Stephen Smith is the biggest loser in the Gillard Government

[holybishop]

Throughout his time as FA Minister under Rudd he rarely ever did anything wrong or controversial. He was without a doubt the best performing minister, especially in front of the media, but unfortunately he's the victim of the Arbib/Shorten politics. Now he's got defence, a ministry that while is important, barely gets any airtime with the media and is more often than not overshadowed by the FA minister anyway. No matter which way you look at it, Smith got demoted to save grace with a former PM and to keep him in line.

 

[serpico66]

Very poorly written title. He is one of few in the cabinet that is not a loser

 

[Caesar]

There's a number of talented people in caucus who would be entirely justified to feel shortchanged by the reshuffle. It's pretty clear there's a number of factional interests being pandered to.

Inevitable perhaps, but unfortunately it will not help Gillard's efforts to be seen as her own woman.

 

[Dry Rot]

Agree with the OP. Some of the most competent ministers like Smith and Combet got shafted, while Rudd is rewarded for stopping the leaks and fools and arse clowns like Swan and Wong got promoted.

Go figure.

 

[Contra Mundum]

Agree with the OP. Some of the most competent ministers like Smith and Combet got shafted, while Rudd is rewarded for stopping the leaks and fools and arse clowns like Swan and Wong got promoted.

Go figure.

Please Lord if you grant me one petition please make Malcolm Tunbull Finance Spokesman - he will eviscerate poor Penny.

 

[Caesar]

I actually can't wait to see Turnbull back in some kind of meaty portfolio. I'm sick of people like Robb and Pyne boring the hell out of me on Lateline.

 

[Dry Rot]

Please Lord if you grant me one petition please make Malcolm Tunbull Finance Spokesman - he will eviscerate poor Penny.

You should check out this thread - there's actually a couple of folk who reckon Wong is good! http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=753579&page=2

 

[Daytripper]

Throughout his time as FA Minister under Rudd he rarely ever did anything wrong or controversial.

Thought Rudd was the de facto Foriegn Minister anyway.

 

[holybishop]

Very poorly written title. He is one of few in the cabinet that is not a loser

I'd hardly call him a winner

 

[r dub 19]

One of the few Labor party members I respect.

 

[pazza]

Given the last decent Defence Minister was Robert Ray, Smith faces a challenge.

That said, he'll appreciate spending more time at home.

 

[TheBloods]

I suspect that Smith is playing the long-term game. He will do a good job in Defence, which is an important ministry, just not as media-focussed as others.

 

[Caesar]

Given the last decent Defence Minister was Robert Ray, Smith faces a challenge.

I thought Faulkner was fine at the job, not that he spent much time there.

 

[Dagger5]

Well with the fact that the white paper has been released, all he needs to oversee is procurement of equipment like the AWD and F-35's.

 

[Belnakor]

Defence is a pretty cushy role. You get to fly around looking at military gadgets etc.

its also pretty hard for something to go seriously wrong, even a big $$$ blow out or some kind of stuff up with soldiers bodies generally blows over pretty quickly. Its too complicated for the media to explain why X is going wrong etc.

Its a good position if you want to keep a low profile while still having a senior cabinet position.

 

[holybishop]

Its a good position if you want to keep a low profile while still having a senior cabinet position.

Which is why I would have given Rudd defence if I was Gillard. She keeps her promise of giving him a ministry, she can justify giving him defence over FA because Smith was doing a great job and Faulkner was retiring, and even though it has the Rudd factor the media attention for defence minister will still be quite minimal. Instead she gives him the highest profile ministry outside of the Treasurer which will inevitably cause problems.

 

[SurfingTheVoid]

Defence is a pretty cushy role. You get to fly around looking at military gadgets etc.

its also pretty hard for something to go seriously wrong, even a big $$$ blow out or some kind of stuff up with soldiers bodies generally blows over pretty quickly. Its too complicated for the media to explain why X is going wrong etc.

Its a good position if you want to keep a low profile while still having a senior cabinet position.

This is a joke right? I'm guessing you don't have much background on portfolios? Defence is one of the toughest portfolios around, dealing with a bloated Defence bureaucracy, a hostile Department and the public relations of Australia's involvement in various arenas.

Defence has seen the knife into many a Minister, it's truly amazing someone thinks it would be "cushy".

 

[Relativity]

Defence is a pretty cushy role. You get to fly around looking at military gadgets etc.

its also pretty hard for something to go seriously wrong, even a big $$$ blow out or some kind of stuff up with soldiers bodies generally blows over pretty quickly. Its too complicated for the media to explain why X is going wrong etc.

Its a good position if you want to keep a low profile while still having a senior cabinet position.

Don't think Kym Beazley, Ian McLachlan, Peter Reith and Brendan Nelson would agree. Defence purchases/contracts have a history of cost blowouts or equipment malfunctions/under performances. Submarines, tanks and aircraft spring to mind in recent times.

 

[tazzietiger]

Defence is a pretty cushy role. You get to fly around looking at military gadgets etc.

its also pretty hard for something to go seriously wrong, even a big $$$ blow out or some kind of stuff up with soldiers bodies generally blows over pretty quickly. Its too complicated for the media to explain why X is going wrong etc.

Its a good position if you want to keep a low profile while still having a senior cabinet position.

I wouldnt say the JSF F-35 price rises are just blowing over quickly or quietly.