STEFANOVIC: Now to Finance Minister Penny Wong, who is joining us now. Penny, good morning to you.
WONG: Good morning, good to be with you.
STEFANOVIC: Who will you be supporting in the ballot?
WONG: Ive made clear that Im supporting Prime Minister Gillard. I think shes the best person to lead the party, the Government and the country. And thats what matters here. The judgement weve got to make is who do we think should be the Prime Minister, and thats the judgement Ive made.
STEFANOVIC: Have you received any correspondence from Kevin Rudd, any calls from Kevin Rudd? Has he tried to lure you over to the dark side?
WONG: (laughs) I dont think its about dark and light. Its about people of goodwill on both sides looking at who they think would be the person best placed to lead the party and the country. I think thats Prime Minister Gillard. I think shes tough, shes resilient, shes had to handle a lot and shes delivered some really good reforms things like the minerals tax which is about, as you know, spreading the benefit of the boom across the nation.
STEFANOVIC: Penny I dont know where youre finding the goodwill here. I dont know that theres been too much goodwill over the last couple of days. Its been full on, and it doesnt look like its getting any better.
WONG: Obviously this is a time where people are going to say a lot of things on both sides. But what I would say is this: one thing we absolutely share is a desire to do whats in the best interests of the nation. Delivering important Labor reforms, the ones that Prime Minister Gillard talks about, things like the Disability Scheme, these are important things for the future of the nation. And ultimately on Tuesday what weve got to do is make sure we take on Tony Abbott, because hes the person we absolutely do not want to have as the prime minister of the nation.
STEFANOVIC: If Kevin Rudd loses, but isnt humiliated, you know hell be back, and this keeps going.
WONG: What I think is this: Australians expect us to resolve this. This has become a distraction, and we as the Government have to resolve this once and for all. I welcome the Prime Ministers commitment that should she lose she would go to the backbench, she would renounce any further claim on the leadership. Kevin should make the same commitment. That is what is in the best interests of the Party and in the best interests of the nation
STEFANOVIC: Penny Im sorry to interrupt you. Were really short on time, we really want to get through this. But you would know only too well that Labor leaders of the past have done that, have renounced that and then challenged a year later. It happens in politics. You wouldnt expect if Kevin just lost this ballot that he wouldnt challenge again in the future. Youd have to think that would happen, so this issue does go on.
WONG: And what Id say is the expectation of caucus members should be the opposite. The expectations of all caucus members should reflect the expectations of the nation, which is that we resolve this, full stop.
STEFANOVIC: What do you think of Kevin Rudd? Is he a good bloke?
WONG: Ive worked with Kevin, I served in Kevins cabinet and I served him loyally, and I now serve in Prime Minister Gillards cabinet. And Ive made my judgement about who I think should be supported as the prime minister of the nation, based on a number of things, but of course the experience of both of those jobs.
STEFANOVIC: Alright Penny thanks for your time today, we appreciate it. And good luck on Monday, I guess thats all we can say.
WONG: Thanks very much.
ENDS