Latham goes, Beazley to stand

Australia's opposition Labor Party sank deeper into chaos yesterday when its leader, Mark Latham, resigned because of ill-health after just over a year in the job.

One of Mr Latham's predecessors, Kim Beazley, immediately announced his intention to contest the leadership. He has already steered Labor to two election defeats against the coalition Government of Prime Minister John Howard.

Mr Latham ended weeks of party political intrigue and speculation with his resignation.

The 43-year-old, who lost to Mr Howard in the general election in October, is suffering from a painful and potentially serious illness, pancreatitis.

He said he was stepping down not only as Labor leader but also as an MP, in order to save his health and spend more time with his family.

"[My family's] conclusion is that I should look after my health and pursue a normal life outside of politics.

"Therefore I've decided to resign both as Labor leader and member for Werriwa [his Sydney seat]," he said.

Referring to a previous battle with testicular cancer, Mr Latham added: "Public office can take it out of people and, after 17 years and two serious life-threatening illnesses, the time has come to put my family and my health first."

Mr Latham's poor health has made him a virtual recluse since Christmas. He was criticised for trying to keep the full extent of the illness a secret and for failing to make a public statement about the Boxing Day tsunami.

Many senior Labor members saw Mr Latham as a spent force after his ignominious loss to Mr Howard.

Portrayed by the party as a youthful, straight-talking man of the people, Mr Latham at first rated well after being elected leader in December 2003.

But ultimately he failed to convince voters that he could run Australia's booming economy or ensure national security better than Mr Howard.