By the time the SSH goes to print her position will have
been confirmed.
“There are a whole lot of areas I am interested in, but
obviously enacting the policies I have developed in housing would be a terrific
challenge,’’ said Ms Plibersek who acted as Shadow Minister for Housing, Women
and Youth and Human Services.
The Slovenia
descendent will celebrate her tenth year as the federal Labor member for Sydney in 2008 after
winning 67.4 per cent to 32.6 per cent over Liberal candidate Georgina
Anderson, a swing of 2.65 per cent to Ms Plibersek.
The Liberal party secured 26.2 per cent of the primary, more
than four per cent ahead of Jenny Leong
of the Greens who roped in 21.2 per cent.
Jenny’s primary, a 0.4 per cent swing against her 2004
result, will be disappointing for the Greens given the prominent role climate
change played in the election build up.
Ms Plibersek acknowledges it was one of the major campaign
issues. “I think the biggest factors were Work Choices, climate change and
education,’’ she told the SSH.
Ms Plibersek appeared on Channel 7’s election broadcast
alongside Joe Hockey of the
Liberals. When the result became increasingly clear, Ms Plibersek is reported
to have been sympathetic and consoling towards an emotional Mr Hockey.
As the Rudd Government finds its feet with new ministers and
cabinet, Ms Plibersek listed climate change, education and IR as immediate
national priorities, and affordable housing, childcare, a $50 million cancer
centre near the Royal Prince Alfred and a dental program as key local
priorities.
Source: South Sydney Herald December 2007 www.southsydneyherald.com.au/