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Bill Shorten has been elected leader of the A.L.P.
The result has just been announced, following a Caucus meeting in Canberra.
Shorten won 55 votes to 31 in the Caucus ballot (63.95%) and 40.08% of the membership vote, an overall win of 52.02%.
Shorten polled 12,196 membership votes to Albanese’s 18,230. The ALP says the turnout of 39,426 party members was 74% of those eligible. [Read more…]
Anthony Albanese has spoken to the media, following the announcement of his candidacy for the Labor leadership.
Albanese is the current deputy leader of the party and Deputy Prime Minister in the defeated Labor government. He held the Infrastructure and Transport portfolio throughout the life of the Rudd and Gillard governments.
A rank and file ballot of ALP members will now be held to choose between Albanese and Bill Shorten. The rank and file vote will be weighted as 50% of the total with a Caucus vote to count for the other 50%. [Read more…]
Outgoing Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has addressed the ALP Caucus at its first meeting in Canberra since the Labor government’s defeat in the federal election last Saturday.
Rudd told the Caucus that “together we have preserved the Party as a viable fighting force for the future”.
He praised various members of the outgoing Cabinet and said: “I understand a number of folks in recent days have been free ranging in their character analysis of me. I have not responded because I do not believe this is in the best interests of our Party and our future. And to those who have made these criticisms, I bear none of you any malice and instead hope for your and our collective success in the future.”
As the ALP prepares for a leadership ballot that will give rank and file members of the party a vote for the first time, Rudd said he was a “passionate believer in the democratisation and defactionalisation of our Party.” He said “rank and file members across the country are excited about being able to vote for their leader”.
Rudd said he accepted “full responsibility” for the outcome of the election campaign. “The buck stops with me.”
Australia’s 26th prime minister concluded his remarks by quoting the words of former US President Theodore Roosevelt on “the man who is actually in the arena”. Roosevelt paid tribute to the participant “who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly… so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat”.
Rudd said Roosevelt summed up his approach to political life “which is one of never dying wondering”. [Read more…]
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced a proposal to give ALP members a 50% say in the election of the federal parliamentary leader.
The Caucus will have the remaining 50% say. A leadership election can be triggered by the leader’s resignation, a federal election loss or a 75% vote of no confidence by the Caucus.
Rudd said: “The proposal guarantees to the electorate that the prime minister they elect is the prime minister they get.”
At a press conference this evening, Rudd said the full ministry had decided on the proposal today. It will be submitted to the Caucus on July 22 for approval. A special meeting of the ALP National Conference is possible if the proposal is rejected. [Read more…]