No More Mark Latham

b2tf · 18-01-2005, 03:31 PM

Well apparently he's stepping down 'for health reasons'.

As long as Beazley doesnt come back, i don't really care.

NAK302 · 18-01-2005, 03:35 PM

health reasons?

:

: more like

:

RED_EL_XR8 · 18-01-2005, 03:38 PM

Close the door on your way out Mark!!! And if you wouldn't mind could you take your crooked premier mates Bob & Steve on your way to obscurity.

:

And take that wretched Gillard woman too, listening to her is like listening to cats fighting.!!!

seano14 · 18-01-2005, 03:49 PM

steady on guys. he hasnt given out details about what exactly is wrong with his health. whether you like him or not, he may be faced with something really serious. he says he is quitting politics too, which makes me think its worse than he's saying.

loxxr6 · 18-01-2005, 04:30 PM

steady on guys. he hasnt given out details about what exactly is wrong with his health. whether you like him or not, he may be faced with something really serious. he says he is quitting politics too, which makes me think its worse than he's saying.

isn't it pancreatitis ??

Party's over: Latham quits, blames health
January 18, 2005 - 2:46PM

Opposition Leader Mark Latham has quit as Labor leader and Werriwa MP, blaming his health. Former leader Kim Beazley is about to make a statement.

Mr Latham, speaking at a doorstop in Sydney, also announced he would quit politics.

``A number of colleagues have asked me to address the uncertainty concerning the Labor leadership,'' Mr Latham told journalists.

``While I had planned to reassess things at the end of my leave period on the 26th of January, the ongoing speculation is damaging the party and needs to be dealt with now.

''(My family's) conclusion is that I should look after my health and pursue a normal life outside of politics.

``Therefore I've decided to resign both as Labor leader and Member for Werriwa.''

Mr Latham thanked Labor "for the opportunity of leading it to the last election and trying to form a Labor government.

``I hope that my colleagues can achieve this final goal in the future and I wish them well.''

Mr Latham said he was proud of Labor's achievements from opposition in 2004, including reforms to parliamentary superannuation and changes to the US free trade agreement.

`I did my bit to lead a genuinely progressive Australian Labor Party,'' he said.

``I wish to thank the people of Werriwa for 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 have 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.''

Mr Latham refused to answer any questions from reporters.

He addressed the media without his wife Janine Lacy by his side.
He left immediately after delivering his prepared statement.

Mr Latham had been under growing pressure to end speculation over the leadership, sparked by last week's announcement he was suffering from a second bout of pancreatitis.

LuvinmyEB · 18-01-2005, 04:48 PM

Why Latham quit.
The Age Breaking News - pm edition
January 18, 2005 - 3:23PM

I have had a well-publicised problem with pancreatitis that has been hard to overcome. This condition and the uncertain timing of the attacks are incompatible with the demands and stresses of a parliamentary life.

When I was hospitalised in August, for instance, the media frenzy was over the top, with photographers shooting through my hospital window. Accordingly, I have done everything I could to keep subsequent episodes as private as possible.

Unfortunately ever since the recent bout became known, and even though I was on annual leave, the media has been harassing people in our street, forcing our neighbours to call the police on several occasions.

Obviously this situation cannot continue. 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. While it is important to try to help people through community involvement, this should not be at the expense of loved ones.

Smoked · 18-01-2005, 04:53 PM

I dont think its due to a Labour party

Someone who suffers pancreatitis, generally does so due to to much :baby bott

RED_EL_XR8 · 18-01-2005, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seano14

steady on guys. he hasnt given out details about what exactly is wrong with his health. whether you like him or not, he may be faced with something really serious. he says he is quitting politics too, which makes me think its worse than he's saying.

Know where you are coming from Seano, despite the fact I zero respect for the man, and that I do not trust him nor agree with his ideals, I still do not wish him ill health.
There is a lot of speculation that the health issue is a pot on to save face, I'll just sit back and see what transpires, the truth either way will surface in time. I am just glad to see a dangerous element out of Politics.

4.9 EF Futura · 18-01-2005, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RED_EL_XR8

Know where you are coming from Seano, despite the fact I zero respect for the man, and that I do not trust him nor agree with his ideals, I still do not wish him ill health.
There is a lot of speculation that the health issue is a pot on to save face, I'll just sit back and see what transpires, the truth either way will surface in time. I am just glad to see a dangerous element out of Politics.

Really well put Red EL.

Will be very interesting to see who is put forward now...

MethodX · 18-01-2005, 06:17 PM

Wish Latham well for the future.

And Labor get someone good to get rid of John Stalin Howard
Beazly is cool

NAK302 · 18-01-2005, 06:21 PM

good thing he didn't get in, then. we may have ended up with Wayne Swan as PM

:

Casper · 18-01-2005, 06:31 PM

Meh, not like its anyone important.

:

Psycho Chicken · 18-01-2005, 06:45 PM

Well there goes the labour party. At least what was left of it!

Kryton · 18-01-2005, 06:49 PM

he was pushed out the door IMO. itll only get worse with Beasley in.

Danny · 18-01-2005, 07:17 PM

Still I'd rather ole Jabba the hut beazley than latham

rob_o · 18-01-2005, 07:50 PM

Beazley has some big shoes to fill...

...dunno about the pants tho

pauljh74 · 18-01-2005, 10:10 PM

I thought it would be the stabbing pain in his back and the sore ribs from when the party kicked him while he was down, in addition to the Pancreatitis that caused him to resign. I reckon Beasley will be re-instated as leader - because although many may not like him, he's been holding important roles in the Labor party for some time, has alot of experience (at being a lying, cheating, politician) and out of the other candidates, are there any others you would think could do better?

SpoolMan · 18-01-2005, 10:29 PM

i would wish him well and hope he gets the time with his young family he wants..

RED_EL_XR8 · 18-01-2005, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRFPV8

i would wish him well and hope he gets the time with his young family he wants..

As someone who despises his politics, I wish him that too.

rag top · 19-01-2005, 01:23 AM

I wonder if one of the state labor premiers will switch to Commonwealth Parliament... It won't happen overnight, but it could happen.... imagine Bracks or Beatie as PM!!

AFF Town looks more and more promising!

RSgerry · 19-01-2005, 01:58 AM

so one self-serving lying politician goes, only to be replaced by another. whatever side of the political fence you are on, you are faced with voting for people who dont know you and couldnt care less.

make no mistake, latham's financial package to leave will leave all of us jealous and wondering why we bothered to try to make an honest living. i hope the whole lot of them get dysentry and die.

**Captain Stubing** · 19-01-2005, 02:47 AM

Hasn't it always been the way? When the opposition loses an election, the opposition leader either stands down, for not being able to lead the party to victory, or is kicked out, for whatever reason they can dredge up?

RED_EL_XR8 · 19-01-2005, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '67

.... imagine Bracks or Beatie as PM!!

No the image I prefer to imagine is one of Carr and Bracks strapped screaming to a medieval catapult aimed at NZ's South Island.

I honest don't know why the catapult ever went out of favour as a deterrent.

Sourbastard · 19-01-2005, 10:20 AM

apparently latham has also had bouts with testicular cancer as well. the dude just aint healthy.

Personally I think he should have been replaced by Kevin Rudd, he is a better political operator then latham or beazley, and sometimes even thinks before he speaks.

xceler8shun · 19-01-2005, 11:14 AM

even if Beazley become the Leader again, doesnt mean he will be there when the next election rolls around. He had his chance twice before and blew it, I cant see anything changing people's opinons about his this time.

4.9 EF Futura · 19-01-2005, 11:44 AM

Whaddya reckon about Kate Ellis guys? She knocked off the long-standing member for Adelaide in recent election - could do well as the head of the ALP:

Now, I'm a liberal man through and through..... but i'm only male ;)

Homer1 · 19-01-2005, 12:15 PM

Hate the man and his party but wish him a full recovery.

Still, its fun to see Labor bitching themselves into oblivion :the_finge

Hope it stays that way for a long, long time!!! They can also take thier Dole bludging, tall poppy syndrome mates with them too!

b2tf · 19-01-2005, 12:52 PM

Oh please god no not Kim Beazley, cant stand the pompous fatarse.

Kevin Rudd is a little toad, every time i see him on TV he ****es me off with his snivelling 'im so right' voice. Annoying, annoying little weasel.

I like Peter Beattie, but i dont live in QLD so im unsure as to how good a leader he is/would be.

bindi · 19-01-2005, 01:06 PM

Hey guys,

Never been to these off topic forums before so hi, nice to be here, nice place you have here.

I hate all pollies. Not personally, but just what they stand for. And as a health professional I have empathy for sick people... so I wish Mark Latham well, and hope he can have a break and work on making himself better. Stress does amazingly bad stuff to a person.

Next thing - did anyone ever watch CNNNN's coverage of the Election on the ABC? It was the funniest thing I have seen in a while, after of course Team America... and the one thing I noticed was all the Libs would run away from the CNNNN guys and cameramen/soundmen, but not Latham. He was joining in on the joke, even stealing a pen from them and driving away.

Now I don't care about any political party's policies cos they are all a bunch of tree hugging hippy crap but when it comes to a sense of humour and having a laugh at yourself, then Mark Latham won hands down! :king:

Beazley is a moron, but so they all are and basically they don't care about us, when you do vote it ends up being that you are voting for who you consider to be the lesser of two evils.

My two cents' worth

4.9 EF Futura · 19-01-2005, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bindi

Next thing - did anyone ever watch CNNNN's coverage of the Election on the ABC? It was the funniest thing I have seen in a while, after of course Team America...

Hehe - The Chaser Decides - "Indecision 2004". Brilliant television.

http://www.chaser.com.au/splash.asp

http://www.cnnnn.com/