Bob Brown resigns as Greens Leader - Milne elected leader

[pjcrows]

Milne elected unopposed. Bandt elected deputy leader.

 

[kimp]

Complete disaster now coming...

 

[bombermick]

Wow ... oh well it was fun while it lasted

 

[Daytripper]

Labor must be so, so looking forward to working with Milne.

This has got disaster written all over it.

 

[tazzietiger]

Is he resigning and leaving the senate immanently or just not re-contesting.
Its unexpected has he given any reason why his leaving.

 

[Belnakor]

he probably wants to protect his super

 

[Daytripper]

he probably wants to protect his super

That was my first thought as well.

 

[Daytripper]

Must admit I'm surprised at the lack of reaction to the news that our Prime Minster had resigned.

 

[GuruJane]

Sensational news.

Brown - canniest politician in years and years quits at point where Greens have peaked and are on downhill slope. Quits at point carbon tax is about to hit. Quits at point carbon permits crashing around the world and Euro falling apart.

Greens did not get not one, not one, discernible extra vote in QLD in that huge swing against Labor; in fact, went backwards. Bob very quiet about that result.

So he's leaving the others to wear the slide. Smart, smart, smart Bob.

 

[sherb]

he probably wants to protect his super

How so?

I don't pretend to understand the parliamentary super rules.

 

[Footy Smarts]

Good luck to him. I think he should be commended for getting the best out of his party. I think it's fair to say that he did a good job of pushing the more mainstream areas of the Greens (high quality public education, healthcare and infrastructure) while being able to limit the influence of the more nutty elements (mainly the ex-communists). He's been able to transform the Greens from only a conservationist movement into a genuine political party that considers conservation as a portion of a more broad and balanced agenda. I still don't agree with a bunch of their policies but they're not just a bunch of whacky environmentalists that are totally against business anymore.

Milne's got a huge task ahead of here. I'm not sure that she's up to it but I guess time will tell.

 

[RisingPhoenix]

Look at Hanson Young rolling her eyes next to Milne. Goodbye Greens.

 

[Andre]

Look at Hanson Young rolling her eyes next to Milne. Goodbye Greens.

The above is why it's happening and happening now. Look I have no time for the Greens or Bob Brown, but it's a smart political move. Bob Brown is a greenie with a touch of red. Milne somewhat similar. It's obvious they want her in place whilst he still has the authority to designate a successor or the NSW Red faction would likely end up in control.

This will have a negative effect, but no where near as much as letting the ultra hardline Left NSW mob end up in charge. That would be electoral suicide for the Greens, and Brown doesn't want what he's spent the last 20 odd years, building up methodically, pissed down the drain in some mad rush to socialist utopia.

 

[Clay Davis]

Should have made Lee Rhiannon leader. The LOLs that would have ensued.

SHY to usurp in six months. Then Rhiannon. Then nothingness.

 

[Dry Rot]

Labor must be so, so looking forward to working with Milne.

This has got disaster written all over it.

There are a number of really bad planets lining up for Gillard, and here's another one.

Quite surprising news. Wonder if we'll ever know why now?

 

[evo]

Can't wait for Sarah Hansen Young to become the leader. It will be like having a major party run by a first year Adelaide Uni Culture Studies class.

 

[Dry Rot]

Should have made Lee Rhiannon leader. The LOLs that would have ensued.

Yeah, that would have been hilarious.

On a serious note, the Greens are probably like the former Yugoslavia with central figure Brown holding it all together. With him gone (along with his authority), we may see a good civil war between the real green ones and the commie ones.

Not good for stability for Gillard.

 

[Dry Rot]

Can't wait for Sarah Hansen Young to become the leader. It will be like having a major party run by a first year Monash Uni Culture Studies class.

Rhiannon would be more fun.

 

[Inferno]

If not now then when? Don't think there's anything strange about the timing, and I think he said that the Greens are selecting candidates for the next election in June so he wanted to give his successor a clear run.

Milne will go alright. She did alright in Tasmania until the major parties screwed the Greens over by reducing the size of Parliament. Next election will be tough for them but they should aim to not lose more then a couple of percentage points of votes compared to 2010.

Hopefully SHY does not become Deputy. She can get her face in the media... that's about the most positive quality I can find.

 

[Ant_]

Shame the more socialist types in the Greens are in control. Ludlum seems a lot more closer to the center.

 

[Dont be a lemon]

He's been a good senator and leader

 

[hoianbulldog]

So who is likely to take his seat in the senate?

Nick McKim, Kim Booth?

oooooooh - Peg Putt?

 

[pazza]

Sad Day for Australia and Australian Politics.

 

[GuruJane]

First Bob and Christine totally stuff Labor with the carbon tax, then Bob goes bushwalking when it gets too hot and Christine - who ran the negotiations that f*ucked Gillard and loves boasting about it - takes over. Very fitting.

And all those male voter breadwinners in Qld and NSW will have two women droning on at them about clear energy until the next election. Whata hoot.

btw - KHY and reds get rid of Christine after next election.

 

[GuruJane]

First Bob and Christine totally stuff Labor with the carbon tax, then Bob, their only heavyweight, goes bushwalking when it gets too hot and Christine - who ran the negotiations that ****ed Gillard - takes over. Very fitting.

And all those male voter breadwinners in Qld and NSW will have two women droning on at them about clear energy until the next election. Whata hoot.

btw - KHY and reds get rid of Christine after next election.