KEVIN RUDD THÚ NHẬN VĨNH VIỄN SẼ KHÔNG TRỞ LẠI VAI TRÒ THỦ LÃNH ĐẢNG LAO ĐỘNG TRONG TƯƠNG LAI./- MT68
LABOR IN CRISIS: CABINET PURGE BEGINS
Yahoo!7, AAPUpdated March 22, 2013, 11:42 am
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UPDATE 12.42 More Kevin Rudd backer tipped to go after the former PM announced he would never again lead the Labor party.
Mental Health minister Mark Butler and Human Services Minister Kim Carr - both strong Rudd backers - have reportedly been told they cannot be 'servant of two masters', News Ltd reports.
11.30 Kevin Rudd says there are now "no circumstances" under which he would return to the Labor leadership.
Mr Rudd says he had been consistent that he would not challenge for the leadership and that he would contest the next election as a local member of parliament.
"That position hasn't changed," a spokesman told AAP.
"Furthermore, Mr Rudd wishes to make 100 per cent clear to all members of the parliamentary Labor Party, including his own supporters, that there are no circumstances under which he will return to the Labor Party leadership in the future."
11am Prime Minister Julia Gillard has thanked Chris Bowen for his contributions to her government, after he resigned from her ministry.
The Prime Minister particularly thanks Mr Bowen for his work as Immigration Minister, while describing his decision to resign as 'honourable'.
10.20 Foreign Minister Bob Carr has addressed the media from Washington, saying Prime Minister Julia Gillard has his full support and he has no plans to resign.
The Prime Minister has emerged 'stronger, rather than weaker', from yesterday's leadership battle, Mr Carr said.
Mr Carr had been reported earlier this week as a Rudd backer, who was working behind the scenes to oust the Ms Gillard - a claim he has emphatically denied.
10.14am Senior minister and Kevin Rudd backer Chris Bowen has resigned from the Gillard government ministry.
Acknowledging his role in the failed leadership coup, Mr Bowen said he could no longer serve under the Prime Minister.
"I took the decision that the best thing for the Labor Party and for Australia would be for Kevin Rudd to return to the Prime Ministership''.
"Having expressed that view, having worked towards it... I decided to resign from the Gillard cabinet," he said.
"I think political watchers will know that for some period of time there's been an undercurrent in our party and it was dealt with yesterday and brought to an end."
"I made the call to support Kevin Rudd. I don't apologise for it."
Mr Bowen plans to re-contest the marginal western Sydney seat of McMahon at the September election.
The seat will be key to any chance the ALP has of retaining power.
9.30 The Prime Minister admits she was 'surprised' that Kevin Rudd didn't put his hand up in yesterday's spill of leadership positions.
The Prime Minister also told the ABC any future leadership speculation can not be taken seriously.
"I think if anybody wanders into a journalist's office in the future claiming to have the numbers sheet they will be met with laughter," Ms Gillard said.
"This is over."
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