Tony Wright National affairs editor of The Age
February 11, 2013
Julie Bishop says Kevin Rudd's talent should not be wasted. Photo: Andrew Meares
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd, in furious quest of elusive justice over last year's leaking of an embarrassing video he apparently believes was perpetrated by enemies within, has found a friend without who might reward him with an ambassadorship.
Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop, merrily revealing she and Mr Rudd had forged a friendship over a glass of wine or two on the international circuit, praised his talents, ability and experience in foreign policy and said they shouldn't be wasted. ''If Kevin wants to apply for a job, I'll judge it against others who are applying for that same position,'' said Ms Bishop, who, as foreign minister in an Abbott government, would judge applications for senior diplomatic posts.
''I'll certainly be looking for a range of people to fill our posts overseas because they are, after all, Australia's voice, ambassadors to the world.''
Even more merrily, Ms Bishop raised the spectre of Mr Rudd having one last tilt at unseating Prime Minister Julia Gillard and resuming his old job.
She said Mr Rudd would not accept the job of opposition leader if Labor lost the September 14 election, and nor would he be granted the prime ministership if Labor won.
''So he's got one more chance and that is between now and the 14th of September,'' she said.
Ms Bishop's comments received support from former prime minister John Howard, the man Mr Rudd defeated in 2007.
Mr Howard said Mr Rudd could try for the Labor leadership again before the September 14 election.
''Oh, I think it's quite possible, yes,'' Mr Howard told the Nine Network. ''Politics in the end is driven by the laws of arithmetic.''
It's not the first time Mr Howard has predicted a comeback for Mr Rudd. Last May he said he believed that it was ''more likely than not'' that Labor would bring Mr Rudd back before the next federal poll.
Ms Bishop, helpfully, managed also to insert the high-tension matter of Labor's internecine warfare of leaks into her generous chat on Sky TV about her travelling parliamentary friend.
''Over a glass of wine together, we have shared some thoughts,'' she said. ''I wouldn't say he confides in me in this atmosphere within the Labor Party of leaks against prime ministers and people investigating leaking of the leaking.''
Quite. Mr Rudd himself at the weekend confided to the world that he believes police could have done a better job of investigating the leaking of a leak against him.
Mr Rudd has been in a fever for a year since someone calling themselves ''HappyvegemiteKR'' posted on YouTube a video showing him cursing like a bullocky and banging his desk in frustration. He has released a pile of documents including his own letters to investigators asking that police interview two former staffers of Ms Gillard, plus records of an interview with a staffer from Family Minister Jenny Macklin's office, who denied any involvement.
Mr Rudd has said Commonwealth property was stolen and it was ''a significant event in Australian politics''.
Some Labor colleagues were deeply unimpressed. ''Kevin just wants to keep talking about this whole bloody thing because it keeps you talking about Kevin,'' one said.
with AAP
