Labor Blog

The challenge for Labor

George Wright posted Monday, 27 February 2012

On behalf of the ALP National Secretariat I congratulate Prime Minister Julia Gillard who was today confirmed as Labor Leader by the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party.

I also want to acknowledge the very significant contribution of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to the Labor cause. A contribution I hope will continue into the future.

For every Australian who cares about the Australian Labor Party, who shares its values, who supports its objectives, the past week has been a very difficult and at times painful period.

A period we must now all put behind us.

What every Labor Party member, campaign worker, active supporter and voter now wants and has a right to see from our Parliamentary representatives is a united, disciplined and re-energised Labor team totally focused on defeating Tony Abbott and the Coalition at the next election.

Since 2007 this Labor Government has delivered much of which we can all be proud.

On the big policy questions for the future like pricing carbon, sharing the benefits of the minerals boom, replacing our 100-year-old copper wire network with the National Broadband Network, the National Disability Insurance Scheme - Labor is delivering.

On jobs, growth and managing the economy for the benefit of all Australians and not just the well off - Labor is delivering.

On supporting those in the community who need it most - Labor is delivering.

I believe that this Labor Government’s policy achievements, record of progressive reform and vision for Australia’s future, represents a strong platform for its re-election.

The challenge for Labor now is to match that record of delivery with the strong, united and effective advocacy it deserves.

Only absolute discipline and a single minded focus on defeating Tony Abbott and the Coalition will deliver this.

I again congratulate Prime Minister Julia Gillard, and on behalf of all Labor supporters urge every member of the Parliamentary Labor Party to get behind our Prime Minister with unity and purpose.

It’s time for Labor to get back to fighting for the things that unite us.
Tags: Australian Labor

+ View all

22 Comments

chris1948 from Melbourne , VIC Thursday, 1 March 2012, 20:01

George, it certainly is a challenge.
But IMO the problem is far more than the disgraceful shenanigans of some in the Parliamentary wing this last bit.
Until the reforms mooted in the review by Carr, Bracks & Faulkner are carried out to a >
chris1948 from Melbourne , VIC Thursday, 1 March 2012, 20:01

> significant degree things will only get worse. Some order and influence must be returned to the grass roots members and supporters to stop decline in membership and involvement. many question given the status quo who is the Party being run for.
Douglas from Blaxland , NSW Tuesday, 28 February 2012, 23:28

We believe in the NBN and investing in regional Aust., the Libs do not. That is why ALP legitimately formed govt., and ONLY the ALP could
Recent events with the PM seeming to betray Wilkie seem to give the lie to this narrative...
Douglas from Blaxland , NSW Tuesday, 28 February 2012, 23:28

..ALP passed the clean energy bill NOT because Bob Brown was a good negotiator, but because ALP believes, for various reasons, that it was the right thing to do. We satisfied Wilkie's requirements best bcoz we believe in fixing problem gambling...
Douglas from Blaxland , NSW Tuesday, 28 February 2012, 23:28

...due to political expediency; the ALP (and ONLY the alp) could form govt. because the sorts of things that the independents and greens wanted in return for their support are PRECISELY the sorts of things that Labor would want ANYWAY...
Douglas from Blaxland , NSW Tuesday, 28 February 2012, 23:28

The main (constructive) criticism perhaps worth making that hasn't been made is subtle one and is as follows:
A part of the ALP narrative that needs to be made clear is that Labor did not form a minority government after the last election merely...
Douglas from Blaxland , NSW Tuesday, 28 February 2012, 23:28

As far as I can see, the majority of criticisms aimed at Ms Gillard are either trivial or blatantly slanderous, and I suspect not only that they are often motivated by hate of progressive values but also often by prejudices. Few are valid
Douglas from Blaxland , NSW Tuesday, 28 February 2012, 22:28

While she may have faults (and we will all disagree about the relative importance of those "flaws", as we percieve them, are) she is clearly a strong leader, and after Monday's ballot we can have little doubt that she is calling the shots in fed. ALP
Douglas from Blaxland , NSW Tuesday, 28 February 2012, 22:28

I don't think Ms Gillard is anyone's puppet. While she may be restricted by the nature or her backers, in a minority govt., etc., such restrictions may be limitations but it is not, I think, fair to represent them as "strings".
kevllbeback from none , non Tuesday, 28 February 2012, 21:28

Very little has been resolved,just that the faction leader's have been endorsed as the controller's of the ALP and our votes, plus Gillard is still their puppet.
As the commentator's state marginal seat ALP holders won't be around after next electio
chris1948 from Melbourne , VIC Tuesday, 28 February 2012, 20:28

@ LuthienNienna.
Cast your mind back to 2007.
Who had been elected as head of the Labor Party?
GNCORP from melbourne , victoria Tuesday, 28 February 2012, 19:28

The challenge for the ALP is to implement its policies, stop bowing down to the business elites and make sure Abbott and gang never becomes PM!
Douglas from Blaxland , NSW Tuesday, 28 February 2012, 17:28

Labor still has sooo much to do in so little time. I look forward to seeing Labor getting on with the job, while delivering the "strong, united and effective advocacy it deserves".
LuthienNienna from Horsley , NSW Tuesday, 28 February 2012, 16:28

I am so tired of reading comments like "Julia Gillard was not elected to the position of Prime Minister by the people"... Do you not remember the last election? Julia Gillard was the head of the Labor party, and won the election by Minority Vote...
clearthinker from sorrento , vic Tuesday, 28 February 2012, 15:28

We the people have a responsibility to allow Govt to get on with the business of Governing, & not fall into the quick fix of instant media hype & opinion polls. The Govt has made a huge difference to working people for the better lets get behind them
clearthinker from sorrento , vic Tuesday, 28 February 2012, 15:28

Julia is a woman of great integrity & strength, & we should be proud & grateful to have someone of her calibre running the country. What is the alternative? An egocentric one-man band or a REACTIONARY FAR RIGHT Abbott! He will destroy this country!
clearthinker from sorrento , vic Tuesday, 28 February 2012, 15:28

I would like to congratulate Julia on being overwhelmingly voted by the Labor Caucus, to remain the Prime Minister. She did what was necessary, when Rudd was deposed. The country & Govt are far more important than egocentric one-man bands.
jellio111 from brisbane , queensland Tuesday, 28 February 2012, 12:28

Gillard doenst look at opinion polls, i suggest that changes as the these are opinions of the Australian public, the people who vote a PM into office. They all show Labor is down the drain under Gillard.
jellio111 from brisbane , queensland Tuesday, 28 February 2012, 12:28

the people want her gone yet only a small minority in the Labor party can see this. The current values by Labor under her leadership is not worth any person's support. Knife your mates, screw the people to get her precious budget surplus,
jellio111 from brisbane , queensland Tuesday, 28 February 2012, 12:28

Get rid of Gillard and the supporters will return to the Labor party. Whilst that selfish, obnoxius, arrogant person is taken out of that non elected PM's seat. She hasnt been elected into that seat by the people.
JustPete from Bruce , ACT Monday, 27 February 2012, 19:27

Secondly: I think it would be good to have the psychological edge against Tony Abbott by having a much more stronger ALP party, instead of being on the rebound all time. Let's be open, and no more axing...I think most aussies would agree :)
JustPete from Bruce , ACT Monday, 27 February 2012, 18:27

I expressed my views on the nursing group I started over 12 months back
http://connect.alp.org.au/groups/nursing_and_health/

I'm glad that the issues have been resolved as much as possible compared to how they were. Time we focused on the future.