DEAR KEVIN: FORGIVE, FORGET & MOVE ON!
Kevin Rudd’s authorized biographer has written a scathing open letter to the former Prime Minister asking him to forget his leadership ambitions once and for all.
In an extraordinary attack published on ABC online, Robert Macklin, who held extensive interviews with Kevin Rudd for his book Kevin Rudd: The Biography, writes: “For the sake of the nation, the government and yourself, abandon the delusion that has claimed and tortured you since you were deposed in June 2010. Expunge it from your mind.”
Macklin (below, right), the former associate editor of The Canberra Times and author of 21 books, says Rudd needs to stop destabilizing tactics and the agitation from his “handful of malcontents” and give Julia Gillard his “complete and undivided support.”
“Tony Abbott (who had you on the run) is now wounded. He is eminently beatable. The only major impediment to an election win and the continuation of the Government’s excellent and well-regarded policies (many of which you initiated) is your sense of entitlement.”
He also writes: “You think because you are popular now that you could retain the people’s good graces back in the Lodge. It isn’t true. You are popular because you’re no longer being tested on the front line.
“You talk a great game, Kevin, but that’s not what governing is about. That’s what Julia does – with great aplomb – in the most difficult parliamentary environment since the last minority government 70 years ago. Back in the Lodge your popularity would evaporate overnight, just like it did when you squibbed “the greatest moral challenge of our time”.
“Your current destabilising tactics might have been justified when Labor was in the doldrums, with the PM unable to make that vital emotional connection with the electorate. But those days are passed.
“The people have shared her grief and are now listening to her. Moreover, they are beginning to like what they hear and see – genuine compassionate Labor leadership with a record of legislative achievement.”
This morning Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey stood up for Rudd, telling News Ltd that the attack by Macklin was pathetic and that “People have been too tough on Kevin and it’s time to lay off him.”
Environment minister Tony Burke said the whole thing was a “dead issue” and it was time to move on.
What do you think? Is he, as Robert Macklin suggests, unable to get over his “perception as the rightful Prime Minister of Australia.”
Is it a dead issue or do you believe there is fight in Kevin ’07 yet?
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36 Responses to this article
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Caroline B November 2, 2012
I’m with Tony Burke on this one.
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debbiep November 2, 2012
I dont think Robert Macklin Letter should have been made public.It should have been between Kevin Rudd and himself.
And, the media have to wear the brunt of this blame game , more so than Rudd, when it comes to voicing “leadership Challenges’ and any muck raking. -
mrs pops November 2, 2012
It is a dead issue. Macklin is right i am listening a lot more and its been a while Kevin. move on.
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vegitamite November 2, 2012
I mean, How belittling can you get . The Man writes a Book On Rudd then belittles him publicly. I think Robert Macklins after some attention himself. Or Book sales.
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janet November 2, 2012
People are rejected and suffer heartache over many issues. The strong of character learn, grow and move forward. Kevin Rudd needs to put his ego aside, else be eaten up by it. We have moved on, so must Kevin.
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Laura Bahnisch November 2, 2012
I completely agree & have just sent a message to my father, Brian. My older brother, Mark Bahnisch once became confused in between my marriage & Kevin Rudd’s bumpy road in Kev 07 year. This was during my pregnancy bump year, and by the time we celebrated the election in the comfort of some very good wineries with my friends Marg & Ron at McLarenvale, we had a fun night, although I wasn’t going to cause my 1st & now only daughter any more than a tinkle of champagne glasses. Marg has meanwhile dealt with breast cancer, and my husband Michael & I have decided he can join Labor if he wants to…. Shani, our daughter was first photographed at a primary school not far from home, as it was my turn to have some polling day fun, and I was going for the Greens. Let’s hope the next election is great too. My wonderful daughter has far more important things to do – we need to sort out which school she needs to go to before we’d like to join or support anyone. !
Cheers,
Laura B -
Tracey November 2, 2012
I love the letter because I think Kevin has been a bit of a destructive force. BUT it’s another public humiliation for Kevin and really, it’s not surprising if he feels hard done by and keen on revenge (I still haven’t moved on from a rough deal by an employer 4-years ago). And EVEN THOUGH I’m pleased he was de-lodged, and I love Julia leading the country – I won’t be a bit surprised if Kevin lashes out again (via Phillip Adams or Peter Hartcher).
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Lindy November 2, 2012
I agree that Kevin needs to move on because he will only discredit himself if he keeps these not so subtle forays. Tony Burke is right we have also moved on and for myself I am very supportive of our Prime Minister
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Monty November 2, 2012
I am so over Kevin Rudd’s whining and foot stamping! He is like a naughty child who just won’t let go of the toy that has been given to someone else! Julia is doing a great job under enormous pressure, so, back off Kevin and grow up!
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Maye November 2, 2012
To try for a comeback into the lodge would ultimately destroy Kevin’s image completely. He is an intelligent, charismatic man, with enormous ability. There is so much good that he could be applying himself to. He needs to stop wasting his life.
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K November 2, 2012
I agree but I wonder if this letter will just make him more determined…..and therefore all the letter does is fuel the whole thing yet again
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Katie November 2, 2012
It doesn’t matter at the moment. Rudd should definitey forget this cycle, as Abbott is now dead meat regardless. It’s just a matter of time before the Libs swap him for Malcolm. Given how the electorate now loves Turnbull (a statesman by comparison with TA) it should be a shoo-in with him come the Federal election. They will probably leave changing until the last minute so Malcolm has less time to create another stuff-up like Gretch (to put it mildly). Crikey is running a competition to guess the changeover date.
Frankly I’m with Julia all the way – she has done an absolutely brilliant job. We know that any successful woman has to be at least five times smarter and more competent than a man to get traction at the same job. Gillard’s situation puts paid to any notion that such a rule is trotted out merely tongue-in-cheek. Ten times smarter and better at her job and achieved a motza in spite of minority government …
But Kevin will have his day again. I actually don’t see him as maneovering – just sticking up for himself and making appropriate contributions to the debate – and the media making a grande bouffe of it. Naturally traumatised at the beginning, I think he has handled it well. Thanks Therese.
His internal party “supporters” if any should pull their heads in though. -
Chris November 2, 2012
Labor is suddenly feeling elated by a resurgence in the polls. Not so long ago the cause looked hopeless. Now Abbott is the one under threat and Gillard looks safe. Rudd is a non-event. What a shame then that the government yet again shoots itself in the foot with the excision of the whole nation from the migratory zone for asylum seekers. How absurd! And how absolutely destructive of Labor values. If the Liberals get rid of Abbott and bring back Turnbull I will seriously consider dumping Labor, Gillard or no. Sure, Turnbull would be lumbered with a bunh of numbtees in Hockey, Pyne et al, but at least he stands for a set of decent values.
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JoanneH November 3, 2012
Did Malcolm Turnbull have any involvement in the Godwin Grech fiasco ?
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sue bell November 3, 2012
yes Turnbull was involved with the Grech affair.
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Serin November 2, 2012
I think Kevin 07 should be the lable of a Wine- made from “sour grapes”.
For God sake us in the Real World workforce- have to deal with the cut and thrust of the modern workplace- which frankly can be a “hard taskmaster” probably down to the role models we have in the top jobs in country- (Oh! and no doubt also those work cultures we have imported from Europe and USA of late). There is little loyalty and most (I hate to say) are interested in saving their own Jobs and those that got them into the position.
So Kevin get on with it! Or get out of it- you could live off your wife’s earnings very nicely. -
ro.watson November 2, 2012
I do not forget,forgive and move on about the treatment of asylum seekers by this government. Disgraceful.
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Tony W November 2, 2012
“If the Liberals get rid of Abbott and bring back Turnbull I will seriously consider dumping Labor, Gillard or no….at least he stands for a set of decent values.”
Correct me if I’m wrong Chris, but Turnbull stands for the exact same refugee policies you now decry in Labor.
Face facts Chris, Australia will never again return to pre-Howard refugee policies. The change process started 20 years ago when Labor introduced mandatory detention. Everything since then has been inevitable.
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Daniel C Corban November 2, 2012
The answer is within the Prime Minister’s reach: send Kevin to the UN.
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ro.watson November 2, 2012
Tony, everything since mandatory detention came in for asylum seekers has been wrong..I would query if this was twenty years ago~fair enough health and security checks~ but after that hopefully short process if we have the necessary personnel on and off the ground~and that includes the U.N ~ let them in here to process their asylum claims as per our obligations under the Refugee Convention~ for God’s sake~ “we” have been at war for longer (nearly) than WW1 and WW2 combined~ and we have a moral obligation to provide refuge for asylum seekers suffering persecution.
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Rod November 2, 2012
I think just about everyone moved on long ago, apart from McClelland, Hartcher, Ferguson, McKew and the Libs.
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Marg November 3, 2012
Agreed. For the rest of us, Rudd lost relevance a long time ago. It was clear he’d lost the public and his own party. Like many, I have been mystified that the Canberra press gallery keeps trying to resurrect him. Even after his unsuccessful challenge! I would love to know the nature of their interactions with him, I feel there’s a story we’re not being told.
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Tony W November 3, 2012
“….mandatory detention came in….I would query if this was twenty years ago”
Mandatory detention laws were introduced in Australia by the Keating Labor government, with bipartisan support, in 1992. Minister for Immigration Gerry Hand stated: “The Government is determined that a clear signal be sent that migration to Australia may not be achieved by simply arriving in this country and expecting to be allowed into the community.”
Once that moral threshold was crossed there could be no turning back. Increasing boat arrivals led to increasingly “clear signals” – lengthier detention….harsher detention conditions…offshore detention….and ultimately, refusal of entry unless via formal UNHCR resettlement program (proposed Malaysia solution).
The policy has now gained moral force as a means to save lives at sea.
A brief attempt was made under Rudd to reverse this policy direction. It failed. The debate is now over. Even Paris Aristotle recognizes that.
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lynda November 3, 2012
Boy is he wrong!! Gillard is being exposed for the “crook” that she is …….Kevin your days are numbered The LNP have a wonderful candidate for our seat of Griffith….A man of Integrity, experience,honesty and respect ….. we live in a lovely area that is not well represented by this self centred man……welcome Bill Glasson…
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Annie Also November 3, 2012
I don’t think 60% of support is a ‘handful’ of people. I can’t imagine anyone on this page or elsewhere who had a dream and an ambition would forget EVER a feeling of ‘betrayal and loss’….I have felt it in family matters, in community relationships, at work ( in the past).
If someone spends all their life with a ‘vision’ or with an idea that could help others and serve their nation I don’t think it is a matter of easily ‘moving on’. Sure it has to be put somewhere, worked through and sorted…but usually that begins with an apology. Maybe if Gillard apologised to Rudd for the way it was done then things would be different.
I am so disappointed in Labor since the last election. I had such high hopes, such relief after 2007 elections and within 12 months much had been done, started or set in motion. I was upset about the ETS being sidestepped and the Mining tax being downgraded. Both those things were good INCLUDING the reversal of how asylum seekers had been treated. Given time and support it would have worked….it was waaaaay to short a trial to be poo-pooed and relegated a ‘failure’. WRONG.And now look at where we are …so far right that there are two conservative parties from which to chose.
A pox on all their houses then! The Nauru and Manus Is solutions are a bridge too far…..PAH! -
JoanneH November 3, 2012
Kevin Rudd was entitled to feel cheated by the loss he suffered, but not to the extent of leaking, (or encouraging others) harmful information to discredit Julia. That affected Labor’s electoral chances, and not just Julia. The Prime Minister gave the media permission to reveal any off- the- record information given to journalist that could be attributed to her; so far nobody has come forward. Maxine McKew said Kevin Rudd had not leaked, but I think he needs to make a similar statement to appear more credible.
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Rhoda November 3, 2012
The man’s a millionaire. He has confidence. And he has a supportive family who encourage him. I doubt he will go to ground. I daresay he thinks he can make a comeback and who’s to say he won’t. As they say a week is a long time in politics.
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JoanneH November 3, 2012
I wonder if Kevin Rudd ever tried to destabilise the Prime Minister by giving information to the media?
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Sue November 3, 2012
the worst thing with kevin and his whining is that he involves his whole family. now tony abbott thinks he must inflict his family on the electorate too.
so much for their leadership!
thank goodness we have such a clear headed PM, who is still standing and leading the country, especially with the amount of muck that has been pitched her way. -
LDC November 3, 2012
People can say what they like about Kevin, but at least he wasn’t a bogan. Whether Julia is a backstabber is not the main issue; she’s a bad choice for PM because she’s a poor ambassador for Australia. If the party doesn’t want Kevin back, please find someone else who doesn’t make me cringe and reach for the mute button every time she speaks.
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Tony W November 3, 2012
“People can say what they like about Kevin, but at least he wasn’t a bogan.”
That was his problem! He’s an intellectual, and they can be tricky to work with because they always know best.
I think you’re selling Gillard short. She gets the job done and she’s well regarded OS these days. My guess is they love her Aussie nasal twang!
Anyway I wouldn’t write Kevin off just yet – remember Lazarus with a triple bypass?
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Serin November 5, 2012
A VERY middle class spin on bogans has been accepted as a sign that someone has intellect?? Julia would never be a true bogan- those of you who entertain such thoughts- need to get out into the real burbs and see what the term really means.
Re Rudd and intellect-
I am not sure that person who cannot delegate when they’re in the top job and wh is obviously so insecure that he has to be in control of every aspect- is actually displaying great intelligence. Seems he’s now become an expert at delegating with the outsourcing of his “white anting” campaign against the Gillard Government, to Maxine McKew et al. -
logical November 5, 2012
What is the story with comments like: ‘Julia is doing a brilliant job”…come on guys, from surplus to massive debt in no time flat, vote buying cash handouts, lies and deception, one failed scheme after another.
I am open to acknowledging a task well done, but really, this government’s performance is abysmal…a constant display of mismanagement, over spending and class warfare.
Support her blindly because she is a woman…are we back in high school.
Frankly, having a PM who pulls the sexist card every time an argument goes the wrong way, is doing nothing for the credibility of women in positions of authority!
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Lucille November 5, 2012
If Rudd really wants to get revenge all he has to do is become an independent. Of course his leadership aspirations would have to be sacrificed.
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Tony W November 5, 2012
Serin, you misunderstand my use of the word “intellectual”. I was drawing a distinction between Rudd’s tendency to theorize about issues as compared to Gillard’s obvious pragmatism.
Obviously they’re both highly intelligent people, but Gillard is much more practical – eg. delegating as you mention.
