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‘Brilliant’ Rudd ‘made’ for UN top job, Nelson says

Dr Nelson previously faced off against Mr Rudd as opposition leader.

Dr Nelson previously faced off against Mr Rudd as opposition leader. Photo: AAP

Former Liberal leader Brendan Nelson says Kevin Rudd is “tailor-made” for the role of United Nations (UN) secretary-general, despite his “very long list of enemies”.

Mr Rudd has asked the Federal Government to nominate him for the role, but neither Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull nor Foreign Minister Julie Bishop have been drawn on the issue, saying the nomination is a matter for Cabinet.

Dr Nelson – who previously faced off against Mr Rudd as opposition leader – said the former Labor prime minister would make Australia proud.

He told the National Press Club that he “could spend quite a lot of time having a discussion about Mr Rudd’s failings” but backed him for the role nonetheless.

“Some people are tailor-made for some jobs in life and I think Kevin Rudd is made for this job.”

“There are a number of people who are throughout the world at the moment, as Australians, who are representing us in various endeavours.

“All I can say is that I think Kevin Rudd would exceed that in making me proud to be an Australian if he’s in that role.”

AAP

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon is vacating the role at the end of the year. Photo: AAP

Dr Nelson took two questions on Mr Rudd, who he described as “stunningly brilliant” and a “force of nature”.

But he said in the end the nomination was a matter for the Government and he would not “lose sleep” if Mr Rudd was not successful.

Labor leader Bill Shorten has urged the Government to back Mr Rudd for the role – held by Ban Ki-Moon until the end of the year – adding it would be “petty” not to.

“I think Mr Turnbull should put the national interest first and support an Australian,” Mr Shorten said.

Previously, South Australian Liberal senator Cory Bernardi urged Ms Bishop not to endorse a “dysfunctional”, “vengeful”, “unstable”, “megalomaniac” like Mr Rudd.

-ABC

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