NSW:Robertson defends NSW Labor leadership

AAP General News (Australia)
04-01-2011
NSW:Robertson defends NSW Labor leadership

SYDNEY, April 1 AAP - NSW Labor leader John Robertson has defended his elevation to
the role and says he is in favour of scrapping factions within the party.

During an interview on ABC Television on Friday evening, Mr Robertson fought back accusations
he was not the right man for the job, saying he was elected "unanimously" by his caucus
colleagues on Thursday.

"I share responsibility with everyone else who was part of the previous government
for (last Saturday's election result) and I accept my share of that responsibility," Mr
Robertson said.

"But I went through a rank-and-file preselection, I had to get elected in Blacktown
and subsequently my colleagues in caucus (on Thursday) unanimously supported me to be
the leader of the Labor Party in NSW."

Mr Robertson has this week been criticised heavily by former Labor prime minister Paul
Keating, ex-premier Morris Iemma and ex-treasurer Michael Costa, who were all angry over
his role in killing off power privatisation while head of Unions NSW.

"Paul Keating, Michael Costa, Morris Iemma all made a great contribution to this nation
or this state," Mr Robertson said.

"I intend to make a similar contribution now as leader of the Labor Party in NSW."

The party's national executive will meet next Friday to consider dozens of recommendations
aimed at decentralising power, making Labor more responsive to members and securing the
best possible candidates.

Mr Robertson said he supported the reforms proposed in the national party review.

"I support the reforms that are proposed within that review, I support the issue or
the idea of defactionalisation," he said.

"I think they are absolutely critical to us becoming a credible alternative government."

However, Mr Robertson refused to be drawn on whether he would personally support reforming
party rules to stop the conference having a binding power over MPs.

AAP ih/mp

KEYWORD: ROBERTSON UPDATE

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