Prime Minister Bob Hawke unveiled a 10-point plan which he said would underpin major, lasting economic reforms that would take Australia through the 1990s and into the 21st century.

He said some of the reforms in key industries would cause pain and controversy, but called on the Australian community to "share the burden of change".

The plan, described as an "inspirational document", outlined changes to the aviation industry, a shipping "revolution" achieved without strikes, huge efficiency increases on the waterfront, the creation of a national rail-freight system operating "door-to-door" across state boundaries, and the restructuring of assistance to the unemployed.

Mr Hawke said the changes to the assistance package for the unemployed, which shifted the emphasis from benefits to retraining, were "possible the most important labour-market reforms since Federation".

Other areas for reform included telecommunications, electricity generation, the export of services, international trade and education.

Mr Hawke declared that the changes could not be achieved "overnight", and public debate about the reforms would be "dominated by the vocal complaints of the minority who are adversely affected".

See: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/12971750