Is it Andrew Leigh's turn in Cabinet?

Clearly Leigh has a giant brain. Given his economic knowledge and relative youth and energy, in time he could make a fine reforming treasurer in the mould of Paul Keating.

Unfortunately, Labor’s current economic priorities – enriching unions and endless pork-barrelling of the middle classes – are about as far away from the sensible policies of the Hawke/Keating era as can be. No one in his right mind would want to be a part of this cabinet, let alone someone with Leigh’s talents. So I agree that Leigh would be better off biding his time and waiting until Labor’s current appetite for divisive, class warfare politics has subsided in favour of more inclusive and sensible policies.

Something, something… Deck chairs……titanic.

Madam Cholet said :

I was under the impression that BCarr had made his feelings known about Gillard and he increasingly bad numbers and would have jumped sides if he had been around. Probably better that he wasn’t given how things turned out.

If Gai Brodtmann gets a gurnsey I’d be pretty pee’d. She’s barely done anything for this end of town and has a profile lower than a snakes’ belly, hence why most people never understood why Zed didn’t save himself for this seat (premature nomination problem obviously).

Andrew Leigh – nice guy, or so it seems, but needs a bit more experience.

If it was me, I wouldn’t be putting my hand up to be rocketed into oblivion in 6 months time. 6 months in the cabinet over 10 years in opposition?

Understandable sentiment (about being rocketed into oblivion), but Paul Keating recovered fairly well from being appointed Minister for Northern Australia on 21 October 1975 – but he, aside from his many other talents, at least knew how to organise a coup.

parl sec as richard marles’ replacement?

though agree with jb – unlikely and best all round…

Add Senator Helen Polley to the list of Gillard’s supporters – she is right behind the PM’s right shoulder in one of the pics.

Leigh is one of the really impressive hidden talents in the Labor party. You see these jaded old hacks with their heads in the media, mouthing platitudes, and think the whole party’s like that. But then you see the likes of Andrew Leigh, Mellissa Parke and Kelvin Thomson, and realise there’s a whole ‘nother party out there, of bright people with ideas and ideals, working hard for what they believe in.

The ones we see have largely traded in their ideals for power.

It could be a useful reward for some of her supporters.

A lame duck ministry for 6 months, no actual work required or expected and the recipient gets the title of “The Hon.” for life and a jump in their superannuation. As ex-ministers, their post parliamentary privileges and entitlements are increased as well.

Why not give everyone a turn!

I was under the impression that BCarr had made his feelings known about Gillard and he increasingly bad numbers and would have jumped sides if he had been around. Probably better that he wasn’t given how things turned out.

If Gai Brodtmann gets a gurnsey I’d be pretty pee’d. She’s barely done anything for this end of town and has a profile lower than a snakes’ belly, hence why most people never understood why Zed didn’t save himself for this seat (premature nomination problem obviously).

Andrew Leigh – nice guy, or so it seems, but needs a bit more experience.

If it was me, I wouldn’t be putting my hand up to be rocketed into oblivion in 6 months time. 6 months in the cabinet over 10 years in opposition?

Oh, for the love of god, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Straight into cabinet for Leigh would do him no favours in the long run.

And his knowledge in the economic portfolio would make relations in treasury edgy (the best treasurers historically have not tried to argue with treasury).

The other problem is that his big brain won’t really have time to develop policy properly in the time left before the election tsunami comes in.

Minister for Territories would be fun though!