KIMBO OUT OF LIMBO?

Big political news today. Simon Crean again under the gun as leader of the Federal Opposition.

No wonder his nickname comes from that Death Row movie: Dead man Walking.

Kim Beazley, the former Opposition leader, also known as “Kimbo in Limbo”, publicly did the right thing after his failed challenge earlier this year. He pledged not to challenge again for the leadership.

A bit like Paul Keating’s “one shot in the locker” when he tested the waters against Prime Minister Bob Hawke.

But Beazley’s promise was only not to challenge. No commitment that his supporters would not continue to white ant Crean.

In the past 24 hours it seems we have had a Labor recurrence of the day that Senator John Button knocked on Bill Hayden’s door and said something like: “I am your last loyal supporter and it is time to go”.

(That was the day in February 1983 when Hayden was replaced by RJW Hawke and at the same time Malcolm Fraser called a fatal federal election).

The election that Hayden would say could have been won by the proverbial “drover’s dog”.

This week it wasn’t a single Senator ( a la Button) who went knocking on the Leader’s door to show him the door. It was, reportedly, a Gang of Four, led by Senator John Faulkner.

Crean is gone. He may be mincemeat even by the end of this radio programme. Beazley can honour his promise of not challenging again but the big lap dog is panting to be anointed yet again.

He has come close to beating Howard. On one occasion his Labor Party garnered more votes around the country but did not win enough seats.

He IS the best chance Labor has got, I believe, to beat Howard, Abbott and Costello. Crean cannot win. Beazley may.

It is a helluva task. What has Labor got to lose? With Crean they’ll get creamed. Kimbo might, just might, get them out of limbo.

Thursday, November 27, 2003

©Copyright Derryn Hinch 2002