With the release of a vague statement concerning his health, the leader of the opposition, (mr) MARK LATHAM, continues to leave himself open to criticism from both the public and his Labor Party colleagues.
The Labor leader has been criticised for keeping silent about the state of his health, and not issuing a statement reacting to the INDIAN OCEAN tsunami.
In his statement released yesterday (thurs), Mr LATHAM says he will return to work on January the 26th following his break over Christmas and the New Year, when he was struck down with a recurring case of pancreatitis (pan-CREE-ah-TY-tuss).
A Tasmanian Labor party M-P, (mr) DUNCAN KERR, says while Mr LATHAM has been laid-up with his illness, the party’s acting leaders have compensated well.
F025-a KERR 24 secs
Given that Jenny Macklin was making very strong statements for Labor, and Kevin Rudd and later Chris Evans as acting leader were carrying the voice of the Labor party in the public domain, it was not necessary for Mark to put himself in the situation that his doctors had obviously advised him not to, that is to get engaged in public affairs.
But the issue that is reportedly infuriating his colleagues, who have refused to be named, is the mild reaction by the Labor Party to the tsunami disaster, including the utter silence from their leader.
Mr KERR says the silence from Mr LATHAM was understandable, given his health concerns, but not exactly the best course of action as the Leader of the Opposition.
F025-b KERR 19 secs
Well I’m sure, given the way that this has been reported, Mark and his advisors, looking back, would say that it would have been wiser to put out a short statement explaining why he wouldn’t be available to publicly state his concerns and his sympathy for the victims of the tsunami. But we don’t make perfect judgements all the time, moreso if we’re struck down with a serious illness.
Meanwhile, reports have intensified that some Labor M-Ps are moving to depose Mr LATHAM, despite the party’s attempts to end the speculation.
Labor frontbencher and a close supporter of Mr LATHAM, (mr) JOEL FITZGIBBON, has come out and said that while he believes the leader retains the support of most of the caucus, talks about a replacement are underway.
He says some M-Ps still doubt Mr LATHAM’s long-term health and are preparing a contingency plan.
Mr KERR, often an opponent of Mr LATHAM, says the party should nonetheless support the Labor leader as he struggles to return to full health.
F025-c KERR 27 secs
I think he is entitled to, and should expect, the full support of his colleagues while he is recovering. Of course in politics we are always in a situation where we are constantly being evaluated by our colleagues, but I don’t think while someone is suffering an illness his party colleagues, or indeed members of the public, should be doing anything other than wish him a full recovery. Now, people such as myself didn’t support Mark in the past, but I certainly wish him a full recovery.
A Labor frontbencher, (mr) LAURIE FERGUSON, says he expects Mr LATHAM will remain as opposition leader.
But as he told the A-B-C earlier this week, Mr FERGUSON believes the leader has been considering his political future.
F025-d FERGUSON 9 secs
You’d be a total moron if you didn’t think about whether the stresses of the job, the pressures, are going to lessen your life and your connection with your family.
Intensifying the speculation, federal Labor frontbencher (ms) JULIA GILLARD returned to AUSTRALIA from a holiday in VIETNAM for the release of the statement from the Labor leader.
Ms GILLARD has been named, along with frontbenchers (mr) KEVIN RUDD, (mr) STEPHEN SMITH and (mr) WAYNE SWAN, as well as backbencher (mr) LINDSAY TANNER, as possible leadership contenders.
A moderate on the left of the party, Ms GILLARD’s rapid fire debating skills gave Labor a powerful voice during last year’s election campaign.
Another Left-wing member, Mr TANNER, is also a potential candidate, but the former communications spokesman is not considered to have a strong support base within the party.
Labor’s shadow treasurer, Mr SWAN, is considered a hard worker by his colleagues, but many believe him to be a trouble-maker who has done much to destabilise the party.
Mr SMITH may be regarded as a safe option, but it is the foreign affairs spokesman, KEVIN RUDD, who has improved his position among colleagues over the past year.
Mr RUDD has also won further support for his performance during the tsunami crisis, providing the Labor Party’s public voice when Mr LATHAM failed to.
The former diplomat is considered by many colleagues to be very intelligent, but overall, could be perceived too arrogant to connect with voters as the Labor leader in an election.
Former Labor leader, (mr) KIM BEAZLEY, earlier this week ruled-out a leadership challenge over the issue.
F025-e BEAZLEY 16 secs
I have said absolutely clearly that was off as far as I am concerned after the last election and nothing has changed. What I do wish is that Mark gets a chance to recover from the illness that he is currently suffering from, and that people leave him alone while that occurs.
The Prime Minister, (mr) JOHN HOWARD, says he won’t comment on Mr LATHAM’s decision not to issue a statement on the tsunami.
F025-f HOWARD 15 secs
That is a matter for him and it’s a matter for the Australian Labor Party. I don’t intend to get drawn. That is a matter for him and I simply add that if he is unwell, I wish him a full and speedy recovery.
The Greens’ leader, (mr) BOB BROWN, has backed the Labor leader’s right to privacy as he recovers.
