By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
ISAACS federal MP Mark Dreyfus will remain as Attorney-General despite backing former prime minister Julia Gillard in the ALP’s leadership ballot on Wednesday night.
Other pro-Gillard ministers such as Penny Wong and Bill Shorten changed allegiances and voted for new prime minister Kevin Rudd. Some such as Stephen Conroy and Wayne Swan voted for Ms Gillard and stepped down from the front bench.
However, Mr Dreyfus said he had accepted the new prime minister Kevin Rudd’s offer for him to continue in the role.
‘‘My position has always been that I will support the leader whoever that may be.’’
He said he was proud of Ms Gillard and Mr Rudd’s records at the helm, citing Labor’s action to save jobs in the global financial crisis, carbon pricing, the National Broadband Network, the stolen-generation apology, a Royal Commission into child sexual abuse and the National Disability Insurance Scheme – among a myriad list of other acts.
Mr Dreyfus said some of those achievements were ‘‘hard won’’ in minority government.
‘‘The Rudd Government will protect the great achievements we have made to date, and will continue to deliver the important reforms and good government that all Australians want and deserve.’’
Mr Dreyfus intends to recontest his seat at the upcoming federal election.
Also at the ALP caucus vote, Hotham MP Simon Crean unsuccessfully stood as Mr Rudd’s deputy leader. He was beaten by Anthony Albanese 61 votes to 38.
Mr Crean had stood down from Ms Gillard’s front bench in March to support an aborted leadership tilt by Mr Rudd.
He has not yet responded to the Journal’s enquiries.
