More resignations tipped for Labor

With lighthearted remarks, Senator Chris Evans announces his resignation, adding that he leaves fit, healthy and with confidence in the government. Sky News

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said exiting Labor ministers Evans and Roxon first approached her about their plans 12 months ago. Sky News

Attorney General Nicole Roxon tearfully explains she has chosen family over politics and will not contest the next election. Sky News

A TEARY Prime Minister Julia Gillard has confirmed the shock resignations of two key members of the government - plunging her stuttering election campaign into further disarray and prompting Opposition speculation of more Labor resignations.

Ms Gillard confirmed today at a Canberra press conference that Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and Leader of The Government in the Senate Chris Evans would both not be contesting the September 14 poll.

"Both Nicola and Chris have done amazing things for the Labor Party, the government and the country," she told reporters.

Describing them as two of her "most senior and valued colleagues," the PM said they had come to her 12 months ago and decided upon a planned departure.

But the Opposition believes there are more Labor resignations to come as politicians flee federal Labor's "dysfunctional" government.

Manager of Opposition Business Christopher Pyne says it has been a "horror" start to the year for the PM.

While both outgoing ministers said they were making the move for personal reasons, there is intense speculation about how it will be perceived by voters especially with Ms Roxon's departure coming just a year after becoming the nation's first female attorney-general.

Chris Bowen and Mark Dreyfus take on the roles of outgoing ministers, as Prime Minister Julia Gillard announces a host of promotions in her cabinet reshuffle. Sky News

Ms Gillard brushed aside suggestions that her government was in chaos.

''Why on earth would anyone say that,'' she replied, adding she had been talking to Senator Evans and Ms Roxon about their departures for a year.

''I have always had it in my mind that this was the appropriate time to announce new arrangements as we move back into the parliamentary session,'' she said.

Ms Gillard said it is the right time for change that paves the way for new talent ahead of the election.

However Mr Pyne told reporters in Adelaide he believed there were more resignations to come from the ''dysfunctional' party.

"My understanding is there are more resignations to come from the frontbench and from the Parliament," he said.

Mr Pyne said Senator Evans' resignation "spoke volumes" about the state of federal Labor nearly eight months from the election.

"The information that I have is that Chris Evans has resigned not because of ill health, which was my first thought, but because he's just had enough," Mr Pyne said.

"And for the Senate leader and a cabinet minister to decide that he's just had enough speaks volumes for a dysfunctional Labor government.

An emotional PM Julia Gillard with Minister for Higher Education and the government leader in the Senate Chris Evans and Attorney-General Nicola Roxon at a press conference in Parliament House, Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith Source: News Limited

"I don't want to speculate that this might be part of a (Kevin) Rudd push for the leadership, but it seems particularly odd that two days after the prime minister has fired the starter gun for an election campaign, her Senate leader has resigned, Craig Thomson has been charged with 149 offences, and one would have to say that the election campaign has got off to a very rocky start,'' he said.

He also added: ''It bears the resemblance to a plot from Home and Away rather than an adult government running one of the world's most important democracies and economies.''

Ms Gillard said she hoped to lead her new team announced on Saturday to the election.

Australian National University political expert Professor John Wanna said it ''beggars belief'' the Prime Minister would have known about the resignations and called the election first.

''They will be asking in caucus 'did you know all of these things were going to happen' and why she didn't get them to both stand down earlier,'' he told AAP.

Labor would have picked up momentum if Ms Gillard first announced the cabinet reshuffle before calling an election, Prof Wanna said.

''That would have set the wind in her sails,'' he added.

Ms Gillard will be answering those questions tomorrow, when she fronts an ALP candidates and MPs meeting ahead of caucus on Monday.

The PM today paid tribute to Ms Roxon's fearless take on big tobacco.

Ms Roxon won international recognition for taking on big tobacco and driving Australia's world-leading packaging laws, the PM said.

As minister for emergency management, Ms Roxon had been at the helm of the nation's response to natural disasters on many occasions.

An emotional Mrs Roxon said it was a difficult decision but she could no longer give the job the level of effort it required and wanted to spend more time with her family.

She said: "I'm very proud of what I've been able to be part of as part of a Labor government."

"It is time to move on and I have reached that point," she told reporters.

She said she had not met her husband when she entered politics and if she contested the next election her daughter would be in high school by the time her term ended.

"Like Chris (Evans) I believe we can win the next election," she said.

Mr Evans thanked the PM for her support and said he would stay in the Parliament until such time as a replacement can be selected.

"It's been a tremendous privilege to serve in the Australian parliament," he said.

"I cherish the opportunities I have been given."

Mr Evans says he is taking his own oft-given advice about picking the right time to retire.

''I am making the move now because I know the party is in very good shape and this will allow the prime minister to lead a ministerial team who are ready to serve on into the next term,'' he told journalists today.

''I have been fortunate to serve in a range of diverse, challenging and important portfolios since 2007 and I am proud of the reform agendas I have implemented.''

Ms Gillard said it was agreed that "at the right time they would relinquish their roles" and new appointments would be made to the ministry.

Attorney General Nicole Roxon tearfully explains she has chosen family over politics and will not contest the next election. Sky News

"Two of my most senior and valued colleagues ... are stepping down from their ministerial roles and in the case of Chris Evans from the senate leadership as well," Ms Gillard said.

Ms Roxon will now move to the backbench until the election, when her departure will create a vacancy in her safe Melbourne seat of Gellibrand.

Ms Roxon said she was "very torn" about leaving but she truly believed Victorian MP Mark Mark Dreyfus would step into the role seamlessly.

Senator Evans said there were no shortage of people who could serve in his role as senate leader.

He also said he had enjoyed the last 18 hours of speculation over his reasons for his departure.

He said he would stay on in the Senate until a replacement was found for him.

"I'm not leaving tired, sick or bitter, I'm leaving healthy, fit and confident of the government," he said.

Attorney-General Nicola Roxon has resigned today. Source: The Advertiser

Mr Dreyfus, a parliamentary secretary, will move into Roxon's portfolio and Immigration Minister Chris Bowen will take over Senator Evans' portfolios of higher education, skills, science and research and Small Business.

''I have been sitting in cabinet as the cabinet secretary since the election, so to some extent that will be a familiar environment, but of course the workload will increase and I'm thrilled to have this opportunity,'' Mr Dreyfus told ABC online today.

''I've had a long career in the law and it's a career that's given me ... a number of deep beliefs about the Australian legal system, such as Australian laws are there to protect and care for all Australians - our elderly, our workers, our injured, outspoken journalists.''

Housing Minister Brendan O'Connor has been handed Mr Bowen's old portfolio.

Mr O'Connor says he is looking forward to the challenging role of immigration.

Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison said Mr Bowen was fleeing the immigration portfolio, leaving Australia's borders in chaos.

"Just like Senator Evans before him, yet another failed immigration minister has been rewarded with a promotion. Only the Labor Party can be trusted to reward failure," he said in a statement.

Mike Kelly is now the Minister for Defence Material and Mark Butler takes Housing & Homelessnesss on top of his portfolio for Mental Health and Ageing.

Ms Gillard said she was promoting a number of people into the parliamentary secretary ranks - Yvette D'Ath (climate change and energy efficiency), Kelvin Thompson (trade) and Melissa Parke (mental health, homelessness and social housing).

PM Julia Gillard with Minister for Higher Education and the government leader in the Senate Chris Evans and Attorney-General Nicola Roxon at a press conference in Parliament House, Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith Source: News Limited

She announced Justine Elliot was relinquishing her role as parliamentary secretary for trade.

The Prime Minister said she would recommend to the governor-general that the new members of the ministry be sworn in on Monday.

The future of the Senate leadership will also be decided by a Caucus ballot

Ms Gillard said she believed her reshuffled cabinet was the team she would be taking to the next election.

She said personal reasons and health issues sometimes do get in the way of politics.

"I can't wish away the real world ... but this is the team I intend to take to the next election."

Deputy Senate leader Stephen Conroy is being viewed as the frontrunner to replace Senator Evans as the government's leader in the Senate.

The political machinations come just days after Ms Gillard announced a September 14 election date and a day before she faces a crucial party meeting where she will be expected to outline her election year strategy.

Earlier this week, former attorney-general Robert McClelland decided not to seek pre-selection for Barton after almost 17 years in federal parliament

There is speculation that he is applying for jobs in the NSW government and may leave Parliament before the general election creating the need for a by-election in Barton.

Ms Gillard says it is up to the Speaker to decide whether to hold a by-election or delay it.

''Common sense would tell you, and indeed history tells you that when you are close into the normal time for an election, it might well suit the convenience of the people to not be required to go out and vote twice and to have a vote for their electorate at the normal election time,'' she said.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has said today that the people of Australia have a right to a "steady and stable government", which is not focused on its own internal problems.

He said he would not respond to the latest news of Labor MP resignations with a reshuffle in his shadow cabinet.

While he welcomed the election date of September 14, he said it was a matter for her if she wanted to change the date.

"The people of Australia are yearning for a chance to restore a strong, stable government in Canberra...if the Prime Minister wants to rethink that, that's a matter for her."

The shock resignation of Ms Roxon, a solid Gillard supporter, created a storm of commentary within ALP ranks late last night as the word spread she was stepping down.

One senior Labor MP told The Weekend Australian late last night that "Rome is burning".

The reports of her resignation were supported by tweets from Sky News host Peter van Onselen and Seven Network's Mark Riley.

"Nicola Roxon to resign from cabinet early tomorrow,'' van Onselen tweeted late on Friday.

In the Senate, the party leader is elected by MPs and traditionally from the party's Left faction. Senator Conroy has been deputy leader for five years but is from the Right faction.

Last night there was a suggestion Senator Wong would support Senator Conroy and become deputy to replace Mr Evans, although some MPs were urging her to run for the top spot.

Senator Evans' WA Senate colleague Mark Bishop confirmed his departure on Twitter last night.

"Resignation of Chris Evans a loss. Serious, hardworking competent minister. Unassuming, consistent and effective senate leader."

The low-profile Senator Evans has also been minister for industrial relations and as immigration minister dismantled the Pacific Solution, which Ms Gillard was forced to resurrect last year. He has been an MP since 1993.

Senator Evans' WA Senate colleague, Mark Bishop, told AAP the senator's Perth colleagues had been aware for "some time'' that the commute to Canberra was taking its toll.

"I think the actual timing is a surprise,'' he said on Friday night.

"Chris has been commenting to people for some time that he is tired."

He said the resignation could have serious organisational and political "consequences" for Labor in WA.

"Chris had access to everyone who was important in Western Australia ... the government will lose that inside edge," Senator Bishop said.

Meanwhile, Senator Eric Abetz, opposition counterpart to Senator Evans in the Senate, said his political foe had been a worthy opponent, both across the dispatch box as senate leader and in his former role as workplace minister.

''Whilst the announcement today by Senator Chris Evans that he is resigning from the parliament is puzzling, given that the prime minister has only just announced an election date, I accept his reasons for doing so," Senator Abetz said in a statement.

And Opposition spokeswoman for nnovation, industry and science, Sophie Mirabella, congratulated Senator Evans for his years of service and said the incoming Mr Bowen would have to take urgent steps in his science portfolio to include investigating the "endemic culture of bullying" at the CSIRO.

The Australian industry Group congratulated Senator Evans on his effective and co-operative work with business, especially in the skills and training area and in immigration.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

More resignations tipped for Labor

Dengan url

http://duniasikasik.blogspot.com/2013/02/more-resignations-tipped-for-labor.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

More resignations tipped for Labor

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

More resignations tipped for Labor

sebagai sumbernya

Dunia Asik