Judith Ireland February 1, 2012 - 3:42PM
Kevin Rudd ... happy being part of Labor ministry. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Kevin Rudd has taken the moral high ground in the war of words over his leadership chances. Speaking in Queensland this afternoon, the Foreign Minister had nothing but praise for Simon Crean, who yesterday slammed him as a prima donna.
"I noted recent comments," Mr Rudd said.
"Can I say this? That I am proud to be a member of a ministry which is hardworking and dedicated and in which Mr Crean plays a very strong and supportive role and in which I play my own part as well and will continue to do so."
Simon Crean ... said Kevin Rudd was not a team player. Photo: Erin Jonasson
Yesterday, Mr Crean told 3AW radio that Mr Rudd would never be Labor leader again because he was not a team player.
When asked if he had spoken to Mr Crean about the comments, Mr Rudd said he had been preoccupied with work.
"I have been doing my job as foreign minister with the Russian Foreign Minister in Sydney yesterday and you'll be surprised to know that did occupy a bit of my time. You might also notice that around the world today we've got a rolling civil war in Syria," Mr Rudd said.
"That's the stuff which foreign ministers engage their days on."
As is his usual practice, Mr Rudd would not respond directly to questions about his leadership ambitions. This is despite growing speculation that he will challenge Prime Minister Julia Gillard after the Queensland State election on March 24.
However he did confirm that Ms Gillard had his full support.
Mr Rudd was in the Sunshine State to support Labor candidate Kate Jones, who is defending her seat of Ashgrove against Queensland Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman.
The Foreign Minister — who is briefly in Australia before flying to Munich on Friday — appeared very much at ease in front of the cameras.
He opened his address with stern words in favour of international action on Syria, before calling on Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to stop being "Captain Negative, Captain Trivial".
