MARK ARBIB: CLOUT-WIELDING ASCENDING LEADER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CANBERRA 000665

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR INR, PM, AND EAP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2019
TAGS: AS PGOV PINR
SUBJECT: MARK ARBIB: CLOUT-WIELDING ASCENDING LEADER

REF: CANBERRA 542

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Classified By: POLCOUNS JAMES F. COLE: REASON 1.4 (B)

Summary
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1. (C/NF) Labor right-wing powerbroker and political rising
star Mark Arbib has made a quick transition from the
parliamentary backrooms into the Ministry. In Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd's June 6 ministerial reshuffle (reftel),Arbib was
promoted to Minister for Employment Participation and the
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Government Service
Delivery. Arbib, the New South Wales (NSW) Labor party's
kingmaker, was integral in raising the numbers for Rudd to
overthrow Kim Beazley as Australian Labor Party (ALP) leader
in 2006. Arbib is a close adviser to Rudd and is his key
conduit to the ALP factions. End summary.

Rising Star in the New-Look Rudd Ministry
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2. (C/NF) Arbib, new to parliament, entered the Senate in
July 2008 representing New South Wales. In February 2009,
the former NSW ALP Secretary was appointed Parliamentary
Secretary for Government Service Delivery, a position within
the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. He was
promoted to Minister for Employment Participation and the
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Government Service
Delivery in Rudd's June 6 cabinet shake-up. Arbib's role
includes assisting with the roll out of the government's
infrastructure program and reforming the contracting of
employment services. Before being elected, Arbib was the ALP
State Secretary of the NSW branch from 2004-2007. He served
as Assistant Secretary from 1999-2004, and was the ALP state
organizer between 1996-99. Arbib was Acting Employment and
Workplace Relations Minister when Deputy Prime Minister Julia
Gillard was recently overseas.

Powerbroker and Adviser
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3. (C/NF) Widely noted as possessing influence far beyond the
ALP Right, Arbib successfully delivered crucial votes in
Rudd's December 2006 defeat of Kim Beazley for the ALP
leadership. Arbib was a key figure in the ALP's 2007
election campaign, and Rudd thanked Arbib in his victory
speech on election night. Arbib had a similar relationship
with former NSW Premier Bob Carr who in 2007 described Arbib
as "one of the best campaigners in the business". Arbib is
said to be loyal to, but frank, with Rudd, and is one of
Rudd's closest advisers. Yet, publicly, Arbib has denied
being part of Rudd's inner circle.

Personal Information
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4. (C/NF) Arbib was born November 9, 1971 in Sydney. His
father was of Libyan heritage and spoke Italian. The elder
Arbib moved to Australia in the 1960s and became a property
developer. Mark Arbib's mother was born in Sydney, and raised
Mark and his brother after their father's death when they
were young. Arbib has a Master of Arts in political science
and economic history from the University of New South Wales.
He is married to Kelli Field. The couple has two daughters,
Alexandria, age three, and Charlotte, age one. Arbib is
devoted to his children and sensitive that his wife, formerly
the chief of staff for a NSW minister, is taking time off her
career while their children are young. Arbib and his family
live in Sydney.

Comment
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5. (C/NF) Arbib is an influential factional operator who has
forged strong political connections with Rudd. We have been
told that Rudd respects Arbib's political expertise, and a
contact noted that Arbib is brought into Rudd's inner circle
when politically important decisions are made. It has been
Qwhen politically important decisions are made. It has been
reported in the media that Arbib was involved in meetings
which led to changes to the emissions trading scheme and
Rudd's decision to embrace a budget deficit. The press has
also said that Arbib is the only minister with a close ally
as his Parliamentary Secretary, which could enable Arbib and
Jason Clare, another newcomer, to make progress on getting
public sector projects approved and built. Although Arbib
has been in elected office only briefly, his meteoric rise
has attracted only minor grumbling in Caucus since he has
the talent to back it up. It seems only a matter of time
before he moves into the cabinet.


6. (C/NF) Arbib is a tough political operator and

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evidence-based strategic thinker. He understands the
mechanics of politics and how the factional system works. He
can adeptly frame an issue the public cares about and knows
the threshold he needs to hit to get a reaction. In the
upcoming ALP national conference, Arbib will be instrumental
in keeping factions working constructively together.

Comment Continued
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7. (C/NF) We have found that Arbib is an astute observer and
able conversant in the nuts and bolts of U.S. politics. He
understands the importance of supporting a vibrant
relationship with the U.S. while not being too deferential.
We have found him personable, confident and articulate. A
strong supporter of the alliance, he has met with us
repeatedly throughout his political rise.