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Aust'n gov't delays decision to nominate former PM Kevin Rudd for UN top job

Xinhua, July 28, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Australian government on Thursday delayed making a decision about whether or not it will endorse former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's bid to become the next United Nations secretary-general.

Rudd, who requires formal government baking before his bid could be considered by the UN, will speak privately with sitting Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull before any decision is made pubic.

Although the government said it would make a decision on Rudd's bid on Thursday, Turnbull said it was not high on the list of priorities for a government which has only just been re-elected.

"We've considered this issue and I owe Mr Rudd a telephone call before I say anything more about it publicly," Turnbull told the press on Thursday.

There is a strong push from within the coalition cabinet not to endorse Rudd, while there has also been plenty of outside support for the former Labor prime minister.

Earlier on Thursday, acting Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek urged the prime minister to put aside childish politics to endorse Rudd, as there is no one more qualified for the job in Australia.

"If the cabinet today decides not to offer its endorsement to Kevin Rudd, it will show that the petty, small-minded right-wing of the Liberal Party have Malcolm Turnbull and Julie Bishop on a short leash," Plibersek said.

"Malcolm Turnbull should have the courage to stare down the extremists in his own party and put the national interests first instead of putting his factional fears above the national interest."

It is believed Rudd's strong relationship with both the United States and China would strengthen his bid, should the government endorse him.

"(Rudd) is a distinguished former prime minister of Australia, a very successful foreign minister, a diplomat, a very successful diplomat with decades worth of diplomatic experience," she said.

"He's acknowledged in the United States as an expert on China and Asia more generally. His skill is acknowledged around the world."

Turnbull is expected to make a public announcement on Friday. Endit