AWU won't stop Labor leader spill

10 hours ago4
Politics
Election
National Affairs


Amid speculation that internal resistance is waning to a return of Kevin Rudd as Labor Party leader ahead of September's federal election, Prime Minister Julia Gillard cannot count on the influential Australian Workers Union (AWU) to rally Labor MPs to her side, according to The Australian.


Internal polling shows Labor is on-track for an electoral wipeout in September, stoking talk of a last-ditch leadership change in a desperate effort to reverse the party's fortunes.


Ms Gillard's stance within the party has been weakened by word that the AWU national leadership will not stand in the way of a leadership change to Mr Rudd if Labor MPs support such a move.

“The AWU continues to support Julia Gillard and we believe it is in the best interests of the movement to remain united behind the Prime Minister,” AWU national secretary Paul Howes told The Australian.


However, Mr Howes said the union would not direct Labor MPs to back Ms Gillard.


“We don't tell MPs how to vote,” Mr Howes told the newspaper.


“We don't do that. But we do say what our position is. How MPs vote in a leadership ballot is up to them.”


Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten, who has strong AWU ties, is reportedly facing pressure to step in and resolve the Labor leadership uncertainty, one way or another.

Mr Rudd recently said he stood by his previous comment that under "no circumstance" would he return to the leadership.

A "not stand in the way" is as good as a nod & a wink.

All over red rover.

Welcome back PM Rudd . . .for the shortest period since Jack McEwen

Are these rats getting on the boats to Indonesia after the illegals have jumped off on Christmas Island?

They'll never make it,  that socialist mob are far too smacking flabby......

The AWU supports Abbotts plans of chasing General Motors out of this country and I say good on them..who needs blue collar jobs

so we are continually told we vote for a party not a leader?

So what policies will Rudd change if he again becomes PM.

No policy changes means nothing will change??