Kevin,
Do you feel that covert Chinese intervention through its citizen's in Australia, prominently through curricular groups within our Unis is a legitimate concern? And is it emblematic of the broader approach that the Chinese take to foreign affairs? Is China utterly uncompromising or do you think we can establish a truly effective and productive working relationship?
Not really. But we should ban all foreign donations to political parties like I tried to do in 2009. The Libs opposed.
Adding to this: given that it seems a lot of damage has been done with the FTTN rollout, would it be possible (or worth it) to go back to the original FTTP model as soon as possible?
I have always supported FTTP.
What was your biggest regret as PM?
Being a little too trusting of others :)
Neoliberalism is looking increasingly out of favour in many parts of the world, and both the UK and New Zealand labour parties have recently become much more critical of capitalism.
Do you think the Australian Labor Party should join them?
Read the article I wrote on this in the monthly over one decade ago. My views on this have not changed.
Hi Kevin,
Do you regret shelving the CPRS in early 2010?
What I regret most is the greens siding with the libs to vote down the CPRS twice in the senate.
You are a notable proponent of a Big Australia. What do you say to people who claim that extremely high population growth has lead to the housing affordability crisis and stagnant wages within a growing economy?
Our government had a housing policy to reduce the cost of housing and to boost the supply of social housing. This government doesn't even have a housing minister.
Kevin, why did you wait until your autobiography was being released before telling us what you really think about Murdoch's involvement with the LNP in ruining the NBN?
I have said this many times before publicly. It's just, surprise surprise, the Murdoch media weren't keen on printing it.
Is Abbott as awful in person as he is on TV?
About the same.
Nearly ten years on from your Sorry speech, what do you feel has changed for Indigenous Australians over that time? How do we get to constitutional recognition?
Aboriginal education has improved in many areas, and we now have many young Aboriginal kids at our universities.
Mr Rudd, how important is it we re-think our relationship with the US in its 'pivot towards Asia'? And should we be aiming to form an alliance with China at the expense of ours with the US?
We need to wait out the Trump administration and see what the next administration does. This guy is right out there.
What do you think is the way forward for the ALP and central-left politics in Australia and other western nations?
The capitalist project has to be adjusted in order to provide a bigger slice of national income to lower and middle income Australians.
G'day! Politics aside, what's your favourite thing about Australia?
The beaches. Just extraordinary. Best in the world.
What would you do differently if you had your time as PM over again?
As I said just before, I'd be less trusting of some of the folks I worked with.
whaling. How come Austrailia does not pressure Japan about their illegal "research" whaling in the antarctic?
Good question. I took them to court. We won the case in the international court of justice. Turnbull has done bugger all since.
Why did you cop out of taking an ETS to a double dissolution election when you were killing it in the polls?
We had already had our ETS legislation knocked over in the senate twice by then. By the time Gillard and Swan had conducted their coup in June 2010, there was still time to call a DD. Gillard had opposed one from the get go.
Hi Mr Rudd,
Are you as disappointed with the state of current politics as we are? Where constant blame games are played instead of actual problem solving? Where each side picks on each other instead of focusing on policies? Thank you for taking the time to reach out to us btw!
Yes. But the Murdoch media don't provide a fair platform for a policy debate on the future. Their interest is to conduct personal campaigns against individual labor politicians.
Hi Kevin,
What made you change your stance on marriage equality to a yes? How did it come about and who/what made the realisation real for you?
If you go to my website you will see a 3000+ word essay written in 2013 well before I returned to the Prime Ministership on why I had changed my position.
I still have my Kevin 07 tshirt. Can we be real life best friends?
Absolutely. I'm thinking of printing more T-shirts.
Hi Kevin, In your opinion, what's the best decision you made as PM?
To intervene radically in 2008 to stop Australia from falling into a deep economic recession.
Hi Kevin,
During the Howard years, the ALP struggled quite awhile in opposition. What do you believe were the reasons the ALP weren't able to return to office sooner?
As I mention in my book, "Not For the Faint-hearted", Howard was a master of the politics of fear - fear of refugees, fear of muslims, fear of deficit. We weren't able to counter those arguments effectively.
Hi Kevin. Who's idea was the Kevin 07 campaign? It was absolutely brilliant in design!
A combination of Tim Gartrell, the then national secretary of the ALP, and the late Neil Lawrence.
Hi Kevin, what suprised you most about life as PM and the roles it entailed?
The GFC. It meant we had to work 16 hour days just to survive.
What are your thoughts on Canada? Friend or Foe?
BFF's
Do you still hit up Yarralumla Turkish Pide when you are in the area?
Not only do I visit for a kebab when I'm in town my son Marcus has been one of their biggest customers in history.
Why do you think the NBN, a $50B nation wide project, has barely been covered or properly discussed in the media?
Please read the transcript of my interview with Leigh Sales on Monday night.
Much has been made of the alleged story of the NBN being dreamed up on the back of an envelope. How did Senator Conroy & others actually communicate the concept to yourself and have it signed off?
The envelope story is bullshit. The NBN was the recommendation of a committee of senior Commonwealth Treasury officials after 6 months examining all the financial, economic and technical options.
Hey Kevin, what moment or achievement in your time as Prime Minister are you most proud of?
Keep Australia out of recession during the GFC. The only major economy in the world to do so. Saving hundreds of thousands of jobs and small business's in the process.
KRudd, big fan of your cats Mei Mei and Qing Qing on instagram. What do you say to all those cat haters out there who think dogs are the superior pet?
The truth is we have almost always had dogs and cats together, and if they can get on together, surely cat lovers and dog lovers can get on together.
Kevin, What's your favourite flavour of meat pie? Love you heaps
4&20
Hi Mr Rudd,
Do you think there should be a Royal Commission into the NBN debacle to hold those accountable?
Cheers
Yes. Abbott and Turnbull have so far got away with blue murder on this. The cost to the taxpayer as a result has been beyond belief.
Ruddy! Welcome to Ruddit. What's your favourite TV show? (Please don't tell me it's Home & Away)
The Simpsons.
I saw in an interview recently that Latham denied your offer to be in treasury and instead put Swan there. I also note you were later instrumental in our response to the GFC, and that of the global response.
In an alternate history, if Latham did give you the treasury position, would you have thrown your hat in for the leadership after Beazley? If not, how do you see the GFC playing out in the parliamentary setting with you as shadow/treasurer?
Too complex for me mate
How long do you give Turnbull and why?
Mid 2018. That's because the Liberals as a political beast do not have a history of being sentimental towards leaders about to take them over a cliff.
[deleted]
I only really like light beers, that's why I don't mind a Corona, and of course as a Queenslander a XXXX Gold.
Mr Rudd,
How deep does the rabbit hole go in terms of media moguls influencing policy?
Is there a reasonable solution to get the NBN back to a standard that Labor proposed and started, or are we going to be held back for another 10 years+?
Murdoch's fox news network in the United States is one of the biggest reason for the emergence of Trump. Murdoch also campaigned in support of Brexit in Britain. Murdoch's control of 70% of the Newspapers in Australia is a major problem for us all.
G'day Mr Rudd! Thanks for doing this AMA!
Who is your favourite prime minister? (Can't name yourself haha)
EG Whitlam & PJ Keating - can't name just one.
Kevin, you famously held an ideas summit - Australia 2020 - What is your favourite idea from that which never got off the ground?
My favourite idea from the 2020 summit was the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which is still being delivered.
Hi Kevin, what is your opinion on Mark Latham these days? He seems to have all of a sudden become a darling of the tribal political right in this country, including many identities in the media, given that he now continually bangs on about "the left", political correctness and supposed threats to free speech.
Are there some things you can agree with Julia Gillard on? Is Latham still just in the midst of a massive tantrum since he lost the election in 2004 and still bitter and blaming anybody but himself? Do you think that he genuinely believes in all the free speech stuff, or just wants to say whatever stupid thing that enters his head to get attention?
I reflect on this in my book Not for the Faint-hearted. Latham is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Mark's problem is that he is first and foremost a controversialist. He just wants to be in the public limelight. Adopting whatever position that takes. Hence why his position changes all the time.
Hi Kevin.
Has your perspective on Australian politics changed from your recent time in the United States?
PS miss you!
Yes. What I see in the US, UK and Australia is the Murdoch empire harnessing the forces of the far right in every country. It is a national and international disgrace.
Do you think that Australia is a good model for the U.S. in regards to how to handle gun violence and gun control?
Yes.
I have to ask, how much do you miss The Chasers?
Quite a lot. With no Chasers and the loss of John Clarke there's a big hole in Australian political satire.
Kevin, I'm a member of the ALP, and want to enter politics (NSW). Any suggestions?
My key piece of advice is, as I write in my book Not for the Faint-hearted, what the country needs is people of deep experience, professional knowledge and judgement before they stick their hand up to be an MP. All the best.
Dear Mr. Rudd,
I admire you overall because you are one of the few Western leaders who can actually speak in fluent Mandarin and understand Chinese culture. I wanted to ask you: with the rise of China in the world stage, as well as the election of Donald Trump as President of the US, what can we expect in the next 10 years as China moves on to be more prominent?
The Chinese president has said he wants to shape the new international system with much greater Chinese input. The key challenge for all of us, is to ensure we still have a global rules-based system. And we need America to re-engage the world.
G'day kev, are you aware that in schools all around this great country of ours you are viewed as a handball god? How do you feel about this and do you have intentions to hit the squares again any time soon???
Yes I know I am seen as the handball champ of the Southern Hemisphere. In fact I have challenged one of our local schools here in Brisbane to a match on Monday.
Do you believe in fixed four year terms for the Federal Parliament? And do you think the referendum you had originally budgeted for on the issue, would have succeeded with an 8 yr Senate term?
Yes. Only if the conservatives backed it on a bi-partisan basis.
Hi Mr. Rudd!
What's the one thing you miss about being Prime Minister?
Also, how do you feel about the current state of tertiary education? Is there anything you think that universities can do better to help students prepare for the "real world"?
Thanks!
One thing I miss about being PM is not being able to shape Australia's national economic strategy in order to build the new industries of tomorrow.
What do you feel was your biggest regret, or your most remarkable 'unfinished business' moment, during your time as PM?
Read my next book :) But one was not being able to implement the original plan for the NBN - to take fibre optic cable to the premises.
What did you enjoy more - being the Leader of the Opposition or the Prime Minister?
Being PM because you could then set about creating change and opportunity for the country - for the many, not the few.
Hi Kevin,
You have been the only Federal Labor Leader to perform well in QLD. How can the Federal ALP make gains in QLD, considering it is a Coalition stronghold?
Thanks
Recognise Qld, like WA, is different. Recognise the de-centralisation of Queensland. And connect the whole state with high-speed broadband to the premises.
Hey Kevin, how concerned are you about populist parties like One Nation in Australia? Do you think that the tone of Australian politics has shifted dramatically in the decade since you first won office?
Hanson emerged big time during my first election in 1996. The reason Hanson-ism continues to survive and prosper is because the Liberals and Nationals continue to cuddle up to them. I talk a lot about this and the politics of fear in my book. John Howard tried to court Hanson when she was first elected to parliament and was still doing it 20 years later, just before the WA state election. This has given Hanson a legitimacy she doesn't deserve.
Mr Rudd, What prompted you to learn mandarin and how long did it take to become fluent?
I became fascinated with China as a kid growing up through the books my mum had given me. On the language, it took me 5 years at Uni - as the new book says, it ain't for the faint-hearted :)
Do you think Australia will succed in passing gay marriage?
I hope so. I believe so. But we just don't know so.
Mr Rudd,
Do you believe that the world is becoming better or worst?
In is a tale of a two cities my friend. Some things are getting better as we steadily reduce global poverty; some things are getting worse like the fracturing of our liberal democracies with the rise of either far left or far right populism.
How do you see Australia and the UK's relationship evolving post-Brexit?
Australians like the UK. I think most of us are sad that they've pulled the plug on Europe and I don't think it's good for Britain itself. But here in Australia we should always be building new bridges to the land of the Pom. Things we disagree on are tiny, compared with our common interests and ideas.
You are the PM when I arrived in Australia and start studying in college. You will always be remembered the best PM in my life I reckon..lol
I know you loves Chinese culture a lot you even have a Chinese name. However I would like to ask did you ever studied/understand the dark side of Chinese culture such as the criticism from Lu Xun and the books like 'i don't want to be a chinese again' and 'The Ugly Chinaman and the Crisis of Chinese Culture'?
I was privileged at the ANU to study under Pierre Ryckmanns . Probably Australia's greatest sinologist. Pierre could be highly critical of various aspects of China. I remember studying with him a piece by Chen Ruoxi called "Nixon's Press Delegation". As well as the much earlier work of Lu Xun.
What should be done about the internment camps for refugees? What can/should Australia do to help Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar?
Every developed country in the world should be funding immediately the UN special appeal for the Rohingya to support UNHCR, WFP and UNICEF to do what is needed right now in the border regions.
Have you tried Grill'd Burgers?
Nope
Do, aliens exist? I mean honestly, what's the harm. Less and less people are religious these days, you've got to know something. We all know that some debriefing said if you let the people know, that your secret service will make it very hard for you but seriously, we've got to know. lol
Do aliens exist? Haven't you met Tony Abbott.
Any relation to Paul Rudd?
Unfortunately we are not related. But I am still deeply hurt that he's never invited me on set.
Hello Kevin, you did have the chance, so did you grab that opportunity and say, "et tu, (insert name here)?" :)
Yes. But in Shakespeare's tradition, only in sotte voce.
Hello Mr Rudd. I used to enjoy your Sunrise political debates with Joe Hockey. You both seemed to have great banter. Do you keep in touch with him?
Yes. I see him quite often in the United States. Good bloke.
What do you think about 'the wiggles'?
The wiggles are worshipped in America. An Aust national treasure. I brought up my kids on the Wiggles and now their kids love The Big Red Car. Personally I am a Dorothy the dinosaur fan.
Hey do you know how long I should boil an egg so it's a bit soft on the inside?
4min 30 seconds. At least in QLD.
Mr Rudd,
What made you decide to learn Mandarin? Do you speak any other languages?
Do you think it's important for younger Australians to learn Asian languages to effectively work with our neighbours to the north?
Cheers for these answers, and please release Kevin07 shirts again.
Hi Kevin, not sure if you're doing this still but what the heck.
One of your major actions as prime minister, and a big part of your election campaign was the 'sorry' speech.
What I'm wondering is, why do you really feel it is necessary for the people/politicians of today to apologise for the actions of past people? As someone who has never considered themselves a racist and has done nothing harmful to the aboriginal people I often feel frustrated when I am insulted for not apologising on Sorry day, when in reality I don't see the need to.
Please re-read the speech. I tackle this question there. If, in this generation we are going to happily appropriate the positive legacy of our past; then we should also accept responsibility for its negative legacy as well - even though we may not have made any contribution to either.
Do you regret trying to help Julian Assange?
My responsibility as Foreign Minister was to provide consular support for any Australian in distress overseas - that included him.
Probably too late since this was 17 hours ago, but /u/MrKevinRudd I have 2 questions...
How much do you believe that delaying the CPRS for 2 years was the reason for your drop in popular support?
You were obviously challenged by internal dissension within the Labor party. How would you lead differently to gain internal support if you had your time again.
The problem I faced at the time was my deputy Julia Gillard demanded the shelving of the CPRS indefinitely. My treasurer Wayne Swan demanded that it be pushed off into the never never. A 2 year delay was the best I could achieve without fundamentally fracturing Cabinet solidarity.
Bear in mind our CPRS legislation had been voted down twice in the Senate thanks to a combination of Liberals and the Greens.
How do you feel about shrimp on the barbie?
Being a Queenslander I am more a cold shrimp guy.
Hey Mr Rudd
What's your favourite Aussie saying/term?
Fair shake of the sauce bottle & flat out like a lizard drinking.
Although I do also like educating my New York colleagues on the dangers of drop bears.
Kevin, if a young person asked you what you think the top 3 languages for an Australian to learn are, what would you say?
Apart from English - Chinese, Japanese and French.
Hi Kevin!
What do you think of Canberra being no. 3 on The Lonely Planet’s list?
Deliberately controversial - so people discuss it on reddit.