Associate Professor in political science in the CSU School of Humanities and Social Sciences Dominic O'Sullivan is not surprised by the Prime Minister's decision not to nominate Kevin Rudd for the role of UN Secretary-General.
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He said this was always going to be an early test for the new Turnbull government and perhaps Mr Turnbull made the decision with a view to consolidating his support in the Cabinet rather than alienate Coalition members.
Given the turnover of PMs in recent times, it was better for Mr Turnbull to annoy the Labor opposition than to risk further fracturing his own Coalition, he said.
“One need only reflect on the plight of his predecessor, and indeed Mr Rudd's time as Prime Minister. This issue will quickly pass from political and public consideration and will not jeopardise Mr Turnbull's long-term standing with his party or the electorate."
He said it is common for governments to nominate former opponents for international positions and the conservative government of New Zealand is actively supporting the former Labour PM, Helen Clark, in her bid for the UN job.
The difference was that beyond domestic political contests, she attracts bipartisan international respect for her foreign policy expertise and diplomatic skills.
"In contrast, Mr Rudd has significant policy expertise and speaks Mandarin fluently but is a deeply polarising personality, and it is that, not that he is on the wrong side of politics that has cost him the nomination.
"The Australian Labor Party naturally lobbied the government on Mr Rudd's behalf, but given the views, on the public record, that Labor members of parliament have expressed about his personal attributes these were not endorsements of conviction.
"The position of Secretary General is well above domestic politics and so is the Prime Minister's decision on this occasion."
Professor O'Sullivan reflected on future career options for Mr Rudd.
"Mr Rudd has an active public speaking and consulting role but having run the country it will be hard for him to find a new role comparable to the top job at the United Nations, 'running the world', so to speak. Perhaps the international corporate world will beckon him."