Rudd facing 'leadership spill'

23 Jun 2010, 9:29 pm   -   Source: ABC/SBS
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Kevin Rudd has faced recent critcism over his leadership (AAP)

Kevin Rudd has faced recent critcism over his leadership (AAP)

Canberra is awash with speculation that a Labor leadership spill is imminent, with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's deputy Julia Gillard being named as likely contender.

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Canberra is awash with speculation that a Labor leadership spill is imminent, with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's deputy Julia Gillard being named as likely contender.

It's reported the ALP right in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia have turned against Mr Rudd, with powerful party factions plotting a leadership challenge.

He's been holding crisis talks with Ms Gillard and other senior ministers this evening.

Gillard's office confirmed the meeting, but stressed that the deputy prime minister was not interested in ousting Rudd as Labor Party leader.
  
"Nothing has changed," a spokesman for Gillard's office said.
 
Secret canvassing

The ABC said senior party figures have been secretly canvassing whether Gillard has enough support to replace Rudd, who is suddenly struggling in the polls as an election looms.
  
A cabinet source told Sky News that the push was coming from more rightwing elements of the centre-left party.
  
Senator John Faulkner, who denied any knowledge of the canvassing on ABC Television, earlier joined Treasurer Wayne Swan, frontbencher Anthony Albanese in the prime minister's office.

Trade Minister Simon Crean has backed Mr Rudd, saying he wasn't aware of any leadership challenge.

"I do not support any leadership challenge," Mr Crean said.

"Any loose talk or idle speculation on this matter is counterproductive.

"I urge solidarity behind the leader. I support Kevin as the Leader."

Nine News reported that NSW senator Mark Arbib, Victorian senator David Feeney and parliamentary secretary Bill Shorten told Ms Gillard earlier on Wednesday they'd lost confidence in Mr Rudd and wanted her to run.

She gave no answer.

Union support

In another development, the Australian Workers' Union (AWU) is backing Ms Gillard to take over the Labor Party's leadership.

A senior source told AAP on Wednesday night that the AWU had switched their support from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to Ms Gillard.
 
Rudd defeated conservative prime minister John Howard in late 2007 and has enjoyed strong popularity until recent months, but his support has slid after a series of missteps and a reinvigorated opposition under leader Tony Abbott.

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lord

timeseye - from greensbor, 2 years ago

The mob responsible for this decision are completely out of touch! Rudd was the future but the wheels keep spinning so predictably in favor of big money and fools...damn you all i say! i imagined the world was finally being enlightened to values far greater than the virtue of money and the wisdom of one! Fools will learn the hard way when soon economics will not be the common denominator of all existence and truth will be a relic an oversight of your evolution as the world crumbles into chaos!

lord

timeseye - from greensbor, 2 years ago

The mob responsible for this decision are completely out of touch! Rudd was the future but the wheels keep spinning so predictably in favor of big money and fools...damn you all i say! i imagined the world was finally being enlightened to values far greater than the virtue of money and the wisdom of one! Fools will learn the hard way when soon economics will not be the common denominator of all existence and truth will be a relic an oversight of your evolution as the world crumbles into chaos!

backflips?

susie - from goldfields, 2 years ago

Rudd's backflips? What part of the global financial crises was it John that you didn't understand? The budget last year started out saying that due to the GFC, priorities had to change and promises will be broken as a consequence. Yay an honest govt. Then there is the ETS. It did not get through parliament that simple. Why is that Labors fault? The Rudd govt has done many good things not least of all saving us from financial ruin. But as the nazis showed us, propoganda wins over reasoned debate.

Ashamed to be Australian

Janeen - from Central Coast, 2 years ago

Gillard has just shown Australia she is just like the rest of them. Workplace relations what a joke. She just stabbed a workmate in the back, how Un Australian. Did you ask Australia what they think? No. Rudd can only be as good as the party that supports him. So if he is not going well then he only has his party to blame. Watch your back Gillard what goes around comes around. You have just made me feel ashamed to call myself Australian, I'm voting green.

JULIA CEASER / BACK STABBER

Neville M - from rockhampton, 2 years ago

et tu brut'e . there aint nuthin more deadly than a backstabber who wants your job . she marches to to that old tune , i've been workin for the unions / mining companys all the live long day. I vote for labour no more if mr rudd goe's , Up the greens not the other goose .

ALP in meltdown

Statistician - from Melbourne, 2 years ago

If the so-called faction warlords think changing leadership will secure votes at the next election they are greatly mistaken. Any new PM will suffer the same criticism from the media and a slide in the polls, as many who would have voted for the government change their minds. The whole government is responsible for articulating key policies and to blame one person for a lack of effective communication is akin to rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic and ensures a place for Abbott in the Lodge.

SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING WHIFFFY

L TURNER - from QUEENSLAND, 2 years ago

reminds me of keating stabbing hawk in the back dosent it ??? nice timeing with the movie coming out !! after sixty yrs as a labour supporter it looks like i will have to vote green as i cant in all good faith vote for gillard or the other turkey , whats his name. i just hope julia wakes up and smells the roses , fat chance shes going in for the final thrust to the back i feel. were stuffed again by the rich miners and the unions .

MR

STAPO - from QUEENSLAND, 2 years ago

IF RUDD GOES SO DO I AFTER 40yrs I WILL NOT VOTE FOR THE ALP. THE RICH MINERS WILL GET RICHER AND THE POOR WILL GET POORER . LOOKS LIKE THE UNIONS DO CONTROL THE PARTY AFTER ALL .DONT FALL INTO THE TRAP JULIA.

Media Driven Leader Must Go

Douglas J H - from Brisbane, 2 years ago

I have met Kevin Rudd several times and respect his great talent for manipulating people and the media. He is totally media drive. But to run the country you need someone of more substance. His office and office staff have always been running ragged., working panic hours. Once again, a statesman (statesperson) does not operate like that. We need a calm consistent leader. If Rudd is being overtaken by Tony Abbot then that says it all.

Disapointing show

Ren - from Sydney, 2 years ago

I fail to understand why Labor would do this - if Rudd gets voted out they will lose the next election - they will be either too far too the left or the right. The timing is ridiculous. Kevin Rudd is one of labor's greatest assets, if they can not see that, then they don't desrve to win.

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