• Neil Reilly
DESPITE the dramatic leadership showdown that fizzled out yesterday afternoon, the ALP’s candidate for Gilmore, Neil Reilly, said he wasn’t fussed about who would lead the party.
The challenge to Prime Minister Julia Gillard came to nothing after Kevin Rudd declined to put himself up for the job.
“I think a lot of speculation needs to be put to bed, I have absolutely no position as to who I favour as leader,” he said.
“And I have no role in selecting that person.
“I have worked with both Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard at arm’s length as a candidate and have found them both to be personable, intelligent and efficient.
“I am as much as an onlooker as anyone else.”
He said his focus was on Gilmore.
“I have no influence over what happens in Canberra,” he said.
“What’s happened in the past I can’t change, I care more about the future and the future is Gilmore.”
He did say the action around Canberra was “better fun than football.”
“Depending on which way it (the spill) goes it could save or cost me a lot of money,” he said, speaking before Rudd refused to run.
“I still have a number of signs from the previous election but if it turns out one way I may have to cut them up,” he joked.