IS BILL SHORTEN CROSSING THE LINE?
What is this mysterious line that two controversial MPs have suddenly crossed?
Julia Gillard and Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten. Photograph via The Sunday Telegraph.
Maybe it’s the Maginot line, the brilliant military strategy of World War 2 which failed miserably.
Perhaps it’s the fine line, between the genius of maintaining a minority government and the madness of retaining rogue members.
Or the line in the sand drawn by Labor’s powerbrokers as they quietly sharpen their knives.
On the weekend, Prime Minister Julia Gillard spoke to Peter Slipper, the Speaker who’s accused of sexual harassment and fraud, and Craig Thomson, the backbencher who allegedly rorted expenses as head of the Health Services Union.
She later held a press conference saying, “a line has been crossed”.
Soon after, Mr Slipper announced he’d stand down “for a further period of time” to preserve “the dignity of the parliament”. Mr Thomson agreed to suspend his membership of the party but remain in parliament as an independent, voting with Labor.
Clear as mud? What is clear is that this has nothing to do with protecting the parliament, and everything to do with preserving power.
Yet again, Julia Gillard is under attack from within. So, she decided to flex her muscles. But for many, it’s too little too late.
Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten is said to be furious the PM didn’t act sooner.
According to several ALP caucus members, the Minister is agitating for another leadership spill.
Insiders say this was the motive for his ‘gaffe’ on Sky News. Three times last Thursday morning, he refused to toe the party line. While other senior Ministers, notably Leader of the House Anthony Albanese, supported Mr Slipper, Mr Shorten emphasised the seriousness of sexual harassment claims.
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23 Responses to this article
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Deborah Tait April 30, 2012
You’re right, they have passed good legislation but seem absolutely incapable of communicating that to the electorate. Now it’s likely will end up with Abbott because people can’t bring themselves to vote for Labor. What a choice.
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WENDY GREEN May 1, 2012
Labour COULD communicate all the good things they’ve done if only the media would REPORT IT!!
Instead, the media prefer to concentrate on anything that smacks of controversy or scandal.
FOR CRYING OUT LOUD – PLEASE JUST GIVE US THE NEWS!!!! Let us make up our own mind about the pollies and leave the Editorial Comment to one side ):
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Jason April 30, 2012
So true. I’ve been a labor voter all my life. Now I’ll have to support the greens. How can I vote for a party that’s ripping itself to shreds? They should stand up for their principles and back the hard decisions they’ve made. Instead, they seem to want to apologise for everything they’ve done. And yes, implementation is a big problem. Mistakes have been made. And, as Deborah wrote, failure to communicate. The spin merchants have been allowed too much say. Now, I fear the end of this once great party.
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WENDY GREEN May 1, 2012
I think an awful lot of people will vote Greens in the next election … what sort of PM would Christine Milne make??
I’m sticking with Labour – they can’t do all they want to do in one solitary term of Government. Jason, give them another chance?!
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julie April 30, 2012
Mike Carlton was right when he said that there is a good government struggling to get out. And David Marr yesterday said Gillard was like velcro not teflon. I’m fed-up with media attack dogs going after her so persistently and feeding the negativity of Abbott. Rupert Murdoch’s call for an election was well and truly heeded by his forces. The govt has passed good legislation- but not a word in the press, it’s all personality driven. Hansonism has gone mainstream and has damaged our society possibly irretrievably.
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julie April 30, 2012
Absolutely agree with Margi. The PM needs to sack all her advisers immediately and get some media savvy people who live in the real world instead. Abbott is an appalling alternative and Clive Palmer opposing Swan shows what a joke it has all become thanks to the never ending opinion based commentary which has replaced journalism in this country. The prospect of Abbott as Pm is too terrifying to contemplate, but yes, we do get the govts we deserve – largely thanks to the power of the bias in mainstream media.
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julie April 30, 2012
Nick Bryant said this morning ‘Never reported from a country where the national story (Australian Moment) is such at odds with the political story (risible)’ Question is who has created the chasm and why?
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OMG April 30, 2012
The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. That’s how present economy and this country run under Labor. Shame…They are just frozen and can’t do anything else.
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Galactic Woman April 30, 2012
What happened to Bill not knowing what the PM said, but agreeing with her 100%?
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alan April 30, 2012
Great piece. Labor’s problem isn’t one of leadership it is its lack of belief in anything. The party has reached the state it is in because of its obsession with trying to appease people who won’t vote for it and pissing of people (me) who want to but can’t. Why not be the party bringing in same sex marriage? Why not bring legislation in to stop the scourge of gambling? Why not debate a new drugs policy? You might get rolled on floor of parliament but you tried. Bring in disabilty insurance scheme and rewrite the mining tax do that it brings in teak revenues. Die on your feet. . This government has achieved an extraordinary amount including a record number of bills and in the future people will recognise all the things it tried to do. But still we wonder where it is going. Granted not since 1975 have I seen such a toxic Canberra gallery running like a wolf pack. There is mysogny, Then there is the vile vomit of talk back radio so it is probably worse than 1975. Sadly I think labor needs to change leader but if that is all they do then it would be a waste of time.
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Sue April 30, 2012
Great article Tracey. I live overseas so not totally bombarded by the Aust media stories. From what I can see the Labor party has lost its way and it’s identity. Julia Gillard has probably done a good job in a minority government, but she can’t communicate this message to the public. Personally, I am getting ready to go to the Australian Embassy to cast my vote…
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Trish April 30, 2012
I have voted Labor all my life and still smile when I think of the “It’s Time” jingle, but the Light on the Hill went out for me when the party ditched Rudd; since then things have gone from bad to worse. The alternative is the real problem.
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Daphne Alaksa April 30, 2012
You know, Trish, it’s quite possible that they got rid of Kevin Rudd for the very best possible reasons. In fact I feel the opposite of you. I far prefer Julia Gillard as prime minister to Kevin Rudd as prime minister. My feelings are that she has done very well in her time as leader, but of course as she is
human she will make mistakes. The alternative to having the Labor party in power is almost frightening as the coalition seems to have so very little to offer. Also, why on earth would a simple Aussie such as I wish to have Tony Abbott as my prime minister. If Malcolmn Turnbull were to the the leader of the coalition it would be far better as far as I, and many others, are concerned. -
Alex April 30, 2012
For some insight into why Labor can’t sell its story look at these numbers, courtesy of George Megalogenis:
Out press is absurd.
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liza April 30, 2012
Tony Abbott has been DOGGED about wanting the crown. How can anyone vote for a man who has put his own self interest way ahead of the country. This is how the TEA PArty operates in the U.S.A. Billionaires Koch Bros and Exxon Mobil AND Murdoch are behind the so called Grass roots
Now Clive Palmer wants to suggest how the land is divided up.
Nothing wrong with the Greens by the way .They are not a fringe group Look at the quality of the Senate. They just aren’t paid by the mining companies. -
the*sparrow May 1, 2012
Labor’s behaviour in recent years is unfathomable. The day I woke up to the news that Gillard had toppled Rudd I thought they had driven the nails into their own coffin right there and then. Not that I had any dislike for Gillard, but what a bad look it was to cut and run from their leader at the slightest sign of trouble with the polls. How weak did they make themselves look? Not to mention that the people of Australia voted in Rudd and most wanted him to have his chance.
Sadly, despite Rudd/Gillard’s considerable policy achievements as described in this article, (and you didn’t even mention the apology to the Stolen Generation, the NBN, the Disability Insurance Scheme and the Aged Care Reform package) they have not been credible and Gillard herself has never appeared comfortable or convincing.
As a Labor voter of 35 years standing I despair for them, and for us under an Abbott government.
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WENDY GREEN May 1, 2012
Rudd was toppled because (Labour insiders) tell us he was nigh impossible to work with or under, not because of bad polling.
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julie May 1, 2012
Graeme Morris genuinely crossed the line yesterday with his calls to ‘kick her to death.’ I’m amazed but not astonished at the lack of calls today for him to personally apologise to the PM. His statement was disgusting and he has since allowed David Speers – the guy who was interviewing him did it on his behalf. Appalling behaviour by Morris on top of appalling behaviour by Morris. I hope
Julia sues. -
WENDY GREEN May 1, 2012
Do not believe anything a journo says if it’s not backed up by SOLID EVIDENCE … in other words, name your sources!
The media seem determined to bring the Prime Minister down at any cost.
Your article is all innuendo and here-say.
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Tracey May 3, 2012
Hi Wendy,
I’m happy to name my sources – and they are excellent. But they don’t want to be named. I have no agenda in writing this article. But the caucus is leaking – and panicking. It would be irresponsible not to report on it. Very sad, nonetheless to see an elected govt tearing itself apart.
