The Federal Opposition is in disarray, with Communications spokesman, Lindsay Tanner, becoming the sixth frontbencher to stand down since Labor’s 9 October election loss.

Tanner says he he has serious reservations about how his party is dealing with its fourth straight election defeat, and he will not stand for the frontbench at Friday’s Caucus meeting.

“I have absolutely no complaint about how Mark Latham has dealt with me personally, but I have serious reservations about the emerging Labor response to our latest election defeat.

“I intend to argue for change in Labor’s approach from the backbench.

“I believe Mark Latham has done a very good job in difficult circumstances as Labor leader and he has my continued support.”

Tanner joins Bob McMullan (Finance), Craig Emerson (Workplace Relations), Kim Beazley (Defence), Annette Ellis (Aged Care) and Senate Leader, John Faulkner, who have all announced they will move to the backbench.

With Jacinta Collins (Children and Youth) in danger of losing her Senate spot, and Simon Crean (Treasury) yet to say if he will stand again, there are set to be sweeping changes to the Labor frontbench.

Latham is expected to make major changes to his team at the Caucus meeting. The factions will decide who will be on the frontbench and the Opposition Leader will choose which portfolios they hold.

There is no indication on who will be Labor’s new Shadow Communications Minister.

Lindsay Tanner spent eight and a half years in the ALP Shadow Ministry.