An Analysis of the Significant Achievements of the Turnbull Government

This report provides an analysis of the significant achievements of the Turnbull government in Australia. The paper highlights the government's focus on economic growth, job creation, and national security. It discusses the creation of numerous jobs, reforms in competition law, and the enactment of counter-terrorism laws. The report emphasizes the government's initiatives to strengthen the economy, promote competition, and ensure the safety of Australians. The Turnbull government's achievements are evaluated in the context of its policies and their impact on the country. The report focuses on the Turnbull government's actions to create jobs, reform competition law, and strengthen national security, providing insights into its impact on the Australian economy and society.

Running head: POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT
Politics and Government
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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The Australia Politics has seen many Prime Ministers come and go in the recent years.
All of these governments have been able to accomplish something or the other for the country.
The Turnbull Government is the name provided to the federal executive government which is
under the prime ministership of the 29th Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull. The
government took charge of the Australian parliament on September 15, 2015. The government
comprises of Liberal National Coalition members. The government succeeded the government of
ex Prime Minister Abbott which had been elected in 2013 elections. There have been several
changes which had been initiated by the Turnbull government. The purpose of the paper is to
through light upon the three most significant achievements which the Turnbull government has
been able to achieve from its taking charge to the present day. The paper initially highlights the
major achievements of the government and then discusses the three most important
achievements.
According to The australian.com.au (2018) the Turnbull government is successfully
working upon its objective towards a stronger economy and a more secure country. In the time
they have been operation there have been various achievements which the government has been
able to achieve. As provided by Herald Sun (2018) the Turnbull government has shown strong
records in relation to employment growth in the country. Around 403100 Australians have been
reported to have found employment. This rate indicates about 1000 newly created jobs every
day. This is a record achievement in relation to the number of jobs which have been created in a
calendar year. The government has also initiated tax cuts in relation to medium and small
enterprises. This has helped 3.2 million businesses who employ around 6.7 people and for the
creation of new jobs. The government has also extended the instant Asset Write off which was in
use by 30000 small businesses every year so that they can invest in machinery and new

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equipments. An innovation and science agenda has also been initiated by the government from
which 3000 new investments have been made in 300 innovation companies at early stages. The
government has taken the initiatives to tackle law less union which includes restoration of
ABCC, banning corrupt and secret payments between the unions and business. A new registered
organization commission has also been initiated so that unions can be transparent to the public
and the members. The governments in order to ensure more reliable and affordable energy is
delivered have initiated the National Energy Guarantee as well as have enabled snowy hydro 2.0
which is the largest renewable energy project. Extensive reforms have been made by the
government in relation to the competition and consumer law in order to help small businesses
and consumers. In order to secure Australia in the 21st century the 2016 defense with paper has
been signed by the government. Thousands of ongoing jobs gave also been created through a
defense industry plan including the building of 54 ships backing local advanced manufacturing
industry. Numerous anti-terror laws have been passed to support the security agencies which are
managed by a new Department of Home Affairs (Pm.gov.au 2018). In order to address the
loopholes used by multinationals new laws have been initiated which have resulted in raising a
tax of $4 Billion.
The government has enacted legislation in order to address issues relating to the china-
Australia free trade agreement which boosts the capacity of the country in relation to exports and
a Free Trade Agreement with Peru. The position of media has also been enhanced by the
government through the passing of various laws for bringing the media into digital age as well as
ensuring viability of the other local media outlets. The surcharges which were considered to
excessive in relation to credit cards have been abolished to provide protection to the consumers.
The government has till date invested $75 Billion in relation to an infrastructure which includes

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rail projects and congestion busting roads across the country. The Bill Shorten’s truck tribunal
which was forcing the truck drivers out of business has also been abolished by the Turnbull
government. The government has also introduced landmark reforms in relation to providing
support to the parents involved in child care which includes the abolishment of $7500 family cap
and the introduction of a new Child Care Subsidy.
Thus in the light of all the above discussed achievements the three best achievements
which have been selected by the paper include creation of jobs, legislations in the sector is
defense and security and reforms in the Australian competition law.
According to Hutchens (2018) the “jobs and growth” slogan of PM Turnbull has turned
into a big outcome. There have been 403000 jobs created in the country by December 2017. The
level of participation has reached its Apex in 7 years along with the confidence of the consumers.
In addition it has been provided by Michaelia Cash the job and innovation Minister that out of all
the jobs created three fourth of the jobs are full time. The government is able to understand that
they have to get basics of the economy right and implement appropriate policies so that
businesses can grow and prosper and jobs can be created. The government has been able to
create an economy through which around 1100 jobs are created everyday and therefore the
number of Australians in employment is of a record number. On the other hand the 89000 jobs
which had been created by the labour government in the last year were alleged to be mostly part
time jobs (news.com.au 2018). Australians have been subjected to stagnant growth in wages,
although increase in Jobs have been significant there has been a very slow growth in terms of
wages. However it has been provided by the Turnbull government that a strong economy has to

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be ensured before wage growth can be targeted this can be done by ensuring that jobs are created
by businesses which are preferably full time jobs.
Unemployment has been a significant issue in Australia which the turnbull government
has been able to address in a very prompt and efficient manner. In the light of growth in the
number of jobs wage growth is also around the corner as stated by the Reserve Bank Governor.
The government understands that if it is not able to get the basics of the economy correct then the
businesses would not be able to grow and prosper and there would be no jobs created without
growing businesses. Where there would be less creation of jobs it would be unreasonable to
expect growth in wages. The government has ensured that it has got all basics in relation to the
economy covered and more fruitful results are waiting for the Australian citizens. However the
Turnbull government has been criticized by the opposition stating that the primary issue in 2018
is that of the cost of living pressure (Austin 2018). These criticisms do not have much weight age
as it is believed by economic experts that where there has been growth in the number of jobs and
businesses it is evidently going to result in a stronger economy and subsequently growth in
average wages and reduction in the cost of living (Pm.gov.au 2018). Therefore creation of jobs
has been one of the most significant achievements with the Turnbull government has been able
to achieve till date.
Another important achievement which has been achieved by the turnbull government is
in relation to the significant reforms which have been made in the area of competition law. The
Competition and Consumer Amendment Bill 2017 had been passed finally by both the houses of
the Parliament on 18th October 2017. The amendments have been done in relation to
competition policy and misuse of market power. The passing of the bills indicate the most

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significant reforms which the Australian competition law has witnessed in last 20 years. The
changes have been made as a response to the recommendations which had been made by the
Harper competition policy review (Ashurst.com 2018). Through this review impediments had
been identified across the economy which prevented competition and decreased productivity.
The primary purpose of the landmark reforms is to make the Competition and Consumer
Act 2010 simple and subsequently reducing the burden on businesses and the cost on the
economy along with the promotion of pro-competitive behaviour and enhancing adaptation of
law with the changing situation. Amendments have been made to the previous definition of
competition and it now includes competition from services and goods which have the capacity of
importation along with those which are actually imported. The change has made it clear that;
relevant to a competition analysis is a credible threat of import competition. Changes have also
been made to better target and simplify provisions in relation to cartel conduct. One of the
primary changes in relation to this is that Cartel conduct has been confined as a conduct which
affects competition in Australian markets. General prohibitions with respect to engagement in
specific practices which have the likely effect of lessening competition substantially have been
replaced by the price signaling provisions. An anti-competitive conduct which falls short of
understanding or contract is aimed to be captured by this provision. Changes have also been
introduced which does not any longer prohibit third line forcing per se and rather subject it to a
competition test. This would ensure compliance of Australian law more closely to other
overseas jurisdictions like New Zealand, the European Union and US where such conduct is not
specifically prohibited. With the new laws as an alternative for seeking authorization and
individual or a company will now have the right to inform the Australian Competition and
Consumer Commission of any resale price maintenance conduct (Bakermckenzie.com 2018).

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In addition the resale price maintenance is not applicable on conduct between related
corporations. Covenants through which competition was substantially lessened do not have any
complex prohibitions rather contracts listening competition have been provided with general
prohibitions. Class exemption powers have been provided by the Australian Competition and
Consumer Commission through which it is allowed to exempt a particular conduct or a particular
category of conduct in case there is less probability of it raising competition concerns and
generating public benefits. Extension in relation to Section 83 of the CCA has been done by the
new reforms whereby a party which makes a claim against a person with respect to a specific
section of the CCA can now rely on both admissions of facts as well as finding of facts which are
made against the person in other proceedings. Competition law was also a major area of concern
in relation to the Australian economy which has been attempted to be appropriately and
adequately addressed by the Turnbull government. The landmark reforms which have been
introduced by the government are set to enhance competition in the Australian economy and
provide opportunity for small businesses to prosper (Australiancompetitionlaw.org 2018).
As provided by Hutchens (2018) the primary objective of the PM is to ensure safety of
Australian against those who intended to harm them. The government has ensured that it has
security and law enforcements bodies which are no less than the best in the world. The
government has initiated most significant reforms in relation to Australian domestic security and
national intelligence arrangements in a few decades. The reforms are in relation to restructuring
and strengthening of the Australian intelligence community. The government has initiated
comprehensive and robust counter-terrorism laws and arrangements to adequately address the
threat of terrorism. The functions of the Australian defense force has been extended to give
assistance to the states in order to respond to terrorism. This is going to ensure that the defence

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sector can collaborate with the federal and state police in relation to a terrorist incident. Strong
counter-terrorism laws have also been enacted by the government along with significant
investment to address the issue of terrorism in the country (Defence.gov.au 2018).
Thus it can be stated that despite of all the challenges which have been faced by the
Turnbull government it is continuously striving to meet the expectations of the public and ensure
the betterment of the Australian community as a whole.

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