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Anthony Albanese v Bill Shorten: who is the best fit for Labor? Anthony Albanese v Bill Shorten: who is the best fit for Labor?
(10 days later)
It was nice to have an entire 24 minutes off from Labor’s favourite blood sport – the leadership of the federal parliamentary party – don’t you think?It was nice to have an entire 24 minutes off from Labor’s favourite blood sport – the leadership of the federal parliamentary party – don’t you think?
Between the cries of "what if" and "for goodness’ sake, Kevin, just go" (because what the people of Griffith are really hanging out for is another compulsory Saturday morning sausage sandwich), various contenders’ names have been tossed around by the chatterati, including Tanya Plibersek, Tony Burke, Chris Bowen, Jason Clare and Bill Shorten and Anthony Albanese.Between the cries of "what if" and "for goodness’ sake, Kevin, just go" (because what the people of Griffith are really hanging out for is another compulsory Saturday morning sausage sandwich), various contenders’ names have been tossed around by the chatterati, including Tanya Plibersek, Tony Burke, Chris Bowen, Jason Clare and Bill Shorten and Anthony Albanese.
I think Plibersek will probably pass. Burke and Clare quickly ruled themselves out, and Bowen ruled himself out this morning. That leaves Shorten v Albanese.I think Plibersek will probably pass. Burke and Clare quickly ruled themselves out, and Bowen ruled himself out this morning. That leaves Shorten v Albanese.
Under the leadership system adopted in July, federal caucus will convene, nominations will be open for seven days and the ballot, equally weighted between the membership and the parliamentary party, will be conducted. The party must ignore the temptation to set aside the new procedure, giving the rank and file a say. I don’t particularly care how many "ALP leadership crisis" headlines are written, but I do care if a party which commissions, then closes its eyes to internal review after review, tosses out new rules designed to engage and give voice to its base.Under the leadership system adopted in July, federal caucus will convene, nominations will be open for seven days and the ballot, equally weighted between the membership and the parliamentary party, will be conducted. The party must ignore the temptation to set aside the new procedure, giving the rank and file a say. I don’t particularly care how many "ALP leadership crisis" headlines are written, but I do care if a party which commissions, then closes its eyes to internal review after review, tosses out new rules designed to engage and give voice to its base.
Labor needs an open contest to air ideas, and a strategy to make the Abbott government a one-term wonder. A genuine pitch from Albanese and Shorten to the membership will prove invigorating. It’s a sign of strength and belief, not weakness. Both are capable of doing the job, and have a sizeable team to work with – so who is better positioned to lead?Labor needs an open contest to air ideas, and a strategy to make the Abbott government a one-term wonder. A genuine pitch from Albanese and Shorten to the membership will prove invigorating. It’s a sign of strength and belief, not weakness. Both are capable of doing the job, and have a sizeable team to work with – so who is better positioned to lead?
Shorten is a formidable policy mind. His ministerial tenure was marked by genuine respect, especially among the disabilities sector, for which he proved to be a genuine and powerful advocate. He projects authority before the media and in parliament. But he shouldn’t become the next leader. I believe Shorten is too divisive within caucus and would be practically radioactive to the public for the same reason – he jumped from Gillard to Rudd with two minutes before the stewards opened the gates on June 26. The perception of disloyalty might be unfair, given he had plenty of company, but his was the public face of the "faceless men" who betrayed Gillard.Shorten is a formidable policy mind. His ministerial tenure was marked by genuine respect, especially among the disabilities sector, for which he proved to be a genuine and powerful advocate. He projects authority before the media and in parliament. But he shouldn’t become the next leader. I believe Shorten is too divisive within caucus and would be practically radioactive to the public for the same reason – he jumped from Gillard to Rudd with two minutes before the stewards opened the gates on June 26. The perception of disloyalty might be unfair, given he had plenty of company, but his was the public face of the "faceless men" who betrayed Gillard.
Albanese is wired to take on the mantle of opposition leader. He lives to fight Tories. A skilled and intellectually credible debater, he is fearless on the floor. His portfolio experience makes him perfectly positioned to take on the "infrastructure prime minister". Most importantly, Albo brings something to the table Shorten cannot offer: authenticity.Albanese is wired to take on the mantle of opposition leader. He lives to fight Tories. A skilled and intellectually credible debater, he is fearless on the floor. His portfolio experience makes him perfectly positioned to take on the "infrastructure prime minister". Most importantly, Albo brings something to the table Shorten cannot offer: authenticity.
I can’t think of anyone in the ALP (or anyone who watched his press conference) who doubts the anguish he expressed when announcing his support for former prime minister Rudd in the February 2012 challenge to then prime minister Gillard. Tellingly, he was not among those exiled to the backbench, but welcomed back to cabinet. He acted with a level of honour not seen among many of his colleagues during the dance of death between the two, and managed to remain loyal to both.I can’t think of anyone in the ALP (or anyone who watched his press conference) who doubts the anguish he expressed when announcing his support for former prime minister Rudd in the February 2012 challenge to then prime minister Gillard. Tellingly, he was not among those exiled to the backbench, but welcomed back to cabinet. He acted with a level of honour not seen among many of his colleagues during the dance of death between the two, and managed to remain loyal to both.
As with charisma, you cannot buy authenticity. Albanese is seen as genuine, not someone off seeking their "real" selves to unveil when the modified version flops. Authenticity matters. Albanese has it. He is the right person for the job, for the party and the people.As with charisma, you cannot buy authenticity. Albanese is seen as genuine, not someone off seeking their "real" selves to unveil when the modified version flops. Authenticity matters. Albanese has it. He is the right person for the job, for the party and the people.
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