Former Gillard government minister Robert McClelland says he was sacked from cabinet because of his support for Kevin Rudd's failed leadership bid.

Mr McClelland told reporters in Sydney he accepted that his support for Mr Rudd had led to him being sent to the back bench in a reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Friday.

"When we stand on a matter of principle there are often consequences and I was alway prepared to accept those consequences," he said.

Mr McClelland said Ms Gillard had told him on Friday morning that a major factor in her decision was her belief that he had gone further than others in his advocacy for Mr Rudd.

But he stood by his decision to publicly defend the former Labor leader, especially given the "unseemly tone of personal attacks" against Mr Rudd.

Mr McClelland, who was with his wife, daughters and son, said March 2 marked the 16th anniversary of his election to the NSW seat of Barton in Sydney's south.

"So it is elected on March 2, sacked 16 years later on the same day," he said.

His said his discussion with Ms Gillard was "very brief" and had started packing up his office on Monday.

The former attorney-general and housing minister said he did not regard Friday's news as the end of his political or ministerial career.

He said he intended to continue to serve as the member for Barton.

Mr McClelland said he accepted that the new ministers were "people of merit".

He said Ms Gillard had received a "resounding vote of confidence" in Monday's caucus ballot and he believed Mr Rudd when the former leader said he would not again challenge the prime minister.

"I think the strong vote of the caucus indicated the caucus is behind the prime minister and we will all be working hard to do what we can for the election of a Labor government and that government is led by Julia Gillard," he said.

Asked if he felt he had been unfairly singled out by the Prime Minister, Mr McClelland said "I had every expectation that this could be the outcome".

"Indeed, as of Monday I started packing my office," he said.

"I have no bitterness about that. I went into my support for Kevin Rudd ... as a matter of principle, knowing full well that this could be the consequences."

He said Ms Gillard had wanted a team that could focus on "the retail side of politics".

"I think it's fair to say that I have never been one who has necessarily welcomed a dispatch box such as this," he said.

Despite his axing, the southern Sydney MP said he never considered quitting politics altogether.

"You will see more of Robert McClelland," Mr McClelland said.

"I can assure you that I do not regard this as the end of my political career, nor my ministerial career."

And the retribution continues...

A free caucus leadership vote ... with ramifications.

Oh dear...you do spend a lot of time worrying about other peoples job security.
There was always going to be a reshuffle after the vote...to expect anything less would be a tad dense

To be fair longie

Gillard has 71 favors she needs to repay and there's only so much she can do with her legs in the air  :D

btw the way - it means she sits vack and kick her heels up  ;)

adelcrow wrote on Mar 2^nd, 2012 at 4:48pm:

Oh dear...you do spend a lot of time worrying about other peoples job security. There was always going to be a reshuffle after the vote...to expect anything less would be a tad dense

so portfolios are to be given to your supporters and denied your opponents? great way to heal division in the labor party.

bring it on!!!

Juliar is perhaps the worst manager of a caucus in living memory.

longweekend58 wrote on Mar 2^nd, 2012 at 5:18pm:

adelcrow wrote on Mar 2nd, 2012 at 4:48pm: Oh dear...you do spend a lot of time worrying about other peoples job security. There was always going to be a reshuffle after the vote...to expect anything less would be a tad dense so portfolios are to be given to your supporters and denied your opponents? great way to heal division in the labor party. bring it on!!! Juliar is perhaps the worst manager of a caucus in living memory.

You do like living up to your name don't you wrongy?

Look at the list. I think you'll find the only one of the Rudd supporters to be given a serious shunt was McClelland who was moved to the backbench. And that's been on the cards since forever. Otherwise, all the Rudd supporters are still there, even Kim Carr who the media were widely trumpeting was also going to be relegated to the bench.

Gist wrote on Mar 2^nd, 2012 at 5:27pm:

longweekend58 wrote on Mar 2nd, 2012 at 5:18pm: adelcrow wrote on Mar 2nd, 2012 at 4:48pm: Oh dear...you do spend a lot of time worrying about other peoples job security. There was always going to be a reshuffle after the vote...to expect anything less would be a tad dense so portfolios are to be given to your supporters and denied your opponents? great way to heal division in the labor party. bring it on!!! Juliar is perhaps the worst manager of a caucus in living memory. You do like living up to your name don't you wrongy? Look at the list. I think you'll find the only one of the Rudd supporters to be given a serious shunt was McClelland who was moved to the backbench. And that's been on the cards since forever. Otherwise, all the Rudd supporters are still there, even Kim Carr who the media were widely trumpeting was also going to be relegated to the bench.

I havent seen a bloodbath yet, just one or two changes..I think you're imagining it Longy

Big deal....Julia Gillard needs a ministry that supports her and her leadership.....I fail to see what point you are trying to make!!!

::) ::) ::)

philperth2010 wrote on Mar 2^nd, 2012 at 5:34pm:

Big deal....Julia Gillard needs a ministry that supports her and her leadership.....I fail to see what point you are trying to make!!! ::) ::) ::)

It doesnt suit the coalition to have a stable and united Labor Party, they want the in fighting to continue come hell or high water.

Gist wrote on Mar 2^nd, 2012 at 5:27pm:

longweekend58 wrote on Mar 2nd, 2012 at 5:18pm: adelcrow wrote on Mar 2nd, 2012 at 4:48pm: Oh dear...you do spend a lot of time worrying about other peoples job security. There was always going to be a reshuffle after the vote...to expect anything less would be a tad dense so portfolios are to be given to your supporters and denied your opponents? great way to heal division in the labor party. bring it on!!! Juliar is perhaps the worst manager of a caucus in living memory. You do like living up to your name don't you wrongy? Look at the list. I think you'll find the only one of the Rudd supporters to be given a serious shunt was McClelland who was moved to the backbench. And that's been on the cards since forever. Otherwise, all the Rudd supporters are still there, even Kim Carr who the media were widely trumpeting was also going to be relegated to the bench.

kim carr was demoted. Stephen smith was denied the portfolio he was flicked form in the first place to make way for Rudd.

even McClelland says that Gillard told him he was being flicked for supporting rudd.

adelcrow wrote on Mar 2^nd, 2012 at 5:33pm:

Gist wrote on Mar 2nd, 2012 at 5:27pm: longweekend58 wrote on Mar 2nd, 2012 at 5:18pm: adelcrow wrote on Mar 2nd, 2012 at 4:48pm: Oh dear...you do spend a lot of time worrying about other peoples job security. There was always going to be a reshuffle after the vote...to expect anything less would be a tad dense so portfolios are to be given to your supporters and denied your opponents? great way to heal division in the labor party. bring it on!!! Juliar is perhaps the worst manager of a caucus in living memory. You do like living up to your name don't you wrongy? Look at the list. I think you'll find the only one of the Rudd supporters to be given a serious shunt was McClelland who was moved to the backbench. And that's been on the cards since forever. Otherwise, all the Rudd supporters are still there, even Kim Carr who the media were widely trumpeting was also going to be relegated to the bench. I havent seen a bloodbath yet, just one or two changes..I think you're imagining it Longy

just another day on planet Gillard where anyone who defies her is punished. and of course the public is responding by giving her an approval rating lower than a snakes belly.

ENJOY!

Quote:

just another day on planet Gillard where anyone who defies her is punished. and of course the public is responding by giving her an approval rating lower than a snakes belly. ENJOY!

by Longweekend


Well she isnt called JULIAR for nothing, especially to the electorate who has witnessed this kind of arrogant and oblivious to the sentiments of the mainstream feelin THE ELECTORATE SIMPLY WONT STAND FOR THIS AND THEY HAVENT, EVER SINCE JULIAR GILLIARD DECIDED IN JANUARY 2010 THAT SHE BREAK HER NO CARBON TAX PROMISE, TO SATISFY BOB BROWN AND THE GREENS AND HOPING AUSTRALIANS WILL GET OVER IT AND SUPPORT HER, JULIAR IS HAVING A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT THEY ARE NOT when will those silly devious lefties and supporters of the bolshevik run labor party, THAT THIS IS THE REALITY, ???  ;D ;D

longweekend58 wrote on Mar 2^nd, 2012 at 6:16pm:

Gist wrote on Mar 2nd, 2012 at 5:27pm: longweekend58 wrote on Mar 2nd, 2012 at 5:18pm: adelcrow wrote on Mar 2nd, 2012 at 4:48pm: Oh dear...you do spend a lot of time worrying about other peoples job security. There was always going to be a reshuffle after the vote...to expect anything less would be a tad dense so portfolios are to be given to your supporters and denied your opponents? great way to heal division in the labor party. bring it on!!! Juliar is perhaps the worst manager of a caucus in living memory. You do like living up to your name don't you wrongy? Look at the list. I think you'll find the only one of the Rudd supporters to be given a serious shunt was McClelland who was moved to the backbench. And that's been on the cards since forever. Otherwise, all the Rudd supporters are still there, even Kim Carr who the media were widely trumpeting was also going to be relegated to the bench. kim carr was demoted. Stephen smith was denied the portfolio he was flicked form in the first place to make way for Rudd. even McClelland says that Gillard told him he was being flicked for supporting rudd.

BAHAHHAH! Keep repeating it and wishing hard wrongy and eventually you'll wake up back in Kansas and find it was all a bad dream.

But you'll still be wrong.

And you'll still be a LOSER!  :D :D :D

stryder wrote on Mar 2^nd, 2012 at 6:29pm:

Well she isnt called JULIAR for nothing, especially to the electorate who has witnessed this kind of arrogant and oblivious to the sentiments of the mainstream feelin THE ELECTORATE SIMPLY WONT STAND FOR THIS AND THEY HAVENT, EVER SINCE JULIAR GILLIARD DECIDED IN JANUARY 2010 THAT SHE BREAK HER NO CARBON TAX PROMISE, TO SATISFY BOB BROWN AND THE GREENS AND HOPING AUSTRALIANS WILL GET OVER IT AND SUPPORT HER, JULIAR IS HAVING A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT THEY ARE NOT when will those silly devious lefties and supporters of the bolshevik run labor party, THAT THIS IS THE REALITY, ???  ;D ;D

Another LOSER!  ;D ;D

What a great day it's been. I've had huge fun! In fact I think I shall go have a beer and celebrate our new minister for Foreign Affairs.

Quote:

Another LOSER!    What a great day it's been. I've had huge fun! In fact I think I shall go have a beer and celebrate our new minister for Foreign Affairs.

by Gist


Go ahead, I just guess you cant get your brain to find a way to get around the facts,  ;D ;D

the Blob Carr issue... isnt that some sort of smack in the face for some ???????

he is without a doubt the most uncharismatic person I have ever seen...Foreign Minister ugh.

stryder wrote on Mar 2^nd, 2012 at 6:36pm:

Quote: Another LOSER!    What a great day it's been. I've had huge fun! In fact I think I shall go have a beer and celebrate our new minister for Foreign Affairs. by Gist Go ahead, I just guess you cant get your brain to find a way to get around the facts,  ;D ;D

hahahahaha.. blob carr oh dear..another one full of himself..I am sure he will be warmly welcomed..hahahahaha

Quote:

Another LOSER!    What a great day it's been. I've had huge fun! In fact I think I shall go have a beer and celebrate our new minister for Foreign Affairs.

By gist


This time JULIAR may have got herself a real DUCK,  ;D ;D



Sorry bob, but i think its funny, !

Gist wrote on Mar 2^nd, 2012 at 6:33pm:

stryder wrote on Mar 2nd, 2012 at 6:29pm: Well she isnt called JULIAR for nothing, especially to the electorate who has witnessed this kind of arrogant and oblivious to the sentiments of the mainstream feelin THE ELECTORATE SIMPLY WONT STAND FOR THIS AND THEY HAVENT, EVER SINCE JULIAR GILLIARD DECIDED IN JANUARY 2010 THAT SHE BREAK HER NO CARBON TAX PROMISE, TO SATISFY BOB BROWN AND THE GREENS AND HOPING AUSTRALIANS WILL GET OVER IT AND SUPPORT HER, JULIAR IS HAVING A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT THEY ARE NOT when will those silly devious lefties and supporters of the bolshevik run labor party, THAT THIS IS THE REALITY, ???  ;D ;D Another LOSER!  ;D ;D What a great day it's been. I've had huge fun! In fact I think I shall go have a beer and celebrate our new minister for Foreign Affairs.

see how much you enjoy it after the next election and his is SHADOW foregn affairs - assuming he even wins his senate seat.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/bob-carr-to-join-senate-replace-kevin-rudd-in-foreign-affairs/story-fn7x8me2-1226287824082

The big loser was Robert McClelland, who says the PM told him he had "gone further" than the other Rudd supporters when he said she could not win the next election.

He kept the Government, which holds power by one seat, in suspense for 11 minutes in a press conference before saying he would not quit and force a by-election.

Another Rudd supporter, Victorian Senator Kim Carr, lost the job as Manufacturing Minister and was shifted to Human Services.