Support NeoGAF

[Scrow]

and quits politics altogether.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=28578

Latham steps down as leader, quits politics
14:00 AEDT Tue Jan 18 2005

Opposition Leader Mark Latham has stepped down from the job as Labor leader and announced he will quit politics.

Mr Latham has addressed the media at Ingleburn in Sydney, where he announced the dramatic turn of events after 14-months as Labor leader.

He said he quit the position and would leave politics due to continuing ill health. He cited pressure from the media as a key factor in his decision.

Former Labor leader Kim Beazley was expected make a statement later today.

"If Mr Latham says something then we'll do something," a spokeswoman said.

Mr Beazley has been touted as a replacement by NSW Premier Bob Carr and Queensland Premier Peter Beattie, following concerns over Mr Latham's future.

Mr Carr said he expected Mr Latham to quit today following his second bout of pancreatitis.

Mr Beazley would not comment on the speculation this morning.

"There's nothing to discuss," Mr Beazley told ABC radio.

Asked if he might have something to say later today, he said: "I'm not sure about that, but if there is I'll let you know. No worries, you won't be left out in the dark."

Latham was cool breaking a taxi driver's arm and all, but Beazley is the guy who can and will win the next election.

 

[Ill Saint]

I don't see it. Labor are a joke now. They're well screwed. Beazley again? Nope, no faith at all in them anymore.

 

[stonedwal]

Labor as it is now is far too factionalised to win the next election (without a significant co-alition fuckup, that is) - they should be grooming a younger member of the party to be ready to take the leadership reigns in the election after next.

At least they're not in as bad a position as the Queensland co-alition

 

[Scrow]

Labor as it is now is far too factionalised to win the next election (without a significant co-alition fuckup, that is)

there's what? three or four years to go still...

they should be grooming a younger member of the party to be ready to take the leadership reigns in the election after next.

that's sort of what they tried with Latham. If they tried "grooming" a younger member as you say it would cause even more problems because there'd be lack of confidence in the leadership of a young inexperienced shadow leader. Beazley is the perfect choice and should never have stepped down in the first place. His last campaign was actually a success in some ways even though he didn't win the election. He'd have won the last one if he didn't step down.

At least they're not in as bad a position as the Queensland co-alition

say what?

 

[ScientificNinja]

Hey, I'm raised in a blue collar town and Paul Keating is a hero to me, but Federal Labor is a bloody joke. The very thought of a Labor government under Beazley makes a future Liberal government under (probably) Costello that much more appealing.

 

[stonedwal]

there's what? three or four years to go still...

I'm a pessimist. Labor's woes could be a fixed more easily if some of the factions would swallow their pride and adopt a slightly more centrist attitude. With the ageing population, people are becoming more conservative, and Labor need to adapt.

that's sort of what they tried with Latham.

Eh, I think they did it a little too late, and it turned out to be a bit of a rush job.

Beazley is the perfect choice and should never have stepped down in the first place.

Beazley is a good opposition leader - I am not sure whether he should contest the election or not. It'd take a united Labor and Howard's retirement for them to win the election, I think.

say what?

They've been decimated in the last two elections - Labor increased their majority to something like 65 seats in a 90 seat house. I believe the Nationals hold 12 seats, and the Liberals have 3 or 4 - not even sure if they are still a coalition. Qld State Liberal party is another one that should be embracing younger members, instead of old farts like Bob Quinn.

 

[Ill Saint]

Oh come on... Beazley lost one election, and lost a challenge against Simon Creane! Getting him back again as leader is hardly ambitious.

I like Kevin Rudd, but not sure if he's leadership material. It's very sad, Labor are in quite bad shape

 

[Scrow]

With the ageing population, people are becoming more conservative, and Labor need to adapt.

see... that makes no sense now. you reckon labor should bring in new blood but need to appeal to the older more conservative generation? You can't appeal to the pensioners with a whipper snapper.

They've been decimated in the last two elections - Labor increased their majority to something like 65 seats in a 90 seat house. I believe the Nationals hold 12 seats, and the Liberals have 3 or 4 - not even sure if they are still a coalition. Qld State Liberal party is another one that should be embracing younger members, instead of old farts like Bob Quinn.

oh right, sorry. i misread what you said as the labor party in queensland being in a bad way.

 

[Scrow]

The very thought of a Labor government under Beazley makes a future Liberal government under (probably) Costello that much more appealing.

hey you made a mistake with your sentence there... it should be the other way around..

 

[stonedwal]

see... that makes no sense now. you reckon labor should bring in new blood but need to appeal to the older more conservative generation? You can't appeal to the pensioners with a whipper snapper.

I meant with a shift in policies away from the left, to a more central position.

 

[Ill Saint]

What's the point of that? About time this Country started looking forward and progressively. Fuck the older generation. This place is slow enough as it is.

 

[DaMan121]

Umm, labour is about as centrist as you can get, if they go any further they are in conservative territory. Besides it just seems the majority of Australians want a conservative as pm, while they dont mind voting for labour for their respective states..

 

[Scrow]

Umm, labour is about as centrist as you can get, if they go any further they are in conservative territory.

yeah, the greens are further to the right than labor. Remember Family First's campaign against the Greens?
"They want to legalise drugs! That's not Green Bob, that's extreme!" :lol

Besides it just seems the majority of Australians want a conservative as pm, while they dont mind voting for labour for their respective states..

yes, on a state level Labor is doing pretty well, especially in QLD as has already been mentioned.

What's the point of that? About time this Country started looking forward and progressively. Fuck the older generation. This place is slow enough as it is.

yeah well australia's population growth is at a stand still... actually i think it may even have negative "growth" at this moment. Yet our federal government is quick to send refugees back to where they came from. If Australians aren't going to fuck enough to keep the population growing there's more than enough room and jobs for immigrants.

 

[Ill Saint]

yeah, the greens are further to the right than labor. Remember Family First's campaign against the Greens?
"They want to legalise drugs! That's not Green Bob, that's extreme!" :lol
yes, on a state level Labor is doing pretty well, especially in QLD as has already been mentioned.

You mean further to the left... at least the Greens have some balls. But Labor need to be a real alternative to the Liberals, which it hasn't been since the Keating days.

 

[DaMan121]

Well I wouldnt vote Green... Brown is a tad looney, dont think Id want him running the country, though he does have some radical ideas.. Somewhere between where they are now, and the greens I would say. Having said that, Im glad that our conservatives arent as far right as the ones in the US... prolly move to New Zealand.

If Australians aren't going to fuck enough to keep the population growing there's more than enough room and jobs for immigrants.

Volunteers? Anyone?

 

[Fresh Prince]

I don't see it. Labor are a joke now. They're well screwed. Beazley again? Nope, no faith at all in them anymore.

I thought Latham was the answer whatever said is done I found the guy sorta charismatic (well compared to Mr Har-Ha Ha-Look Confused). Beazley won't win the next election. He is too like Howard- why get a left leaning imitation when you can get the real thing? Costello isn't bad- he's worked on his smirk and isn't that bad personality wise(though his jaunty jabs at Labour are bad) . His leadership and economic credentials speak for themselves (except for foreign debt- but everyone is ignoring that so I doubt people in 4 years time will suddenly awaken themselves). Yeah Labour's fucked.
The only thing he has a clear difference is on Education and Health. Health is a non issue- that will never be solved. However if the Government's proposed education plan fails maybe he can sway students and parents alike. Labour has to work on Labour policy for small bussinesses if it wants to win.
Basically to quote Clinton, 'It's the economy stupid'.
IMO Judy Macklen (sp?) maybe the answer- female, eloquent and left enough to de a difference. A female version of Latham without the 'western suburbs thuggery' :lol

 

[stonedwal]

yeah well australia's population growth is at a stand still... actually i think it may even have negative "growth" at this moment.

AusStats puts the population growth at 1.29% (natural increase and immigration increase), and it is dropping. I think it's time we young'uns got to work

 

[Ill Saint]

I thought Latham was the answer whatever said is done I found the guy sorta charismatic (well compared to Mr Har-Ha Ha-Look Confused). Beazley won't win the next election. He is too like Howard- why get a left leaning imitation when you can get the real thing? Costello isn't bad- he's worked on his smirk and isn't that bad personality wise(though his jaunty jabs at Labour are bad) . His leadership and economic credentials speak for themselves (except for foreign debt- but everyone is ignoring that so I doubt people in 4 years time will suddenly awaken themselves). Yeah Labour's fucked.
The only thing he has a clear difference is on Education and Health. Health is a non issue- that will never be solved. However if the Government's proposed education plan fails maybe he can sway students and parents alike. Labour has to work on Labour policy for small bussinesses if it wants to win.
Basically to quote Clinton, 'It's the economy stupid'.
IMO Judy Macklen (sp?) maybe the answer- female, eloquent and left enough to de a difference. A female version of Latham without the 'western suburbs thuggery' :lol

Agree with all that. When Latham came along it was a small breath of fresh air. He was doing nicely for a little while, but it all went awry very quickly. Costello? why not! He's probably the most left-leaning in the Liberal party. Apparently so much so, that some in the Liberal party are a bit worried.

 

[Scrow]

AusStats puts the population growth at 1.29% (natural increase and immigration increase), and it is dropping. I think it's time we young'uns got to work

screwing for a better tomorrow!

 

[-=DoAvl=-]

I reckon they should bring back Bob Hawke. That guy was a legend. I don't exactly remember what he did (i was a youngen back then) but I was sure happy.

Good one howard, way to make my life so miserable...


why are graduate jobs so hard to find....



I'm lonely.

 

[stonedwal]

I should also mention that Latham was at least a better leader than Alexander Downer was during his few months with the Liberal party prior to Howard taking over.

Cue: Micallef P(r)ogram(me) skit "The Downer Months" :lol

 

[Scrow]

I reckon they should bring back Bob Hawke. That guy was a legend. I don't exactly remember what he did (i was a youngen back then) but I was sure happy.

dunno about hawk but keating floated the australian dollar which set us up as a country that could be taken seriously internationally... almost

 

[Fresh Prince]

I reckon they should bring back Bob Hawke. That guy was a legend. I don't exactly remember what he did (i was a youngen back then) but I was sure happy.
Good one howard, way to make my life so miserable...
why are graduate jobs so hard to find....
I'm lonely.

Don't worry dude you'll find a job. It's just that most of it's contract I gather :\

Basically Judy Macklen > Costello > Kevin Rudd > Beazley > Howard
Latham could of done it- get his image straight and dealed with the forestry issue ealier.

The one person I don't want is Tony Abbot. Bringing up the abortion issue and everything. Stupid fcuker you know why women don't have kids anymore? It's because you're government panders to business and unreasonable work pressure. Working women are not able to afford the economic and time implications of having a new child as well as the'keeping up with the neighborurs factor'. You solution was to give a measley $3000 for a lifetime.

 

[seanoff]

Abott is v unlikely to get anywhere without little johnny pushing him forward. There are a lot of liberals that think howard has gone too far and that the party would be better off a little further away from the US and a little less big business oriented.

Costello is the likely next PM and he would be less vicious than howard. I don't think his upbringing would allow him and family gatherings would be lectures to him on humanity from his brother if he was too nasty.

Rudd or Swann should be the next labour leader. They need someone dynamic like Hawke to really get back. Out blanding howard won't work.


BTW my brother is an ex minister in a conservative govt. so take this as u will. I'm more from the Richard Carleton school. ie none of them can be trusted.

 

[Fresh Prince]

BTW my brother is an ex minister in a conservative govt. so take this as u will. I'm more from the Richard Carleton school. ie none of them can be trusted.

That goes without saying but I wouldn't trust Richard Carleton either :lol