending promises, including A$31 billion in income tax cuts.
- Continue economic conservatism, maintain budget surplus at 1 percent of GDP, keep sales tax at 10 percent, keep low inflation policy, support central bank independence, tax breaks.
- Abolish controversial labor contracts that loosened union influence and changed some employment conditions.
CLIMATE CHANGE
- Ratify Kyoto Protocol and lead Australia to the December U.N. Climate Summit in Bali, cut carbon emissions by 60 percent of 2000 levels by 2050.
- Total green pledges worth A$5 billion, including A$500 million on renewable energy research and A$200 million on a Great Barrier Reef rescue plan.
($1=A$1.14)
(Reporting by Rob Taylor)
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