I was unsurprised to read that trust in government collapsed with my government’s downfall in 2010 (It’s the climate, not immigration, that keeps Australians awake at night, 25 November). However, I am perplexed that David Marr would use the word “collapse” to describe the end of my leadership, as though it simply fell apart of its own accord.
As you would recall, there was no great scandal that brought my leadership to an end. It was a premeditated coup led by a small group of faceless men from the factions, seizing on Julia Gillard’s own personal ambition to reach the top, who took the opportunity to advance their own interests.
Where John Howard lost seven ministers in the first 18 months of government, we lost only one. At the time of the coup, Labor had lost only one out of 86 polls. This was despite bringing in landmark reforms – from a mandatory renewable energy target to paid parental leave to aged pension reform – while seeing the country through the global financial crisis.
The Australian people lost faith in politics on the day of the coup, when they witnessed a government working to help ordinary Australians fall prey to the backroom wheeler-dealers guided by personal ambition rather than public purpose. This coup culture then permeated the parliament and prevented good people (on both sides of the house) from getting on with their job of making positive policy to allow the nation to thrive.
Did my leadership collapse? No. It was torn down.
Kevin Rudd
Former prime minister of Australia
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