Key Brumby adviser joins Gillard

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 13 years ago

Key Brumby adviser joins Gillard

By Royce Millar

THE man who oversaw the defeat of the Brumby government has been appointed to a senior strategic position in the private office of Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Nick Reece, former Victorian ALP secretary, is believed to have won the appointment with the backing of his champion and Ms Gillard's former boss, John Brumby.

Mr Reece was a senior adviser to Mr Brumby before replacing controversial but respected Stephen Newnham as Victorian Labor boss in 2009 at the insistence of the former premier.

Right-wing Labor figures in Victoria aligned with federal ministers Stephen Conroy and Bill Shorten are believed to be displeased at Mr Reece's elevation to Canberra. Their ALP faction resisted Mr Reece as state secretary.

But Mr Shorten told The Saturday Age Mr Reece was a ''welcome addition to the federal government''. A spokesperson for Ms Gillard said: ''Nick is a valuable addition to the office.'' Asked what position Mr Reece would hold, the spokesperson said: ''Director … with a focus on strategy.''

During the unsuccessful state campaign, seasoned ALP campaigners grew angry at being bypassed as tactics were dominated by Mr Reece and his colleagues in the premier's office.

Most Viewed in National

Loading