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Farewell from parliament
September 10, 2024 by J-Wire Newsdesk
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Jewish leaders and associates have paid tribute to Bill Shorten as he prepares to quit federal parliament to pursue a new role in his life as vice-chancellor of Canberra University.
Bill Shorten, his wife Chloe, and daughter Clementine and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following his announcement of leaving the government. Photo: Lukas Koch/AAP
Co-CEO of The Executive Council of Australian Jewry Peter Wertheim told J-Wire: “Bill was a good friend to the Australian Jewish community and Israel and a champion for Labor’s traditional alignment with democracy against the forces of fanaticism and tyranny. His departure highlights the challenges that Federal Labor faces to maintain itself as a credible centre left party in an increasingly polarised political environment.
We wish Bill, Chloe and their family all the best as he embarks on life in academia, another sector where his instincts and skills are urgently needed.
Former Labor MP Michael Danby said: “Bill was the last of the Mohicans. Because Labor’s generally left-wing membership has a deciding say, a genuinely moderate Labor leader will not win power within Labor.
Never again will someone in the pro-Israel tradition of Bob Hawke, Kim Beazley, or Shorten become a National Labor leader.
As I can testify from our 12 years together in Parliament, Bill Shorten, with his deep knowledge of history, was instinctively friendly with Jews in Australia. Happy trails Bill….”
Federal Labor member for Macnamara,
Josh Burns said: “Ever since I first put my hand up for election in 2019, Bill has been a constant source of friendship and advice.He has always stood up strongly for our community and has been a loud voice calling out antisemitism, including during his time as leader of the Labor party and most recently at the launch of the Labor Friends of Israel.
He has spent his life championing multiculturalism and supporting vulnerable communities, and I know he will continue to do that important work as Vice Chancellor of the University of Canberra.”
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