Statement By Julia Gillard Following The Resignation Of Simon Crean Julia Gillard - Shadow Minister for Health

Media Statement - 28 November 2003

Today Simon Crean announced his intention to call a ballot for the leadership of the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party when Caucus meets on Tuesday 2 December. Simon also announced he would not be a candidate for the leadership at that ballot.

I have had the honour of serving on Labor's frontbench under Simon's leadership for a little over two years. In that time, I have been Shadow Minister for Population and Immigration for more than 18 months; also Shadow Minister for Reconciliation and Indigenous Affairs for almost 6 months of that time and, since July 2003, Shadow Minister for Health.

I want to pay tribute to Simon Crean for supporting me in being elected to the frontbench and for making the brave call to have a new frontbencher tackle the demanding portfolio of Population and Immigration. Upon becoming Opposition Leader in November 2001, he embarked on a major rejuvenation of the frontbench and I was one of those elected to the Shadow Ministry.

Simon Crean is a man who has always demonstrated great courage under fire, no more so than in recent days. He is an honourable and decent man, a man who is supportive of his colleagues. I am thankful to have served under his leadership and I trust he will continue to make a contribution to our great party, whatever the future holds for him.