Australian Labor Party leadership election, 2006
Encyclopedia
A leadership election of the Australian Labor Party
(ALP) was held on 4 December 2006. The Leader of the Australian Labor Party, Kim Beazley
, was challenged by the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd
, for the leadership of the party in the Australian House of Representatives
. The position of Deputy Leader, held prior to the ballot by Jenny Macklin
, was challenged by Julia Gillard
. Rudd prevailed and won the ballot.
, who had led Labor during the 2004 election. Beazley had previously led the opposition between the 1996 and 2001 elections.
From June-July 2005 onwards, Beazley's opinion poll ratings as reported by Newspoll and AC Nielsen fell to a level between 30-35% and never recovered. By November 2006, media sources claimed that the polling demonstrated that Beazley did not have the "ability to cut through", and The Australian
s editorial complained on 22 November that "after 10 years and 10 months of Kim Beazley, it is still virtually impossible to say what he stands for". In addition, a series of embarrassing media gaffes, including referring to TV presenter Rove McManus
as Karl Rove
when extending condolences to McManus over his wife's death, raised questions about his ability and capacity to lead.
However, at the same time, Labor itself was doing reasonably well, consistently recording at or about 50% and sometimes higher in two-party preferred terms on account of public opposition to a series of interest rate rises, the AWB scandal
, WorkChoices
and other policies and decisions of the Howard Government
. However, the primary vote polling had remained below 40% and it was believed Labor could not win the expected 2007 election on present numbers.
For months, the Right faction (especially in New South Wales and Victoria) had been canvassing options to replace the Beazley-Macklin team with Kevin Rudd
, loosely aligned with the Right, and Julia Gillard
, a moderate left-winger. Labor insiders indicated that Rudd and Gillard had not actively undermined Beazley but had been drafted towards the end. Rudd's public profile had increased considerably during 2006, with his persistent and effective attacks on the government and in particular Foreign Minister Alexander Downer
with relation to the AWB scandal. In addition, he had appeared on the Sunrise
program weekly for seven years alongside Liberal frontbencher Joe Hockey
, and in October 2006 had written an essay, "Faith in Politics", in national magazine The Monthly
, seeking to prove that the conservative parties did not have a monopoly on the religious vote. According to media reports, the New South Wales Right faction promised its support to Rudd for the leadership so long as he challenged Beazley before Christmas. A Newspoll conducted on 24-26 November concluded that both Rudd and Gillard were more popular as potential Labor leaders than was Beazley; the Age-AC Nielsen poll conducted on 30 November to 2 December came to the same conclusion.
On 30 November 2006, Rudd met with Beazley and announced his intention to challenge for the leadership. On 1 December, Beazley announced not only a leadership election but also that all frontbench positions within the Parliamentary Labor Party would be vacated. Both sides claimed that they were in a winning position, with Rudd claiming his team had a "bucketload of energy", while Beazley claimed that he had more experience.
withdrew from the contest for deputy leader, which allowed Gillard to be elected unopposed.
with a quadruple bypass. So the time has come for me to move on but when that gets properly formalised I will let you know." It was also revealed that his brother David had died of a severe heart attack at age 53, shortly before the vote took place.
Rudd and Gillard travelled around Australia on a "get-to-know-you" tour, and Rudd brought together a revamped frontbench. Labor went on to win the federal election held on 24 November 2007, ending 11½ years of Coalition
government.
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
(ALP) was held on 4 December 2006. The Leader of the Australian Labor Party, Kim Beazley
Kim Beazley
In the October 1998 election, Labor polled a majority of the two-party vote and received the largest swing to a first-term opposition since 1934. However, due to the uneven nature of the swing, Labor came up eight seats short of making Beazley Prime Minister....
, was challenged by the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd
Kevin Rudd
Kevin Michael Rudd is an Australian politician who was the 26th Prime Minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010. He has been Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2010...
, for the leadership of the party in the Australian House of Representatives
Australian House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the Parliament of Australia; it is the lower house; the upper house is the Senate. Members of Parliament serve for terms of approximately three years....
. The position of Deputy Leader, held prior to the ballot by Jenny Macklin
Jenny Macklin
Jennifer Louise Macklin , is an Australian politician. She is Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs in the Gillard Ministry...
, was challenged by Julia Gillard
Julia Gillard
Julia Eileen Gillard is the 27th and current Prime Minister of Australia, in office since June 2010.Gillard was born in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales and migrated with her family to Adelaide, Australia in 1966, attending Mitcham Demonstration School and Unley High School. In 1982 Gillard moved...
. Rudd prevailed and won the ballot.
Background
Kim Beazley became the leader of the Labor Party and opposition leader at a leadership election on 28 January 2005 held to replace Mark LathamMark Latham
Mark William Latham , an author and former Australian politician, was leader of the Federal Parliamentary Australian Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition from December 2003 to January 2005....
, who had led Labor during the 2004 election. Beazley had previously led the opposition between the 1996 and 2001 elections.
From June-July 2005 onwards, Beazley's opinion poll ratings as reported by Newspoll and AC Nielsen fell to a level between 30-35% and never recovered. By November 2006, media sources claimed that the polling demonstrated that Beazley did not have the "ability to cut through", and The Australian
The Australian
The Australian is a broadsheet newspaper published in Australia from Monday to Saturday each week since 14 July 1964. The editor in chief is Chris Mitchell, the editor is Clive Mathieson and the 'editor-at-large' is Paul Kelly....
s editorial complained on 22 November that "after 10 years and 10 months of Kim Beazley, it is still virtually impossible to say what he stands for". In addition, a series of embarrassing media gaffes, including referring to TV presenter Rove McManus
Rove McManus
John Henry Michael "Rove" McManus is an Australian comedian, television presenter, producer and media personality. He was the host of the self-titled variety show Rove, and is the owner of the production company Roving Enterprises...
as Karl Rove
Karl Rove
Karl Christian Rove was Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff to former President George W. Bush until Rove's resignation on August 31, 2007. He has headed the Office of Political Affairs, the Office of Public Liaison, and the White House Office of Strategic Initiatives...
when extending condolences to McManus over his wife's death, raised questions about his ability and capacity to lead.
However, at the same time, Labor itself was doing reasonably well, consistently recording at or about 50% and sometimes higher in two-party preferred terms on account of public opposition to a series of interest rate rises, the AWB scandal
AWB Oil-for-Wheat Scandal
The AWB Oil-for-Wheat Scandal refers to the payment of kickbacks to the regime of Saddam Hussein in contravention of the United Nations Oil-for-Food Humanitarian Program. AWB Limited is a major grain marketing organisation based in Australia...
, WorkChoices
WorkChoices
The Workplace Relations Act 1996, as amended by the Workplace Relations Amendment Act 2005, popularly known as Work Choices, was a Legislative Act of the Australian Parliament that came into effect in March 2006 which involved many controversial amendments to the Workplace Relations Act 1996, the...
and other policies and decisions of the Howard Government
Howard Government
The Howard Government refers to the federal Executive Government of Australia led by Prime Minister John Howard. It was made up of members of the Liberal–National Coalition, which won a majority of seats in the Australian House of Representatives at four successive elections. The Howard Government...
. However, the primary vote polling had remained below 40% and it was believed Labor could not win the expected 2007 election on present numbers.
For months, the Right faction (especially in New South Wales and Victoria) had been canvassing options to replace the Beazley-Macklin team with Kevin Rudd
Kevin Rudd
Kevin Michael Rudd is an Australian politician who was the 26th Prime Minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010. He has been Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2010...
, loosely aligned with the Right, and Julia Gillard
Julia Gillard
Julia Eileen Gillard is the 27th and current Prime Minister of Australia, in office since June 2010.Gillard was born in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales and migrated with her family to Adelaide, Australia in 1966, attending Mitcham Demonstration School and Unley High School. In 1982 Gillard moved...
, a moderate left-winger. Labor insiders indicated that Rudd and Gillard had not actively undermined Beazley but had been drafted towards the end. Rudd's public profile had increased considerably during 2006, with his persistent and effective attacks on the government and in particular Foreign Minister Alexander Downer
Alexander Downer
Alexander John Gosse Downer is a former Australian Liberal Party politician who was Foreign Minister of Australia from March 1996 to December 2007, the longest-serving in Australian history...
with relation to the AWB scandal. In addition, he had appeared on the Sunrise
Sunrise (TV program)
Sunrise is an Australian breakfast television program, broadcast on the Seven Network. On weekdays the programme follows Seven Early News, and runs from 6am through to 9am.-History:...
program weekly for seven years alongside Liberal frontbencher Joe Hockey
Joe Hockey
Joseph Benedict "Joe" Hockey , is an Australian politician and member of the Australian House of Representatives, representing the Division of North Sydney for the Liberal Party of Australia since 1996....
, and in October 2006 had written an essay, "Faith in Politics", in national magazine The Monthly
The Monthly
The Monthly is an Australian national magazine of politics, society and the arts, which is published eleven times per year on a monthly basis except the December/January issue. Founded in 2005, it is published by Melbourne property developer Morry Schwartz...
, seeking to prove that the conservative parties did not have a monopoly on the religious vote. According to media reports, the New South Wales Right faction promised its support to Rudd for the leadership so long as he challenged Beazley before Christmas. A Newspoll conducted on 24-26 November concluded that both Rudd and Gillard were more popular as potential Labor leaders than was Beazley; the Age-AC Nielsen poll conducted on 30 November to 2 December came to the same conclusion.
On 30 November 2006, Rudd met with Beazley and announced his intention to challenge for the leadership. On 1 December, Beazley announced not only a leadership election but also that all frontbench positions within the Parliamentary Labor Party would be vacated. Both sides claimed that they were in a winning position, with Rudd claiming his team had a "bucketload of energy", while Beazley claimed that he had more experience.
Results
A ballot was held on Monday 4 December and Kevin Rudd was declared the winner, by a margin of 49 votes to 39. After the leadership results were announced, Jenny MacklinJenny Macklin
Jennifer Louise Macklin , is an Australian politician. She is Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs in the Gillard Ministry...
withdrew from the contest for deputy leader, which allowed Gillard to be elected unopposed.
| Candidate | Votes | |
|---|---|---|
| Kevin Rudd Kevin Rudd Kevin Michael Rudd is an Australian politician who was the 26th Prime Minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010. He has been Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2010... |
49 | |
| Kim Beazley Kim Beazley In the October 1998 election, Labor polled a majority of the two-party vote and received the largest swing to a first-term opposition since 1934. However, due to the uneven nature of the swing, Labor came up eight seats short of making Beazley Prime Minister.... |
39 | |
Aftermath
Following the ballot, Beazley said of his political future, "For me to do anything further in the Australian Labor Party I would say is LazarusLazarus of Bethany
Lazarus of Bethany, also known as Saint Lazarus or Lazarus of the Four Days, is the subject of a prominent miracle attributed to Jesus in the Gospel of John, in which Jesus restores him to life four days after his death...
with a quadruple bypass. So the time has come for me to move on but when that gets properly formalised I will let you know." It was also revealed that his brother David had died of a severe heart attack at age 53, shortly before the vote took place.
Rudd and Gillard travelled around Australia on a "get-to-know-you" tour, and Rudd brought together a revamped frontbench. Labor went on to win the federal election held on 24 November 2007, ending 11½ years of Coalition
Coalition (Australia)
The Coalition in Australian politics refers to a group of centre-right parties that has existed in the form of a coalition agreement since 1922...
government.