Revision as of 23:07, 12 April 2019 editKrinkle (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers5,481 edits testing for a software bug (note: stashing and JS are disabled)← Previous edit | Revision as of 09:21, 14 April 2019 edit undo203.220.158.254 (talk) Please see similar articles concerning allegations - no need to remove subsequent subheadings also. The allegation is inextricably linked to becoming opposition leader, not his personal life.Tag: UndoNext edit → | ||
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His first speech acknowledged the role of women in his election success. He distanced himself from ]'s social conservatism, saying "I reject the assumption that merit is more located in the brains of men than women" and highlighting the proportion of women in Labor's leadership, with ] as Deputy Leader and ] as Senate Opposition Leader.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tanya Plibersek elected to be Bill Shorten's deputy|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/14/plibersek-elected-deputy-labor-leader|date=14 October 2013|accessdate=15 October 2013|author=Taylor, Lenore|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Star of the Left Tanya Plibersek helped Bill Shorten win|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/star-of-the-left-tanya-plibersek-helped-bill-shorten-win/story-fn59niix-1226739247623|accessdate=15 October 2013|newspaper=The Australian|author=Nicholson, Brendan|date=14 October 2013}}</ref> | His first speech acknowledged the role of women in his election success. He distanced himself from ]'s social conservatism, saying "I reject the assumption that merit is more located in the brains of men than women" and highlighting the proportion of women in Labor's leadership, with ] as Deputy Leader and ] as Senate Opposition Leader.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tanya Plibersek elected to be Bill Shorten's deputy|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/14/plibersek-elected-deputy-labor-leader|date=14 October 2013|accessdate=15 October 2013|author=Taylor, Lenore|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Star of the Left Tanya Plibersek helped Bill Shorten win|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/star-of-the-left-tanya-plibersek-helped-bill-shorten-win/story-fn59niix-1226739247623|accessdate=15 October 2013|newspaper=The Australian|author=Nicholson, Brendan|date=14 October 2013}}</ref> | ||
===Sexual assault allegations=== | |||
⚫ | Shorten had been consistently polling better than Abbott and Labor better than the ] from the ] until the ] when ] succeeded Abbott as ]. Turnbull's honeymoon polling soared above Shorten with the ] taking the lead over Labor. ] holds the record for lowest ] "Better Prime Minister" rating of 7% (29 February-2 March 2008). Three leaders including Shorten hold the combined second-lowest rating of 14% – ] (28–30 November 2003), ] (27–29 November 2009) and Shorten (4–6 December 2015). The December 2015 Newspoll saw a continued 53-47 two-party vote to the government, however Turnbull's personal ratings were significantly lessened, with personal approval down eight to 52% and personal disapproval up eight to 30%.<ref>{{cite web|author=William Bowe |url=http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2015/12/07/newspoll-53-47-to-coalition-9/ |title=Newspoll: 53-47 to Coalition – The Poll Bludger |publisher=Blogs.crikey.com.au |date=2015-12-07 |accessdate=2018-06-26}}</ref> Some media outlets opined Turnbull's honeymoon to be over.<ref>{{cite web|last=Speers |first=David |url=http://www.switzer.com.au/the-experts/david-speers/the-honeymoon-is-over/ |title=The honeymoon is over |publisher=Switzer.com.au |date=2015-12-03 |accessdate=2018-06-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/honeymoon-over-for-malcolm-turnbull/news-story/10644e38e9a90f497296696ae4248f47 |title=Honeymoon over for Malcolm Turnbull |publisher=Herald Sun |date=2015-12-06 |accessdate=2018-06-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-is-a-13-per-cent-swing-against-government-in-north-sydney-a-warning-for-malcolm-turnbull/news-story/fb4ca4201b4e0bcf7dab36f87f8f1aaa |title=Is the Turnbull honeymoon over? |publisher=Courier Mail |date=2015-12-07 |accessdate=2018-06-26}}</ref> | ||
⚫ | Shortly afterwards, just after he was made leader of the Australian Labour Party, Shorten was accused of rape, that was alleged to have occurred in 1986. Shorten after police saw no reasonable possibility of a conviction. No charges were laid, and the matter was dropped by police at the conclusion of the investigation.<ref>Grattan, Michelle. (24 August 2014). "", '']''. Retrieved 11 April 2019.</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/bill-shorten-vows-to-hold-vote-on-republic-during-first-term-of-a-labor-government-20170728-gxkv15.html|title=Bill Shorten speaks out after 1980s rape allegation|last=Griffiths|first=Emma|date=22 August 2014|work=ABC News|access-date=11 April 2019}}</ref> | ||
===44th Parliament=== | |||
⚫ | Shorten had been consistently polling better than Abbott, and Labor better than the ] from the ] until the ] when ] succeeded Abbott as ]. Turnbull's honeymoon polling soared above Shorten with the ] taking the lead over Labor. ] holds the record for lowest ] "Better Prime Minister" rating of 7% (29 February-2 March 2008). Three leaders including Shorten hold the combined second-lowest rating of 14% – ] (28–30 November 2003), ] (27–29 November 2009) and Shorten (4–6 December 2015). The December 2015 Newspoll saw a continued 53-47 two-party vote to the government, however Turnbull's personal ratings were significantly lessened, with personal approval down eight to 52% and personal disapproval up eight to 30%.<ref>{{cite web|author=William Bowe |url=http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2015/12/07/newspoll-53-47-to-coalition-9/ |title=Newspoll: 53-47 to Coalition – The Poll Bludger |publisher=Blogs.crikey.com.au |date=2015-12-07 |accessdate=2018-06-26}}</ref> Some media outlets opined Turnbull's honeymoon to be over.<ref>{{cite web|last=Speers |first=David |url=http://www.switzer.com.au/the-experts/david-speers/the-honeymoon-is-over/ |title=The honeymoon is over |publisher=Switzer.com.au |date=2015-12-03 |accessdate=2018-06-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/honeymoon-over-for-malcolm-turnbull/news-story/10644e38e9a90f497296696ae4248f47 |title=Honeymoon over for Malcolm Turnbull |publisher=Herald Sun |date=2015-12-06 |accessdate=2018-06-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-is-a-13-per-cent-swing-against-government-in-north-sydney-a-warning-for-malcolm-turnbull/news-story/fb4ca4201b4e0bcf7dab36f87f8f1aaa |title=Is the Turnbull honeymoon over? |publisher=Courier Mail |date=2015-12-07 |accessdate=2018-06-26}}</ref> | ||
In early 2015, leading up to Australia Day, Shorten called for a new push for Australia to become a republic.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}} Former ] chair ] said upon his appointment as Prime Minister in September of the same year he would not pursue "his dream" of Australia becoming a republic until after the end of the Queen's reign, instead focusing his efforts toward the economy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/prime-minister-malcolm-turnbulls-new-cabinet-to-be-sworn-in-today/story-fnihslxi-1227536373800?from=public_rss|title=Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's new cabinet to be sworn in today|last=Dunlevy|first=Sue|publisher=The Courier-Mail|date=21 September 2015|accessdate=22 September 2015}}</ref> In July 2017, Shorten revealed that should the Labor Party be elected to government at the ], they would legislate for a compulsory plebiscite on the issue. Should that plebiscite be supported by a majority of Australians, a referendum would be held, asking the public for their support for a specific model of government.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/bill-shorten-vows-to-hold-vote-on-republic-during-first-term-of-a-labor-government-20170728-gxkv15.html|title=Bill Shorten vows to hold vote on republic during first term of a Labor government|last=Massola|first=James|date=28 July 2017|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=28 July 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> | In early 2015, leading up to Australia Day, Shorten called for a new push for Australia to become a republic.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}} Former ] chair ] said upon his appointment as Prime Minister in September of the same year he would not pursue "his dream" of Australia becoming a republic until after the end of the Queen's reign, instead focusing his efforts toward the economy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/prime-minister-malcolm-turnbulls-new-cabinet-to-be-sworn-in-today/story-fnihslxi-1227536373800?from=public_rss|title=Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's new cabinet to be sworn in today|last=Dunlevy|first=Sue|publisher=The Courier-Mail|date=21 September 2015|accessdate=22 September 2015}}</ref> In July 2017, Shorten revealed that should the Labor Party be elected to government at the ], they would legislate for a compulsory plebiscite on the issue. Should that plebiscite be supported by a majority of Australians, a referendum would be held, asking the public for their support for a specific model of government.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/bill-shorten-vows-to-hold-vote-on-republic-during-first-term-of-a-labor-government-20170728-gxkv15.html|title=Bill Shorten vows to hold vote on republic during first term of a Labor government|last=Massola|first=James|date=28 July 2017|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=28 July 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
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] | ] | ||
In 2015, Shorten said that the voting age should be lowered to 16.<ref name="abc.net.au">ABC News, 31 October 2015, </ref> In February 2016, Shorten called ] a "]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/at-least-im-not-a-homophobe-bill-shorten-in-tense-exchange-with-cory-bernardi-20160223-gn1xdl.html|title='At least I'm not a homophobe': Bill Shorten in tense press conference exchange with Cory Bernardi|first=Fergus|last=Hunter|date=24 February 2016|work=smh.com.au|accessdate=17 September 2016}}</ref> In March 2016, Shorten committed that the party would oppose any effort to extend discrimination law exemptions to allow people who object to same-sex marriage to deny goods and services to same-sex couples.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/mar/31/shorten-labor-wont-change-discrimination-laws-to-please-gay-marriage-opponents |title=Shorten: Labor won't change discrimination laws to please same-sex marriage opponents |author=Karp, Paul|date=31 March 2016|work=The Guardian|accessdate=7 April 2016}}</ref> | In 2015, Shorten said that the voting age should be lowered to 16.<ref name="abc.net.au">ABC News, 31 October 2015, </ref> In February 2016, Shorten called ] a "]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/at-least-im-not-a-homophobe-bill-shorten-in-tense-exchange-with-cory-bernardi-20160223-gn1xdl.html|title='At least I'm not a homophobe': Bill Shorten in tense press conference exchange with Cory Bernardi|first=Fergus|last=Hunter|date=24 February 2016|work=smh.com.au|accessdate=17 September 2016}}</ref> In March 2016, Shorten committed that the party would oppose any effort to extend discrimination law exemptions to allow people who object to same-sex marriage to deny goods and services to same-sex couples.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/mar/31/shorten-labor-wont-change-discrimination-laws-to-please-gay-marriage-opponents |title=Shorten: Labor won't change discrimination laws to please same-sex marriage opponents |author=Karp, Paul|date=31 March 2016|work=The Guardian|accessdate=7 April 2016}}</ref> | ||
===2016 Federal Election=== | |||
In February 2016, Shorten called ] a "]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/at-least-im-not-a-homophobe-bill-shorten-in-tense-exchange-with-cory-bernardi-20160223-gn1xdl.html|title='At least I'm not a homophobe': Bill Shorten in tense press conference exchange with Cory Bernardi|first=Fergus|last=Hunter|date=24 February 2016|work=smh.com.au|accessdate=17 September 2016}}</ref> In March 2016, Shorten committed that the party would oppose any effort to extend discrimination law exemptions to allow people who object to same-sex marriage to deny goods and services to same-sex couples.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/mar/31/shorten-labor-wont-change-discrimination-laws-to-please-gay-marriage-opponents |title=Shorten: Labor won't change discrimination laws to please same-sex marriage opponents |author=Karp, Paul|date=31 March 2016|work=The Guardian|accessdate=7 April 2016}}</ref> | |||
The 2016 Double-Dissolution Election was held on July 2, 2016 concluded with a slim majority of 76 seats for the Coalition, with Malcolm Turnbull retaining power and just barely edging out Shorten and his Labor team. | |||
===2019 Federal Election=== | |||
The 2019 Election was called to be held on May 18, 2019 where Shorten's Labor Party will vie to take power from Scott Morrison's Liberal National Coalition. | |||
==Personal life== | ==Personal life== | ||
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In May 2012, the Shortens issued a public appeal requesting the cessation of an unspecified smear campaign about their marriage; Shorten was quoted by '']'' saying "personal lives and families should be off limits".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/bill-and-chloe-shorten-call-for-end-to-personal-attacks-in-politics/story-fn59niix-1226353989278|title=Bill and Chloe Shorten call for end to personal attacks in politics|work=The Australian|publisher=News Limited|date=13 May 2012|accessdate=22 May 2015}}</ref> | In May 2012, the Shortens issued a public appeal requesting the cessation of an unspecified smear campaign about their marriage; Shorten was quoted by '']'' saying "personal lives and families should be off limits".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/bill-and-chloe-shorten-call-for-end-to-personal-attacks-in-politics/story-fn59niix-1226353989278|title=Bill and Chloe Shorten call for end to personal attacks in politics|work=The Australian|publisher=News Limited|date=13 May 2012|accessdate=22 May 2015}}</ref> | ||
⚫ | |||
Despite their sharp political differences, Shorten was best man at the wedding of his close friend ], executive director of the ].<ref>, smh.com.au; accessed 22 May 2015.</ref> | Despite their sharp political differences, Shorten was best man at the wedding of his close friend ], executive director of the ].<ref>, smh.com.au; accessed 22 May 2015.</ref> |
Revision as of 09:21, 14 April 2019
Australian politician
The HonourableBill ShortenMP | |
---|---|
Leader of the Opposition | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office 13 October 2013 | |
Prime Minister | Tony Abbott Malcolm Turnbull Scott Morrison |
Deputy | Tanya Plibersek |
Preceded by | Chris Bowen |
Leader of the Labor Party | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office 13 October 2013 | |
Deputy | Tanya Plibersek |
Preceded by | Kevin Rudd |
Minister for Education | |
In office 1 July 2013 – 18 September 2013 | |
Prime Minister | Kevin Rudd |
Preceded by | Peter Garrett |
Succeeded by | Christopher Pyne |
Minister for Workplace Relations | |
In office 14 December 2011 – 18 September 2013 | |
Prime Minister | Julia Gillard Kevin Rudd |
Preceded by | Chris Evans |
Succeeded by | Eric Abetz |
Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation | |
In office 14 September 2010 – 1 July 2013 | |
Prime Minister | Julia Gillard Kevin Rudd |
Preceded by | Chris Bowen |
Succeeded by | David Bradbury |
Assistant Treasurer of Australia | |
In office 14 September 2010 – 14 December 2011 | |
Prime Minister | Julia Gillard |
Preceded by | Nick Sherry |
Succeeded by | Mark Arbib |
Member of the Australian Parliament for Maribyrnong | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office 24 November 2007 | |
Preceded by | Bob Sercombe |
Personal details | |
Born | William Richard Shorten (1967-05-12) 12 May 1967 (age 57) Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia |
Citizenship |
|
Political party | Labor |
Spouses |
|
Relations | Julian Beale (former father-in-law) Michael Bryce (father-in-law) Quentin Bryce (mother-in-law) |
Children | 1 |
Residence(s) | Moonee Ponds, Victoria, Australia |
Education | Xavier College |
Alma mater | Monash University University of Melbourne |
Occupation | Employment lawyer (Maurice Blackburn) Trade union organizer (Australian Workers' Union) |
Profession | Trade unionist Solicitor Politician |
Website | billshorten |
William Richard Shorten (born 12 May 1967) is an Australian politician who has been Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Labor Party since October 2013.
Prior to entering Parliament, Shorten was the National Secretary of the Australian Workers' Union from 2001 to 2007. He was also the State President of the Victorian Labor Party. Shorten was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2007 for the Division of Maribyrnong in Victoria, and was immediately appointed as a Parliamentary Secretary. Following the 2010 federal election, he was elevated to the Cabinet and served first as Assistant Treasurer and then as Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation and Minister for Workplace Relations in the Gillard Government. In 2013 he was briefly Minister for Education until the defeat of the Rudd Government later that year.
After the defeat, Shorten stood in the subsequent leadership election against Anthony Albanese, the first such election that allowed a vote of party members as well as Members of Parliament, and was declared the winner on 13 October. Shorten went on to lead Labor to gain 14 seats at the 2016 federal election, when the Liberal/National Coalition retained majority government by one seat.
Early life
Birth and family background
Shorten was born on 12 May 1967 at St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, the son of Ann Rosemary (née McGrath) and William Robert Shorten. He has a twin brother, Robert. According to a statement given during the 2017 dual citizenship scandal, Shorten held British citizenship by descent until 2006, when he renounced it in order to run for parliament.
Shorten's mother was a university academic and lawyer who completed a doctorate at Monash University and ended her career there as a senior lecturer in education. She completed a law degree later in life and practised as a barrister for six years. She was originally from Ballarat, descended from "a long line of Irish Australians" who arrived during the Victorian gold rush. Shorten's father was a marine engineer born in Tyneside, England. After settling in Australia he worked as a manager at the Duke and Orr Dry Docks on Melbourne's Yarra River, where he was frequently in contact with union leaders. Shorten's parents divorced in 1988 and his father remarried a few years later. He subsequently became estranged from his father, who died in 2000.
Childhood
Shorten grew up in Melbourne's south-east, living in Murrumbeena or Hughesdale. He attended St Mary's Catholic Primary School in Malvern East. He and his brother were offered scholarships to De La Salle College, but their mother instead chose to send them to Xavier College. They began attending Kostka Hall, the college's junior campus, in 1977. Shorten was chosen for the state debating team in 1984, his final year at the school. He excelled at fencing and was the state under-15 champion in the sabre division.
University
In 1985, Shorten began studying at Monash University, graduating Bachelor of Arts in 1989 and Bachelor of Laws in 1992. He was active in student politics, both in the university's ALP Club and in Young Labor. He helped establish Network, a Labor Right-aligned faction of Young Labor; in 1986 it "took control of Young Labor from the Left for the first time". Shorten briefly worked in a butcher's shop during his first years at university, and was also a member of the Australian Army Reserve from 1985 to 1986, holding the rank of private. He volunteered in Senator Gareth Evans' office, and then after the 1988 Victorian state election was employed as a youth affairs adviser to Neil Pope, a Victorian government minister. He took a gap year in 1990, travelling overseas for the first time and backpacking through Central Europe. He was subsequently involved in Network's abortive attempt to take over the state branch of the Australian Theatrical and Amusement Employees' Association.
Union leader
After graduating, Shorten worked for eighteen months as a lawyer for Maurice Blackburn Cashman. In 1994, he began his union career as a trainee organiser under the ACTU's Organising Works program at the Australian Workers Union (AWU), before being elected Victorian state secretary in 1998. His time as secretary was marked by a reform of the union's structures.
Shorten was elected as the AWU's national secretary in 2001 and was re-elected in 2005. He resigned as Victorian state secretary of the AWU in August 2007. He was an active member of the Labor Party and was a member of the party's national executive until 2011, as well as the administrative committee of the Victorian branch. He was also director of the Superannuation Trust of Australia (now Australian Super) and the Victorian Funds Management Corporation. From December 2005 until May 2008 he was the Victorian state president of the Labor Party. He was also a member of the Australian Council of Trade Unions executive. Until early 2006, he was a board member of GetUp.org.au.
During his time as AWU national secretary, Shorten was the interim chief executive of the Australian Netball Players Association (ANPA), following an alliance between the AWU and ANPA in 2005. Shorten also served on the advisory board of the Australian Cricketers' Association.
Early political career
Prior to the 1996 federal election, aged 28, Shorten contested Labor preselection for the Division of Maribyrnong. He was defeated by Bob Sercombe, who went on to retain the seat for Labor at the election. In February 1998, Shorten won preselection for the safe Labor seat of Melton at the 1999 state election. He was not a resident of the electorate, located on the rural–urban fringe to Melbourne's north-west. He subsequently resigned as a candidate in order to become state secretary of the AWU.
In 2005, Shorten announced that he would again seek preselection for the Division of Maribyrnong, challenging Bob Sercombe (the sitting member and a member of the Beazley shadow ministry). Justifying his challenge to an incumbent Labor MP, Shorten said, "...we haven't won a federal election since 1993. When your footy team loses four consecutive grand finals, you renew the team."
On 28 February, Sercombe announced that he was withdrawing his candidacy for re-selection, a few days before the vote of local members in which Shorten was expected to poll very strongly. As a result, Shorten was selected unopposed to contest the seat. During the Beaconsfield mine collapse, Shorten, as National Secretary of the AWU, played a role as a negotiator and commentator on developments in the immediate aftermath and the ensuing rescue operations. The mine rescue operations drew mass national media coverage, and raised Shorten's political profile ahead of the 2007 election.
Member of Parliament
Rudd Government
At the 2007 federal election, Shorten was elected to the House of Representatives as the Labor MP for Maribyrnong. It was speculated that with his high public profile and general popularity within the Labor Party, he might immediately be given a front-bench portfolio; however, when asked about the possibility, new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said that he believed parliamentary experience was essential when designating front-bench portfolios. On 29 November, Rudd announced that Shorten would become Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services. As Parliamentary Secretary, Shorten pushed hard for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, something which was later to become a key policy of the Labor Government.
Shorten would later become one of the main factional leaders involved in the replacement of Kevin Rudd as Prime Minister and Leader of the Labor Party with Julia Gillard in the 2010 leadership challenge.
Gillard Government
Following the 2010 federal election, there was speculation that Shorten might seek to oust Prime Minister Julia Gillard from her position within the year; former Labor Prime Minister Bob Hawke and former Labor Opposition Leader Kim Beazley had both previously endorsed Shorten as a potential future Labor Leader. Shorten denied this speculation, and was promoted to the Cabinet as Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation. In 2011, he was also given the position of Minister for Workplace Relations.
Following a period of persistent leadership tensions, Shorten announced immediately before a June 2013 leadership ballot took place that he would back Rudd against Gillard, and would resign from the Cabinet should she win. Rudd subsequently won the ballot and became Prime Minister for a second time, appointing Shorten as Minister for Education, with particular responsibility for implementing the Gonski school funding reforms.
Shorten is considered a moderate member of the Labor Party. As with recent Labor leaders, Shorten supports an Australian republic.
Leader of the Opposition
Following the defeat of the Labor government at the 2013 federal election, Kevin Rudd announced that he would stand down as Leader of the Labor Party. Shorten subsequently announced his candidacy to be his successor, in a contest with Anthony Albanese that would be the first time party members would be eligible to vote. Shorten subsequently gained 63.9% of the party caucus vote and 40.8% of the rank-and-file members' vote, which when weighted equally gave Shorten a 52.02% victory over Albanese.
His first speech acknowledged the role of women in his election success. He distanced himself from Tony Abbott's social conservatism, saying "I reject the assumption that merit is more located in the brains of men than women" and highlighting the proportion of women in Labor's leadership, with Tanya Plibersek as Deputy Leader and Penny Wong as Senate Opposition Leader.
Sexual assault allegations
Shortly afterwards, just after he was made leader of the Australian Labour Party, Shorten was accused of rape, that was alleged to have occurred in 1986. Shorten denied the allegations in a statement after police saw no reasonable possibility of a conviction. No charges were laid, and the matter was dropped by police at the conclusion of the investigation.
44th Parliament
Shorten had been consistently polling better than Abbott, and Labor better than the Abbott Coalition Government from the July 2014 Australian federal budget until the September 2015 Liberal leadership ballot when Malcolm Turnbull succeeded Abbott as Prime Minister. Turnbull's honeymoon polling soared above Shorten with the Turnbull Coalition Government taking the lead over Labor. Brendan Nelson holds the record for lowest Newspoll "Better Prime Minister" rating of 7% (29 February-2 March 2008). Three leaders including Shorten hold the combined second-lowest rating of 14% – Simon Crean (28–30 November 2003), Malcolm Turnbull (27–29 November 2009) and Shorten (4–6 December 2015). The December 2015 Newspoll saw a continued 53-47 two-party vote to the government, however Turnbull's personal ratings were significantly lessened, with personal approval down eight to 52% and personal disapproval up eight to 30%. Some media outlets opined Turnbull's honeymoon to be over.
In early 2015, leading up to Australia Day, Shorten called for a new push for Australia to become a republic. Former ARM chair Malcolm Turnbull said upon his appointment as Prime Minister in September of the same year he would not pursue "his dream" of Australia becoming a republic until after the end of the Queen's reign, instead focusing his efforts toward the economy. In July 2017, Shorten revealed that should the Labor Party be elected to government at the 2019 federal election, they would legislate for a compulsory plebiscite on the issue. Should that plebiscite be supported by a majority of Australians, a referendum would be held, asking the public for their support for a specific model of government.
In 2015, Shorten said that the voting age should be lowered to 16. In February 2016, Shorten called Cory Bernardi a "homophobe". In March 2016, Shorten committed that the party would oppose any effort to extend discrimination law exemptions to allow people who object to same-sex marriage to deny goods and services to same-sex couples.
2016 Federal Election
In February 2016, Shorten called Cory Bernardi a "homophobe". In March 2016, Shorten committed that the party would oppose any effort to extend discrimination law exemptions to allow people who object to same-sex marriage to deny goods and services to same-sex couples.
The 2016 Double-Dissolution Election was held on July 2, 2016 concluded with a slim majority of 76 seats for the Coalition, with Malcolm Turnbull retaining power and just barely edging out Shorten and his Labor team.
2019 Federal Election
The 2019 Election was called to be held on May 18, 2019 where Shorten's Labor Party will vie to take power from Scott Morrison's Liberal National Coalition.
Personal life
In March 2000, Shorten married Debbie Beale, daughter of businessman and former Liberal MP Julian Beale. They divorced in 2008. In 2009, Shorten married Chloe Bryce, daughter of then Governor-General Quentin Bryce.
The Shortens live in Moonee Ponds Victoria with their daughter, Clementine, as well as Chloe Shorten's other two children, Georgette and Rupert, from her previous marriage to Brisbane architect Roger Parkin who shares their parental responsibility.
In May 2012, the Shortens issued a public appeal requesting the cessation of an unspecified smear campaign about their marriage; Shorten was quoted by The Australian saying "personal lives and families should be off limits".
Despite their sharp political differences, Shorten was best man at the wedding of his close friend John Roskam, executive director of the Institute of Public Affairs.
Shorten was raised Catholic, but converted to Anglicanism before his second marriage – as well as it being his wife's religion, he "had come to disagree with the Church on a number of issues".
See also
Notes
- Sources agree that Shorten's childhood home was located on Neerim Road, but differ as to whether it was in Murrumbeena or Hughesdale.
References
- Doran, Matthew; McGhee, Ashlynne (21 August 2017). "Labor refuse to release citizenship documents for MPs facing questions". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
- "ParlInfo – Biography for Shorten, the Hon. William (Bill) Richard". Parlinfo.aph.gov.au. 5 December 1967. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
- Rule, Andrew (26 September 2009). "The son also rises". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
{{cite news}}
: Invalid|ref=harv
(help) - Wright, Jessica (15 April 2014). "Bill Shorten farewells mother, Ann, at private funeral in Melbourne". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
- Brown, Greg (21 August 2017). "Bill Shorten's British citizenship: displays classic hypocrisy, Angus Taylor says". The Australian. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
- "Obituary: Dr Ann Rosemary Shorten". Victorian Bar. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
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- "They grew up in a California bungalow (since demolished) on a busy corner on Neerim Road in Hughesdale". Rule (2009).
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- Marr 2015, p. 10–13.
- ^ Marr 2015, p. 12.
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- Marr 2015, p. 13.
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- The Hon Bill Shorten MP, Q&A profile, ABC. Retrieved 26 September 2009.
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- Marr 2015, p. 20.
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He met Deborah Beale in his MBA class at Melbourne University. ... A few weeks before their wedding in March 2000, she persuaded Shorten to reconcile with ...
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One such friendship was with Labor MP Bill Shorten, former AustralianWorkers Union chief and ... Even when Bill and Debbie divorced in 2008 and Shorten ...
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Further reading
- Marr, David (2015). Faction Man: Bill Shorten's Path to Power. Quarterly Essay. ISBN 9781863957533.
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(help) - Shorten, Bill (2016). For the Common Good: Reflections on Australia's Future. Melbourne University Press. ISBN 9780522869415.
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(help) - Strangio, Paul; Walter, James (2018). "Turnbull versus Shorten: The Major Party Leadership Contest" (PDF). In Gauja, Anika; Chen, Peter; Curtin, Jennifer; Pietsch, Juliet (eds.). Double Disillusion: The 2016 Australian Federal Election. ANU Press. ISBN 9781760461850.
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(help)
External links
- Bill Shorten – Labor for Maribyrnong
- AWU: Bill Shorten
- Parliament of Australia – House of Representatives – The Hon Bill Shorten MP
- Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services
- Search or browse Hansard for Bill Shorten at OpenAustralia.org
Trade union offices | ||
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Preceded byTerry Muscat | National Secretary of the Australian Workers' Union 2001–2007 |
Succeeded byPaul Howes |
Parliament of Australia | ||
Preceded byBob Sercombe | Member of Parliament for Maribyrnong 2007–present |
Incumbent |
Political offices | ||
Preceded byChris Bowen | Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation 2010–2013 |
Succeeded byDavid Bradbury |
Preceded byChris Evans | Minister for Workplace Relations 2011–2013 |
Succeeded byEric Abetz |
Preceded byPeter Garrett | Minister for Education 2013 |
Succeeded byChristopher Pyne |
Preceded byTony Abbott | Leader of the Opposition 2013–present |
Incumbent |
Party political offices | ||
Preceded byKevin Rudd | Leader of the Labor Party 2013–present |
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(Gillard 2←) Second Rudd ministry (→ Abbott) | ||
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