Fed: Rudd prepares for frontbench reshuffle

AAP General News (Australia)
12-06-2006
Fed: Rudd prepares for frontbench reshuffle

CANBERRA, Dec 6 AAP - As new Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd prepares for his reshuffle,
frontbencher Anthony Albanese said the top priority for Labor was to take the word shadow
from the ministry and win government.

Mr Albanese said he would have a discussion with Mr Rudd about keeping the environment portfolio.

"Certainly my priority and the priority for the other 32 people who will be on Labor's
front bench is one thing - that is removing the world shadow from front of our title.

That's got to be the priority. We have got to get the best team in the best positions,"

he told reporters.

NSW Labor MP Julia Irwin said Mr Rudd and deputy Julia Gillard were doing an excellent job.

"The caucus as a whole are solidly behind the two of them," she said.

"On Monday we had 88 men and women in that caucus. They have voted for the leadership
team. We are now solidly behind that leadership team and the caucus has a right to decide
who they want for that frontbench. Take factions out of it."

Current Labor frontbencher Kelvin Thomson said he had no personal knowledge about the
new Labor front bench to be announced tomorrow.

"That is a matter for the leader Kevin Rudd. I am sure he will be keen to maintain
a balance of experience in various portfolio areas but look at how we can best match the
government and put forward Labor's positive alternative," he said.

"Unity of the party is important. I have no doubt it is important. I have got no doubt
Kevin Rudd will be having regard to that when he makes these sorts of decisions."

AAP mb/drp/bwl

KEYWORD: LABOR MPS

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