Former Labor leader Kim Beazley told US Labor is doomed


AUSTRALIA'S Ambassador to the US Kim Beazley has told American political figures Labor could be left with just 30 seats after the next federal election.

The former Labor leader is reported to have delivered a "deeply pessimistic" view of the Gillard government's "challenges" during a series of high-powered meetings two weeks ago in Washington.

But Mr Beazley is also said to have said it no longer mattered who was leading Labor and another leadership change was unlikely to make a difference.

It is believed the briefing was attended by senior US political figures from the Democrat and Republican camps, State and Defence Department officials as well as leaders of industry and media from both countries.

Sources confirmed two Gillard government MPs were also present during the briefing - one of the many held as part of the annual four-day Australian American Leadership dialogue from July 12 to 14.

Sources inside the session revealed that Mr Beazley told the group of around 50 that, while there was still 15 months to run to an election and anything could happen, it was possible Labor could end up with only 30 seats in the 150-seat parliament.

"He was certainly being very pessimistic about Labor's chances," one official present at the meeting said.

"And he didn't seem fazed by saying it."

On the question of leadership speculation, which State Department sources have said leaves many in the US political scene "flummoxed", Mr Beazley told his audience that a leadership change may not make any difference.

"He was suggesting it was that bad, that it didn't matter anymore who was leading the party," the source said.

A tradition of secrecy normally cloaks the annual forum. But sources on the inside of the meeting who spoke with The Daily Telegraph defended Mr Beazley, claiming he did not stray outside the remit of his role as ambassador and had not made any inappropriate comments.

Mr Beazley last night would not comment on the meetings, which are by invitation only and bind those attending to strict rules of confidentiality.

"As an ambassador, I don't comment on Australian politics,'' Mr Beazley said.

"What is said at the dialogue stays at the dialogue.''

Two senior Labor MPs, including Home AffairsntsGBorder Protectionnte Minister Jason Clare and Victorian Senator David Feeney, as well as opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Julie Bishop are believed to have been present at the meeting.

Neither Mr Feeney nor Ms Bishop would comment on the meeting and Mr Clare could not be contacted.
Mr Rudd, minister Bill Shorten and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, while all attending the July 12-14 forum, were not present at that briefing.

The forum, which was established almost 20 years ago, allows political and industry leaders from both countries to meet privately to exchange views about the respective political and economic situations in their countries.

Another source said claiming Mr Beazley had written the Gillard government off was a "gross oversimplification'' of what was discussed at the meeting and that Mr Beazley was simply giving an overview.

http://www.news.com.au/national/former-labor-leader-kim-beazley-told-us-labor-is...

extraordinary thing for an Ambassador to say...at any time I would think.

Really, Mr Beazley is being rather optimistic because if Labor don't change their "leader" in the next 2 months they will be lucky to keep 10 seats.

The Communist Greens are hoping Miss Gillard drags Labor so far down into the mud that they will pick up lots of disillusioned former Labor voters and they hope to become the 2nd major party in Australia.

The Coalition is in clover all the way with the winning trio of Miss Gillard, Mr Thomson, and Mr Slipper epitomizing the utter incompetence and stupidity of the Labor morons to guarantee the Coalition a resounding victory. The Communist Greens "CO₂" Socialist TAX will cause a 15% increase in the cost of living by Xmas 2012 and a 20% increase in the cost of living by the next election which will guarantee that the Coalition's huge election victory will be a medal winning performance followed by a slashing Double Dissolution to rid Australia of the evil Communist Greens who, following the departure of Bumble Bob, now resemble bright red tomatoes rather than green on the outside and bright red on the inside watermelons.

The Sussex Street Union Power Brokers want to replace Miss Gillard but Miss Gillard is living out a childhood FABIAN fantasy and is waddling blissfully unaware from chaos to catastrophe while Labor burns all around. It is probably no coincidence that the Bruce Wilson, Slayter & Gordon events are being dragged up and refreshed in great detail including the discovery of the missing Bruce Wilson which could be part of the Sussex Street plan to build up a case against Miss Gillard to force a step down.

Miss Gillard's going should save the ALP from extinction and should keep the Communist Greens in political oblivion but the Coalition will still win the election.

progressiveslol wrote on Jul 31^st, 2012 at 12:31pm:


Agreed.

progressiveslol wrote on Jul 31^st, 2012 at 12:44pm:


I wouldn't need to if you would just grow enough 'nads to say it yourself

GISTY, behave yourself - you are being very naughty !!!!