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Tony Burke: I would like to lead Labor, but I'm not ready yet Tony Burke: I would like to lead Labor, but I'm not ready yet
(8 days later)
Senior Labor frontbencher Tony Burke has said he would like to lead the party – but not yet.Senior Labor frontbencher Tony Burke has said he would like to lead the party – but not yet.
Former ministers Bill Shorten and Anthony Albanese have emerged as frontrunners to take on the leadership of the ALP in opposition.Former ministers Bill Shorten and Anthony Albanese have emerged as frontrunners to take on the leadership of the ALP in opposition.
Burke, the former immigration minister, has declined to endorse either candidate but says they both have what it takes to be prime minister.Burke, the former immigration minister, has declined to endorse either candidate but says they both have what it takes to be prime minister.
He acknowledged that he, too, had aspirations to lead Labor, but pointed out that he was only 43. "I'm not in any rush. I know I'm not ready for leadership, but at some point it's something that I'd aspire to," he said.He acknowledged that he, too, had aspirations to lead Labor, but pointed out that he was only 43. "I'm not in any rush. I know I'm not ready for leadership, but at some point it's something that I'd aspire to," he said.
He also gave an insight into the dilemma facing Labor in choosing its next leader.He also gave an insight into the dilemma facing Labor in choosing its next leader.
"Some people are talking about strategies where you put someone there for a while and then you switch them later," Burke said – adding that he did not favour this option."Some people are talking about strategies where you put someone there for a while and then you switch them later," Burke said – adding that he did not favour this option.
"After everything we've been through in the past few years, any strategy that begins with the principle that you're going to switch leaders is a bad strategy," he said."After everything we've been through in the past few years, any strategy that begins with the principle that you're going to switch leaders is a bad strategy," he said.
He also pleaded with his fellow Labor MPs to heed the message delivered to them in the election and stop talking about themselves.He also pleaded with his fellow Labor MPs to heed the message delivered to them in the election and stop talking about themselves.
"Let's not have an election night where we all say we understand we've got to stop the infighting and then two days later we're having arguments like this," he said."Let's not have an election night where we all say we understand we've got to stop the infighting and then two days later we're having arguments like this," he said.
Former Labor ministers Craig Emerson, Greg Combet and Stephen Smith have called for Kevin Rudd to retire from parliament.Former Labor ministers Craig Emerson, Greg Combet and Stephen Smith have called for Kevin Rudd to retire from parliament.
Burke acknowledged he also had criticisms of Rudd's first term as prime minister, but says he had "absolutely no complaints" about his leadership style after Rudd came back as party leader this year.Burke acknowledged he also had criticisms of Rudd's first term as prime minister, but says he had "absolutely no complaints" about his leadership style after Rudd came back as party leader this year.
Emerson, a supporter of Julia Gillard who quit the Labor ministry when Rudd deposed her as prime minister in June, told ABC's 7.30 on Monday night: "Kevin Rudd's continuing presence in the parliamentary Labor party will see him do what he has always done, and that is willingly, wilfully, recklessly, destabilise Labor leaders.Emerson, a supporter of Julia Gillard who quit the Labor ministry when Rudd deposed her as prime minister in June, told ABC's 7.30 on Monday night: "Kevin Rudd's continuing presence in the parliamentary Labor party will see him do what he has always done, and that is willingly, wilfully, recklessly, destabilise Labor leaders.
"It is in the best interests of the party for Kevin Rudd to leave the parliament.""It is in the best interests of the party for Kevin Rudd to leave the parliament."
Emerson also suggested the outgoing prime minister was responsible for leaks that damaged Labor's election chances in 2010, adding that one so "destructive" and "hell bent on revenge" should not be rewarded.Emerson also suggested the outgoing prime minister was responsible for leaks that damaged Labor's election chances in 2010, adding that one so "destructive" and "hell bent on revenge" should not be rewarded.
Former treasurer Chris Bowen – a key Rudd ally – said the former prime minister could still make a contribution to Labor and Australia, although it was up to him to decide what that might be.Former treasurer Chris Bowen – a key Rudd ally – said the former prime minister could still make a contribution to Labor and Australia, although it was up to him to decide what that might be.
"He should be given all the time he needs to make that decision and those announcements. It's entirely a matter for him," Bowen said on Monday."He should be given all the time he needs to make that decision and those announcements. It's entirely a matter for him," Bowen said on Monday.
Labor's new federal figurehead in Western Australia, Alannah MacTiernan, said Rudd had saved the party from annihilation and given it a fighting chance.Labor's new federal figurehead in Western Australia, Alannah MacTiernan, said Rudd had saved the party from annihilation and given it a fighting chance.
"I don't think we should be trying to force Kevin out of the parliament," MacTiernan said."I don't think we should be trying to force Kevin out of the parliament," MacTiernan said.
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