MELBOURNE - Victorian Treasurer John Brumby is quietly optimistic about his chances of being appointed State Premier on Monday 30th.
Just a day after Steve Bracks' bombshell announcement that he was standing down, Mr Brumby today tried to deflect questions about his leadership aspirations at an informal press call over coffee at a Melbourne garden nursery.
"I'm making a few phone calls and working out the agenda for the remainder of the term of the Government but I'll be making a full statement tomorrow," he told reporters.
"Obviously I'm looking forward with a huge amount of enthusiasm to serving the people of Victoria if I'm elected as leader on Monday."
Mr Brumby paid tribute to the outgoing premier, who announced his retirement yesterday morning, followed a few hours later by his deputy John Thwaites.
The double resignation - which Mr Brumby admitted "came as something of a surprise" - rocked state politics, setting Victoria up for a major government overhaul.
Today, Mr Brumby said the Bracks era had seen great change for the better for the state and because of that Victorians could look forward to a new, greater era with the state enjoying a strong economy.
"We worked together for long, long time. We both understand politics and how it works and the opportunities it provides and the pressure as well," Mr Brumby said.
"Victoria's a great state, with great people, great assets and great ability and if I'm elected as leader, my job obviously will be to build on that, to work with people, to get the best out of people.
"We've got ... an economy which is in very good shape, a budget which is in very good shape and a good rapport with the people of Victoria."
While the treasurer courted the media over coffee in Maribyrnong, Mr Bracks was already setting the pace for the future, taking a leisurely stroll along a beach in his Williamstown electorate with wife Terry and youngest son Will, 13.
He said he had enjoyed a good night's sleep after yesterday's momentous decision and was now looking forward to a less hectic lifestyle.
"I don't have to cram everything into a short space of time anymore," Mr Bracks said, adding he had no plans to join the board of AFL club Geelong, the team he has followed all his life.
After a Labor Party caucus meeting on Monday, Mr Bracks will tender his resignation to Victorian Governor David de Kretser.
Both Mr Bracks and Mr Thwaites have publicly endorsed Mr Brumby as the obvious and best candidate for the state's top job.
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