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This is the biggest news story in Australia at the moment, and it's great for conservatism. Mark Latham, the man that the Labor Party chose to lead it at the last election, the man they offered us as Prime Minister has dramatically shown his true colours and bitten the hand that feeds him. Everyone knew Latham was abusive - but the level of abuse he has directed at his former colleagues is astonishing. Labor officials are now publically acknowledging that the Australian people were right not to elect them at the last election with Latham as their leader.

His book, The Latham Diaries is being released today, but a lot of extracts from it have already been released. These are just some that have appeared in The Australian.

I'm just adding in some brief notes here to identify some people mentioned for non-Australians.

Beazley - Kim Beazley, a back bench Labor MP at the time he is first mentioned in the quotes above, he served as a Minister in the Hawke and Keating Labor governments, and ultimately served as Keating's Deputy Prime Minister. He became Leader of the Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition after Labor lost office in 1996, and lead Labor to defeat at the 1998 and 2001 elections before resigning that position. He is now once again the Leader of the Labor Party, and Leader of the Opposition, largely on the basis that Labor doesn't have anyone else. His nickname (which Latham uses) is 'Bomber'.

Crean - Simon Crean. A former Minister in the Keating Labor government, he succeeded Kim Beazley as Leader of the Labor Party and the Opposition in 2001, before resigning to be placed in 2003, by Mark Latham. He is currently the Shadow Minister for Regional Development.

Rudd - Kevin Rudd, Labor Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Security, and Shadow Minister for Trade.

Oakes - Laurie Oakes, Nine Network political correspondent, also writes a weekly column for The Bulletin. One of Australia's most experienced political journalists. Latham refers to him as 'Jabba', a reference to a supposed resemblance to Jabba the Hutt.

Bracks - Steve Bracks. Labor Premier of Victoria.

Brereton - Laurie Brereton. Referred to as 'Danger' by Latham. Former NSW Labor state government politician, moved to Federal Parliament in 1990, and served as a Minister in the Keating government. Now retired from politics.

Faulkner - Senator John Faulkner. Former Minister in the Keating government, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate from 1996-2004.

Pell - George Cardinal Pell, Catholic Archbishop of Sydney. Prior to last election, Latham announced a hit list of elite private schools that he would reduce government funding for (in Australia, private schools receive significant government funding - nowhere near as much as government schools over all, but still significant) and give the money to poorer schools. Latham, with his socialist attitudes, expected this to be a popular policy. He was wrong - most Australians don't want to see money stolen from other people's children even if it means more money for their own kids. And the Catholic Church, in particular, which would have gained money for its schools in this scheme, rejected the scheme on the basis that they didn't want Catholics privileged over Protestants. I think Latham learned that for some people, principle is more important than money.

This is fascinating! Thanks!

I had never heard of pancreatitis until it ripped out my guts last Tuesday ... Now the whole future of my health and longevity is up in the air, with a federal election just around the corner ...

Although the average layman doesn't know this,the biggest risk factor for pancreatitis,by far,is severe alcoholism.So It looks like the Australian people may well have had two good reasons for rejecting him.

One....he's a Marxist

Two....he's a drunk.

Ping. Comments from Down Under are invited.

Ping! Just interested to know (from your perspective) what you think of Mark Latham, thanks!

Great post! Can't wait to get my hands on the book. BTW your explanation is terrific for us non-Aussie types; you should get a commission from Amazon for every copy shipped to the US.