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As a long term liberal supporter, with great joy I welcome John Robertson to leadership of the NSW Labor, and wish him a lengthy stay.

John with his short term in politics has done more for the liberals than almost any one else. As an ex trade union leader, he will be able to win the left wing votes back from the greens, but leave the middle ground free for the Liberals.

BOF will be able to govern without the worry of serious opposition.

It is deeply ironical that one of the bigger issues that deeply eroded the popularity of the NSW Labor government was privatisation; particlarly the privatisation of the Electricity supply -which Robertson so effectively opposed.
The irony is that the Labor side was (traditionally) supposed to protect working people from privatisation of public utilities. When they let us down, the only way working people can express contempt is by electing the party which is even more in favour of profit motives for public services.

About time an anti-privatization pollie was in charge of the party (and so many crooked pro-privatization members abandoned ship).

The only question is, will there be enough honest people (well, honest compared the mob ruling us for the past decade) replacing the ranks to ensure this lone member is not sidelined.

And will it stand as a warning to the libs not to try some shenadigans themselves if the opposition might actually stand for something (though it may well not- we'll have to wait and see).

For reasons far different than Shadow Minister I share this threads title, and the view long may he lead us.
Robo is no stranger to me, he is a man of true merit.
As he said during his speech after being elected there is much more to him.
Old grumpy, out of touch PK made a right fool of himself.
It was Labor that left its members, criminals that controled a great deal of the actions that saw us, me too, rise to our feet and remind our party it was not theirs to miss use.
I remind SM and others that if Robo was ex bosses union,say master builders he would be welcomed with open arms into Liberal ranks.
Can it be,truly, that any trade unionist is a lessor Australian , unless he is business union?
Robo has form, he lead the work choices fight he is a future state Premier, think about that, I think it know it.
He can win back government, he will lead a reformed and chalenging ALP.
In just months,with Big Barry, a good and honest bloke doing a good job, no one with balance will not see Robo has what it takes.
Australian Politics needs a clean up the Toxic Abbott Tea Party style is hurting our contry.

For my mind it seems the NSW Labor government hasn't learn't anything from the massacre of just 2 weeks ago in the election. Installing a conservative, former trade unionist is not the way to move forward for a party that prides itself on working for EVERYONE as Julia Gillard would put it. I would have liked to see the popular and more credible Carmel Tebutt or Verity Firth contest the leadership.

Hear Hear Belly.
Here's what I think of Paul bloody Keating, and John Robertson:
http://thecomensality.com/avasay/the-once-and-always-hypocritical-paul-keating/feed
Chance, I think John Howard can attest that the majority of Australians were opposed to Work Choices -which Robertson effectively opposed- and most are also opposed to privatisation of public utilities.
I think we have been (all politicians) cha cha-ing to the right for too long already. We are way to the right of centre.
Let's get back to being an egalitarian, fair go nation. Have a serious gecko at the USA. Is that really where we want to go?