Why is Labor’s favourite son backing the pretender?

Little Joe says:

06:10am | 27/02/12

Instead of wondering why a Labor Minister is backing the Ex-Labor PM, maybe the journalists at the punch should be asking “Why have our publications consistantly supported Labor??”

acotrel says:

06:12am | 27/02/12

If only the Liberal Party was this democratic !

Labor might be toxic but the coalition is worse says:

07:17am | 27/02/12

Do you even know what Communist means?  And I don’t suppose you’ve noticed how the libs are all about protecting mining companies and stuffing the country in the long term for short term profits that are not being evenly distributed across the Australian people???  The libs don’t care about everyday Australians, they care about their mining buddies and that’s it!

marley says:

07:37am | 27/02/12

@acotrel - you’re a member of the ALP, right?  Do you have a vote in who leads the party?  If not, then I think you’ll find it difficult to convince me or anyone else that the ALP is democratic.

Borderer says:

09:20am | 27/02/12

@LMBTBTCIW
You have super? Then you’ve profited from mining.

ET says:

09:29am | 27/02/12

Yes that would be an excellent solution. The Greens and Labour get out of politics and let Tony Abbott take care of everything. God knows he’s so capable. He can weld, drive graders, be a butcher, cook fish and chips, run farms, factories, workshops, schools. He’s just so damned capable.

no says:

11:07am | 27/02/12

economic refugee - i dont think anyone would know where to start with whats wrong about what youve said…

Coolangatta Gary says:

11:21am | 27/02/12

Economic Refugee: You are down at the bottom of one of thousands of moon-like craters being dug around our nation Abbott and his lot are backing. Have you been overseas lately and returned to realize we have the best country in the world in many ways? Our standard of living is so much higher than any others. Even if you have no money in this country you will find some source of having a meal and be clothed. Babies are born in other countries go through life with bones sticking through their skin having never worn a stich of clothing at life’s end. Yet you have a desire to change government and go to one which has big overseas conglomerates taking money out of this country ... the bigger they are Abbott will having them paying less tax.

Ben says:

11:25am | 27/02/12

@Borderer, do you have super? If so, you have benefitted from reformist Labor policy. Let’s hope Abbott doesn’t turn the tap off at 9% again if/ when the LNP take government.

Bertrand says:

06:04am | 27/02/12

“The fact is MPs should be voting for who is the best chance to win the next election “

Disagree. They should be voting for the person who is best positioned to govern in the best interests of the country. At this point Gillard and Rudd are well past this point.

Perhaps Albo was positioning himself as a third candidate which may be able to bridge the gap between the two warring sides of Labor lest another leadership spill happens between today and the next election?

meinsydney says:

06:21am | 27/02/12

I agree re Crean, Swan, Conroy and would throw Roxon, Ellis and others in with them. I hope the electorate gets rid of them at the next election. If not for people like Albanese, Carr, Champion & ors, I would have zero faith in the Labor party. It’s not Albanese’s fault that the majority of his colleagues are idiots, who have decided to treat the public like silly little people and made a joke of Australian democracy since 2010.
If Labor fails at the next election, it won’t be because of Albanese, the blame will fall squarely and properly on those that support Gillard, and chose to ignore what the voters wanted.  They may not like it, but this is a democracy, and we’ll get our say on polling day.

Annie says:

07:12am | 27/02/12

Pity you don’t use your own brain instead of galloping along with the mob let by talk back radio shock jocks who feed you.  Do try to have some original thought.  Our PM isn’t the only leader to change their mind on an election promise however she seems to be continually labeled a liar by the most vitriol campaign by the opposition and shock jocks that has ever been tolerated solely because they have stayed in election mode.  Where are their policies.  Obviously negativity is continuing to win.

Over the rednecks says:

07:29am | 27/02/12

Whenever I see anyone use the term JuLIAR, I immediately think you are the red-neck, Andrew Bolt, Allan Jones, Rinehart, “Lord” Monckton, Daily Telegraph, A Current Affair, Rupert Murdoch, “Stop the Boats”, “She lied about the carbon tax so I don’t want Australia to stop polluting out of princiapal”  type of person that’s stuck in the dark ages and is holding us back.  YUCK!

Bruce says:

08:01am | 27/02/12

Anthony Albanese ‘a favorite son’, well there is a first. I would have thought the “politician of no consequence”.

Over the Gillard Apologists says:

09:26am | 27/02/12

Over the rednecks, I don’t understand people who seem happy to die in a ditch (at least intellectually speaking) to try to excuse away Gillard’s history of systematic and continuous deception. Many of these are the same people who squealed ‘liar!’ the loudest at the most trivial error of fact made by Howard government figures. Now they have an actual liar on their hands, they cravenly and hypocritically make excuses for her.

Anyone observing the lastest leadership shenanigans in Labor, and Gillard’s ongoing obfuscations and misstatements about Kevin Rudd and her role in his demise could not call her anything else but JuLiar. Her character flaws are not the fault of tabloid TV shows, Rupert Murdoch or anyone else but Julia Gillard herself. Do you think it helps Gillard to have uncritical sycophants contantly mounting such weak and lazy defences for her conduct? It doesn’t.

Dissident says:

11:27am | 27/02/12

BL - you are partly right, he is a very smart man. As far as his choice, it is a contrivance.

Sincerity is the key. If you can fake that, you’ve made it.

Albo gets to look like he is distraught at the damage being done to the ALP, he gets to look to the public as if he is backing his man on principal (since he knows Rudd will - and did - lose) who is also conveniently the most popular Labor man… and he is even so good at it that he has the likes of Gillard and Swan thinking that he is a good guy while he is repudiating him!

Great work by Albo. A political masterstroke.

marley says:

07:39am | 27/02/12

If he had principles, he wouldn’t have been in Julia’s cabinet.

Jane says:

07:55am | 27/02/12

What principles? read the article by David Pentherby Off the Record: We have been conned. Either the media has been making up this leadership challenge and all the gossip for month after month or Rudd is behind it meaning he has been a traitor and sabotaged his own party and OUR government. If anyone supports that type of behaviour to stay in power then principles are well and truly absent.

SimonFromLakemba says:

08:32am | 27/02/12

If they all had principles we would have no MP’s!

Tim says:

08:47am | 27/02/12

Marley,
Why?
His first responsibility was to his party no matter who the leader was.

Jane,
What does that have to do with Albanese?

marley says:

08:58am | 27/02/12

@Tim - his first responsibility is to the party?  Says who?  That’s a bit like arguing, my country right or wrong.  If something is wrong, you stand up and say so.  You don’t go along with the wrong.  If Albo believed that what was done to Rudd was wrong, on principle he should have stepped away from a cabinet position.

ET says:

09:35am | 27/02/12

Marley, love your high-horse.
I bet you live your own life by the same exacting standards, never flexing and always doing what is *right* for everyone else.

Mouse says:

10:52am | 27/02/12

Marley, if you don’t go along with the wrong, why did gillard, swan, roxon, etc, support Rudd and sing his praises for all that time when he was impossible to work with, psychotic and disfunctional? It wasn’t one lone politician that has said this. If he was so bad, why did they let him continue as PM for so long?

marley says:

12:49pm | 27/02/12

@ET - I’m not on a high horse.  I’m just saying, neither is Albanese.  What he did might well be human and understandable, but I don’t see it as being particularly principled. 

@Mouse - good question.  And I’m not defending them, either.  Frankly, I think the entire caucus, or at least the Cabinet, comes out of this looking totally opportunistic.

Mouse says:

02:08pm | 27/02/12

Marley, I totally agree with you. I would hate to be a working there at the moment. You would never know who you could trust and who was going to stick the boot in when the opportunity arose. They have certainly not done themselves, or the party, any favours!

Gratuitous Adviser says:

08:40am | 27/02/12

Brenda,
Firstly, What is “an oppachunidy”?  Is this something clever to reflect the way Julia Gillard talks?  Please explain! 
Secondly:  I thought along your lines until I watched it.  The speech and personal conflict by Albanese was from the heart and both Gillard and Rudd knew it.

Wordsmith says:

09:48am | 27/02/12

‘Brenda,
Firstly, What is “an oppachunidy”?  Is this something clever to reflect the way Julia Gillard talks?’

Taken straight from the Labor play book, AG, well done, you, me and everyone else here knew what was meant, but good deflection, I’m sure there’ll be a position for you in the newest/new/old Labor government.

Gratuitous Adviser says:

04:39am | 28/02/12

Wordsmith
It is a mistake to categorise free thinkers who give gratuitous advise, but I admit, I am feeling refreshed. 

Yesterday was a monstrous day for Julia Gillard.  She quietened Rudd with democracy (I think that Rudd was dudded in 2010, but yesterdays result has washed that stupid exercise down the drain of history.  Why did Rudd use Bruce Hawker anyway??).  She tamed the media, especially the conservative leaning type, with her speech after the vote (I thought that Shorten and Albanese had a tough time during the 7:30 report with Chris Uhlmann trying to perpetuate a great 3 days for the media).  She demolished Abbott in question time (that’s nothing new-you should listen/watch sometime-I find in a bit embarrassing when Julie Bishop almost loses it, her lips get so tight.  Maybe Abbott should sack heckler Peta and employ Bruce Hawker).  I then had to go and mow the lawn only to receive the best news of the day. Arbib is heading back to the AWU.  You beauty, but there is more to this story. 

I’m so exited and looking forward to my future oppachunidy in the newest/new/old Labor government as long as it is not connected to NSW Labor.  They still have not learnt their lesson.  They put in that great supporter of public ownership of essential assets and lead hypocrite, John Robertson.

Coop says:

11:54am | 27/02/12

Which one of the names and characters you mention has actually demonstrated a social conscience? Who has personally spent time with the marginalised? Who has persoanlly contributed to the protection of a community? Who has personally worked with developing the community youth?

I think it’s as clear as day who actually has a social conscience if you stop listening to the yelling and fingerpointing partisans. Actions speak louder than words and especially so when you have a tendency to place a foot in your mouth.

Fiddler says:

01:30pm | 27/02/12

you have proven you don’t believe in social justice for all. Why should female Aboriginals receive better education than a white male? The problems lie in them not going to school, not the school not being good enough.

Tony Abbott does have a social conscience. He is a volunteer firefighter, volunteer lifeguard and spends several weeks a year devoting his own times to helping disadvantaged communities.

antman says:

06:03pm | 27/02/12

The problem, Kathy, is that there would have been no reforms under Rudd, just indecision, inaction and general governmental constipation, just like last time he was PM. Rudd may be popular now that people have forgotten how much they were beginning to turn against him in 2010 but 18 months is plenty of time for him to show his true colours and turn that around. As far as Gillard is concerned, on the other hand, the only way she can go is up.

True, we aren’t living in the 1960s any more and the only thing that Australian voters are better educated on are the knee-jerk reactions of shock jocks and Today Tonight; hardly the basis for informed decision making.

I’m pleased that the ALP Caucus chose the person who is actually getting things done for the entire nation (I’m referring to the 90+% of unopposed legislation, subordinate legislation (regulations and the like) and other instruments that are the necessary day-to-day activities of government, not necessarily the highly controversial, big ticket ones) in preference to short-term popularity. The voters only know the public face of Kevin Rudd; the ALP knows him better and has saved the voters from themselves.

Kathy says:

07:31pm | 27/02/12

Sorry guys my spelling was atrocious this morning when I sent this comment in.
Fiddler, I did not write that indigenous girls should receive an education that is superior to a white male. I meant that an indigenous girl should receive the benefit of an education equal to that of a child attending a private school. White males generally have opportunities to receive a good education. 
I have worked with the indigenous community, have indigenous friends, have a mixed race grandchild, and have worked with the disabled, problem gamblers and other socially disadvantaged people. I am very familiar with government red tape and the difficulties associated with advocating for people who are disadvantaged.  I have been a beneficiary of the reforms that Labor has brought to this country. By that I mean that I have used Medicare, received an education as a mature age student, and received government benefits at a time in my life when I needed it. That is not the point.  My point was that I feel let down that this government will risk defeat to make a point about Rudd. It is not about them it is about the people. 
Antman, I dearly hope that Julia can turn the polls around and that Labor stays in office.  You are right about Today Tonight and the shock jocks however I think it applies to all the media these days and unfortunately that is all we have got! That is all. I am off to watch Revenge.

SimonFromLakemba says:

08:37am | 27/02/12

I don’t think they will and hope they won’t, but I can see the media looking for an angle by asking Abbott, Payne etc about it. Hopefully they give a dignified response.

rob says:

10:16am | 27/02/12

What , sympathy for crocodile tears from the Minister of No Consequence. This man has played you for fools.

AM of Hear says:

11:44am | 27/02/12

Get it right,
It was the “convoy of “incontinence”
re. unemployment
Australia has one of the lowest rates of unemployment in the industrialised world and around half that of the Euro area.:

AJ of Here says:

01:55pm | 27/02/12

I’d hardly call the fact that if you work 1 hour a week, you are considered “employed” a good guide. However, companies like Bluescope Steel, Toyota, etc., losing hundreds of workers, the cattle industry destroyed, insulation industry put on the ropes, building companies dying under the BER, etc.? I’d consider that a good guide.

And comparing Australia with Europe, when we have bad apples like Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Iceland, etc. is disengenuous. Shall we compare Australia with Christchurch? How about Somalia? Wow, we look superb, don’t we?

You, sir, are an idiot.

RyaN says:

10:32am | 27/02/12

You writing his book Ned?

RyaN says:

12:48pm | 27/02/12

@Ned: My cats breath smells like cat food.

Don C says:

04:52pm | 27/02/12

Why shouldn’t she be carrying out her duites as normal?

As an interested observer, I’d say with confidence that her program of engagements is mapped out months in advance.

The day to day business of government doesn’t stop when the most senior officials are absent on duty elsewhere.

There are contingency plans, for normal events and more urgent matters.

For example, that’s the role of the Administrator of the Commonwealth (of Australia).

That position is occupied only as and when needed, usually by the senior of the State Governors, for the time the GG is absent.

Well established system. Effectively the Administrator acts for the GG, in the same way as if she was here.

When the GG is absent for example, the VIP Flight also comes to mind, if needed.

It’s simply a function of good government to be prepared for the unexpected - functions pretty seamlessly, so it’s barely noticeable. Works well, whatever Party’s in office.

Geoff says:

05:27pm | 27/02/12

Really?  I thought Gillard et al had lost the plot… not learned a thing…  and started regurgitating the old spin and tactics…  it ain’t worked so far people it aint gonna work except for the rusted-ons,.  Right Don?

They still don’t get it.  The Rustys don’t get it.  So much to do and so little time.  Say bye bye Labor at this rate you’ll be goner sooner than later…