Bob Brown resigns, Christine Milne to take leadership

[RustyCage]

http://au.news.yahoo.com/latest/a/-/latest/13412011/bob-brown-resigns-leader-greens-parliamentary-party/

BROWN RESIGNS AS GREENS LEADER

Bob Brown has resigned as leader of the Australian Greens and will also resign from the Senate.

After 16 years of service, Mr Brown made the announcement to Greens party room colleagues at 10am this morning.

"I am sad to leave but happy to go," Senator Brown said in a statement.

"It is good knowing that the Greens have such a depth of talent and experience lined up for leadership - I could only dream about that a decade ago."

He thanked his nine colleagues and the 1.7 million voters who supported the Greens in 2010.

"They have made each Green year in this parliament better than the year before - though the best is yet to come," he said.

Senator Brown advised the governor-general, Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the leader of the Tasmanian Greens of his decision.

Senator Brown will also resign from parliament when his Tasmanian replacement is available in June.

"I look forward to fresh green pursuits including writing, photography, music, occasional talks, bushwalking, and getting out with Paul to see Miranda Gibson, who has been perched for 120 days 60 metres high, in defence of a giant tree facing destruction in central Tasmania," the 67-year-old senator said.

The party's deputy leader Christine Milne tweeted that she had been elected leader: "I'm honoured & excited to have been elected leader of the @GreensMPs to build on the great legacy of @SenatorBobBrown."

Senator Milne on Friday paid tribute to her predecessor's "extraordinary leadership".

"For 25 years, Bob has been an inspiration to millions of Australians and a great force for good in our country," she said in a statement.

"Under Bob's wise leadership, the Greens have grown into the undisputed third force in Australian politics."

[dedja]

the beginning of the end ... Milne is a nutter.

*cough* democrats *cough*

[Q.]

the beginning of the end ...

Do you work for Limited News?

[westcoastpanther]

What does Bob know that we don't. Something is going to happen with the Labour/Greens coalition I reckon

[Gozu]

A sad day for the Greens and centre-left people in general with BB being the only credible leader among the Big 3 parties.

Never been a fan of Milne but she gets her shot now and will be interesting to see who the Greens elect as deputy to replace her later today.

[Booney]

So no queens at all in federal politics now.

[westcoastpanther]

A sad day for the Greens and centre-left people in general with BB being the only credible leader among the Big 3 parties. Never been a fan of Milne but she gets her shot now and will be interesting to see who the Greens elect as deputy to replace her later today.

[Q.]

Greens turn a new leaf

Bob Brown has this morning announced his resignation as leader of the Greens and deputy Christine Milne has now been elected as leader.

Brown will also resign from the Senate, after 16 years' service, when his Tasmanian replacement is available in June.

Whatever you think about Bob Brown, there is no question he has been an incredibly successful politician, one who has grown support for the Greens Party to record levels as well as formed a minority government and ushered in the introduction of a price on carbon.

Christine Milne, having been the Greens chief spokesperson on climate change issues for some time, already carries a high profile. From what has been seen publicly it seems unlikely that her leadership will signal a wide departure from what the Greens have stood for to date. Also with Christine Milne what you see is what you get. She behaves the same way behind closed doors as in public.

What may differ most is the personal style and communication ability of the two. Milne tends to come across as a lecturing mother, whereas Bob Brown is a little softer and possibly more charming in demeanor. Still this may not be an electoral hindrance in appealing to those people with a predilection towards voting for the Greens.

In some respects these voters may like Christine Milne lecturing us about our short-sighted and selfish behaviour. But this lecturing style is probably unlikely to help broaden the Greens electoral support beyond the already converted. Also it may make some in the business community and the working class more hostile and suspicious of policies that the Greens have had some influence over.

Time will tell.

[Jimmy_041]

Have to say he did a good job for them

[RustyCage]

The ineptness of the two main parties sure helped him

[Gozu]

Adam Bandt has been named deputy leader of the party, would've thought Scott Ludlam might get it.

[Leaping Lindner]

A sad day for the Greens and centre-left people in general with BB being the only credible leader among the Big 3 parties.
Never been a fan of Milne but she gets her shot now and will be interesting to see who the Greens elect as deputy to replace her later today.

So true. Gillard and Abbott are still waiting on those spine transplants.

[Gozu]

The Canadian scientist and conservationist Dr David Suzuki describes Brown as a global treasure, up there with "Mandela and the Dalai Lama - a person of the greatest integrity and courage, a person who has inspired others through his lifetime commitment". Conversely, the Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce says behind Brown's public image as a "benevolent uncle" there's a "ruthless, pragmatic, artful politician", while the Liberal senator Eric Abetz says he wrecked the Tasmanian economy and is now causing the same havoc on the mainland.

There's venom in Abetz's voice when he talks of Brown. The veteran political commentator Alan Ramsay says this is typical, as Brown is widely loathed by politicians from both major parties. "He represents everything that they are not," Ramsay tells me. "He is a man of conviction, a thoroughly honest man, a man of principle. They see in him what they want to be and they hate him for it." Ramsay adds, "The big put-down is always, 'Oh, Bob Brown, he's too f...king good to be true.' They all want to find a dark corner there somewhere - well, there isn't any."

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/natio ... torypage=0

[dedja]

Mandela, Dalai Lama ... Bob Brown, LOL

[southee]

Thanks Bob for selling out the country!!!

Milne is a total fruit loop!!!

Fun times ahead

[Squawk]

A sad day for the Greens and centre-left people in general with BB being the only credible leader among the Big 3 parties.

Never been a fan of Milne but she gets her shot now and will be interesting to see who the Greens elect as deputy to replace her later today.

Big 4 Parties, Gozu!

Don't forget the Nationals - led by Warren Truss. Lookout though - Barnarabee JOYce wants to become leader and Deputy PM!

[Gozu]

I intentionally left out the Nationals because the Greens are now the third biggest party as more people voted for the Greens than the Nats at the last election.

[Psyber]

Are the Greens about to have a brief peak then self-destruct, like the Democrats did after the rational and restraining John Coulter retired?
Who will play the role of Cheryl Turncoat, and who will be Gareth Evans?

[Mad Mat]

Suprisingly little has been made of Brown's exit date. Not even going to stick around to to see his beloved carbon tax come in? Mmmmmmm.

While all the plaudits are still coming in for Brown all I can hear is that Andrew Hanson song - Even Dickheads are Good Blokes when they're Dead.

Even though he's not quite dead yet, his party will be. It will be hilarious watching Milne getting smashed.

[dedja]

Are the Greens about to have a brief peak then self-destruct, like the Democrats did after the rational and restraining John Coulter retired?
Who will play the role of Cheryl Turncoat, and who will be Gareth Evans?

My tip is Swan is secretly boofing Milne ...