Is Shorten PM material?

Bushman · 13 September 2013

MrBurns said:
No he isn't, again I wonder, how people like him get so far in life.

Straight out of uni into the union movement, straight from the union movement into the ALP. Live in a bubble your whole working career.

He does share one pre-requisite; a lust for power. Sadly, this seems to be the only things the ALP stands for.

It was interesting to see Bob Hawke on election night shaking his head as younger ALP-types tried to pin this loss on disunity only. They seemingly have not learnt their lessons if Shorten takes the reigns.

Albanese is the other alternative. The problem is they are all covered in the sticky toxic mud of the Gillard/KRudd fiasco.

The next ALP leader, IMO, will be a clean skin not tainted by recent goings on. Otherwise Abbott will be a three-term PM ...

Country Lad · 13 September 2013

Here's one assessment.

Cheers
Country Lad

MrBurns · 13 September 2013

Bushman said:
Straight out of uni into the union movement, straight from the union movement into the ALP. Live in a bubble your whole working career.

He does share one pre-requisite; a lust for power. Sadly, this seems to be the only things the ALP stands for.

I just don't understand why no one in the Labor party has the courage to stand up and say the obvious, that this man is not PM material, makes me fear for the future when the Labor party is reduced to this and many people still vote for them.

I've thought for quite a while that the general public has been dumbed down dramatically by the media having a free reign, reality TV etc, the relaxation of traditional values, no one stands for a woman in public transport any more, school kids let fly with the "f" word on public transport in front of females.........and so on.

So this new generation will vote for someone of incredibly low worth such as Rudd because he is some sort of cult hero, this does not bode well for our future in my opinion.

Calliope · 13 September 2013

MrBurns said:
I just don't understand why no one in the Labor party has the courage to stand up and say the obvious, that this man is not PM material, makes me fear for the future when the Labor party is reduced to this and many people still vote for them.

Suitable for PM? Only in Labor culture. Make your own assessment about a man who will do or say anything to achieve power. He said the things I have in bolds while in a adulterous relationship with the equally duplicitous Chloe Bryce-Parkin a married woman with two young children.

Mr Shorten and Ms Bryce have been friends for at least a year. The pair had dinner together at Quentin Bryce's residence in Brisbane on September 5, 2007, when she was Queensland Governor, according to a Vice-Regal notice in Brisbane's Courier Mail newspaper.

"In the evening, the Governor received the call of Ms Chloe Bryce-Parkin and Mr Bill Shorten,'' the notice states.

Mr Shorten then went on to become elected as the Member for Maribyrnong at the federal election and thanked his wife, Deborah, in the maiden speech he delivered in February this year, four months after visiting the now-Governor General with Ms Bryce-Parkin.

"Above all others - and I can say this on Valentine's Day - I thank my wife, Deb Beale, an endlessly intelligent, supportive and loving woman,'' he said.

"I knew this instantly from my first outing, when she agreed to visit a picket line with me.''
He also thanked his parents-in-law, Julian and Felicity Beale.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...or-g-gs-daughter/story-e6freuzr-1111117539555

MrBurns · 13 September 2013

Calliope said:
Suitable for PM? Only in Labor culture. Make your own assessment about a man who will do or say anything to achieve power. He said the things I have in bolds while in a adulterous relationship with the equally duplicitous Chloe Bryce-Parkin a married woman with two young children.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...or-g-gs-daughter/story-e6freuzr-1111117539555

I didn't say he was suitable, just the opposite.

Calliope · 13 September 2013

MrBurns said:
I didn't say he was suitable, just the opposite.

I am aware of that. I was answering the question posed in the title of the thread. As for leader of the opposition I can't think of a better qualified man. As a Liberal I would prefer they pick the inferior product. If Albanese is smart he will allow this guy who has married the daughter of an influential millionaire and betrayed her for the GG's daughter to further his ambitions, and then betrayed two leaders, to self destruct. Shorten is the kind of rat that makes Windsor. Oakeshott, Slipper and Thomson look like angels.

Miss Hale · 13 September 2013

Shorten or Albanese for opposition leader? My prayers have been answered Looking forward to a long period of Coalition government

Whiskers · 13 September 2013

Calliope said:
Shorten is the kind of rat that makes Windsor. Oakeshott, Slipper and Thomson look like angels.

I find myself agreeing with you here Calliope.

I am aware of that. I was answering the question posed in the title of the thread. As for leader of the opposition I can't think of a better qualified man. As a Liberal I would prefer they pick the inferior product.

If Albanese is smart he will allow this guy who has married the daughter of an influential millionaire and betrayed her for the GG's daughter to further his ambitions, and then betrayed two leaders, to self destruct.

But, as a proud and loyal Australian, far ahead of any lowly political party... I'd say while your reasoning is just the tonic for infighting, self-serving politicians, it is hardly the rationale that someone who is confident of their credentials and policy position would espouse too in the spirit of strong, accountable government.

piggybank · 13 September 2013

Has (Shorten) sold his mother yet? or has he eaten her carcus?

Tink · 14 September 2013

MrBurns said:
I just don't understand why no one in the Labor party has the courage to stand up and say the obvious, that this man is not PM material, makes me fear for the future when the Labor party is reduced to this and many people still vote for them.

I've thought for quite a while that the general public has been dumbed down dramatically by the media having a free reign, reality TV etc, the relaxation of traditional values, no one stands for a woman in public transport any more, school kids let fly with the "f" word on public transport in front of females.........and so on.

So this new generation will vote for someone of incredibly low worth such as Rudd because he is some sort of cult hero, this does not bode well for our future in my opinion.

Agree with you MrBurns, but thankfully the majority of the electorate saw right through them, to the point that Rudd felt he had to stand down, though I think he shouldnt be there at all.

With Shorten being behind all the wheeling and dealing in the Labor party for the last six years, saying he would stand by Rudd or Gillard, then change his mind at the last minute, I dont think he will go too far.

drsmith · 26 September 2013

The crown of party leader for the party just booted out of government is typically a crown of thorns. Watching 730 tonight, Bill Shorten looks tired and he sounds like his heart's not in it.

The long shadow Uncle Psycho still casts wouldn't help either.

Julia · 26 September 2013

If you were a Labor Party member and had to choose either Albanese or Shorten, which would you pick?
(Yes, I know it's an invidious choice, but give it a go.)

Whiskers · 26 September 2013

Julia said:
If you were a Labor Party member and had to choose either Albanese or Shorten, which would you pick?
(Yes, I know it's an invidious choice, but give it a go.)

I'm not a member of any party, but I'd suggest the membership is more inclined to Albanese, partly because Rudd was popular (maybe still is) with the membership and sorta endorsed Albanese by anointing him as his deputy.

Secondly, Albanese is left wing Labor arguably closer to traditional grass roots than Shorten (right).

Thirdly I suspect Albanese will be seen as more stable and trustworthy by the membership.

The caucus... that's another matter. Shorton may garner more support there, BUT...

given the flow of admissions (from both sides now) that party preselection is corrupted, controlled by power brokers and doesn't reflect grass root membership wishes, I expect we won't see either of these become PM, but just a transition to the next election when fresh faces selected by membership may produce the next PM for Labor.

The caveat to all this is that if as I suspect and GG indicated on another thread, Rudd is already facilitating a return to power, Albanese is more likely (than shorton) to stand aside for Rudd. I suspect the membership is hoping this, because Albanese is not likely to win an election unless Abbott's team made a significant balls-up. Rudd on the other hand could potentially steal the PMship back under certain circumstances.

In short the invidious choice (calculated by Rudds rule changes) to create ill will and resentment of faction bosses and rigged preselection, is likely Albanese for leader.

sptrawler · 27 September 2013

Julia said:
If you were a Labor Party member and had to choose either Albanese or Shorten, which would you pick?
(Yes, I know it's an invidious choice, but give it a go.)

It is just a very sad situation.
Crocadile tears Albanese, or knife merchant Shorten.
What a magic choice.

Garpal Gumnut · 27 September 2013

Shorten has the roots on board and the experience to be PM.

I do hope he never achieves it.

gg

Whiskers · 27 September 2013

Garpal Gumnut said:
Shorten has the roots on board and the experience to be PM.

I do hope he never achieves it.

gg

I just hope for the good of the ALP and Aus politics generally, the reported rush for new ALP memberships were disillusioned grass roots and not more Shorten feeder roots.

noco · 27 September 2013

Julia said:
If you were a Labor Party member and had to choose either Albanese or Shorten, which would you pick?
(Yes, I know it's an invidious choice, but give it a go.)

Julia, I would not give you two bob for either of them....it does not matter which one wins because they are both a pair of no-hopers.

Tink · 1 October 2013

Bill Shorten wants quotas

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-...as-to-boost-number-of-gay-politicians/4987276

No wonder Labor is on the nose in Australia, with only 31% voting for them.

drsmith · 1 October 2013

Tink said:
Bill Shorten wants quotas

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-...as-to-boost-number-of-gay-politicians/4987276

No wonder Labor is on the nose in Australia, with only 31% voting for them.

The more Labor goes down the route of minority over merit as a matter of principal, the more they will lose the support of the mainstream.

What Labor needs to do is get back to basics and have a quota for adults. Then they'd be a cull at the top.

Whiskers · 1 October 2013

drsmith said:
The more Labor goes down the route of minority over merit as a matter of principal, the more they will lose the support of the mainstream.

What Labor needs to do is get back to basics and have a quota for adults. Then they'd be a cull at the top.

Another example of ideology clouding out logic.

I recall seeing research long ago that said women tended to resent being patronised by a quota system and much preferred promotion on merit.

Labor has started to break down the corrupt preselection obstacles with Rudds rule changes... call me cynical, but I see this as an avenue for people like Shorton to plant supporters back in the party.

Once they start quotas for a few, where is it going to end?.. Women, gay, aboriginals, other ethnicity, religion, handicap, wealth, age...

Is Shorten PM material?