When it comes to public appointments, the Coalition is notoriously partisan. When Labor was in government, it appointed Coalition figures like Peter Costello (the Future Fund board), Tim Fischer (ambassador to the Holy See) and Brendan Nelson (ambassador to NATO) to major positions.
The Coalition not only refuses to appoint Labor luminaries to diplomatic or board positions, but under Tony Abbott it adopted a policy of not even renewing the appointments of people who had been appointed by Labor, as if the taint of political opponents was so offensive they couldn’t even bear to endure it indirectly.
Now Kevin Rudd is the target of attacks from Coalition MPs in his campaign for secretary-general of the United Nations.
This time, however, they are right.
While Rudd had some important successes as PM — most notably his world-leading response to the global financial crisis — his management and personal style was arrogant and toxic, he was indecisive, obsessed with polling and unwilling to trust his own colleagues. After losing the top job, he was treacherous and obsessed with regaining it, yet uninterested in working out what he’d do with it if he ever got it back.
The United Nations is dysfunctional and flawed enough without being led by Rudd. Australia should not support his candidacy. Instead, it should look across the Tasman, to former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark. That is, if the Turnbull government can stomach her Labour background.
His management and personal style was arrogant and toxic, he was indecisive, obsessed with polling and unwilling to trust his own colleagues. After losing the top job, he was treacherous and obsessed with regaining it, yet uninterested in working out what he’d do with it if he ever got it back….Could be describing Turnbull and Abbott..
What a load of sanctimonious drivel from the Fitzroy Afternoon Herald. Why buy into it. Just let it run its course.
“Now Kevin Rudd is the target of attacks from Coalition MPs in his campaign for secretary-general of the United Nations.”
True, but look at the piss-ants who attacked him. No-name newbies looking to gain a media profile, wankers extraordinaire.
But I do agree about the analysis of Rudd, Helen Clark could do some great things at the UN, Rudd could do great things for Rudd and stuff the rest of the world.
Clark could be one of the better appointments made to the UN.
I dissagree. Rudds picture was painted by his enemies. They still behave like vindictive people who cannot admit that all their insights are based on gossip rather than detailed facts.with a large lash of Murdoch bias. I do not think that Tony or Malcolm were/ are team players with integrity or have UN credentials. Julia was supposed to be no more than a seat warmer for the conga line of Union pretendes ( including Shorten) who thought they should thwart Rudds Climate change laws. To her credit she clung to the office as a capable woman with a right to prove herself.
Rudd was popular with citizens as an honest broker. Being rude was a piss weak excuse to give for getting rid of Rudd. It certainly didnt pass the pub test. And I have never been convinced by the premise that Rudd was toxic to the ideals of Social justice. It is true that he was not a Union Anointed leader, was not a Rich born to rule noble. He was not beholden to Rupert Murdoch’s mind control papers or IPA, his main mistake was to give Liberals an even shake to appointments! Big mistake.
Murdocks press IPA and 75% of all read newspapers printed the portrait of Rudd that was painted by Labor Tryhards. It was an own goal by labor and we all paid the price of Lying Captain Tony.
The Australian Government shoul be above petty vindictive Abbott era tribal ideology! Malcolm the fair?
Approve Rudds chance to compete on Australias team.
I’d prefer Ireland’s ex President Mary Robinson but would like to see Helen Clark but pity the poor translators.