ID :
205043
Sat, 09/03/2011 - 16:14
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/205043
The shortlink copeid
I'll lead ALP at next election: Gillard
Prime Minister Julia Gillard insists she will lead the Australian Labor Party at the next federal election despite questioning about her leadership.
Speculation about Ms Gillard's hold as prime minister has increased since the High Court this week ruled the government's proposed refugee swap deal with Malaysia was unlawful.
Ms Gillard dismissed talk of her party moving against her.
"I will be leading the Labor party to the next election," she told reporters in Canberra on Saturday.
"Every day from now until then I will be fighting for the Labor values, for the things I believe in, for jobs, for education, for opportunities, that is what you will see me doing."
The week was a new low for her government as its standing in the community continued to wither.
Recent polls have had the ALP's primary vote below 30 per cent for the first time.
And betting markets reflect the polls.
Betting agency Centrebet said on Saturday odds have lengthened to $2.10 from $2 for Ms Gillard to lead Labor at the next election, which is to be held by late 2013.
Centrebet said the odds for any other candidate as ALP leader had shortened to $1.68 from $1.75.
Treasurer Wayne Swan rejected the possibility of Labor switching leaders before the next election.
Federal Labor MPs ejected Kevin Rudd from the prime ministership in June 2010 and replaced him with Ms Gillard.
"Julia Gillard is tough as nails and she is going to lead the Labor party for a long period," Mr Swan said.
Yet former PM Kevin Rudd has been named as a possible contender for the Labor leadership, as have cabinet ministers Stephen Smith, Simon Crean, Greg Combet and Bill Shorten.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said the electorate should decide who became prime minister.
"The leadership of our country should be determined by the people at an election, not by the faceless men plotting behind the scenes," Mr Abbott said.
Ms Gillard said border protection was one of the three problems that needed fixing when she became prime minister.
The government would not move until it received advice from the solicitor-general regarding the court's decision, Ms Gillard said.
The court's judgment had put in doubt any future offshore processing of asylum seekers, including previous detention centres on Nauru and Manus Island.
"What we have got to do is get to the real meaning of the High Court case," Ms Gillard said.
She said Mr Abbott's call for Nauru to process refugee claims was "wishing away the facts".
"We need to get legal advice so we know what courses of action are available and open to the government that are sound legally.
"You can't just make that stuff up."
But opposition legal affairs spokesman George Brandis said Nauru Justice Minister Mathew Batsiua had indicated his government's desire for its centre to reopen again.
"The minister reaffirmed to me his government's willingness to renew its arrangements with Australia to reopen the processing centre in Nauru," Senator Brandis said.
Speculation about Ms Gillard's hold as prime minister has increased since the High Court this week ruled the government's proposed refugee swap deal with Malaysia was unlawful.
Ms Gillard dismissed talk of her party moving against her.
"I will be leading the Labor party to the next election," she told reporters in Canberra on Saturday.
"Every day from now until then I will be fighting for the Labor values, for the things I believe in, for jobs, for education, for opportunities, that is what you will see me doing."
The week was a new low for her government as its standing in the community continued to wither.
Recent polls have had the ALP's primary vote below 30 per cent for the first time.
And betting markets reflect the polls.
Betting agency Centrebet said on Saturday odds have lengthened to $2.10 from $2 for Ms Gillard to lead Labor at the next election, which is to be held by late 2013.
Centrebet said the odds for any other candidate as ALP leader had shortened to $1.68 from $1.75.
Treasurer Wayne Swan rejected the possibility of Labor switching leaders before the next election.
Federal Labor MPs ejected Kevin Rudd from the prime ministership in June 2010 and replaced him with Ms Gillard.
"Julia Gillard is tough as nails and she is going to lead the Labor party for a long period," Mr Swan said.
Yet former PM Kevin Rudd has been named as a possible contender for the Labor leadership, as have cabinet ministers Stephen Smith, Simon Crean, Greg Combet and Bill Shorten.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said the electorate should decide who became prime minister.
"The leadership of our country should be determined by the people at an election, not by the faceless men plotting behind the scenes," Mr Abbott said.
Ms Gillard said border protection was one of the three problems that needed fixing when she became prime minister.
The government would not move until it received advice from the solicitor-general regarding the court's decision, Ms Gillard said.
The court's judgment had put in doubt any future offshore processing of asylum seekers, including previous detention centres on Nauru and Manus Island.
"What we have got to do is get to the real meaning of the High Court case," Ms Gillard said.
She said Mr Abbott's call for Nauru to process refugee claims was "wishing away the facts".
"We need to get legal advice so we know what courses of action are available and open to the government that are sound legally.
"You can't just make that stuff up."
But opposition legal affairs spokesman George Brandis said Nauru Justice Minister Mathew Batsiua had indicated his government's desire for its centre to reopen again.
"The minister reaffirmed to me his government's willingness to renew its arrangements with Australia to reopen the processing centre in Nauru," Senator Brandis said.
