United Nations wants Kevin Rudd for top climate job

July 22, 2010

KEVIN Rudd has confirmed he has been approached to take up a job with the United Nations.

But Mr Rudd reaffirmed he intends to serve a full term if elected in Griffith, saying any role with the UN would only be part time.

"The UN Secretary-General (Ban Ki-moon) telephoned Mr Rudd a couple of weeks ago and among other matters raised the possibility of Mr Rudd of being appointed to a United National panel which might look at a number of issues related to development," a statement from his office said.

"When in New York last week, Mr Rudd met with the UN Secretary-General who explained that such a panel may comprise of a significant number of former and current heads of government, prime ministers and ministers from developing and developed countries.''

But the statement said he would not be required to move to New York and instead would only have to attend a few meetings a year, allowing him to remain the MP for Griffith.

It said confirmation of any role for him on a UN panel was a matter for the Secretary-General.

Mr Rudd, who stood aside as prime minister for Julia Gillard on June 24, yesterday began campaigning in Griffith with a media-packed opening of new facilities at a school.

Earlier in the day, when asked by The Daily Telegraph of his intentions after the election, a spokesman said: "If elected, Mr Rudd intends to serve a full term."

The only comment from Mr Rudd himself was that he would be speaking only about issues affecting his seat, including education, during the remaining 4 1/2 weeks of the election campaign.

"I will be talking about local issues like that because I am the local member," he said.

"As for national issues, that lies properly with the province of others and I won't be commenting on those."

But it is certain that all his engagements and statements will be closely watched to assess his level of commitment to a re-elected Labor Government, and to Prime Minister Gillard - who has promised him a senior position should she be returned.

Diplomats in New York said the appointment's terms and start date had not been fixed, most likely to give Mr Rudd the flexibility.

A UN spokesman in New York last night refused to rule out the possible move. "We don't comment on appointments until they're announced," he said, referring to Mr Rudd's recent meeting with Mr Ban as a "courtesy call".

Despite Mr Rudd's domestic failure on emissions trading in Australia, he is popular among UN delegates for reversing Australia's position on the Kyoto protocol.

The ex-PM dodged journalists during his New York trip.

Telegraph