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Steve Gibbons not happy with Rudd's change to leadership spill rules Steve Gibbons not happy with Rudd's change to leadership spill rules
(2 months later)
The backbencher who put Labor party reform back on the political agenda in the fraught final weeks of the 43rd parliament has declared he is unhappy with one of the radical changes being proposed by the prime minister, Kevin Rudd.The backbencher who put Labor party reform back on the political agenda in the fraught final weeks of the 43rd parliament has declared he is unhappy with one of the radical changes being proposed by the prime minister, Kevin Rudd.
Victorian MP Steve Gibbons has told Guardian Australia he’s comfortable with most of the sweeping reforms to party rules unveiled by Rudd on Monday evening, but believes the existing caucus rules governing leadership spills should be maintained because they serve the best interests of the ALP rather than the requirements of particular individuals.Victorian MP Steve Gibbons has told Guardian Australia he’s comfortable with most of the sweeping reforms to party rules unveiled by Rudd on Monday evening, but believes the existing caucus rules governing leadership spills should be maintained because they serve the best interests of the ALP rather than the requirements of particular individuals.
The issue of concern to Gibbons is the Rudd proposal that would require a future leadership spill to have the support of 75% of the Labor caucus. “I have some reservations about that and I think there will be others with reservations about that,” Gibbons said in an interview on Tuesday afternoon.The issue of concern to Gibbons is the Rudd proposal that would require a future leadership spill to have the support of 75% of the Labor caucus. “I have some reservations about that and I think there will be others with reservations about that,” Gibbons said in an interview on Tuesday afternoon.
Gibbons argues the party must be able to act against the leader if action is required.Gibbons argues the party must be able to act against the leader if action is required.
“Nobody enjoys seeing a prime minister torn down, but in some cases this is inevitable,” Gibbons said. “I think the existing processes are strong enough to protect the party’s interests.” The current party rules require that a leadership spill petition be signed by one-third of the Labor caucus, plus one.“Nobody enjoys seeing a prime minister torn down, but in some cases this is inevitable,” Gibbons said. “I think the existing processes are strong enough to protect the party’s interests.” The current party rules require that a leadership spill petition be signed by one-third of the Labor caucus, plus one.
Gibbons re-opened the public debate about the adequacy of Labor party rules during the last drama-filled weeks of the 43rd parliament by presenting a motion calling for the caucus, not the party leader, to appoint the frontbench.Gibbons re-opened the public debate about the adequacy of Labor party rules during the last drama-filled weeks of the 43rd parliament by presenting a motion calling for the caucus, not the party leader, to appoint the frontbench.
Kevin Rudd altered Labor’s historical practice in 2008 by insisting that the leader and not the factions should have the power to appoint his or her frontbench team.Kevin Rudd altered Labor’s historical practice in 2008 by insisting that the leader and not the factions should have the power to appoint his or her frontbench team.
But Gibbons argued that handing that power to the leader created a set of internal conditions which were fundamentally damaging to Labor. The caucus and the ministry did not debate policy issues as robustly as it did under the old rules, and the party did not take active responsibility for the performance of the government as a whole.But Gibbons argued that handing that power to the leader created a set of internal conditions which were fundamentally damaging to Labor. The caucus and the ministry did not debate policy issues as robustly as it did under the old rules, and the party did not take active responsibility for the performance of the government as a whole.
He sought to have the Rudd change overturned. But the Gibbons motion became entangled in Labor’s poisonous leadership struggle, which played out over the final sitting fortnight, and substantive debate was deferred on it until after the election.He sought to have the Rudd change overturned. But the Gibbons motion became entangled in Labor’s poisonous leadership struggle, which played out over the final sitting fortnight, and substantive debate was deferred on it until after the election.
Rudd’s intervention on Monday evening supersedes that decision of caucus on 18 June. Rudd is now supporting the right of caucus to elect the ministry as part of the broader changes he wants to make to party rules.Rudd’s intervention on Monday evening supersedes that decision of caucus on 18 June. Rudd is now supporting the right of caucus to elect the ministry as part of the broader changes he wants to make to party rules.
Gibbons welcomed Rudd’s support for that change.Gibbons welcomed Rudd’s support for that change.
The reformed leadership procedures being pushed by Rudd include the following change: “An election for leader must be called by the caucus secretary after any of the following events: upon the resignation of the leader; at the request of the leader; where at least 75% of the members of the federal parliamentary Labor Party sign a petition requesting that an election for a new leader be held on the grounds the current leader has brought the party into disrepute.”The reformed leadership procedures being pushed by Rudd include the following change: “An election for leader must be called by the caucus secretary after any of the following events: upon the resignation of the leader; at the request of the leader; where at least 75% of the members of the federal parliamentary Labor Party sign a petition requesting that an election for a new leader be held on the grounds the current leader has brought the party into disrepute.”
Rudd has called a special meeting of the caucus for Monday 22 July to discuss his reform proposals, the election campaign, and proposed policy changes.Rudd has called a special meeting of the caucus for Monday 22 July to discuss his reform proposals, the election campaign, and proposed policy changes.
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