In 2006, Kevin Rudd successfully challenged Kim Beazley and was elected as leader of the federal Labor Party, which was (at the time) in opposition to the Liberal Party led by John Howard (please refer to one of my previous blogs, or Wikipedia, for further information - everyone does it).
The timing couldn't have been better for "K-Rudd" as he was dubbed by the media, for a shot as Prime Minister. Building on a platform of change, the brand "Kevin 07" and for Kevin Rudd's willingness to use a more social form of media, including Facebook, Twitter, and an appearance on Channel Ten's "Rove", captured the attention of the younger generation of Australia.
In contrast, the Liberal Party was suffering from in-fighting, in particular the stagnated issue of the John Howard / Peter Costello leadership change-over, the Party's decision to restrict it's use of alternate forms of media, and their introduction of the WorkChoices legislation - left of lot of voters either unhappy or (at best) out of the loop.
So, when the Australian public cast their vote on 24 November 2007, the Kevin Rudd led Labor Party won the election, in a land-slide, and Kevin Rudd was sworn in on 3 December 2007.
Kevin Rudd then acted quickly to dismantle the WorkChoices legislation, signed the Kyoto Protocol, made a federal apology to the Stolen Generation of Indigenous Australians, and introduced the Australian 2020 Summit (which was meant to be forum for Australian's best and brightest - to discuss and shape the future of the nation). He also picked Julia Gillard as his deputy.
After continued rumours of Kevin Rudd's leadership style, and his treatment of staff, on 23 June 2010 Julia Gillard challenged Kevin for the Labor Party leadership and the party caucus elected Julia Gillard to succeed Kevin Rudd, thereby making Julia Gillard Australia's first female Prime Minster.
Kevin Rudd was then given the position of Foreign Minister, but there were continued media rumours of a leadership challenge.
On 27 February 2012 Julia Gillard opened the leadership up for election - with Kevin Rudd running against her, but again the Labor caucus voted in her favour. Then again on 21 March 2013, Julia Gillard responded to media rumours by opening up the leadership for election, this time Kevin Rudd did not run and Julia Gillard was re-elected unopposed. Then, once again, as a response to media speculation and low approval rating, Julia Gillard opened up the leadership of the Labor Party on 26 June 2013, which Kevin Rudd won 57-43.
On 27 June 2013, Kevin Rudd was sworn in as Australian Prime Minister for the second time. Using the ground-swell of support, Kevin Rudd decided to send Australia to the polls on 7 September 2013, facing off against the Tony Abbott-led Liberal Party, unfortunately for Kevin Rudd, the Liberals won. After the result, Kevin Rudd resigned from leadership of the Labor Party, and on 22 November 2013 he formally ended his political career - resigning from politics altogether.
Now, onto the autograph! During the honeymoon period from his 2007 election win, I sent an email to the Prime Minister congratulating him on his success and requesting an autograph. Not long after I received this signed 3x5 photo in the mail:
Until next time!
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