As the Labor Party seeks to rebuild itself in the wake of its election loss, former Attorney-General Nicola Roxon has warned against letting Kevin Rudd remain in parliament.
Ms Roxon has used the annual John Button Lecture to caution against the danger of viewing important policy issues through the prism of internal politics.
She says, until Kevin Rudd retires from politics, Labor cannot present itself as a viable alternative to a Coalition government and will constantly be forced to look inwards.
Amanda Cavill reports.
Former senior minister Nicola Roxon says Kevin Rudd will always be a destabilising influence and he should leave parliament for the good of Labor.
Ms Roxon says the former Prime Minister has a vicious tongue and temper and has treated brilliant people badly.
She says, as long as Mr Rudd remains in parliament, he will constantly be compared against any other leader of the Labor Party.
"I believe we must also confront the bitter truth that, as long as Kevin remains in parliament, irrespective of how he behaves, pollsters will run comparisons with him and any other leader. In my opinion, and it is only my opinion, for the good of the federal parliamentary Labor Party and the movement as a whole, Kevin Rudd should leave the parliament. Otherwise, the action of any Labor leader will always be tested through the prism of popularity compared to him. As well as being constantly unsettling, we should've learned that this is not a recipe for success."
Ms Roxon says Mr Rudd ran a chaotic policy-development process, stifled cabinet collaboration and abused staff and senior officials.
She says Mr Rudd's removal was the right move at the time but the party's handling of the matter was clumsy and short-sighted.
She says the public did not understand he brought about the circumstance himself.
"We didn't explain the dysfunctional decision-making and lack of strategy. We didn't talk about his rudeness or contempt for staff, or disrespect for public servants. Removing Kevin was an act of political bastardry, for sure. But this act of political bastardry was made possible only because Kevin had been such a bastard himself to so many people already."
Ms Roxon has also offered some advice for the future, saying Labor has avoided the hard issues over the past six years.
She says a progressive party like Labor needs to welcome debate not fear it.
"A progressive party needs to be able to argue over issues and not see it through the prism of internal politics. Both internally and externally, Labor, in the time that I've been involved, has become more afraid of real debate. For a progressive party that prides itself on constantly renewing its social purpose, this is not good news."
Labor frontbencher Chris Bowen has played down the scathing critique of Kevin Rudd, calling for past leaders to be shown respect.
Mr Bowen, a key Rudd backer in the leadership contests against Julia Gillard, has told the A-B-C it is up to Mr Rudd to decide his future.
"Well, look, I think that all former Labor leaders are deserving of respect. All former Labor leaders are deserving of a place in the party's history, and they should be accorded the respect that the Labor Party has traditionally given to former leaders. I think that applies to Julia Gillard, and I think it applies to Kevin Rudd. And I think Kevin Rudd ... it's a matter for Kevin Rudd as to how he chooses to make his contribution to the Labor Party and the nation going forward."
Mr Rudd is overseas.
His office says he is busy working on policies which will benefit all Australians.
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