"Everyone needs to move on, including Kevin."
That's the verdict of federal frontbencher Christopher Pyne following more revelations about the coalition government's response to Kevin Rudd's hopes to run for the job of United Nations Secretary-General.
Mr Rudd has warned Malcolm Turnbull his decision not to nominate him will damage the prime minister's international standing.
The former Labor prime minister also told The Australian Mr Turnbull's so-called captain's call represented a "monstrous intrusion" of domestic politics into an international issue.
Mr Rudd said he had a "real shot" of winning the UN post.
"It's no small thing when the Prime Minister of Australia stands up and says that one of his prime ministerial predecessors is unsuitable to be considered as a candidate for UN secretary-general.
"I think, though, in the counsels of the world, that will reflect poorly on him. I think it will."
His campaign for the job was based on assurances from both Mr Turnbull and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, he added.
Mr Pyne brushed off Mr Rudd's comments, saying the decision was the right one.
"Look, it's all about Kevin, as usual," Mr Pyne told Nine Network on Friday.
"The announcement that we wouldn't nominate him for Secretary-General of the UN has underlined why he was not a suitable candidate because his behaviour has been quite extraordinary."
Mr Rudd said he recognised Mr Turnbull had the right to make such decisions.
"What I don't respect is, having pursued this campaign for United Nations Secretary-General for such a long period of time in absolute good faith, to then see that good faith dishonoured and trust broken."
"It was always assumed in these conversations that the government would support me."
