Welcome to the NSW-isation of the Federal Labor Party.
The working theory at least in these parts is that the popular Julia Gillard will be a far tougher opponent for Tony Abbott than the damaged Kevin Rudd would have been. That fact that Abbott’s brain appears to stop working whenever he’s in Gillard’s presence doesn’t exactly undermine that theory.
But all of Labor’s problems won’t vanish with the Rudds’ furniture from the Lodge. While the question was validly and increasingly asked about what Rudd stood for, the same question could be asked of the Federal Labor Party. It is increasingly suffering from the problem that NSW Labor has long suffered from — of not standing for anything except staying in power, of being too focussed on media management and risk-aversion rather than using power to achieve reform.
Rudd and his conservatism and micro-management is partly responsible for this. But it also betrays the dire influence of the NSW Labor Right, which helped elevate Rudd to the leadership and which supplied a huge number of the new government’s staff once elected.
Now NSW Labor has joined with its right colleagues in other states to execute Rudd and install Gillard, in the same way Morris Iemma, Nathan Rees and Kristina Keneally were installed, while the essential problem of why NSW Labor wanted to be in power has never been resolved.
It’s a problem that may not cost Gillard the forthcoming election, especially against the deeply unpopular Abbott, but it is profound one that will continue to bedevil the party and leave it exposed to a fundamental voter cynicism about its motives.
Gillard has a chance to begin addressing this problem. As deputy prime minister she had a strong policy focus, picking the eyes out of the Bracks government’s best talent to staff her own office. Her policy substance has stood her in good stead in the face of regular attacks over IR and the confected campaign against the BER program. That policy focus now needs to be carried over into the PMO, which under Rudd seemed as often to be focussed on media management as on policy.
But the malign influence of the NSW Right remains embedded in federal Labor, deeper and more damaging than ever.
Abbott can now kiss goodbye any hope of getting into the Lodge. He is not up to combat with the new PM as has been shown time and time again.
The shadow who follows him wherever he goes, one M Turnbull, will probably sip on a very expensive wine this evening, smile to himself and sigh with satisfaction that all is well with his political world. The election and beyond should prove interesting for the Coalition.
Kevin, you did the country a service ridding us of Howard and his lot, you did many good things, regretfully you lost your way. Thankyou for your service and your humility and good sense at the end. Thankyou for the many pieces of excellent legislation youdid get through. Good luck in your future endevours.
Abbott = accomplice to the Iraq war slaughter.
Gillard can’t compare with that moral disaster.
As for the NSW Right, they acted to preserve themselves, just as Arbib poisoned the insulation programme to turn it into a soft form of vote bribery, just as the free light globes programme operated in the green marginals at state level in Sydney in 2005-2006. Only he forgot you actually have to do the insulation safely.
No wonder Combet said he would frog march Arbib out of the office himself if he dared to show up.
If having a first female PM is Labor’s platform for another term of Government, then surely the Liberal Party must level the playing field and have Julie Bishop as Leader and put Abbot 2IC.
What we must understand is that this Labor Government is devoid of any real sustainable policy and has mercilessly destroyed the Australian economy with flawed policies and taxation reform.
Certainly, the Australian people are discerning enough to know that Gillard has been one of the prime architects of Labor policy failure.
I say to the Libs – Its time to give the lady with poise and class a go – JULIE BISHOP for PRIME MINISTER