VZCZCXRO4213
RR RUEHPT
DE RUEHBY #0665/01 2010212
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 200212Z JUL 09 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1798
INFO RUEHBN/AMCONSUL MELBOURNE 6523
RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH 4788
RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 4761

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 
 
CANBERRA 00000665  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Classified By: POLCOUNS JAMES F. COLE: REASON 1.4 (B) 
 
 Summary 
-------- 
¶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 
----------------------------------------- 
¶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 
----------------------- 
¶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 
--------------------- 
 
¶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 
------- 
¶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 
 
CANBERRA 00000665  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
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 
------------------ 
¶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.