The man who wanted to be PM, Bill Shorten, to announce retirement

Former Labor leader Bill Shorten will announce his retirement from politics at a press conference in Canberra with the prime minister on Thursday.

The pair are not political allies but enjoyed a successful working relationship in this term of government.

Shorten led the Labor Party between 2013-19 and served as the member for the Victorian seat of Maribyrnong since 2007. He previously led the Australian Workers’ Union, which formed Shorten’s power base in Labor’s Right faction.

Shorten’s exit has been a topic of consistent speculation since Labor won government in 2022 but he has always insisted his focus is on reforming the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which he has championed since he was a junior minister in 2009.

The soaring costs of the program have been a major challenge for the government but Shorten has shepherded reforms to reign it in through Parliament, having negotiated the support of the states and territories.

Soon after Labor was elected in May 2022, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese informally sounded Shorten out about taking on the role of High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, but the former party leader knocked back the job.

Shorten is a strong media performer who has been a tactically outspoken defender of the government’s position on issues such as gambling reform.

During his two first term as federal opposition leader, Shorten led the successful prosecution of Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey’s disastrous 2014 budget which eventually led the Coalition to tear down Abbott and replace him with Malcolm Turnbull.

After an initial honeymoon for Turnbull, Shorten then led a successful campaign against Turnbull which left the government with a one seat majority. In the second term of Shorten’s stint as opposition leader, Turnbull was dumped by the Coalition and replaced by Scott Morrison, who defied the polls to beat Labor in 2019.

Labor’s huge policy agenda heading into that election was blamed in some quarters for the AP falling just short and Morrison achieving his unlikely victory.

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/the-man-who-wanted-to-be-pm-bill-shor...


A nice cozy job-for-the-boys: taking up as Vice Chancellor at Canberra UNI.   

Leaving in Feb 2025!!!

Does that mean we have the extra expense of a By-election just prior to the next General election? 

He also (along with Bowen) tried to smash self-funded retirees to the tune of "up to" 30% of their annual income by trying to stop low income earners receiving their tax refunds on Franking Credits.

He lost the "unlosable election" in large part because of that awful policy.

Jobs for the boys:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13814837/Bill-Shorten-set-retire-politi...


Mr Shorten was approved as the next vice chancellor of the University of Canberra on Wednesday,
but will stay in parliament until the start of the 2025 academic year. 
(he was only ever a lawyer -  bachelor of laws. )



comments - 

He is worth in excess of 6 million dollars plus will have a very generous lifetime indexed pension that won't be affected by any additional income he makes, considering he has been either a public servant or union staffer all his life he has made quite the nest egg for himself.


There was announcement last week of around 500 million dollars worth of pensions per annum being paid out to former politicians and former public servants...


He's seen the writing on the wall for Labor and the rat deserting the Labor sinking Titanic. Couldn't stand the heat in the Parliament kitchen. Wonder which incompetent minister will be given his NDIS portfolio"

Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on Sep 5^th, 2024 at 1:36pm:

Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on Sep 5^th, 2024 at 1:36pm:



unlike you, most people have forgotten the voice. Only you think it is still relevant

John Smith wrote on Sep 5^th, 2024 at 2:40pm:



... that's because its Manifesto is being pushed through a bit at a time by the states in collusion with and under orders from the top.. stop pretending you don't see that.

Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on Sep 5^th, 2024 at 3:17pm:



only in your head

John Smith wrote on Sep 5^th, 2024 at 4:16pm:



Labor is finished - Albo is too out of touch with reality.

John Smith wrote on Sep 5^th, 2024 at 4:16pm:



No... NO... the spirits told me .. it's a songline thing you wouldn't understand...

Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on Sep 5^th, 2024 at 5:03pm:



And Albo didn't learn -
next he wants to ask us all if we're poofters in the next census.
Albo needs to see a psychiatrist.

Like a rat from a sinking ship is the ONLY way you can describe his departure from politics.

Wong will be next to leave.

Always better to quit than be sacked and tied to the one term Albo legacy.

Bobby. wrote on Sep 5^th, 2024 at 5:20pm:


Told yez long ago - a shrink would have a field day with Albo....

Found this gem:-

"What were the achievements of the Albanese government?
In July 2022, the Albanese government introduced a bill to exempt certain electric vehicles from fringe benefits tax. This passed Parliament in November 2022. In March 2024, the Albanese government introduced a bill to apply a vehicle emission standard to new vehicles sold in Australia from 1 July 2025."

ACTU statement on Bill Shorten’s retirement from federal politics
Media Release - September 5, 2024 ACTU.
The ACTU congratulates Bill Shorten for his contribution to public life and his unwavering commitment to working people throughout his career.

From his early days as a trainee at the ACTU in 1994, alongside current ACTU Secretary Sally McManus, to his membership of the ACTU Executive and his leadership during the 2006 Beaconsfield Mine collapse in Tasmania, Bill has always advocated for workers and their families.

As Secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union, Bill united the union and won better pay and conditions for workers across a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, mining, construction, agriculture, utilities, administration and the arts. He has never shied away from standing up for union members, even in the face of relentless attacks from the Coalition, including their launching of a politicised Royal Commission.

Among his many achievements throughout his parliamentary career, Bill’s legacy includes his advocacy for the Albanese Government’s industrial relations agenda and his unwavering support for community and disability support workers and their unions. This includes his backing of historic pay rises for the sector and his role as one of the key architects of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which has helped millions of Australians with a disability.

Bill has always been proud of his union roots and has stood firm in his support for working people. His career reflects a deep commitment to improving the lives of the most vulnerable in society.

The ACTU thanks Bill for his service and wishes him well in the next chapter of his career.   

John Smith wrote on Sep 5^th, 2024 at 12:08pm:


The effects of Real Estate 'here' are just as much 'connected' to the Global scene and Economy above and beyond the control of 'just a Prime Minister'.
The World owns Australia's arse. Don't you forget it - Moron from another planet (The TAB).

I forgot to mention.
You're also a Gay Lefty too. 

Good luck to him.

He's tripling his income and getting an easier job.

He'd be mad not to do it.

Bobby. wrote on Sep 6^th, 2024 at 7:49pm:


His new job will pay $1.8 million per year.

He's currently on $600,000 a year.

He'd be mad not to make the change.

If he doesn't take the job, someone else will.

Good luck to him.

John Smith wrote on Sep 5^th, 2024 at 4:16pm:


It wouldn't penetrate your head even if tattooed on it ...

Cement Head.

greggerypeccary wrote on Sep 6^th, 2024 at 8:11pm:


If $1.8 million is the correct salary/ amount for a "Vice" Chancellor.... then it's absolutely obscene.

With his parliamentary pension he would be earning over $2 million per year.....

ridiculous.

Gnads wrote on Sep 9^th, 2024 at 12:29pm:


It's the correct amount.

And anybody can apply for the job.

Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on Sep 9^th, 2024 at 1:38pm:



Shorten can always tell the people to eat cake?

Gnads wrote on Sep 9^th, 2024 at 12:25pm:



paying taxes 

most investment properties are owned by boomers because they DIDN'T want to pay taxes. They drove up the prices so todays kids can't afford it

Gnads wrote on Sep 9^th, 2024 at 12:25pm:


only things that are business related ...thats how it works.

Gnads wrote on Sep 9^th, 2024 at 12:25pm:


no, the only house i rent out I paid cash. No NG and as I haven;'t sold it, no CGT ... must suck to get it so wrong all the time

Gnads wrote on Sep 9^th, 2024 at 12:25pm:


Unlike you, my parents value honesty ... most of their friends sponged of taxpayers in some form or other and they know it.