Kevin Rudd - Difficult day for Mark, wish him well (health and future), important time for the party, will consult with colleagues, aid package discussions, today it's important that we send good wishes to mark latham, as for myself I will be consulting with those in the party in the days ahead to determine my course of action. Edit: Official duties in Indonesia, and will say more on the matter once he returns.
Beazley - deeply saddened, latham hasn't had a proper chance to lead, it's a shame, worked 'well' with Latham, mark did as well as anyone could, but that past, now to future, beazley didn;t forsee this, he has been encouraged by their support, deep desire for unity, stability and esxperience, beazley bring this with energy and committment, not a personal desire for power, rather with ambition to lead the party and australia, learnt alot on the back bench, his ideas have;t changed, but his appraoch has, government has to be kept to account, labor party now more vital than ever before, more than ever after july 1 australian people need effective opposition and alternative government, need strategy for next election (not two term), need for experience in leadership and proven support, his deepest convction that labor can provide this, government handled tsunami situation well, we are all united as Australians, more than one act of statesmenship, strong economy and equality of opportunity for all australians, national security and health, education and environmental security all together (privacy?), Coalition and Labor differs are profound, despite last few months, extremely optimistic for the future and to rebuilt to become the dominate force in politics. His health is good, prime of personal and political life, year younger than howard when he took power. Need for stability, and every caucus member free to stand, that is what he is doing. Third time, he can offer more than before given what he has learned following his 24 years in parliament. Need for balance so that all within the party can contribute and that all interested may feel that they will be listened to. Matter for kevin whether he stands, yet a need for stability (ie, let me stand unopposed). Australians want a labor government, inspirational. He considered his options more so over the past week given that he didn't know what was actually happening. Need for an eastern states base of support for myself, must win the next election, healthy for both the party and the people as conservatism must be met with a successful alternative. Experience, no substitute as australians want experience and conviction and i can offer both after time in opposition and in government, why he is running again after failing. Leader of the house, leader of the oppositon (12 to 13 years of experience). House of reps the battleground given the senate. Enormous experience from both government and opposition. Mark latham as leader? we look forward, not back, latham a tragedy as he was cut down in the prime of his life, and he will not be critical of any elements of his leadership. he stands by his comments at the last election. Latham's legacy... Policy within the framework of average australian lives, we respond to obvious passion for this. he should be left in peace to lead his life away from parliament. he can unite all elements of the party, stop warring between the verious groups, one obligation to respect each other, learn from each other, and to ensure that the talents of all are used to hold the government accountable and to be reelected at the next election.
Beazley seems to have been wating for this going by his experience comments. Edit: He is taking a number of swipes at Latham...
edit: Poor notes from the ABC NewsRadio broadcast.
