As Julia Gillard accumulated the numbers needed for the leadership ballot, Member for Forde, Bert van Manen MP along with minister Stephen Conroy, Labor Colleague Graham Perrett and National MP, Michael McCormack played football on the same team, captained by Senator Kate Lundy.
On the Senate oval Bert kept goal against from former Australian Football players Alex Tobin and Francis Awaritefe.
Unlike the ballot, the match resulted in a Harmonious draw, which was entirely fitting for the occasion of Harmony Day.
Bert is a regular on the Parliamentary Football team in Canberra and is the teams resident Goalie.
“I don’t get much time to play sport these days but it’s great to be on the team when I am in Canberra.”
“When I am in Canberra a typical day starts at 7am and ends at 11pm so it is refreshing to get out and do something different.”
“it is also nice to be a part of a team where for at least an hour or so we are all on the same side.”
