Fed: Latham says he has demonstrated team spirit
CANBERRA, Aug 23 AAP - Outspoken Labor MP Mark Latham today declared he had demonstratedhis credentials as a Labor team player by whacking into the other team.
Mr Latham gave no indication he would tone down his performance now that he was inLabor's shadow cabinet.
Time on the back bench had taught him that patience was a virtue, he said.
"But also in coming back onto the frontbench I gave a commitment to Simon Crean tobe a team player and I think I have demonstrated that most notably by whacking into theother team," he said on ABC radio.
Opposition leader Simon Crean today announced Mr Latham would go into cabinet withresponsibility for the new area of community security, as well as current responsibilitiesfor economic ownership, housing and urban development.
Mr Latham made no apology for his robust language when he described Prime MinisterJohn Howard as an arse-licker and former Liberal federal president Tony Staley as a deformedcharacter.
"Let's be honest about it - John Howard has used the word bullshit in public life ininterviews," he said.
"Last year Alexander Downer of all people described third world countries as busted-arsecountries. It's not like the Liberals are against swearing."
Mr Latham also made no apology for an incident in Sydney last October when a taxi driverended up with a broken arm.
"Well he stole my bag. I retrieved it," he said.
Asked if he planned to be a well-behaved federal MP, he responded: "Anyone who hastheir property stolen has got the right to respond. This is one of the law and order problemswe have got on our streets.
"I am not one of these white bread politicians, a clone, a media cardboard cutout.
I have real emotions and I respond to events as they come my way.
"I am not the sort of person to just be a conformist. I believe in speaking my mind,doing the best I can for the Labor Party and of course if trouble comes your way, youhave got to respond to it."
AAP mb/kjp/mg/de
KEYWORD: LABOR LATHAM
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