Martin Ferguson quashes reports he does not support Julia Gillard

Julia Gillard

Julia Gillard is facing more pressure after her cabinet reshuffle. Picture: Gary Ramage
Source: The Daily Telegraph


Martin Ferguson

Martin Ferguson, right, who has refused to back Julia Gillard, with Bill Shorten. Picture: Ray Strange
Source: The Daily Telegraph




UPDATE 4.30pm: LABOR frontbencher Martin Ferguson has moved to quell speculation that his allegiance has shifted from Julia Gillard to the man she deposed, Kevin Rudd, by stating his unequivocal support for the prime minister.


The Australian reported yesterday that Ms Gillard had lost the backing of up to six ministers after this week’s ministerial reshuffle.

Asked about the issue later that day, Mr Ferguson pointedly said he was ”loyal to the Labor party”.

He continued: ”I have a very professional relationship with both Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd.”

But today the resources minister insisted his comments had been ”misconstrued”.

”As I have said, I am loyal to the Labor party,” Mr Ferguson said in a statement.

”And contrary to media speculation, the Prime Minister has my support.

”She is doing a remarkable job.”

Earlier today, new Health Minister Tanya Plibersek was asked if she was loyal to Ms Gillard.

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”Absolutely, I think the Prime Minister is doing a fantastic job,” she told reporters in Melbourne.

When asked about reported divisions in cabinet, Ms Plibersek said ministers were focused on their jobs.

”I think all of the ministers are out and about doing what we are most interested in – which is our jobs.”

As the fallout from Ms Gillard’s bungled reshuffle continued, senior Labor sources admitted that supporters of the PM were preparing battle plans for a possible challenge from Kevin Rudd.

And a senior cabinet minister confirmed they thought it likely that a challenge would be brought on by either March or April next year.

“There comes a point when you start to think how much longer can this go on,” the minister said.

“In the end it doesn’t matter who win or loses, it just has to be resolved.”

Mr Ferguson’s response yesterday echoed the equivocation used by both Ms Gillard and Mr Rudd in recent days about whether they liked each other.

Senior government sources said last night the suggestion Mr Ferguson and Senator Carr had switched from Ms Gillard to Mr Rudd was “ridiculous” because it had already been assumed by most in the caucus that they were already in the Rudd camp.

Robert McClelland, who was sacked as attorney-general but remained in the cabinet following the intervention of the NSW right faction, yesterday made a rare appearance on cable television to publicly support Ms Gillard.

He said Ms Gillard had “my full support”.

“She’s got a new ministry and they’re all very keen, of course, to get on with their new jobs,” he told Sky News. He then praised Nicola Roxon, the new Attorney-General, and said she would “do an outstanding job”.

However, colleagues of Mr McClelland said he was “deeply unhappy” about being dumped and would probably back Mr Rudd in a leadership challenge.

Ms Plibersek yesterday declined to say if Senator Carr would be working behind the scenes to help topple Ms Gillard.

“The government is strong and united,” Ms Plibersek said.

“Your speculation about the internal workings of the government are not of interest to me today.”

The Daily Telegraph revealed five weeks ago that senior backers of Mr Rudd were urging him to launch an early challenge, believing that he should have struck in November, or even earlier, when the polls were more dire.

The reports at the time were publicly dismissed by a number of key Labor MPs. However, several MPs contacted yesterday, who had previously pledged support for Ms Gillard, conceded there has been a push under way behind the scenes for months and confirmed the story was correct at the time but its publication had “spooked” supporters.

While not claiming they had switched their support, they said the issue needed to be resolved one way or the other in the new year.

“I believe Kevin will challenge. Whether he will have the numbers … ” one Gillard supporter said.

Mr Rudd’s backers, who include MPs from both left and right factions from NSW, Victoria and South Australia, said there was no urgency about a return to Mr Rudd but said they believed the botched reshuffle had swung more numbers behind him.

They dismissed reports that any ministers had been offered promotions by Mr Rudd in return for their support. 

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