Labor infighting appalling: PM
Julia Gillard has issued a public apology for Labor's "appalling" and "unseemly" behaviour last week and promised to lead a unified team focused on the people and not itself.
Ms Gillard made the frank assessment while unveiling a reshuffle of her ministry yesterday - the sixth since she became Prime Minister in June 2010.
"Like Australians around the nation, I was appalled by the events of last week," Ms Gillard said. "My political party, the Labor Party that I love very dearly, was self-indulgent.
"Our eyes were on ourselves rather than doing what we should - being focused on the nation. It was an unseemly display but out of that has come clarity."
Ms Gillard arrives in Perth today for a three-day WA visit, accompanied by the biggest winner from yesterday's reshuffle, Gary Gray, who entered Cabinet as Resources and Energy Minister.
Determined to put last week's dramas behind her, Ms Gillard will swing back into campaign mode today, putting the kybosh on Premier Colin Barnett's demands that the Commonwealth stump up $3 billion of the Liberal Party's $4.8 billion in transport election pledges.
Ms Gillard will insist all projects need to be assessed on their merits.
"That process does not involve obligations to fund campaign promises made by political parties without consultation and proper assessment," a senior Government source said.
The reshuffle, which cut Cabinet members by one to 20, rewarded her loyalists and key factional heavyweights. A record 10 women are now in the 30-strong ministry. NSW MP Jason Clare retained his portfolios of Home Affairs and Justice and was elevated to Cabinet.
South Australian right-wing powerbroker Don Farrell, who helped make Ms Gillard PM, was named Assistant Tourism Minister and given junior ministerial responsibilities in science and research.
Jan McLucas, Sharon Bird and Catherine King join the outer ministry.
Despite being a Kevin Rudd backer, Anthony Albanese increased his responsibilities, adding Regional Development and Local Government to his portfolios. Rudd supporters Bob Carr and Mark Butler also survived.
As part of the changes, the Department of Climate Change has been axed as a stand-alone department.
