Rudd move 'smells of poll'

Flynn MP Ken O’Dowd

Chris Ison

Poll

Should Kevin Rudd challenge for the leadership?

This poll ended on 22 March 2012.

Yes

82%

No

17%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

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KEVIN Rudd's resignation yesterday as Foreign Minister while about 16,000km away from Canberra smells of an early federal election.

This was the reaction from Flynn MP Ken O'Dowd, a member of the National Party.

"This is simply a confirmation that the Government has been in total malaise since Kevin Rudd was knifed by 'faceless men' prior to the last election," Mr O'Dowd said.

"The events of today (Wednesday) are confirmation that this Government is totally dysfunctional.

"It proves that they are clearly not focused on the national interest and are totally engaged in bitter factional warfare."

Mr Rudd had attributed part of his decision to the impact the federal issues were having on the Queensland Labor Party's state campaign.

Premier Anna Bligh said: "There's no doubt that this isn't good for a state election campaign.

"It's very hard to talk to people about the state issues when something this big is happening."

"I don't think there's a lot of surprise in this.

"This matter has been brewing and coming to a head for days.

Federal Member for Capricornia Kirsten Livermore said the Australian Government was getting on with the job of delivering the big reforms for the future.

"I was in Cairns (Tuesday), Moranbah (Wednesday), and I'm in Mackay and Brisbane (today), working with the committee looking into the Fly-in, Fly-out issues surrounding mining in Queensland," she said.

"If Kevin has decided not to be part of the ministry, that's his call and I wish him well for the future.

"However, as I indicated before, the Government will not drop the ball on delivering its agenda."