SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

I didn't attack Rudd, Corbett says

RBA Board member Roger Corbett says his comments about Kevin Rudd destabilising the Labor Party were appropriate.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd speaking during Question Time
Labor made a mistake in switching leaders so late in the election cycle, a leading businessman says. (AAP)

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

Reserve Bank board member Roger Corbett has defended his criticism of Kevin Rudd as "entirely" appropriate but denies attacking the prime minister on national TV.

Mr Corbett caused a storm in the final week of the election campaign when on ABC's Lateline he criticised Mr Rudd for doing "enormous damage" and destabilising the ALP since being deposed in 2010.

"I don't think the Australian people will cop that," he said on Tuesday.

The prime minister on Wednesday brushed off the comments, saying Mr Corbett was free to speak his mind.

However, revelations Mr Corbett was a Liberal Party member prompted Labor's Doug Cameron to call for his resignation from the RBA board.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"He should not be there when he's running an agenda for the Liberal party," Senator Cameron told ABC Television.

"He has been absolutely deceitful and he should resign."

A guest at a $550-a-head Liberal fundraising dinner in Sydney on Wednesday night, Mr Corbett would not comment when asked about the calls for his resignation.

But the businessman did say: "I didn't attack Mr Rudd.

"I made the comments and I stand by those comments," he told reporters.

"I have nothing further to say."

He said it was "entirely" appropriate to have made the criticisms of Mr Rudd.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world