townie
Premium Member
How did the independents vote on the motion?
Sydney Morning Herald has a live blog.About to go into a meeting what's the best blog to keep up with events on?
Slipper and Thomson sided with government. Oakeshott , Windsor and Wilkie with Opposition. Katter abstained.How did the independents vote on the motion?
Australia faces a potential constitutional crisis if Kevin Rudd defeats Julia Gillard in Thursday afternoon’s caucus ballot.
If she loses, Ms Gillard will be forced to hand in her commission to Governor-General Quentin Bryce, but there is no certainty that Mr Rudd would be automatically appointed in her place.
After the 2010 election, Ms Bryce received advice from then Solicitor-General Stephen Gageler about her options in the case of a hung parliament.
It is understood from a government source that Ms Bryce was advised that she needed to be convinced that a person could command majority support in the House of Representatives before appointing them prime minister.
As a result, Ms Gillard had to obtain signed agreements from independent MPs in order to convince Ms Bryce that she had majority support in parliament.
“Rudd won’t have that advantage,” said one senior Labor MP today.
If Mr Rudd is unable to obtain similar signed agreements, Ms Bryce is likely to call an election.
Alternatively, she could appoint Opposition Leader Tony Abbott as prime minister if he were able to demonstrate that he could command a majority on the floor of parliament.
Surely Crean didn't act unilaterally though, who actually organized it. Did Crean fall on his sword to put the issue to bed?What a shambles that was.
Rudd has still said he's completely willing to be drafted. It's not over at all.oh FFS, I thought the media might FINALLY give it a rest. but oh no, apparantly because there was no vote then we can't be sure that gillard has the support of caucus. this was Rudd's last chance, he didn't take it, it's over, Gillard will go to the next election as PM and leader of the Labor pary. over. finished. no more speculation please.
Oh come on, the overwhelming majority won't back him like he wants, nor will Gillard step aside like he wants.Rudd has still said he's completely willing to be drafted. It's not over at all.