RESHUFFLE losers Kim Carr and Robert McClelland have bluntly declared they did not want to be turfed out of their jobs, as Prime Minister Julia Gillard reacted tetchily to questioning about her controversial reshuffle, which gave big promotions to key backers.
As leadership aspirant Kevin Rudd bought into the debate with a spirited defence of Senator Carr's performance as industry minister, the demoted ministers put the heat on Ms Gillard.
Senator Carr said his move out of cabinet to the junior portfolio of Manufacturing and Defence Materiel "was not of my choosing". Thanking those who had worked with him, he said the reshuffle was "not a reflection of our efforts or our achievements".
Mr Rudd, who is overseas, said the reshuffle was a matter for Ms Gillard but "Minister Carr has been, in my experience, a very good minister for industry.
"He was largely responsible during the global financial crisis for ensuring that none of the Australian car companies fell over . . . I have much respect for his work on that count."
Mr McClelland, who becomes Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Emergency Management when ministers are sworn into their new jobs today, said he had told Ms Gillard he preferred to remain Attorney-General.
Ms Gillard admitted: "He didn't want to leave being Attorney-General. Being involved in these conversations about change obviously means you have a set of difficult conversations."
The PM denied ministers had threatened to resign and bit back sharply when it was put to her that, given the numbers in the House, such threats were not needed. "Oh, crazy. What's the point of that question?" she said on the ABC.
She said she had selected the best team to meet the circumstances of the nation now. "I have selected people who have got the skills to deliver the changes we need . . . But I've also selected people who can publicly make that case for change."
She strongly defended the promotion of two of her strongest backers in last year's coup, Bill Shorten and Mark Arbib. She said Mr Shorten had done a remarkable job when he had responsibility for disability and a great job in superannuation, while Senator Arbib had the "capacity to step up and do more".
Pressed on why she had demoted Senator Carr, she said she had wanted to "create a new department and new portfolios to focus us on the future economy, and that is what I've asked Greg Combet [who will take over Industry as well as continuing in Climate Change], in particular, to do."
The government was working out yesterday whether Mr Shorten, who is the new Workplace Relations Minister, will still be acting Treasurer and acting Finance Minister for much of January, when both Wayne Swan and Penny Wong are on leave. Unless Ms Gillard acts in these jobs herself, the government lacks other appropriate senior ministers.
Former High Court judge Mary Gaudron, the first woman to serve on the court, will be at the swearing in today of Nicola Roxon, her former associate, as the first female federal Attorney-General.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
What happened in Prime Minister Julia Gillard's cabinet reshuffle?
The article reports that Julia Gillard carried out a controversial reshuffle that demoted Kim Carr and Robert McClelland, promoted key backers including Bill Shorten and Mark Arbib, created new portfolios to focus on the future economy, and moved Greg Combet to take over Industry while he continues in Climate Change.
Why did Kim Carr and Robert McClelland say they were unhappy with their demotions?
According to the article, both men bluntly said they did not want to be moved. Senator Kim Carr said his move out of cabinet to the junior portfolio of Manufacturing and Defence Materiel 'was not of my choosing,' and Mr McClelland said he had told the PM he preferred to remain Attorney‑General.
What explanation did Julia Gillard give for promoting Bill Shorten and Mark Arbib?
Gillard defended the promotions by saying she selected people who have the skills to deliver change and who can publicly make the case for that change. She praised Bill Shorten's work in disability and superannuation and said Senator Arbib had the 'capacity to step up and do more.'
How might the reshuffle affect industry and manufacturing policy?
The article says the prime minister wanted to 'create a new department and new portfolios to focus us on the future economy.' Greg Combet will take over Industry while continuing in Climate Change, and Kim Carr has been moved to Manufacturing and Defence Materiel, signalling a refocus of ministerial responsibility for those areas.
Did any senior figures defend the demoted ministers, and what did they say?
Yes. Leadership aspirant Kevin Rudd, speaking from overseas, defended Senator Carr, saying Carr had been 'a very good minister for industry' and credited him with helping ensure Australian car companies did not collapse during the global financial crisis.
What did the article say about the government's senior minister coverage during January leave periods?
The piece notes the government was working out whether Bill Shorten, the new Workplace Relations Minister, would act as Treasurer and acting Finance Minister for much of January while Wayne Swan and Penny Wong are on leave. It says the government lacks other appropriate senior ministers unless Ms Gillard acts in those jobs herself.
Who is Nicola Roxon and why is her swearing‑in mentioned?
Nicola Roxon is being sworn in as the first female federal Attorney‑General. The article notes former High Court judge Mary Gaudron, Roxon's former associate, will attend the swearing‑in.
Did the prime minister say ministers threatened to resign over the reshuffle?
No. The article reports Ms Gillard denied ministers had threatened to resign and reacted sharply to suggestions otherwise, saying questions about threats to resign were 'crazy' and reiterating that she had selected the best team for the nation's circumstances.
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