He was refusing to play the game the Murdoch press were playing in trying to drive a wedge between a minister and the PM. Shorten is merely expressing cabinet consistency - he doesn't know what Gillard has said so insists on sticking to the official government position whatever that is :)

The Labor government has a majority of only one and if they (Opposition aligned with the Murdoch press - 70% of press here) can get Slipper removed as Speaker and require the government replace him by one of their own MPs then a confidence vote could bring the government down - something the Murdoch press has been aiming for since the last election. But whether Slipper should be removed is a bit questionable.

He's accused of sexually harrassing a staff member in 2003. Some insist he should be allowed the presumption of innocence, -particularly as it's a civil, not criminal, offence - others claim his position of Speaker demands he be removed. He himself has chosen to "stand down" which means he no longer acts as speaker but could come back if innocent.

So, the opposition wants him out altogether thus triggering an election but the government is between a rock and a hard place - wants to keep him but is taking stick from the press. Exactly what Gillard wants to do is therefore unknown (she's in Europe currently) and hence Shorten's dilemma in not wanting to say something that disagrees with what she might have decided.

A

Hehe! However, this guy is a very smart, canny politician and an operator of some note and talent. It wasn't the most felicitous remark I've heard him make, but it was also made in response to a noisy public discussion which preceded this interview. It wasn't just 'blind faith' as the PM had already spoken on the matter and I would have said much the same as he did, too, odd as it seems.

Any Comment's of Support, fail me!!!

Every woman must dream of having a man like this. Little softy cuddly puppy man, totally obedient. Every home (and parliament?) should have one.

Thus speaks a man who put his b.alls in escrow long ago...

I thought 'blind loyalty' was part of the job specification.

Brilliant

Beyond parody

Does any country have decent politicians ?

Oh dear !

"a display of loyalty that David Cameron could only dream of"
Seems throwing oneself in front of Rupert’s bus isn’t enough for some people.

"the best approach was to support his leader's comments even"
if that meant invading Poland.

"Bill Shorten was asked whether he thought the speaker of parliament should be allowed to return to his job."
He might not have known what the speaker’s previous employment was.

"My view is what the prime minister's view is."
Have you seen my guide dog?

"there should be "no tolerance of sexual harassment"
unless the PM advises me otherwise. We are right behind the speaker. That is to say, pushing him out the door so to speak.

"I'm sure she is right."
She’s a woman. Isn’t she?

"your promotion is in the bag."
Even though your male accoutrements aren’t

Everywhere I look.................

Good grief.

Lolz

We have 'blind faith', I guess this is 'deaf faith'.