Another storyLatham quits
Mark Latham has announced he is resigning from the Labor leadership and from Parliament, saying he is too unwell to continue in the job.
"Public office can take it out of people and after 17 years and two serious life-threatening illnesses, the time has come to put my family and my health first," Mr Latham said.
The move puts an end to several weeks of speculation over his leadership, which began after he became ill with a second bout of pancreatitis around Christmas.
Mr Latham says he had planned to reassess his future when he returned from annual leave next week but ongoing speculation was damaging the party.
"In recent days, I have been able to get away, rest and recover and talk to my family about our priorities for the future," he told a media conference in Sydney.
"Our conclusion is that I should look after my health and pursue a normal life outside of politics. Therefore, I have decided to resign both as Labor leader and Member for Werriwa."
Mr Latham says his pancreatitis "and the uncertain timing of the attacks are incompatible with the demands and stresses of a parliamentary life".
"I want to thank the Labor Party for the opportunity of leading it to the last election and trying to form a Labor government," he added. "I hope they achieve this vital goal in the future and I wish them well."
The announcement ends Mr Latham's time as Opposition Leader just more than 12 months after he took on the job.
He had come under severe criticism for failing to make a statement immediately after the Boxing Day tsunami, and senior Labor figures had increased pressure for him to resign.
But Mr Latham says he is proud of his achievements over the past 12 months.
"I'm proud that even from Opposition, we achieved some important reforms in 2004 such as the reform of parliamentary superannuation, changes to the US trade agreement, improved childhood immunisation, the baby-care payment and placing the importance of early childhood development on the national agenda," Mr Latham said.
"I did my bit to lead a genuinely progressive Australian Labor Party.
"I wish to thank the people of Werriwa for giving me the opportunity of representing them since 1994 and putting something back into our local community.
"I also thank the local Labor Party members and particularly my staff who've worked so hard both in the electorate and in Parliament House.
"I again thank the Labor supporters and members who backed our cause in the last campaign and gave me so much encouragement as Labor leader. Thank you all very much," Mr Latham concluded before refusing to answer reporters' questions.
And another one bites the dust...Beazley ready to lead - again
Kim Beazley has announced he will stand to take back the Labor leadership, vowing he has the "energy and commitment" to unite the party in the wake of Mr Latham's retirement.
Labor's Caucus will meet on January 28 to receive Mr Latham's resignation and to hold a ballot to elect a new leader.
Deputy Labor leader Jenny Macklin says she will not contest the leadership but expects to continue as deputy, while another potential leadership candidate, Kevin Rudd, has said only that he will discuss the leadership with colleagues.
At a press conference a little more than an hour after Mr Latham revealed his decision to stand down, Mr Beazley - who led the party to election defeats in 1998 and 2001 - announced he wanted another shot at the party's top job.
"A lot of people have talked to me about our situation over the last few days and I've been encouraged by those who voted for me in those tumultuous [leadership] ballots a year or so ago," Mr Beazley said, after noting his sadness at Mr Latham's decision.
"There is in the Labor Party a very deep desire for unity. I can bring that with energy and commitment."
Mr Beazley says he is "absolutely fired with ambition for the Australian people, our nation and for the Australian Labor Party".
Next election
He says Labor must put itself in a position to win the next election, something he believes it can do with him as leader.
"We need a strategy to win the next election and the public interest demands that we are the sort of political party that can win that election.
"We need in leadership a great deal of experience with the prudent support of the Australian public.
"It is my conviction that we have in the Labor Party the people and principles that can produce that kind of renaissance.
"I remain supremely optimistic about our party's future and the ability to rebuild again and become the dominant force in politics in this nation."
He added: "There's no doubt in my mind that I can lead a winning team in the next election."
Effective Opposition
Mr Beazley says that even before the next election, Labor has a vital role to play in Opposition.
"This is a Government that has to be rigorously kept to account," he said.
"More than ever, the Australian people will need a vigorous and effective Opposition holding this Government accountable."
Mr Beazley also says he is deeply saddened by Mr Latham's decision and has described him as a man of great talent.
"I've seen Mark Latham's statement and I'm deeply saddened by it," he said.
"He's a bloke with considerable ability, great talent, and it's a shame that his health has meant he is not able to [continue in the job].
"On a personal note, I found working with Mark Latham in the election campaign very enjoyable indeed."
The nerve of Beazley is incredible. He loses election after election to John Howard, and he STILL sniffs for the top seat. Fuck him. You're a LOSER Kim, no-one wants you. I'd rather have Kevin Rudd take over than give you another shot at the leadership, and fuck up another election for the ALP (though, since I don't vote labor, go right ahead).\
Rudd should contest the leadership. He at least is someone fresh, new, and he looks intelligent (it must be the glasses); Beazley looks like a marshmellow, and a slimy cunt.
Apparently he's authorised construction of a Desal plant recently IIRC, amidst the usual protest. Took him long enough.
Fucking idiots.