Spectre of the " N-40 " !

And so the defection of senior ministers from Labor's ranks rolls on.   Simon Crean is the latest to announce that he will not contest his seat at the coming election.

Not only did this confront Kevin Rudd with the task of selecting a cabinet from the dregs remaining.   It poses the question of how to recruit suitable candidates to fill the vacancies - and time is running out to organise that task in a manner that will satisfy Labor voters.

Hanging over candidate selection is the spectre of " Federal Intervention "  - and that means bringing in the emergency use of the notorious " N-40 " rule to impose a head office candidate parachuted into a seat without reference to the local branch members.

This opens up a plethora of old wounds.  In the past, selecting candidates was very much a " deal " between the various factions to balance their numbers, and accommodate the decision making power of the party's trade union base.  The unions have lost vital representation in this rash of resignations and they are sure to use their muscle to see this restored.

Rudd is faced with a major headache.   He has dumped Julia Gillard's September 14 election date - but has yet to announce the timing of the new poll.   If he delays it to the point that parliament resumes, the public will see the paucity of the team now holding ministerial positions.    There will be a tendency for Rudd to over ride the decision making process to avoid blunders - and that will not suit the " kinder, gentler " image of the consultative prime minister that he is trying to present to the voters.

Expect a huge backlash from the rank and file branch members if they are deprived of selecting candidates.   Labor will use the N-40 at it's peril.   This was the factor that saw branch numbers dwindle - and yet the time factor for branches to deliberate and select candidates is way out of kilter with the urgency of getting the matter settled.

It all revolves around the necessity of continuing the " Kevin Superstar " myth and using his drawing power to consolidate the upward kick in the polls.   That brings in the necessity of delivering a " quick election " - before reality sets in.

Time is not on the side of the task ahead !