KRudd Fires Back At Turnbull, Releases Letters Discussing The PM’s Support

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Published

July 29, 2016

Parliament hasn’t even resumed in the aftermath of the federal election, but boy fuckin’ howdy, do we have an inter-party biffo on our hands.

ICYMI, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull did his best Dikembe Mutumbo impersonation today when he blocked the shit outta former PM Kevin Rudd’s push to be nominated for the UN‘s top job.

Presumably, Turnbull would have given one of those trademark finger wags, too – if the pair had actually met to discuss the issue, as Rudd thought they would.

A statement from Kev’s camp purports that he was on the way to meet with the current PM today in Sydney, but Turnbull chucked a phone call to break the news instead.

Bummer for him.

The statement highlights the fact Turnbull’s decision goes against Australia’s history of bi-partisan support for former pollies chasing international roles.

It also thanks Liberal members who did advocate for Rudd, most notably Julie Bishop. If Laurie Oakes is to be believed (and he is, he’s Laurie bloody Oakes), the PM’s hand was forced by the right wing of the Liberals.

A prime minister implicit in rolling another, copping heat from factions within his own party. Truly, unknown territory for Australian politics.

Regardless, in response to that god-almighty mess, Rudd has also released a series of letters he claims show the PM’s prior support.

In one, he writes to Turnbull “you had always said to me that the Australian government would me “mad” not to support my candidature.”

Another thanks Turnbull for “the support you have offered me in our discussions of our candidature.”

A spokesperson for Rudd told the ABC “in the interests of transparency Mr Rudd thinks it is far better that he release the three letters he sent Mr Turnbull on this issue over the past few months.”

Heavy stuff. Read the entire statement detailing today’s events below:

“Mr Rudd thanks Foreign Minister Bishop, and her many Cabinet colleagues for their consideration of and support for his candidacy for United Nations Secretary General.

It would have been the first time in the United Nation’s 70 year history that Australia offered a candidate for UN Secretary General.

It would have reflected well on what our nation can offer to the world – as a middle power with relationships across the world, including the developing world, smaller states, the Commonwealth, our Pacific Island friends and of course our partners in Asia.

Mr Rudd requested to be considered as a former Prime Minister, a former Foreign Minister, a career diplomat, as someone who successfully campaigned for an Australian position on the UN Security Council in 2013-14, and who has chaired the Independent Commission on Multilateralism, a two year long review of the UN system against the core question of whether the UN remains fit for purpose.

A nomination by the government would not have granted Mr Rudd a position. It would simply have enabled him to stand alongside the 12 other candidates from across the world, and compete on his merits.

That is now not to be.

Mr Rudd flew to Sydney this morning requesting a meeting with the Prime Minister, having sought such a meeting the previous evening.

On arrival in Sydney Mr Turnbull telephoned Mr Rudd, indicating there was no opportunity for a meeting.

Mr Turnbull stated he would not be nominating Mr Rudd as a candidate for UN Secretary General.

It is a pity the Government has not seen fit to support him, as the Hawke Government supported Malcolm Fraser for the post of Secretary General of the Commonwealth, or the Howard Government supported Gareth Evans to be head of UNESCO.

Mr Rudd wishes well all candidates for the position of UN Secretary General.

Mr Rudd remains a fervent defender and advocate of the UN in these difficult times. We need the UN now more than ever.”