JULIA Gillard’s prime ministership is again under threat, with Labor sources saying government whip Joel Fitzgibbon is now actively canvassing for votes to return Kevin Rudd to the leadership.
The holder of the key government post is normally a bulwark against moves to depose a leader. But sources said he had switched camps some time ago, and was making a case for change to other MPs last week.
Mr Fitzgibbon did not return calls last night but he took to Twitter today to say: ‘‘I thank my colleagues for the publicity but no one does more to support the PM and the government than me!’’
Further comment is being sought from Mr Fitzgibbon. Ms Gillard will give a media conference in Canberra later today.
There is growing despair in Labor ranks about the government’s dismal stocks, and a loss of faith in Ms Gillard’s ability to turn things around. But people close to her in government insist she would not quit the leadership voluntarily.
Some who favour a switch do not want it to happen until the last day of parliamentary sittings in June, when a new leader would have the long winter break to reorganise government and tweak policies.
Government frontbencher Greg Combet said this morning that Labor whip Joel Fitzgibbon needed to answer questions about reports he has switched his support from Julia Gillard to Kevin Rudd.
”I’ve seen the conjecture today so I think probably a few questions might be directed at Joel.”
Ms Gillard won a decisive victory in a caucus ballot against Mr Rudd in February but the vote did not entirely quash leadership speculation.
She will face an angry Labor caucus on Tuesday over her government’s deal to let Gina Rinehart import 1700 foreign workers.
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