SUBJECTS: Prime Minister Julia Gillard
MARIUS BENSON:
Chris Bowen, in the calmer, cooler light of Friday, has the party done the right thing?
CHRIS BOWEN:
Well I think the party has made a decision that a fresh start is needed and I think it's a view of many in the community the Government had done very well over the last two years, particularly in relation to the global financial crisis, but a fresh emphasis was needed on basic services, on services for working families and the fundamentals of the economy. So the party's made that decision and it's a decision I support.
BENSON:
Are you better placed to win now?
BOWEN:
Well, time will tell and the pundits will make their own predictions, but I think Julia Gillard will certainly put her stamp on the Government. She's particularly in touch with the needs of working Australians, and I think working Australians and Australians generally will respond positively to her.
BENSON:
When did you know the move to get rid of Kevin Rudd was on?
BOWEN:
Well, look, I'm not going through the details of the post-mortem. These things have largely been on the public record that there had been some disquiet in the caucus for a little while, but the moves were begun the day before yesterday.
BENSON:
No sooner?
BOWEN:
No.
BENSON:
There are plenty of reports around this morning about Bill Shorten talking to Julia Gillard about what the faction leaders were feeling a week ago and more.
BOWEN:
Well, I'm not aware of what Bill Shorten was talking to Julia Gillard about. I'm aware that as far as the Cabinet and the caucus were concerned, we were remaining on track with the former Prime Minister but that the day before yesterday soundings were taken and the decision was taken to challenge.
BENSON:
You were sounded out the day before yesterday?
BOWEN:
Correct.
BENSON:
To what effect?
BOWEN:
Well, discussions were begun the day before yesterday about whether a leadership challenge should be mounted or not.
BENSON:
There has been some significant public response, seemingly to resent the idea that this is, this seems to be undemocratic, that faction leaders decide that a popularly elected Prime Minister is removed without any consultation to the electorate. What do you think about that?
BOWEN:
Well, look, I can understand that point of view, but our political system is that political parties choose their leaders and those leaders get put before the people for a mandate. And of course that happens in the Liberal Party, which have changed leaders regularly over this term – Nelson to Turnbull to Abbott – and it happens from time to time in governments.
Now, it happened in this case particularly close to an election, and the Prime Minister's made it clear she'll be putting her Government before the people for a mandate in the not too distant future, and that she will be looking for that mandate and looking for that renewed sense of confidence from the people, and that's perfectly appropriate.
BENSON:
So that sounds like an election sooner rather than later?
BOWEN:
Well, that's a matter for the Prime Minister. She's made it clear that it will be in the next few months and I think the Australian people would welcome the chance to give the Government a mandate or to make their judgement accordingly.
BENSON:
Now, people will be waiting to see if factional leaders involved in the removal of Kevin Rudd and the installation of Julia Gillard are rewarded. Bill Shorten in particular is being seen as a kingmaker, possibly queenmaker, in this context. People will be interested to see whether he gets a ministry.
BOWEN:
Well, look, these matters under our rules these days are entirely a matter for Julia. She'll make an appropriate decision, and knowing Julia as I do, she'll make it based on the merits and talents of the individuals involved. She'll make the decision based on who would be a very good Minister.
Now, in relation to Mr Shorten, he has done fine work in disability services. He's been absolutely dedicated to Australia's disable community, and if she took the decision to promote Mr Shorten that would be one based on merit. But whether she does that or not is not something I'm aware of and is entirely up to her.
BENSON:
Julia Irwin, the Labor member from New South Wales, like yourself, has expressed concern that the actions of people like Mark Arbib from the NSW Right indicate that the loyalty shown in the NSW Right, that system of loyalty and factionalism, has now come to Canberra and she's not happy about that.
BOWEN:
Well, let's be clear about this, Marius. This was a decision of the caucus. We always have people in caucuses who might be taking soundings of other caucus members.
BENSON:
But it was driven by faction leaders. They initiated it.
BOWEN:
Well, you take soundings from caucus members. You see what caucus members are thinking about, talking about. You see what's on their mind. You see how they would feel if things were to come to a vote, and then you collate that and put that to the leaders. In this case, those views were put to Kevin and to Julia.
Faction leaders can't simply decide that they're going to make a change. They have to have the views of the caucus behind them and in this case the caucus overwhelmingly had a view that a change was required.
BENSON:
Chris Bowen, thanks very much.
BOWEN:
Nice to talk to you, Marius.