By ALESHA CAPONE
MARIBYRNONG MP Bill Shorten has thrown his hat into the ring as a contender for leadership of the Federal Opposition.
After the recent national election, Mr Shorten retained his seat in the Maribyrnong electorate which includes the suburbs of Braybrook, Kealba, Keilor East, Maidstone, Maribyrnong, St Albans and Sunshine North.
Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd stepped down as leader of the Labor Party after the Liberal Coalition won the election.
Last week nominations for Labor’s new leader were called but it remained unclear whether the process would close on Friday or continue for another seven days, after rule changes implemented by Mr Rudd.
After he declared his intention to run for Labor’s top job, Mr Shorten said he wished to rebuild the party and “fight to win back government”.
“I am running because I believe Labor can win the next election,” he said.
“I am under no illusion as to the task ahead of us. It is devastating to have lost government.
“And we must learn the lessons of this defeat and take up the fight.”
Mr Shorten said he wanted to increase Labor’s membership base and that the party would need to “reach out beyond its traditional constituencies” in an effort to do so.
He also said Labor needed to defend Australians against the Liberal Party’s policies.
“I shall not sit by and watch the wreckers of Australian politics tear down everything we have built to make Australia stronger and fairer – the NBN, better schools, disability insurance, a fair go at work, more super and a price on carbon pollution,” he said.
“I have the commitment, the passion and the ideas to lead the Australian Labor Party and to take the fight up to the Coalition.
“Labor can win the next election if we are the party of ideas, not just personalities.”
