Latham's mates could destroy him
GLENN MILNE
24oct04
IF Mark Latham appoints his key supporter, Julia Gillard, as Shadow Treasurer, his leadership could be terminal, senior Labor figures warn.
According to these insiders, if the ambitious but economically untried Ms Gillard gets the plum job it will confirm that Latham is running scared of more worthy candidates such as Kevin Rudd, Stephen Smith and Wayne Swan, all of whom are seen as potential leadership rivals.
Gillard, along with former leader Simon Crean, is among a small coterie of Latham acolytes. The Labor leader's internal critics say that after fighting to save Crean's frontbench position, the appointment of Gillard to the second most powerful position in the Opposition would confirm Latham was putting his own interests ahead of the party's.
While Gillard was the firm favourite following a caucus ballot for the front bench on Friday, speculation was mounting in Labor circles yesterday that Latham might realise the folly of such a move.
"We're led to defeat by a Gough Whitlam protege with an economic credibility problem," said one ALP insider. "So what do we do? We send in a Joan Kirner protege to fix it."
Gillard is being held responsible for one of the biggest policy failures of the campaign – Medicare Gold. Frontbenchers and backbenchers are asking if that is the case, why she should be rewarded?
"If he continues to wallow in the politics of Medicare Gold he's gone," said one. "The trouble is the people who support him and who he owes – they're steeped in that sort of politics. The people of substance – where are they? On the backbench."
Those worried by Gillard as Shadow Treasurer say if it comes to pass it also signals that Latham has given up any hope of winning the next election.
"That's a strategy to win in six years," said one frontbencher. "And I find that reprehensible."
This view is echoed by others aghast at Latham's decision to allow a group of experienced frontbenchers to go to the backbench. They believe his determination to inject new, young and untried talent demonstrates he has already conceded the next election.
Many caucus members are similarly appalled at the damage caused by Latham's battle to save Crean. Said one: "I don't think Latham realises the fragility of his position. And what he's done on Crean is just suicidal. Of all the people going to the backbench, voters are going to say: 'Why not him?'
"Gillard is part of the tight little group propping up both Crean and Latham. He's got to get a reality check real quick."
Concerned MPs point out that it was the economy that cost the Opposition the election. "And for the past six years Simon has either been leader or Shadow Treasurer. Someone's got to connect the dots," said one.
Asked if Latham was in denial about the reasons for the election defeat, one MP replied: "Big time."
For the Opposition that means big trouble.
It is not looking good for Latham, he is losing major high-ranking support.
We should start a poll on how long he will last in the job