Cocky Labor MPs haggle for ministry jobs

The ALP are busy in-fighting as they lobby to divide up the spoils before they even get the keys to the Treasury. Supporters of Kevin Rudd are being talked up for two of the Parliament’s most prestigious and highly paid jobs – Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate President. But the pre-election push has angered senior Opposition figures who warn that voters will crucify Labor if it becomes cocky.

“There is a lot of triumphalism from Rudd supporters,” one Labor MP said.

Roger Price, a right-wing backer of Mr Rudd from western Sydney, has emerged as a potential Speaker of the House of Representatives. And Gavin Marshall – a left-wing senator from Victoria – is being promoted by others to become President of the Senate. Senator Marshall is closely aligned with the Left’s Kim Carr. Talk of the Price-Marshall ticket has infuriated Labor MPs, who have labelled Senator Carr – an ally of Deputy Leader Julia Gillard – a “destructive influence” Anyone associated with Julia Gillard is bound to be a destructive influence. Senior Opposition figures … warn that voters will crucify Labor if it becomes cocky. Keep up with the triumphalism guys while we get the cross ready.