It’s been a morning of “I don’t recall,” “I don’t remember” and “I don’t recall” at the royal commission where Labor leader Bill Shorten was probed about deals he had done as the national and Victorian secretary of the Australian Worker’s union.
Critics say Shorten pushed policies through that would advance his career, rather than focus on the needs of the people he was campaigning for.
Fans say all Shorten’s deals were justified.
Shorten did fire up at suggestions a company who had talks with the AWU in 2007 “donated” to the federal election campaign.
“The idea that somehow… it is untoward to raise money for election campaigns and do anything else – to me what that does is that assumes that whenever there is a donation in our electoral system, by anyone, that all other relationships and transactions must immediately be cast into doubt,” Shorten said.
“That is not right.”
Here’s four reasons you should care about Bill Shorten today.
1. He is leader of the opposition and our alternative PM. We need a strong opponent in a good democracy.
2. Last month he was outed as having betrayed two previous Labor leaders in the ABC series The Killing Season. And last month Fairfax revealed the AWU had tipped in $25,000 to Mr Shorten’s campaign for the seat of Maribyrnong in 2007 while Shorten was federal secretary.
3. Today could be make or break for Shorten’s career. He started strong in the polls but now he has slipped behind PM Tony Abbott. Today will be crucial to secure his future in the top job.
4. Tanya Plibersek. She is the deputy leader of the Labor party and arguably a strong contender for the leadership role alongside Anthony Albanese, Chris Bowen or Jason Clare. Plibersek has been Minister for Health, Minister for Human Services and Minister for Housing.
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