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171313
Mon, 03/28/2011 - 13:45
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http://m.oananews.org//node/171313
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Robertson makes NSW Labor leadership tilt
(AAP) - Former transport minister John Robertson has thrown his hat in the ring for the leadership of the NSW Labor Party, despite damning criticism from some ALP heavyweights.
Mr Robertson confirmed on Monday he would put his name forward to lead the opposition at a party caucus meeting this Thursday, his spokeswoman said.
Former police minister and Maroubra MP Michael Daley and former premier Nathan Rees have also been tipped to run, but neither has confirmed he will contest the leadership.
Mr Robertson has been widely seen as the frontrunner, prompting former premier Morris Iemma and former treasurer Michael Costa to speak out publicly against the former union boss.
Mr Iemma on Monday questioned whether Mr Robertson should become leader, describing him as the "key architect of what went wrong".
Mr Iemma told the ABC that Mr Robertson's decision when he was secretary of Unions New South Wales to oppose the privatisation of the electricity sector played a key part in the election defeat.
"In terms of intelligence, capacity and ability, there's four people who are streets ahead of what John Robertson has to offer," Mr Iemma said.
"Having said that, I understand the reality is that if Robertson wants it, then clearly he'll get it."
Former NSW treasurer Michael Costa also warned against making Mr Robertson party leader, saying he didn't have what it takes.
"In my judgment, Robertson has neither the political intellect nor the political courage to be a credible alternate premier," Mr Costa told The Australian newspaper.
"However, he's good at opposing things."
Mr Robertson led union opposition in 2008 to the plan by Mr Costa and Mr Iemma to privatise electricity generators.
The blocked sale ultimately cost Mr Iemma his job as premier.
When Mr Robertson was sworn into the upper house he was sent a scathing letter by former prime minister Paul Keating, who said he was "ashamed to share membership of the same party" with him.
"Let me tell you, if the Labor Party stocks ever get so low as to require your services in its parliamentary leadership, it will itself have no future," the letter said.
A spokeswoman for Mr Keating on Monday said he had no comment to make on the leadership contest.
Mr Robertson's spokeswoman also declined to comment on the criticism levelled against him.
"Mr Robertson will be speaking with caucus meeting members between now and Thursday to try and get their support," she said.
Kristina Keneally stood down as leader of the party on Saturday following the party's crushing electoral defeat.
The ALP suffered an estimated 16 per cent swing at Saturday's election and is on track to win only 21 seats in 93-member lower house.
Mr Robertson, who successfully moved from the upper house to the outer-western Sydney seat of Blacktown at the election, has narrowly held the outer-western seat of Blacktown for Labor with a 4 per cent margin.
A spokeswoman for Michael Daley said he was not available for comment but may speak to the media on Tuesday.
Mr Robertson confirmed on Monday he would put his name forward to lead the opposition at a party caucus meeting this Thursday, his spokeswoman said.
Former police minister and Maroubra MP Michael Daley and former premier Nathan Rees have also been tipped to run, but neither has confirmed he will contest the leadership.
Mr Robertson has been widely seen as the frontrunner, prompting former premier Morris Iemma and former treasurer Michael Costa to speak out publicly against the former union boss.
Mr Iemma on Monday questioned whether Mr Robertson should become leader, describing him as the "key architect of what went wrong".
Mr Iemma told the ABC that Mr Robertson's decision when he was secretary of Unions New South Wales to oppose the privatisation of the electricity sector played a key part in the election defeat.
"In terms of intelligence, capacity and ability, there's four people who are streets ahead of what John Robertson has to offer," Mr Iemma said.
"Having said that, I understand the reality is that if Robertson wants it, then clearly he'll get it."
Former NSW treasurer Michael Costa also warned against making Mr Robertson party leader, saying he didn't have what it takes.
"In my judgment, Robertson has neither the political intellect nor the political courage to be a credible alternate premier," Mr Costa told The Australian newspaper.
"However, he's good at opposing things."
Mr Robertson led union opposition in 2008 to the plan by Mr Costa and Mr Iemma to privatise electricity generators.
The blocked sale ultimately cost Mr Iemma his job as premier.
When Mr Robertson was sworn into the upper house he was sent a scathing letter by former prime minister Paul Keating, who said he was "ashamed to share membership of the same party" with him.
"Let me tell you, if the Labor Party stocks ever get so low as to require your services in its parliamentary leadership, it will itself have no future," the letter said.
A spokeswoman for Mr Keating on Monday said he had no comment to make on the leadership contest.
Mr Robertson's spokeswoman also declined to comment on the criticism levelled against him.
"Mr Robertson will be speaking with caucus meeting members between now and Thursday to try and get their support," she said.
Kristina Keneally stood down as leader of the party on Saturday following the party's crushing electoral defeat.
The ALP suffered an estimated 16 per cent swing at Saturday's election and is on track to win only 21 seats in 93-member lower house.
Mr Robertson, who successfully moved from the upper house to the outer-western Sydney seat of Blacktown at the election, has narrowly held the outer-western seat of Blacktown for Labor with a 4 per cent margin.
A spokeswoman for Michael Daley said he was not available for comment but may speak to the media on Tuesday.
