john faulkner?, page-2

Faulkner to resign from cabinetPublished
12:31 PM, 7 Jul 2010

Defence Minister John Faulkner says he isn't quitting federal cabinet after the next election because Kevin Rudd was dumped as prime minister last month.

Rather he says his decision is motivated by the need for "generational change".

"I believe the government is well-placed to win a second term," he told reporters in Canberra.

"But I also believe in generational change."

Senator Faulkner wanted to leave parliament altogether, but Prime Minister Julia Gillard persuaded him to stay on.

"However she was adamant that I could best serve the interests of the government and the party by recontesting my Senate seat and remaining in parliament," he said.

"And she's persuaded me to do so."

After 30 years in politics and as a minister in two governments it was time to go, Senator Faulkner said.

"I know this is the time to step down," he said.

Any suggestion the recent change in leadership was responsible for his decision to relinquish his portfolio was wrong.

"I cannot say strongly enough that any such speculation is just plain wrong.

"Julia Gillard has my absolute support."

Senator Faulkner acknowledged the leadership, professionalism and dedication of Defence force chief Angus Houston and Defence secretary Ian Watt.

"They have embraced the challenge of change and I could not have done my job without them," he said.

Senator Faulkner said Defence had become more accountable, transparent, efficient, strategic, and better prepared for the future.

Senator Faulkner said the portfolio had left an indelible mark on him.

"While I am leaving as defence minister, I will not ever forget those soldiers killed and wounded and those still fighting in Afghanistan," he said.

Senator Faulkner says he won't return to the frontbench if Labor is re-elected.

"After the election, when a new minister for defence is sworn in, that will be the last day I will serve as a minister of the commonwealth of Australia or on the frontbench," he said.

Senator Faulkner said he wanted to announce his impending retirement from the frontbench before the election was called.

"I wanted to make this announcement before the election was called," he said.

"The election is going to be called sometime in the weeks and months ahead."

Senator Faulkner said he was old-fashioned about such matters and didn't want to have to "vague things up a little ... or dissemble a little" if quizzed about his intentions during the campaign.

He was committed to openness and transparency, the NSW senator said.

Senator Faulkner said he hoped to continue his mentoring role for new Labor parliamentarians.

"I hope that I can play a role in support of newer and younger parliamentary colleagues," he said.

"I certainly hope I can do that, and I think that is a role that I have played effectively now for a significant number of years."

He said the prime minister has asked him to play a role with her in the forthcoming election campaign and travel with her as he had done on a number of occasions.

"I indicated to her that I consider that would be an honour to assist her in that way and support the Labor party in that way," he said.

There was no element of frustration at his decision to step down from the frontbench, Senator Faulkner said.

As a parliamentarian he said he would remain committed to the government's integrity agenda, which was one of the reasons he had agreed to take the position as cabinet secretary.

It had been hard to pass electoral reform in government but the government had made inroads on Freedom of Information and codes of conduct for ministerial staff and lobbyists, Senator Faulkner said.

Senator Faulkner refused to say whether he would commit to a full six-year Senate term.

"I have given a commitment that I will stay while it is in the best interests of the party to do so," he said, adding the decision was not made lightly.

Senator Faulkner said he had never broken a confidence during his political life and he did not intend to start now by revealing the discussions with Mr Rudd and Ms Gillard the night before Ms Gillard was installed as leader.

"At a public level, at a private level, at a personal level the discussions that took place there I won't share with you," he said.

"But what I have shared with you is the insight that there were only three of us in that room, not the any number that were reported being there and that those discussions took place over a considerable period of time."

It was important to have people in all walks of life in which colleagues and friends could confide, Senator Faulkner said.

"I am one of those people," he said.

Senator Faulkner refused to say whether he would commit to a full six-year Senate term.

"I have given a commitment that I will stay while it is in the best interests of the party to do so," he said, adding the decision was not made lightly.

Senator Faulkner said he had never broken a confidence during his political life and he did not intend to start now by revealing the discussions with Mr Rudd and Ms Gillard the night before Ms Gillard was installed as leader.

"At a public level, at a private level, at a personal level the discussions that took place there I won't share with you," he said.

"But what I have shared with you is the insight that there were only three of us in that room, not the any number that were reported being there and that those discussions took place over a considerable period of time."

It was important to have people in all walks of life in which colleagues and friends could confide, Senator Faulkner said.

"I am one of those people," he said.