G-G seeking advice over Shorten link

Governor-General Quentin Bryce says she's seeking advice on her "personal position"
after concerns were raised about her family link to Victorian Labor powerbroker Bill
Shorten.
Ms Bryce's daughter Chloe married Mr Shorten in November 2009 and they have a
daughter Clementine.
The parliamentary secretary was one of the key factional powerbrokers instrumental
in the dumping of former prime minister Kevin Rudd in favour of Julia Gillard
earlier this year.
Ethicist Leslie Cannold on Monday called on Ms Bryce to excuse herself from deciding
who forms the next government to avoid a potential conflict of interest.
Labor will need to show the governor-general it can command a majority on the floor
of parliament's lower house to win her approval for minority government.
Ms Bryce's office on Monday afternoon released a short statement regarding the
concerns over her connection to Mr Shorten.
"The governor-general is seeking advice on concerns raised about her personal
position in the current political circumstances," it says.
Labor parliamentary secretary Richard Marles was coy on Monday when asked about
suggestions that Ms Bryce should step away from the decision-making process for a
new government.
"Far be it from me to give advice to the governor-general," Mr Marles told Sky
Television.
Mr Shorten is widely believed to have aspirations for the prime ministership. One
betting agency lists him as the favourite to lead Labor to the next election.



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