"It's what Labor governments do," he told Tasmania's embattled party faithful on Saturday.
"They invest in people, they expand opportunity and they build for the future.
"That's what we should be doing here."
Mr Willie leads a party continuing to languish in opposition following its worst election result in more than a century.
It has been plagued recently by internal strife and leadership changes, and has not held government since 2014.
He told the Labor state conference in Hobart on Saturday voters were desperate for help but more needed to be done to repair their disconnect with politics.
As they were everywhere, families across Tasmania were under pressure with rising costs and failing services, Mr Willie said.
"Groceries cost more, rents are rising but wages are not," he said.
"Mortgages are biting harder, power bills, water bills, fuel."
With everything going up, Tasmanians were frustrated, Mr Willie said.
"More than that, though, they're fed up with politics because it feels disconnected from their lives.
"They want leaders who understand what they're going through. They want leaders who stay focused on what matters.
"Labor needs to hear those Tasmanians and fight for them."
Predictably, Mr Willie laid blame at the feet of the state's longstanding government.
"After 13 years, this Liberal government has lost its way," he challenged.
While nearly half of Tasmania's TAFE students came from disadvantaged communities, government cuts to courses and staff meant more lost opportunities for those most in need, Mr Willie said.
The cost of childcare also needed to be addressed.
"That's why I've committed to five days of kinder in every Tasmanian public school and universal access to pre-school for three year olds," he said.
"If we are serious about Tasmania's future, we need a system that connects early learning, school and training together."
A notable absentee at the two-day party gathering, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not attend.
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