We're sure Kevin Rudd probably knew part of the answer already, but Prime Minister Julia Gillard yesterday named her best friends in politics: Wayne Swan - who has been Treasurer under both former Prime Minister Rudd and Gillard - and Deb O'Neill.
Most may ask "who?" in relation to O'Neill. She is the Federal Member for Robertson, on the Central Coast of NSW, and took over the seat at the 2010 election from the previous Labor member, Belinda Neal.
Gillard revealed her best friends when she was asked the question by a student of St Joseph's and St Andrews primary schools during a visit to Ms O'Neill's electorate. Ms O'Neill used to teach at St Andrews.
"We communicate by text and frequently when things aren't going quite so well, I look down and get a text from Deb who's clearly feeling my pain and sends me a supportive text."
Ms O'Neill was with the Prime Minister during her visit.
Another best buddy, Ms Gillard confided, was her deputy, Wayne Swan.
"We end up doing a lot together and sharing a lot of burden and that brings you very, very close," she said.
"But your friends outside politics are also important ... and family, because whatever else happens, you always were and always will be the same person to them."
__small.png)
