FED:Rudd entitled to opinion, says Shorten

AAP General News (Australia)
04-05-2011
FED:Rudd entitled to opinion, says Shorten

By Andrea Hayward

CANBERRA, April 5 AAP - Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd is entitled to his opinion on factional
thuggery in the Labor party but Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten denies intimidation is
a problem in the ranks.

Mr Rudd caused a stir on Monday when he told a television audience about the division
in Labor's Cabinet caucus over his emissions trading scheme (ETS) plans, saying he was
urged by some to abandon it but would not say who.

The former prime minister went on to say his party was fundamentally failing because
factional leaders intimidate many in the party, preventing it from being politically effective.

"When the Labor Party is at its best, it's putting the nation first and the party last,"

Mr Rudd told ABC Television on Monday.

"The Labor Party at its best is putting its members first, as opposed to factional
thugsters first."

Mr Shorten, a member of the ALP's powerful Victorian right faction, who helped back
Julia Gillard into the prime ministership last year, did not answer a direct question
on Tuesday as to whether he thought Mr Rudd was referring to him.

He said all political parties had factions, pointing to a recent difference of opinion
between Australian Greens leader Bob Brown and that party's Senator-elect Lee Rhiannon
on Israeli boycotts.

"I think that the Labor Party has functioned pretty well for 120-plus years," he said.

"I think that people can say their mind. I do believe that the Labor party can always
do things better."

Mr Rudd had done nothing wrong by revealing cabinet divisions over the ETS.

"I think he's entitled to his opinion. He's stated it," Mr Shorten said.

"I welcome his contribution."

The former prime minister was doing a very good job as foreign minister, Mr Shorten added.

AAP ah/cdh

KEYWORD: CLIMATE SHORTEN

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