Thursday, November 30, 2006
KEVIN MAKES HIS MOVE
Kim Beazley and Kevin Rudd duke it out for ALP leadership:
Walking into a meeting of the national executive in Canberra today, Mr Beazley announced Mr Rudd, foreign affairs spokesman, had approached him earlier to ask Mr Beazley to hold a leadership ballot.
“Kevin Rudd approached me this morning and said that he indicated that he wanted a ballot in regard to my position” Mr Beazley said.
Mr Beazley will call for a spill of all party leadership positions at a special caucus meeting on Monday.
“I will contest it (the ballot),” Mr Beazley said.
“I have the experience to be the alternative prime minister of this nation and therefore to be the prime minister of this nation.
“I have done the hard yards in politics.”
Kevin Rudd has not yet made a public statement.
For such small mercies we are deeply grateful. More on this colossal war of the supertitans from Malcolm Farr.
UPDATE. A letter in today’s SMH: “Kim Beazley will really miss the yellow Mr Squiggle.”
UPDATE II. Beazley told to quit politics if he loses.
UPDATE III. Iemma supports Kim; Beattie likes li’l Kevin.
UPDATE IV. The dream team emerges from hiding.