All Australians have an inherent right to be treated equally under the law regardless of our race or means or where we live. We are one nation, with a diverse and rich background.

The heritage of all Australians, rich or poor, and that of our leaders, elected or not, is something we all must respect. It's the mark of an intellectual pygmy not to recognise that and to play the man, not the ball.

To classify people by their means, race, class or gender is not a substitute for robust discussion about ideas or solutions to pressing national problems. John F. Kennedy once said words to the effect that ''governments may come and go but ideas go on for ever''.

Yet Treasurer Wayne Swan has done just that. His attack on industry leaders who have led not by their words but by their courage and willingness to take action - to preserve the nation's standard of living, to protect workers and families, to expand our international trade, to reach out to our future in Asia and the world - is disappointing. As an elected national leader, the Treasurer needs to examine who he is, who he really represents, and what is in the best interest of all Australians.

In his essay in The Monthly attacking so-called ''billionaire activists'', including me, the Treasurer suggested he is fighting for workers' rights and to represent the workers in all areas of national government and policy. But as a member of Parliament and our Treasurer, he should not just be concerned with the rights of workers but the rights and needs of all Australians.