Pelican well said, I can not find a difference in my thoughts from yours here.
Tania is likely to be the Deputy leader as Bill Shorten seems to have it in the bag.
Labor has its task ahead but it has its helpers too.
Had Shorten taken over in 2010 we may well be still in government.
Tony Abbott has to ask himself and his advisers is this curtain of secrecy good or bad long term.
And he must answer this, with up to $75.000 for a well off woman to have a child, will his increasing cuts to the already battlers be a negative in the long run.
If any one can take it up to Abbott it is either one of these two candidates.
Hopefully this Parliament will fix the senate, or hold a DD election that does it.

Belly, surely your not trying to endorse Shorten as opposition leader. and a possible future PM. Shorten's political history amplifies Labor's malaise. The man is an untrustworthy back stabber, a political opportunist.
Pelican said; "Losing the election may be the best thing to happen to the ALP in the short term. The party needs a good clean out,purging the system of it's bad practices, factional obsessions, powerbroker sharks and careerist politicians. If Labor can return to its roots, involve the membership and differentiate themselves from the Conservative end of politics they have a future."
The only thing I would add is if they don't they are political history.
Belly you said you agreed with Pelican, and then give the thumbs up to Shorten a factional wheeler and dealer, a powerbroker and back stabber, a man devoid of any semblance of Labor principles.
What about the vote of the rank and file, will that mean nothing?
I can't agree with that crap about the Senate. As Don Chipp said "keep the bastards honest" and that is what The Greens are doing in the Senate, as my friends are doing in the NSW LC with O'Farrell, performing that vital roll

Paul well done! you out did me in the humor test there!
It was a joke that post wasnt it. funny stuff in any case.
Shorten is more than likely to be our leader again.
Both men are good candidates you of course want the leftest one to win.
My vote will be sealed and not spoken about again.
Look, brilliant humor from you has me giggling like a kid!
On the day after SIX high rollers left your party because of madam lash your lost leader you have front.
Australians unite!
Watch as the Senate results become known, do we want a few silly walks party,s to stop governments ruling?
Vote in the senate with great care and below the line, yes it will make waiting lines to vote a klm long but our rulers must not by their actions turn our votes in to seats for the emerging idiot party,s.

Belly,

Just to remind you again that you have volunteered nothing concerning Labor's leakers as was the promise of your OP.

Albanese has been mentioned as the preference of journalists for the Labor leadership because he has given them a constant supply of 'background briefings' (heh, heh) in the past. How he managed to beat his opponent Shorten in that goodness only knows.

What do you say though? Who would you rate as the champion leaker out of Albanese and Shorten, and how do they rate against the acknowledged past champions, Rudd and Julia Whatshername?

Belly,
The Greens have nothing to hide, yes 6 members of Christine Milne's staff resigned and took redundancy, you can read all about it with the link to 'Lateline' and Tony Jones interviews Christine. Personally I favor Adam Bandt as Greens leader.
As for Albo, we would like nothing better than to send Albo packing from the seat of Grayndler and have a Greens member installed, we see Grayndler as a future winnerable seat for The Greens, presently we command better than 23% of the vote.

http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2013/s3856536.htm

OTB I under stand, not every one can grasp the link to Labor leaks and the threads path.
Like a scavenger turning over a rubbish dump you came looking for Labor dirt.
My reference was to words Paul Howes used in saying he did not want a Senate seat.
He by his comments actually leaked, not many knew a vacancy was to come.
Seems a very good man, the once member for Eden Monaro, may get the seat.
Paul consider this, until the new Senate sits, mid next year, your party has the balance of power.
Maybe in truth in the new Senate too.
Do we agree on that?
Put your self in the shoes of middle Australia.
How long do you think both Labor and Liberal voters will execpt your party stalling them.
Paul be realistic, you like my Tory opponents have no difficulty in slamming Labor, but seem unable to grasp this truth, no less than 8, at the least, voters for every one who vote green never will.
Comment please do you see and agree with that?