Gillard a captive to revenge

David Williams

It’s hard not to pity the Prime Minister, despite her failings.

Whenever she leaves the sanctuary of The Lodge it seems that her prospects get worse. Not even her parliamentary office can be a safe refuge given the kind of “help” she received there on Australia Day. She’s bereft of good advice – and it shows.

Julia Gillard is captive to the revenge of one man. Yes, she’s made her own mistakes too but how much have they arisen through being spooked by the relentless backgrounding and leaking that has gone on virtually since she took over the job?

Plotters rarely like the daylight. Their work is done best in dark corridors and back rooms.

Gillard desperately needs to bring matters to a head and force all of her caucus colleagues, frontbenchers and backbenchers alike, to declare their hands.

Will a majority of the caucus reward former prime minister Kevin Rudd by giving him his job back or will they remember how badly they thought of him two years ago?

The 103 caucus members might care to reflect on when revenge became the principal qualification to be prime minister.

David Williams Frewville SA

The Australian Financial Review