Gillard buries hatchet to back Shorten

Julia Gillard has lavished praise on Bill Shorten as the Opposition Leader attempts to win female voters.

Bill Shorten with then prime minister Julia Gillard in 2012.

Julia Gillard has lavished praise on Bill Shorten — who pulled key support for her prime ministership before Kevin Rudd swooped in June 2013 — as the Opposition Leader attempts to turn around his lowly standing with female voters.

A Newspoll analysis shows women like Scott Morrison more than Mr Shorten, with one in two female voters dissatisfied with the Labor leader, while just a third think he is doing a good job. The Prime Minister is viewed more favourably by women ­despite the Coalition trailing Labor on female support — but he is hardly popular.   An average of 39 per cent of women were satisfied with Mr Morrison’s leadership over the March quarter, with 49 per cent unimpressed with him.

Labor strategist Bruce Hawker said it was hoped Ms Gillard’s endorsement of Mr Shorten would help to improve his standing with female voters. “I think women are more ­focused on her achievements and the fact she was our first female prime minister,” he said. “Women are looking for the views of other women in leadership positions and will be influenced by them.”

Mr Hawker said the video of Ms Gillard’s endorsement of Mr Shorten — released on social media by Labor on Sunday — would also be used to ease voters’ concerns about his dealings as a factional operator in the Rudd and Gillard governments.

“For people to hear her say that, as they say in advertising and psychology, it is giving permission to people who might be hesitant to go ahead and vote for him,” he said.

In the video, Ms Gillard says Mr Shorten is ready to be a “great Labor prime minister”.

“Bill in one word? I would say compassionate,” she says. “The Bill Shorten I know is a great listener. The Bill Shorten I know is a terrific leader, he brings people together and I think he will do that for the nation … I think he’s going to be terrific.”