John Faulkner resigns as Labor Senate leader...

Tinker

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#26
Tim56 said:
J. McGauran is a waste of space, Kelly was incompetent as a Minister (will stay Parl. Sec to PM) and Tuckey is finished.

It's pretty tough to find a vacancy in the ministry, as it's a pretty good team.

Under threat:

Ian Macdonald
Larry Anthony*
Eric Abetz
Danna Vale
Jim Lloyd

Should be but aren't:

Kay Patterson
Chris Ellison
Fran Bailey

Remember, there are unfortunately things such as Senate representation and balancing the states involved.

Turnbull should go into cabinet, Andrew Robb into the outer ministry.

Hill will definitely stay as Senate leader Dave.

I think he meant Peter McGauran for Agriculture, which is a possibility I guess.

Jim Lloyd will stay on in his current portfolio. So will Eric Abetz. Abetz is a major ally of the PM.

Danna Vale personifies incompetance and should be sent back to the back bench. Chris Ellison is a divisive, arrogant git who I cannot stand and I wouldn't have been disappointed if he was turfed all together. Neither Andrew Robb nor Malcolm Turnbull should get portfolios at this stage - they need time to adapt to their new roles and serve their electorates first. At least 18 months. Turnbull will struggle under Howard anyway - will be more successful if Costello takes over.

Maybe I am wrong but I thought Wilson Tuckey was retiring? Isnt that why he handed in his ministry??
 

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Weaver

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#27
Jenny Macklin has 2 things going for her, she is a woman and she is from the left. Generally the deputy leader spot will go to someone from the junior faction. Everyone knows that Treasurer is the real 2IC anyway.
 

Tim56

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Thread starter #28
Dry Rot said:
We must be about the same vintage.

What is the Toe Cutter up to these days?
I suspect I'm slightly younger, but I have read a number of books about the dismissal etc.

He was a delegate to the constitutional convention a few years back, but apart from that I don't know.
 

funkyfreo

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#29
Labor front bench no worse than Liberals.

Since day 1 Downer, Vandstone, Ruddock have been embarrasments. John Howard as a "strong" leader so they say has borne the brunt and then managed to lie every time his front bench get caught out. Reith was a shocker too. Thank god they turfed Bishop.

Abbot and Costello are ok - if with pretty dull personalities but I guenuinely think they do a good job, save some of Abbott's more loony ideals.

So I really don't see that the two parties are much different.

As for that comment about Rudd getting picked up on at school? I can;t believe that even a huge fan of Downer could possibly point that stick anywhere else! :))
 

Tim56

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Thread starter #30
Latham in row over women
By Brad Norington and Samantha Maiden
October 15, 2004

MARK Latham is caught in a bitter row over affirmative action on Labor's front bench, with women MPs furious their representation could drop significantly because of deals stitched up by male faction leaders.

Acrimony among the women flared yesterday when it became clear only a few spots on Labor's 30-member front bench would be female, contravening party policy to gradually increase the representation levels to 40 per cent.

The row erupted as it was revealed that the architects of all Labor's key policy areas - including frontbenchers Julia Gillard in health and Wayne Swan in family services - would move from their portfolios in a big front bench reshuffle following Saturday's election defeat.

Simon Crean and Bob McMullan also want a switch from Treasury and finance to other positions, while Kim Beazley is believed to be considering a return to the back bench from defence.

At this stage, the only woman frontbencher from Labor's Right will be Victorian Nicola Roxon, with ACT MP Annette Ellis confirming yesterday she would stand aside from the ageing portfolio and Victorian Jacinta Collins losing her Senate seat.

The only certainties from the Left are Victorians Ms Gillard and deputy leader Jenny Macklin. Backbench left-wingers Tanya Plibersek from NSW and Penny Wong from South Australia could be promoted.

As wrangling over Labor's post-mortem continued yesterday, supporters of Ms Gillard accused Labor men of running a dirty tricks campaign to damage her claim to promotion by leaking internal party polling on her Medicare Gold package.

Labor women expressed their disgust that a national deal was stitched up by right-wing faction leaders on Monday giving men a boost in the shadow ministry.

Mr Latham has been personally drawn into the women's fury for failing to intervene to promote affirmative action in his shadow ministry, and for excluding women MPs in his own NSW faction. On Monday, Mr Latham effectively shut out Ms Ellis and blocked the ambitions of NSW senator Ursula Stephens by insisting on the inclusion of newcomer Tony Bourke on his front bench.

His actions mean all four available NSW Right positions will go to men - himself, Mr Bourke, Robert McClelland and Joel Fitzgibbon.

Former Victorian Premier Joan Kirner called on the ALP to ensure a third of frontbench positions were held by women. With women making up 36 per cent of the Labor caucus, Ms Kirner said, at least a third of the shadow cabinet should be women.

"Women frontbenchers demonstrated their capacity during the campaign and it's time more women were given a go," Ms Kirner said.

However, a leading Right faction figure and former MP for the Queensland seat of Hinkler, Brian Courtice, said the preselection of "dud" Labor candidates such as Cheryl Dorron in his former seat demonstrated the folly of Labor's affirmative action rule for women candidates.

The Australian

Why would anyone listen to Joan Kirner anyway?
 

pazza

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#31
Agreed Tim. Seems like a bit of "what about me" behaviour by Joanie!

The front bench needs a full shake-up, but, no need to go OTT about it. All it would do is make Latham's own job even harder than what it already is.
 

Dry Rot

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#32
Tim56 said:
Labor women expressed their disgust that a national deal was stitched up by right-wing faction leaders on Monday giving men a boost in the shadow ministry.

Mr Latham has been personally drawn into the women's fury for failing to intervene to promote affirmative action in his shadow ministry, and for excluding women MPs in his own NSW faction. On Monday, Mr Latham effectively shut out Ms Ellis and blocked the ambitions of NSW senator Ursula Stephens by insisting on the inclusion of newcomer Tony Bourke on his front bench.

His actions mean all four available NSW Right positions will go to men - himself, Mr Bourke, Robert McClelland and Joel Fitzgibbon.
This is no surprise.

I don't like Latham, and as you get to know him you probably won't like him either.
 

Tim56

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Thread starter #33
Beazley heads back to back bench

Former ALP federal leader Kim Beazley will reportedly quit Labor's federal cabinet and head to the back bench again.

The Weekend Australian reports Mr Beazley will announce his decision, just three months after Opposition Leader Mark Latham appointed him defence spokesman in an attempt to mend ties with the United States.

The resignation has reportedly sparked speculation about Mr Beazley's future.

Some backers want him to consider an eventual return to the party's top job if support for Mr Latham drops.

The former deputy prime minister told The Australian he would not leave parliament and was committed to serving the rest of the term as a backbencher.

"I don't have a problem with Mark. I've done my job and it's time for other to do it," he said.
 

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Dry Rot

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#37
Tim56 said:
Bob McMullan - GAWN
Interesting what the story was (from SMH site). ALP has lost a good operator to the back bench.

McMullan stands down after clash with Latham
October 18, 2004 - 4:15PM

Former Labor minister Bob McMullan today said he would not run for a frontbench position, citing a difference of opinion with Opposition Leader Mark Latham over the role he would fulfil.

Mr McMullan, Labor's finance spokesman, last week indicated he would step aside from his finance role but stressed he was keen to continue on the frontbench.

However, late today, Mr McMullan issued a statement that he would not be putting his name forward for a frontbench position when the Labor caucus meets on Friday.

``I will not be putting my name forward for election to the executive of the parliamentary Labor Party when caucus meets this Friday,'' Mr McMullan said.

``I feel I still have petrol in the tank and a contribution to make.

``However, there is no prospect that the leader of the party and I will come to an agreement about my role over the next three years.''

Mr McMullan said he accepted that Mr Latham needed to have a team in which he had confidence, and with which he was comfortable.

Opposition treasury spokesman Simon Crean has signalled he won't be seeking the treasury position but is interested in remaining on the frontbench.

Mr McMullan joins workplace relations spokesman Craig Emerson, who today said he would not contest a position on the frontbench.

Dr Emerson stood aside after acknowledging factional wrangling made it unlikely he would win a position.

Mr Latham issued a brief statement through a spokesman thanking Mr McMullan for his contribution over the years but making no further comment.

``I thank Bob for his long service on the front bench,'' Mr Latham said.
``His statement stands on its own.''



AAP
 

Goldenblue

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#38
Tim56 said:
Latham in row over women
By Brad Norington and Samantha Maiden
October 15, 2004

MARK Latham is caught in a bitter row over affirmative action on Labor's front bench, with women MPs furious their representation could drop significantly because of deals stitched up by male faction leaders.
This affirmative action is a load of rubbish. I don't care if the person is male or female, both sexes from both sides have shown through the years that they are capable of holding done a ministerial position and doing the job.

This 30 to 40% of females is rubbish and each candidate should be chosen by merit, not sex. This is one reason why the ALP are losing the plot. They are happy to keep talent on a back bench to suit a quota of male / female representatives.

No offence to the females as they are just as capable as men ( Gillard is a fine example), but I think this whole policy is a thorn in the side of the ALP.

Positions chosen on merit, not sex. It's true equality if you look at it if represented in the view I take.
 
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