Sign in Subscribe
Political parties

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Hits Back at Opposition

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has released a two-minute video message through the Labor Party-funded website kevinPM.com.au, addressing the opposition's smear campaign and touting the country's economic resilience. Without directly mentioning Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull or the Liberal Party, Rudd dismissed the coalition's pursuit of the OzCar affair as a distraction from the government's efforts to stabilize the economy. Rudd emphasized that Australia continues to weather the global financial crisis better than most other countries, citing the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) more upbeat growth forecasts for 2009.

Key Takeaways:

  • Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd released a video message through the Labor Party-funded website kevinPM.com.au, criticizing the opposition's smear campaign and OzCar affair pursuit.
  • Rudd did not mention Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull or the Liberal Party directly, but made it clear that their efforts were a distraction from the government's economic policies.
  • The IMF and the OECD released more upbeat Australian growth forecasts for 2009, highlighting the country's resilience in the face of the global financial crisis.
  • Rudd highlighted Australia's strengths in terms of economic growth, low debt and deficit levels, and second lowest unemployment rate among advanced economies.
  • Opposition finance spokeswoman Helen Coonan responded by questioning the government's Treasury forecasts, suggesting that they were based on "fairly big assumptions".
  • The Australian Federal Police have been investigating the source of a fake email used to tarnish Rudd's reputation, and have interviewed Malcolm Turnbull.

Statistics:

  • Australia has the fastest growth rate among advanced economies.
  • Australia has the lowest debt levels among advanced economies.
  • Australia has the second lowest unemployment rate among advanced economies.
  • The IMF and the OECD forecast Australia to have above-trend growth from 2010 for six years.
  • The OzCar scheme is valued at a$2 billion (US$1.616 billion).

Sources:

  • Asia Pulse, "Rudd takes swipe at opposition's 'smear campaign'", June 29.
  • AAP, "Rudd calls for calm as IMF and OECD forecasts optimistic", June 29.
  • Sky News, "Helen Coonan on Treasury's growth forecasts", June 29.
  • kevinPM.com.au, "Video message from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd", June 28.

Read more