Rudd branded “prime minister in exile” by Oz opposition

CANBERRA - Australia’s newly appointed Foreign minister Kevin Rudd, who would resume his foreign trips soon, has been branded as the “prime minister in exile,” by the opposition.

News.com.au quoted the opposition as saying, “Firsts we had the palace coup, now we have a prime minister in exile.”

“Rudd clearly sees himself as Australia’s prime minister in exile. The relationship between the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister is fractured at best,” the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Julie Bishop said.

Rudd would reportedly be leaving for New York to address the United Nations after his swearing ceremony today, and then to the US on Friday to participate in talks on climate change.

He would also hold meetings with representatives from the Obama administration while in the United States for the UN general assembly. He will be at the UN from September 18 to September 25.

The Prime Minister’s office has said that Rudd would also participate in a range of other meetings, including bilateral meetings with representatives of other governments present in New York. Besides, he would attend a meeting of the UN Secretary General’s High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard gave Rudd the portfolio on Saturday, after deposing him from the top job in June. (ANI)