Shorten to soldier on after defeat

Bill Shorten says Labor’s election loss was “very disappointing for the nation” but has vowed to remain in parliament.

Bill Shorten says he’s committed to staying in parliament and holding the government to account. Picture: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Bill Shorten says Labor’s surprise election loss was “very disappointing for the nation” but has vowed to remain in parliament, arguing it is time for the party to move on and challenge the government.

In his first interview since stepping down as Labor leader, the ­opposition NDIS spokesman told the ABC that he was committed to staying in politics and holding the government to account.

Mr Shorten resigned as Labor leader on the night of the election after six years at the helm of the party. He has since kept a low media profile.

“It was very disappointing. Very, very disappointing,” he told the ABC.

“Very disappointing for the ­nation, for the people who voted for Labor, for the people who needed a Labor government. Very disappointing personally.

“And I have the opportunity to work as part of the Labor opposition to hold the government to account.

“So, you know, you’ve got to move on. The party’s going to have a review, and we’ll see what comes out of that.

“I’ve still got the fire for politics and to work as part of a united team.”

Mr Shorten said he would not pre-empt the review into the election loss by former South Australian premier Jay Weatherill and ex-trade minister Craig Emerson.

He also refused to support or condemn controversial policies he took to the election, including a crackdown on cash refunds for ­excess franking credits and plans to limit negative gearing.

“The party is reviewing the whole election and what I am going to do is give time for that process to happen,” he said.

He also made his return to parliamentary question time yesterday, targeting his new Coalition counterpart, Government Services Minister Stuart Robert, over concerns about the Department of Human Services’ robo-debt program.

Since the election, Mr Shorten has spoken publicly only twice. He made a short statement outside his home the morning after the election.

Weeks later, he later blamed “corporate leviathans” and a ­“financial behemoth” for his election loss in a speech to Labor MPs in Canberra.

“I understand there are lessons to be learned from defeat,” he told the Labor partyroom at the time.

“We were up against corporate leviathans, a financial behemoth, spending hundreds of millions of dollars telling lies, spreading fear.

“Powerful vested interests campaigned against us. Through sections of the media itself, and they got what they wanted.

“And I understand that neither of these challenges disappeared on election night. They’re still out there for us to face.

“It is important we face them with courage and honesty, with principle, and unity.”