By XAVIER SMERDON
WYNDHAM politicians, community advocates and residents have expressed their shock and “sheer disappointment” at losing the Prime Minister as their local member.
Ms Gillard was dumped as Prime Minister last week after she called for a leadership spill following the circulation of a petition from Kevin Rudd supporters calling for a challenge for the top job.
Ms Gillard said she would take on any challengers but the loser should agree to resign from politics.
Her former boss, Kevin Rudd, accepted the challenge and shortly after 7.30pm on Wednesday Australian’s were informed that he had won a caucus ballot and had become the new leader of the Labor Party.
Following several formalities Mr Rudd resumed his place as Prime Minister while Ms Gillard took a seat on the back bench of parliament.
Ms Gillard will remain the Member for Lalor until the Federal Election.
Ms Gillard mentioned her electorate in her farewell speech.
“I will have time in the coming weeks to be back home in my electorate and to say hello and goodbye to the community that I’ve had the absolute privilege of representing in this Parliament since 1998,” Ms Gillard said.
“So I will keep comments about my electorate until that time.”
Wyndham Mayor Heather Marcus said Wyndham had lost a strong advocate.
“I was quite disappointed and sad to see what happened,” Mr Marcus said.
“I was in Canberra last week and I heard the rumblings in the corridors but I certainly didn’t expect it to happen this late in the week.
“I’m more disappointed than shocked.
“I think some people were expecting it, but I just feel sheer disappointment.”
Ms Marcus said the council would have a tougher job ahead of it without Ms Gillard as the Prime Minister.
Outside Ms Gillard’s electorate office in Synnot St, residents had mixed emotions.
Bill Thimey from Hoppers Crossing said he had lost faith in the Labor Party.
“When you look at what she has done, she will be remembered as one of the great Prime Ministers,” Mr Thimey said.
“Kevin Rudd had his chance and he stuffed up. We will never get what we need in Werribee now.”
But Jennifer from Point Cook said she was happy to see Ms Gillard go.
“I can’t see what she really did for Wyndham,” Jennifer said.
“She spent more time playing the gender card than getting us a fair go.”
It is not yet known who will replace Ms Gillard as the Labor candidate for Lalor.
