JOURNALIST: For an insiders perspective now were joined by Finance Minister Penny Wong. Minister Wong, good afternoon to you.
WONG: Good afternoon, Amelia.
JOURNALIST: Thank you for your time. Now, Julia Gillard says that the Labor Government was paralysed and chaotic under Kevin Rudd. How would you describe his leadership style?
WONG: Well, as you know I served in Rudds Cabinet; I now serve in Prime Minister Gillards Cabinet. And obviously I draw on those experiences in making my judgement about who I think is best to lead the country. And Im supporting Prime Minister Gillard. I think shes the right person to lead the nation. I think shes delivered some pretty tough reforms, and shes shown real courage in the face of adversity.
JOURNALIST: Well, you said that very politely, but weve heard a number of Gillard backers savage Mr Rudd. But outside the parties, we just heard Ben Fordham say on-air that people in the street just seem to love him. Why hasnt the public warmed to Ms Gillard in the same way as they have to Kevin Rudd?
WONG: Theres no doubt that some of the internal squabbling inside the Labor party has obscured the Governments message about what we have delivered. Things that Prime Minister Gillard has delivered, like the mining tax, which is about making sure we give back from the minerals boom to working Australians; through things like superannuation, and cuts to small business taxation rates. Theres no doubt that our internals have detracted from that. Thats why its really important that Monday resolves this.
JOURNALIST: Youve worked as a Minister under both Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd. Be honest, whos the better boss?
WONG: Ive made the judgement, based on those experiences, that the best person to lead the nation and that is the decision were making, the best person to be Prime Minister of the nation is Prime Minister Gillard.
JOURNALIST: So what would be your next move? I mean, crystal-balling a little bit, if Kevin Rudd does challenge, which hes expected to, and say he wins on Monday, can you work with him again?
WONG: I am supporting Prime Minister Gillard and the reason I am doing that is that she is strong, she is calm, and she is absolutely focused on doing whats right for the nation, even if it might not be popular in the short term.
ENDS