Labor leadership shock as Rohanite272 resigns, dyljam elected leader

^{BY JAMES JIM JAMESONSON}

LABOR leader u/Rohanite272 has announced their shock resignation, with the party's senate leader and former prime minister, u/dyljam, elected unopposed to take their place.

u/Rohanite272, the Member for Cunningham, announced on Wednesday evening that they were resigning from the leadership post due to personal reasons, although they noted that they intend on contesting the next election as a Labor candidate.

"In recent weeks I have had other aspects of my life become more important and as such I must resign as leader of the Australian Labor Party," u/Rohanite272 said in a press statement.

"I did not want to do this so soon but it has become clear to me that I don’t have the time to continue on in this role."

Speaking to National Review, Senator for Western Australia and two-time former prime minister u/dyljam said that they the leadership change was "unexpected" but that he was "optimistic" about Labor's prospects in the upcoming election.

"It was not something that I was expecting so soon, and I was a little taken aback when I heard of u/Rohanite272's intention to resign," he said.

"I put my hand up for the leadership because I believe I am best placed to lead the Australian Labor Party to the next election.

"Australians are hurting under this current Greens-Country-Sensible Team government, because they do not care about outcomes, they only care about optics."

Newly-crowned Labor leader and two-time former prime minister, u/dyljam.

The new Labor leader cited the recent nationalisation of Qantas and Medicare as two examples where the government demonstrated "disconnect with hard-working Australians.

"Nationalisation can be a good thing when it's used in the right way. I certainly have no ideological opposition to nationalisation. However, the government purchase of Qantas and Medibank will not lead to reduced cost of living. Australians will still be slugged extravagant costs for airfares and private health insurance.

"Labor will go into the upcoming election with a bold, progressive and innovative policy agenda that will make Australia work for those Australians who have worked hard but received little in return."

With the next federal election due before the end of the year, it is clear that u/dyljam will have his work cut out for him. The latest Newspoll showed the government on a solid lead, although with a declining primary vote, while opposition parties have steadily gained ground. NR

Correction: An earlier version of this article quoted u/dyljam on the matter of Medicare. This was incorrect. The original quote referred to Medibank.

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