wong won, page-20

Wongs statement to the media.
NB the sextist comment about a "fairer and more equal" Australia ?
So a bloke gets democratically elected but she dosent think its fair and stamps her feet,so she wants to be female in politics but a man at home ?
Farrell on the other is a sleaze bag and full member of the 'faceless men' mob as discribed in McKews new book,so no sympathy for him

This disastrous government is falling to pieces,no direction,no leadership,no cohesion


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Labor has avoided a messy stoush between its Right and Left factions over the Senate preselection in South Australia.

Finance Minister Penny Wong will be at the top of the ALP's Senate ticket for the 2013 election, after parliamentary secretary Don Farrell agreed to drop to the number two spot.

Senator Farrell, a Right faction powerbroker who helped Julia Gillard seize the leadership in June 2010, won the top position at the preselection ballot at the weekend.

However, key Left faction figure and cabinet minister, Anthony Albanese, went public with his concerns about the preselection and threatened to seek its overturning at Friday's ALP national executive meeting.

Senator Farrell said he informed the prime minister of his decision on Monday.

"I said I was concerned that the issue was damaging the Labor party," he told ABC radio on Tuesday.

"I was prepared to do a swap with Penny."

Senator Farrell said Labor should not be seen to be concentrating on internal issues.

Labor backbencher Nick Champion, who voted for Senator Farrell, said his colleague always put the party ahead of personal interests.

"It's a very gracious decision by Don," Mr Champion told ABC television.

He took a swipe at Mr Albanese and others in the party, reminding them that it was a democratic decision to put Senator Farrell at the top of the ticket.

Senator Wong said in a statement that Senator Farrell is a "man of great standing".

"Throughout his career, Don has always put the Labor party first and he has demonstrated that principle again today," she said.

"I look forward to continuing to work with Don and my Labor colleagues for a fairer, stronger, more equal Australia."