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Post by lennie on May 1, 2006 20:35:20 GMT -5
At a time when the Liberal Party is showing signs of stress and it's leader, John Howard is making decisions on which he says the Public supports (he says) it is time for a change. The ALP though appears leaderless. Kim Beazley appears to be ageeing with many policies that John Howard suggests. Is Kim Beazley tiring as Opposition Leader?. Whatever, he is largely ineffective in his role allowing the Liberal Party a free run. Look at some urgent matters - Papuan Refugees, Petrol Prices, the 'Smart Card', IR Workers changes and many more. Maybe it's time for a smart and able Woman to take the role. Julia Gillard may just be the person that the ALP and Australia needs.
Please give us your thoughts - VOTE NOW.
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Post by johnofmelb on May 1, 2006 20:53:43 GMT -5
Julia Gillard is my local Federal MP and I think she's great.
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Post by phill on May 2, 2006 3:34:54 GMT -5
Julia Gillard is MP for Lalor in Victoria. She has a proven track record in Govt. It is about time for Australia that a woman had a go at the reigns. Kim Beazley seems to have totally lost interest. Simon Crean, although a nice bloke, didn't seem to please the ALP members but Gillard will. She is a top class politician who can give Howard a real shake up.
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Post by smartip on May 2, 2006 17:53:33 GMT -5
Federal Opposition Health spokeswoman Julia Gillard has received much media attention of late and thank you Phill for starting this thread.
Her aggessive stance on putting an end to Labor factionalism has been met with polarised responses - from admiration to disgust.
Is she merely a self-serving opportunist seeking to unite the factions and give herself a chance at the top dog job of Labor Leader?
Or is her concern sincere, voicing what the voting public has long since thought of Labour factionalism?
Are her carefully verbalised comments a thinly veiled criticism of Kim Beazely? Is she "disloyal" to the Labor Party by stepping up?
Who cares?
She should be PM.
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Post by rambler on May 2, 2006 18:07:33 GMT -5
, Everyone's out to get you, aren't they
? Please, furnish us with some statements from Gillard supporting "dangerous feminist agendas"(don't you hate that Feminazis For the Bomb and MSG Movement? sheesh.)
Anyway, back to the real point. I'm not sure what Gillard is exactly trying to achieve here. I think it's a bit of a gamble. Sure, the public's very strong support for her is wonderful, and could be viewed as a form of vindication for her further advancement in the party, on the other hand, any Labor parliamentarian hardly got there by smiling weakly and moving on. Gillard is a much a part of the factions as anyone, and name-calling is hypocritical to say the least. Plus, yer right: they will _never_ let someone from the Left ascend to power. It will most likely be a Rudd/Gillard ticket if anything.
That said, no one is gonna want to take the poisoned chalice at the moment. Beazley is gonna have to lose at least one more election before they push his festering carcass out to sea.
I think there are plenty of inspiring Labor politicans out there - Lindsay Tanner, Craig Emerson, Gillard and Rudd all leap to mind - the problem is the politics of being in the Labor party has muted them somewhat (especially in Emerson's case, bastards).
Also, let's not forget, the Liberal Party fights just as much, however they have a leader who effectively rules with an iron fist, after losing to Peacock once (does Beazley not have this paranoia? Does he not have the power?).
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Post by phill on May 3, 2006 2:00:58 GMT -5
Whatever Rambler
The fact is that unless the Liberal Government receives a hefty loss of seats at the next election they will continue to carry on in their presently arrogant manner. They gave the ALP a severe thrashing at the last election and Labor needs someone in the top seat that can inspire party members and the public alike. Beazley can't do it, he's no more than a tired old Draft Horse, Gillard is fresh, bright and can also get the female vote that is needed to give the Howard Govt a good shake up this time. She is also creaming it in this poll which says alot.
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Post by lennie on May 5, 2006 18:35:35 GMT -5
More now than ever, you'd think that Kim Beazley would be barraging the media with anti-Liberal Government jargon, but he's not. John Howard just announced that he is giving the rich rewards for being rich. This sort of blatant move by the Howard Government is turning them into a socio-separatist regime. Let the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Beazley however sits back with little or no comment. He has to go. He has to hand it over to Gillard who CAN clean up. Gillard will get the female vote in this country be assured of that. She is also capable of forming a coalition govt with maybe the 'Greens' and the 'Democrats'. That would push the Howard Govt to an all time low. It has to be done Julia Gillard and you are the person who can do it.
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Post by lennie on May 8, 2006 22:33:08 GMT -5
Wonders never cease, we have finally found a Kim Beazley fan. So far Dim Kim has got ONE vote, give em a hand everyone ;D ;D ;D
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Post by ned on May 10, 2006 14:58:26 GMT -5
I think Julia Gillard would be the absolute change this country needs, a womans touch, once and for all, but as well as being, gutsy and down to earth and not hesitant to listen to the people. I like the woman, and not because she is a woman, we just need to let go of this patriachal society. Bring some balance back.
One of the problems I see for Gillard and this may sound schovenistic from my point of view, but is not intended to, is that many of the male politicians tend to laugh off that she would be capable of being leader, and from what I have seen it is based around the fact that she is female, which is certainly a bit backward for our time.
Gillard could do it now. She doesn't need time. She's one of the better speakers Labor has. She's more popular with the public than anyone else there. I have no doubt she could do a good job. The only worry I'd have is policy direction
You would think after loosing an election with the government given control of the senate and an increased majority...... you would be doing a lot of cleaning-out and making way for Julia.
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Post by lennie on May 11, 2006 7:04:13 GMT -5
You're right there ned
There is plenty of dead wood in Federal Politics. Often though old polies have been around for yonks and the locals just keep voting them in, particularly in the country areas. Country people don't like change.
The fact that Julia Gillard is a Female, although irrelevent to me, could be a problem for some of her male counterparts but thats good, keeps them on their toes. Beazley though is floundering and the ALP have to make a change and Gillard is the way to go. She is intelligent and a good listener.
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Post by fusil on May 18, 2006 3:13:05 GMT -5
Kim Beasley is in there because it's a job.
He has never been for the workers. Just ask any of the 4000 who got the chop at Sydney's Cockatoo Island Dockyard in the 1990s so that submarine repairs could be transferred to Kim's electorate in WA.
Cockatoo Dockyard was a viable pofitable business with which the Navy was very happy. The Dockyard had an extensive Apprentice training programme and turned out apprentices in many trades; fitters and turners, carpenters, shipwrights, electricians, welders etc. Kim and his mates destroyed all that.
Now listen to him bleat about Australia's shortage of skilled workers, a shortage which he helped, in a big way, to bring about.
Fusil,
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Post by lennie on Jun 24, 2006 2:30:29 GMT -5
Western Australia's Premier Alan Carpenter has used the ALP's annual conference in Perth to urged federal MPs to fall into line behind federal Opposition Leader Kim Beazley www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200606/s1671037.htm[glow=red,2,300]Here's the silly part: -[/glow]Mr Carpenter says Kim Beazley has his full support. "The federal Labor Party under Kim Beazley can and I think are positioning themselves to a point where they can win that next federal election and I've said it today really it's critical that they do win this next federal election." Give it away Kim - Hand the job over to Julia Gillard or someone the voters like.
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Post by lennie on Nov 30, 2006 5:54:44 GMT -5
Beazley tension 'at point of no return'Federal Opposition Leader Kim Beazley's supporters insist he remains the best person to lead the Labor Party despite the intensifying pressure. The Labor Caucus is divided but those who want to replace Mr Beazley and deputy Jenny Macklin with Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard say a majority of MPs and senators want a change. Some in Caucus say the leadership tension has reached a point of no return. But most are reluctant to force a showdown and hope to see a leadership change without a messy challenge. The strategy is to keep piling the pressure on Mr Beazley. Some say he will not be helped by the performance of one of his key backers, Stephen Smith, who failed in a bid to move a dissent ruling against the parliamentary speaker yesterday. One MP says some way will have to be found within the next week to resolve the tension. Mr Beazley's supporters say he is the most experienced leader and they are heartened that it has not reached the point of counting numbers. Hello, this ones come up again in the media merry-go-round. Come on Kim, give it away!!!!!
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Post by lennie on Dec 1, 2006 2:13:36 GMT -5
Rudd, Gillard offer 'new ALP leadership alternative'Labor's foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd has confirmed he is challenging for the leadership of the Australian Labor Party. He will be joined by the party's health spokeswoman Julia Gillard, who is challenging for the deputy leadership. The Labor leader, Kim Beazley, has called a ballot for the party's entire front bench on Monday, a move sparked by Mr Rudd's confirmation he wants Mr Beazley's job. Mr Rudd says Australia has reached a fork in the road and needs a new style of leadership. He says he and Ms Gillard bring to the job new ideas and a bucketload of energy. "We are putting ourselves forward as a new leadership alternative for Labor to win this next election," he said. "All of our energies are pitted in that direction and we believe that we represent the combination of energy and experience to bring that about." The Member for Griffith calls the next federal election a "must-win" election for Labor. "Because if we don't win, my fear is that the damage done to this country after 10 years of this government becomes too great to repair," he said. He says he and Ms Gillard are confident they can win Monday's federal Caucus ballot, but he says it will be a tight vote. Ms Gillard, the Member for Lalor, says she agrees with Mr Rudd that the 2007 is the kind of election that comes around once in a generation. "I want [Australia] to take the path that leads to a better and fairer future for this country," she said. "That's what the next election is going to be about ... predominantly fairness and work and fairness beyond, and making sure that that part of being Australian - that cares about a fair go - is protected and enhanced in Australia's future." Carpenter backs BeazleyThe Western Australian Premier Alan Carpenter says he hopes Kim Beazley survives the leadership contest. Mr Carpenter says a Western Australian prime minister would be good for the state and has urged WA's federal Labor MPs to support Mr Beazley. "If they share my view, that is that it would be better for Western Australia if we have a West Australian Prime Minister, if they share my view that the federal election right now is there to be won, and Kim Beazley can win it, then I would hope that they would support Kim Beazley," Mr Carpenter said. The Queensland Premier Peter Beattie says Mr Rudd's leadership would boost the ALP in Queensland, while New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma is supporting Mr Beazley. Rudd is right and Gillard is great
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Post by lennie on Dec 1, 2006 5:57:18 GMT -5
Labor aspirants square-off ahead of ballot
Both sides of the Labor leadership tussle are expressing confidence they will win Monday's vote for the party's top job.
Kim Beazley has called a spill of his entire front bench after Kevin Rudd declared he had challenge for the leadership.
Mr Rudd says a new leadership team including Julia Gillard as his deputy would offer the party fresh ideas and energy.
"We're confident, but I've got to say I believe that this will be a very tight ballot," Mr Rudd said.
"They'll make their judgement as to whether we represent the better chance of Labor prevailing at the next election or Mr Beazley, but I don't intend to offer any criticism of Mr Beazley."
Ms Gillard says the Australian public is "crying out" for a new style of leadership.
"I believe Kevin and I, together, can offer that new style of leadership," she said.
"We will be trying over the coming few days to speak to each of our Caucus colleagues and ultimately this matter is in their hands."
Mr Beazley says he has the experience to be the Australian prime minister.
"I've done the hard yards in politics and I've done the hard yards of fashioning Labor Party policy," he said.
"So there are clear differences between us and our opponents and that we have a firm focus on the needs of middle Australia."
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Post by lennie on Dec 1, 2006 16:34:29 GMT -5
Rudd, Beazley to lobby colleagues from ABC Online
Both sides of the Labor Party's leadership battle are this weekend hitting the phones to try to gain enough support to secure victory in Monday's ballot.
Current leader Kim Beazley has called a spill of his entire front bench, after foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd declared he was challenging for the leadership.
Mr Rudd says a new leadership team, with health spokeswoman Julia Gillard as his deputy, would offer the party fresh ideas and energy.
As the battle for votes continues, Mr Beazley says he has to go cap in hand to his colleagues and listen to what they have to say about him.
"I'm going to be pretty busy this weekend," he said.
Mr Beazley is highlighting his experience, while Mr Rudd is selling a new leadership style and fresh ideas in his bid for Labor's top job.
"We've got a good message to put to our colleagues and we've got a couple of days still to put it to them," Mr Rudd said.
Mr Rudd has rejected suggestions the leadership challenge is damaging the Labor Party's image.
He says he and Ms Gillard are challenging Kim Beazley's leadership because their colleagues have asked them to.
"I think our judgment is that it's time to resolve this matter, and we're putting ourselves forward as an alternative leadership team," he said.
"The challenge for us is to win the next federal election, and I think we put forward good credentials and good qualities to do that.
"A lot of our colleagues have asked us to put our names forward and that's what we're doing."
Mr Rudd says he believes Monday's leadership ballot will be tight.
"We have to speak to each one of our colleagues and earn their respect and trust to assume the leadership of our party," he said.
Some of Mr Rudd's supporters describe Mr Beazley's spill of the entire frontbench as a desperate tactic, but those backing the current leadership team maintain the Beazley strategy is a way of breaking up ingrained factional groupings responsible for some of the party's problems.
Mr Beazley knows from experience that every supporter counts - today marks three years since he lost a leadership battle by one vote to Mark Latham.
Union pressure
Figures within the union movement are also applying pressure on behalf of each side.
Transport Workers Union secretary Tony Sheldon is warning against installing an untested leadership team.
"Kim Beazley is the right person to be leading the Labor Party and he's the one who does have the length and breadth of experience," he said.
But Builders Labourers Federation's assistant secretary in Queensland, David Hanna, says Mr Beazley has not connected with the public.
"Kevin [Rudd] and [Julia] Gillard is a good combination, especially in Queensland - we need to win seats here in Queensland," he said.
The opposing sides have two days to gather support before the leadership vote.
Tanner urges quick resolution
Labor frontbencher Lindsay Tanner will not reveal who he will support in the leadership ballot, but he has told the ABC's Lateline program the issue has to be resolved as quickly and cleanly as possible.
"We've just got to make sure that we actually unite, that we get together around the new leadership team, whoever it is, put this all behind us and get on with the job," he said.
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie says the federal Labor leadership must be settled once and for all this year.
"I'm saying it's a matter for the federal Caucus, I want them to decide," he said.
"There's no doubt that Kevin Rudd would make a significant contribution to increasing the vote in Queensland.
"I've got no doubt that Kim could do a similar amount of work. The reality is that they need to decide it and get on with it."
Attractive proposition
Northern Territory Senator Trish Crossin says a Kevin Rudd/Julia Gillard leadership ticket is an attractive proposition for federal Labor.
Senator Crossin says there is a community perception that a leadership change would be a good thing.
She says she will spend the weekend deciding whether to back Mr Rudd or Mr Beazley for the leadership.
"It's a pretty serious decision to make, I think, so close to the next federal election, and so it's probably something that will need some time and consideration."
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