CANBERRA, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- New Australian Prime Minister (PM), Scott Morrison, has laid out the values that he says will define his government.
In his first major speech delivered Thursday as PM, Morrison invoked Sir Robert Menzies, founder of the Liberal Party which Morrison currently leads.
"Because you can't just be about what you're opposed to, you've got to be about what you're for," he said in an address which has been described as evangelical in its nature.
"We all love Australia. Of course we do. But do we love all Australians? That's a different question, isn't it?
"We've got to. That's what brings a country together. You love all Australians if you love Australia."
Morrison cited Menzies' achievements as PM such as overseeing the rise of the home ownership rate from 40 percent to 70 percent and increasing access to health services in laying out his own agenda.
"I believe in a fair go for those who have a go in this country," he said.
"I think that's what fairness means in this country. It's not about everybody getting the same thing. If you put in, you get to take out, and you get to keep more of what you earn."
Morrison, who served as Treasurer from 2015 to 2018, was sworn in as premier in late August after a majority of the governing Liberal Party voted for him in a leadership ballot.
He ruled out making any major policy announcements in Thursday's speech but dismissed concerns that he intended to cut funding to welfare and universal health care services.
"Remember, my value is: we look after our mates," Morrison said.
"That's why we have a safety net in this country, to protect people. But it works as a trampoline, not as a snare."
"Every Australian matters."
