Palmer, Liberal Party ‘tarnished my public standing’: Shorten responds to Labor election review
Bill Shorten has blamed attacks by Clive Palmer and the Liberals for hurting his chances.
Bill Shorten has declared political attacks by Clive Palmer and the Liberal Party “successfully tarnished my public standing” as he responds to the Labor election review before it is publicly released.
The former Labor leader, who read the review report this morning, said he did not agree with all of its contents but declared he had learnt the lessons of the campaign.
He revealed the review did not consider the merits of the policies the party took to the election.
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“I note the review considered the relentless and unprecedented multimillion-dollar political attacks on me by Palmer and the Liberals successfully tarnished my public standing,” Mr Shorten said in a statement.
“This is an important lesson for any future leader to confront.”
Mr Shorten said the election loss was a “shock and surprise” but declared it “was not a landslide”.
Bill Shorten’s response to the election review:
“I was proud to unite the party and lead the rebuilding effort following the 2013 election where Labor won only 55 seats,” Mr Shorten said.
“In that time we saw off two Liberal prime ministers in Mr Abbott and Mr Turnbull, nearly snatched victory in 2016, and won a series of by-elections.
“I thank the 48.5 per cent of Australians who gave us their first or second preference.
“There are many players on a team but as captain of that team I accept responsibility for the policies taken to the election.”
Mr Shorten said he would run a different campaign if “the universe (were) to grant re-runs”.
“I would campaign with fewer messages, more greatly emphasise the jobs opportunities in renewable energies and take a different position on franking credits,” he said.
“I’m personally committed to continue contributing in public life, serving my constituents, the people of Australia — including people with disabilities and the vulnerable — for the next 20 years.”
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