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Labor caucus backs Kevin Rudd's leadership reforms Labor caucus backs Kevin Rudd's leadership reforms
(2 months later)
Labor's federal caucus has endorsed sweeping changes proposed by Kevin Rudd that make it harder to remove a party leader and give grassroots members a say in leadership ballots.Labor's federal caucus has endorsed sweeping changes proposed by Kevin Rudd that make it harder to remove a party leader and give grassroots members a say in leadership ballots.
Despite vigorous debate and disquiet from senior players and some backbenchers, the prime minister emerged with agreement that a caucus super-majority of 75% be required to trigger a future leadership spill when the party is in government. The majority required when the party is in opposition will be 60% – a small Rudd concession to the objectors.Despite vigorous debate and disquiet from senior players and some backbenchers, the prime minister emerged with agreement that a caucus super-majority of 75% be required to trigger a future leadership spill when the party is in government. The majority required when the party is in opposition will be 60% – a small Rudd concession to the objectors.
The caucus also endorsed a plan to allow future parliamentary leaders to be elected both by MPs and the party's 40,000 rank and file members.The caucus also endorsed a plan to allow future parliamentary leaders to be elected both by MPs and the party's 40,000 rank and file members.
Former cabinet ministers Stephen Conroy and Greg Combet, and the defence minister, Stephen Smith, expressed serious objections to the requirement for a new caucus super-majority for the removal of a federal leader.Former cabinet ministers Stephen Conroy and Greg Combet, and the defence minister, Stephen Smith, expressed serious objections to the requirement for a new caucus super-majority for the removal of a federal leader.
The dissenting argument was that Labor should be able to remove a leader via a simple caucus majority. Combet supported democratisation, but opposed the 75% super-majority and also argued that trade union members should have direct involvement in the selection of leaders if Labor wanted to enhance participation by the grassroots.The dissenting argument was that Labor should be able to remove a leader via a simple caucus majority. Combet supported democratisation, but opposed the 75% super-majority and also argued that trade union members should have direct involvement in the selection of leaders if Labor wanted to enhance participation by the grassroots.
The agreement by caucus will need to go to Labor's national conference for approval. Key unions are already signalling that they want direct involvement in the selection of the leader if the vote is to be opened to ALP members. Under the Rudd model, party members have an equal say with the caucus in selecting the federal leader.The agreement by caucus will need to go to Labor's national conference for approval. Key unions are already signalling that they want direct involvement in the selection of the leader if the vote is to be opened to ALP members. Under the Rudd model, party members have an equal say with the caucus in selecting the federal leader.
But the prime minister played down the potential for Labor's national conference to undo Monday's historic caucus decisions. "The caucus has spoken. This is the model we will take into the future," Rudd told reporters after the meeting. "This is an important set of reforms for our party. This is a good story for us to sell across the country."But the prime minister played down the potential for Labor's national conference to undo Monday's historic caucus decisions. "The caucus has spoken. This is the model we will take into the future," Rudd told reporters after the meeting. "This is an important set of reforms for our party. This is a good story for us to sell across the country."
Several MPs and senators, including the House of Representatives Speaker, Anna Burke, senators Doug Cameron and Lisa Singh, and MPs Stephen Jones and Laura Smyth, raised questions about Rudd's radical new policy on boat arrivals during the special caucus meeting.Several MPs and senators, including the House of Representatives Speaker, Anna Burke, senators Doug Cameron and Lisa Singh, and MPs Stephen Jones and Laura Smyth, raised questions about Rudd's radical new policy on boat arrivals during the special caucus meeting.
The contributions were more questions than outright objections, and the policy to send all unauthorised boat arrivals to Papua New Guinea for processing and resettlement was endorsed.The contributions were more questions than outright objections, and the policy to send all unauthorised boat arrivals to Papua New Guinea for processing and resettlement was endorsed.
Rudd conceded that some Labor MPs were concerned about the harsh deterrence measures. "Obviously there are caucus members who are concerned about this and they expressed their concerns directly," the prime minister said.Rudd conceded that some Labor MPs were concerned about the harsh deterrence measures. "Obviously there are caucus members who are concerned about this and they expressed their concerns directly," the prime minister said.
But he defended the shift. "It's the right response, and the right ethical response to drownings at sea," he said.But he defended the shift. "It's the right response, and the right ethical response to drownings at sea," he said.
MPs were also briefed by the ALP national secretary, George Wright, on preparedness for the election.MPs were also briefed by the ALP national secretary, George Wright, on preparedness for the election.
There is strong speculation that Rudd will call an election this weekend for August 31. The prime minister remained coy on election timing when asked by reporters after the caucus meeting.There is strong speculation that Rudd will call an election this weekend for August 31. The prime minister remained coy on election timing when asked by reporters after the caucus meeting.
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