Former Australian leader wants nomination for United Nations top job

Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd want to be the next United Nationals secretary-general. There are 12 candidates so far.

Bishop told Sky News on Monday that Rudd had requested that the Australian government nominate him for the role.

There has always been speculation Rudd was aiming for the post although Rudd had refused to confirm it.

Rudd has previously talked down his chances of winning the post, noting that the job is usually decided on a rotation system and it is Eastern Europe’s turn to nominate the secretary general.

Competition between the United States and Russian Federation and Eastern European candidates hindering each other leaves open the possibility of a compromise outsider.

“Last I looked, my name is not Ruddovich”, Mr Rudd said.

Australians, too, are split on whether or not Rudd would make a good candidate for the position of secretary-general.

“This is a matter for the prime minister, the foreign minister and their colleagues at a time of their choosing”.

Any vain hope Rudd had of returning to Australian domestic politics would be over.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said in April that Rudd was behaving like a pest, and should take up a hobby in retirement “and play golf or buy a caravan”.

Earlier this year, conservative Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi said Mr Rudd was “dysfunctional”, “vengeful”, “unstable”, and a “megalomaniac” and, thus, unsuited for the role.

An Essential poll in Australia in April showed Australians backed Clark over Rudd – 45 per cent of the 1020 polled said Clark would be a better leader for the United Nations compared to 21 per cent for Rudd.

But the General Assembly previous year voted to shake up the process, asking candidates to send a formal application letter, present their resumes and appear at hearings. There is no requirement for the five to pay attention to the popularity of candidates with the General Assembly.

A spokesperson for SportsBet said the chances were now at $2.30, and were shortening the more Mr Rudd got to know people.

“I respect the fact that the Government has many other priorities at this time, having just been returned to office”. After that, he became foreign minister, and later led the government again for three months in 2013 before losing at the ballot box.