Rooks defending the Queen

As they move along Labor’s rank and file two powerful rooks, Australian Workers’ Union national secretary, Paul Howes, and Employment and Workplace Relations Minister, Bill Shorten, make their strength felt. In spite of all the speculation and opinion polls that glare upon each other a whisper goes around that the unions will not desert the Prime Minister. In vain Kevin Rudd hears his supporters rail and rally but he will not join them in a single sally. Prime Minister Gillard, emboldened by her new vigour, sternly turns on disloyal colleagues, making a scene not easily forgotten.