Shocked Rudd bows out

24 Jun 2010, 11:42 am   -   Source: SBS Staff - Bill Code
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Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has left the labor caucus meeting with his hands in his pockets, smiling but ostensibly shocked.

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An emotional Kevin Rudd has bowed out as Prime Minister.

'I was elected by the Australian people as Prime Minister to bring back the fair go' he said.

'I'm proud of the fact that had we not done so, we would have had half a million Australians out there out of work.'

At times pausing for long periods to regain his composure, the deposed leader listed the areas he was proud of.

Ridding the nation of Work Choices, building the nation's infrastructure, starting the education revolution, and health reform - 'this will be seen as a very, very deep reform' he said.

'I'm proud of the fact we're on track to halve homelessness in this country'

"I can't stand it when you go to places and there is literally no place at the inn', Rudd said.

He said he was proud of boosting the renewable energy target, and expressed regret at not getting the emissions trading scheme through parliament.

"It must be our ambition to pass a carbon pollution reduction scheme within this parliament', he said."

'I'm most proud of the fact that about here, we greeted the stolen generation.'

Rudd then paused to regain his composure once more.

'As Therese reminded me, that was a big day.'

'I'm less proud of the fact I have not blubbered', he joked.

He said he leaves Australia a fairer place than it had ever been.

He thanked the Australian people, and said he will be contesting the next election amongst 'the good burgers of Griffith.'

Rudd goes without a fight

Earlier, Rudd stood down as leader of the Labor Party.

He was tipped from the top job after a challenge from Julia Gillard, his former deputy, and a realisation he did not have the numbers to win.

John Faulkner, Defence Minister and a veteran member of the ALP, walked with the Prime Minister making casual conversation after Rudd conceded.

The PM flashed the occasional smile at the surrounding press pack.

But many of them, like the Labor Party, had rushed off to follow new PM Julia Gillard.

"He's smiling but he must be absolutely devastated", SBS's Chief Political Correspondent Karen Middleton said.

Rudd's popularity had fallen dramatically since tipping John Howard from power in 2007.

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"Was Predicted "

Sandy - from Melbourne, 2 years ago

I remember hearing before Rudd was voted in that the Labour Party wanted him in because he was popular with the Australian people. Once he got the party in that he would be railroaded out and replaced. That he was only a front. How true is that !!!! At least he did some good. You cant expect everything to be happy. They have to have there ups and downs. Its not going to be any better now. There are thousands of people out there that don't like the way this was done and they don't forget!!!

Meekly dissappeared..

Gurney K - from Adelaide, 2 years ago

I fail to understand why Rudd did not challenge Gillard at the party room and stand for re-election as leader. He gave up too easily. Despite not having the numbers, he could have passionately pleaded to his party hacks to keep him there. His meekness displayed a lack of character and conviction, unlike Malcolm Turnbull who stood his ground and stood up for re-election despite the Liberals' deserting him. Rudd should have come out swinging, blasting the party hacks who shafted him. Weak guy !

Where is democracy?

Priya - from Melbourne, 2 years ago

I am very disappointed in the events of the last 24 hours. In 2007, I (and the majority of Australia) voted for a Labor party led by Kevin Rudd to be our Prime Minister. Then, in less than a day, some unknown union leaders and their cronies in the Labor party have trashed our votes in their political assassination of Kevin Rudd, usurping him for an unelected new prime minister. Where is democracy in Australia today?

Trust

Emerald - from Lennox Head, 2 years ago

Politics is a dirty business. Today is evidence of that. Abbott ousting Turnbull ousting Nelson is evidence. The media is no better. The media built Rudd up to heavy heights and then slammed him. The media has been pro Abbott and anti-Rudd of late. I wonder how long it will take the media to slam Gillard? Not long, I predict. We now have a choice of two relatively new leaders. Today was a clever tactic to take the oomph out of the move to the Greens. But can we trust either Gillard or Abbott?

Coincidence

Cam - from Melbourne, 2 years ago

Kevin and the Soceroos on the same day. Perhaps a trip to South Africa to have a beer with Harry, Chippy, and the boys would be in order.

forgetting something

melanie - from sydney, 2 years ago

we forgetting something people we can't see the future so who is to say that julia wont be a good prime minister I mean she still has another year for us to see what she'll do for the future government

Rose-Coloured Glasses

Adam - from ACT, 2 years ago

I've got no opinion on Gillard as PM, but I find it amazing the level of popular support for Kevin Rudd now that he's not PM. I mean, this time last week half the country was calling for him to stand down and were planning on voting against Labour in the election. Now that he's out, suddenly he was "always there for the little people" and a true-blue Aussie battler, instead of the "nerdy bureaucrat with a surgically-removed personality". Seriously, make your minds up people

True Labour values

Peter - from Sydney, 2 years ago

The Labor party again shows its true colors. They don't govern for the people of this country, its all self interest. Rudd was shafted because they were starting to lose the big margin and they felt under threat. Good democracy requires a strong opposition and Labor shows real weakness in being scared of a contest. I did not like Rudd but at least he was elected by the people and had the courage to stay the line when under pressure to change.

'Sounds like a respectable footing for a change...'

T. Dalmau - from Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC. , 2 years ago

Well, they've finally kicked the boys' club. It can only be a good thing and I absolutely mean that. I believe that a nation knows not of true game prowess, unless both expressions and both ways are respected. It has been a board of one side for quite a while now and these people should know better, in the interest to forward the national identity as a global presence. Mysogyny is still considered socially acceptable in this country. Don't lie to me!

Karma punishing rudd

David - from sydney, 2 years ago

How many ordinary people lost their jobs while Rudd was the PM. And how many people did Rudd dump who work under him ? Did he ever think about them before dumping those people! Well may be it’s his karma

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