The former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced he is quitting parliament.
Kevin Rudd said that his family had told him, “enough is enough”.
Kevin Rudd has served as the member representing Griffith in Queensland since 1998 – and his retirement will bring about a by-election that Labor looks likely to lose.
Rudd said that he wanted to make his decision known at the earliest opportunity, and that he will be leaving Parliament by the end of the week.
The former Prime Minister said in the House of Representatives this evening that the decision had come about after “much soul-searching for us as a family over the last few months.”
“The decision that I have made has not been taken lightly. But for me, my family is everything, always has been, always will be, which is why I will not be continuing as a member of this parliament beyond this week,” Rudd continued.
The former Prime Minister also wished the current Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, good luck with the task in front of the new government, saying, “I wish Tony, his wife Margie and their family all the best for the rigours of high office that inevitably lie ahead.”
Mr Rudd also took the time to thank his supporters during his time in parliament – and wished Bill Shorten well as Opposition Leader.
“Having served as Leader of the Opposition myself, this is never a position for the faint-hearted. There are always long dark nights of the soul but believe it or not, morning does come, often sooner than you think… Bill brings great strength to the position. I have every confidence he will lead Labor’s return to the Treasury benches,” he said.
Mr Rudd continued, “I wish to thank Albo as his extraordinary service as deputy prime minister and leader of the house. Albo is the most formidable parliamentarian in this place, as is recognised on both sides of the chamber.”
Anthony Albanese thanked the former Prime Minister in turn, and asserted that, “There are only three people who have lead Labor to victory from Opposition… Kevin Rudd, Bob Hawke and Gough Whitlam.”
“He leaves the Parliament with my best wishes and my enduring friendship,” Albo continued.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s response to Mr Rudd’s announcement was to point out, “What he’s said tonight reminds us of something in this place we all hold dear – he is putting his family first.”
“They have supported Kevin Rudd in good times and bad, and now they get their husband and father, and father-in-law, and grand father back,” Mr Shorten continued.
The Prime Minister Tony Abbott also spoke after Rudd’s announcement.
Abbott called Kevin Rudd the most successful Prime Minister of modern times, and said that, “we must pay tribute of someone of that stature – I pay tribute for the member of Griffith tonight for his achievements.”
Tony Abbott made specific reference to National Sorry Day, saying that, “There were many things to celebrate in his prime ministership – but one I celebrate was that extraordinary apology in 2010.”
“We thank you and we salute you,” the Prime Minister said.
The Treasure Joe Hockey said that he was “a little surprised” by Kevin Rudd’s announcement, while the member for Wentworth Malcolm Turnbull looked towards the past and commiserated, “The betrayal of you as leader of your party was one of the most shocking events that I have ever witnessed.”
The Minister also gave a mention to Kevin Rudd’s family, saying: “As the PM has often said – all of us here are volunteers our spouses and families are conscripts – and the way that your family stood by you will never be forgotten.”
You can watch Kevin Rudd’s resignation here:
Kevin Rudd took to Twitter soon after his announcement, with the following:
To all my friends on Twitter I wanted to tell you all that I have decided to go on to the next phase of my life.
— Kevin Rudd (@KRuddMP) November 13, 2013
Thank for all you kindness and support. http://t.co/nyMVFh9ld1 KRudd
— Kevin Rudd (@KRuddMP) November 13, 2013
Unsurprisingly, the Twitter reaction from other politicians and journalists to Kevin Rudd’s announcement was also immediate. Have a look at some of the tweets from the evening below:
UPDATE: On Thursday morning, former Prime Minister Julia Gillard tweeted in response to Kevin Rudd’s announcement. Here’s what she had to say:
Best wishes to Kevin, Therese & their family as they embark on the next stage of their lives. JG
— Julia Gillard (@JuliaGillard) November 13, 2013
So, over to you. Do you think Kevin Rudd made the right decision to quit parliament? Do you wish he’d stuck around?
Top Comments
I don't understand why my post showing all his achievements was not posted, maybe someone doesn't want me to point out the good things this man did? Or maybe my post was too long. I'll try again and hope that fairness wins over.
For those that want to argue the (lies) of him 'destabilising' for 3 years is so important (and gillard's destruction of the party for her own selfish ends isn't)
After all the things KRudd gave us:
Kept Australia out of recession.
Set up trade centres.
Massive upgrade to school libraries.
BER.
Initiated nationwide early childhood education.
Created a national curriculum.
Apologised to the stolen generations. *There were 2 Apologies ( Mr Rudd gave to the Nation the first being to the Stolen generation Feb 13, 2008 , and the second National Apology to the Forgotten Australians and Child Migrants 16th November 2009 ,of which the second National Apology seems to be forgotten about)
Appointed Quentin Bryce as the first female Governor-General of Australia.
Set up 50,000 more university places.
Put together a national health and hospitals network.
Extended Medicare.
Set up 20 regional cancer centres.
Created a National Organ Transplant Authority.
Increased pensions by the largest amount ever. (before JG kicked single mums into the streets)
Introduced paid parental leave.
Added 20,000 additional units of social housing.
Boosted the renewable energy target to 20%
Set up the Murray Basin Authority.
Got Australia into the G20.
Withdrew Australian troops from Iraq.
Removed Work Choices.
Started the roll-out of the NBN.
Ratified Kyoto
and I count NDIS and Gonski because they were both thought up and commissioned by Kevin Rudd in 2008 and April 2010 respectively, so I do not believe a person can claim credit for coming in at the tail end and pushing some paper through, these were RUDD'S polies and his legacy *not* Gillards. Phew! All of this in the *first 3 years* of RUDD'S govt. What a legacy.
And how quickly you people forget. How quickly we take things for granted and forget. And 18 months of Gillard destabilising Rudd then the next 4 years her character assassinating him and all the lies and smear take hold and that becomes more important to the public who have short memories? Than all the above this man achieved in such a short time? We should be ashamed at his treatment. How quickly we forget what he did for us, regardless of what side you're own.
Malcom Turnbull is so funny.