Beazley wins the battle, now he must win the war

Kim Beazley

CANBERRA - Kim Beazley has won the battle to regain the federal opposition leadership.

Now, he must win the war of reuniting a divided party still scarred by the shock of last year's disastrous election loss and Mark Latham's brief stint as leader.

It's barely a year since Mr Beazley, who led Labor to two narrow losses in 1998 and 2001, said his leadership aspirations were over for good.

But now he is seen as the only candidate who can mend Labor's divisions and give the party a chance of presenting a legitimate challenge to the seemingly untouchable Prime Minister John Howard.

With support from all three factions -- albeit only two of the tiny Centre faction's 10 votes -- Mr Beazley has virtually a full term in parliament to rebuild Labor's stocks with the electorate.

And with a looming world economic slowdown likely to put the brakes on Australia, putting pressure on the government's promise of a strong economy and low interest rates, Mr Beazley may get the opportunity Mr Latham never had to seriously challenge the government.

"Is anyone able to take out John Howard at this moment? No. But in two years' time, will someone be able to take him out? Maybe," a frontbencher said today.

"If things go well, if the polling improves, and if the government starts to look like it's in trouble, we're in with a chance."

It's the kind of optimistic talk that has not been heard around the Labor Party since October 9.

And while there is still a strong desire within some sections for generational change, MPs accept that they must give Mr Beazley their support.

But they want him to change as well.

Julia Gillard, who dropped out of the leadership race on Wednesday, warned Mr Beazley that he would have to move beyond his circle of advisers to unite Labor.

Mr Beazley, while not saying if he would dump his factional allies, was confident he could bring the party together.

"The Labor Party has now an absolute hunger for unity and effectiveness," Mr Beazley said.

"We want to walk away from the disunity and difficulties of the last few years. You are going to see a Labor Party that is rejuvenated by its determination."

- AAP