Australian PM faces worst week in politics
I'm not going anywhere, I've so much to do':
AUSTRALIA: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard vowed on Friday to
battle on as leader of her unpopular government, dismissing media
reports that some of her own lawmakers had lost faith in her after a
fresh policy setback this week.
Gillard, her face pale and drawn after what is emerging as one of her
worst weeks in politics, appeared in a TV interview to fend off
leadership speculation after a court on Wednesday rejected her plan to
send asylum-seekers to Malaysia.
"I'm not going anywhere. I have too much to do," Gillard told Sky TV,
barely a year after the ruling Labor Party had sacked her predecessor,
Kevin Rudd, in a late-night coup.
Asked if she had been approached about stepping down, she replied:
"No".
The media reports of growing discontent over Gillard, whose opinion
poll ratings are now worse than when she toppled Rudd, prompted senior
government lawmakers to come out publicly on Friday in support of their
embattled prime minister.
The reports also became a talking point in financial markets where
investors are turning their mind to an eventual change of government,
wondering about the implications for planned taxes on carbon emissions
and iron ore and coal mining profits, as well as a $38 billion national
broadband project.
"The government has clearly had some unpopular policies and there is
a general view that maybe either a change in prime minister or
government would be viewed as a positive thing," said Su-Lin Ong, senior
economist with RBC Capital Markets. "It could be modestly positive for
the Aussie (dollar)."
Newspapers had reported that senior government figures felt she had
lost her authority after the High Court ruled as invalid Gillard's
attempt to neutralise the politically damaging issue of asylum-seekers
by sending them to Malaysia.
Opinion polls show Gillard and Labor, which relies on independent and
Green MPs to stay in power, would easily lose office if an election were
held now.
However, the next election is not due for another two years and
Gillard's independent and Green supporters are showing no sign of
abandoning her government.
"I'm not going anywhere, I'm the best person to do this job and I'll
continue to do it," Gillard told an earlier radio interview where had
also been questioned about her grip on the Labor party. Gillard's
minority government relies on three independents and a Green for its
one-seat majority. But their support could no longer be guaranteed if
Gillard were to be replaced, meaning a change of leader could end
Labor's hold on power.
One of the independents, Tony Windsor, said on Friday that Gillard
was doing a good job in parliament at a difficult time.
Reuters. |