22 September 2011 in Media
The release of correspondence under Freedom of Information laws between the offices of the Foreign Minister and the Prime Minister reveals that there is a cancer at the heart of the Gillard Government.
The FOI reveals that Gillard’s office begged Kevin Rudd in May this year to rein in his ballooning accommodation costs.
The plea to keep costs to an “acceptable minimum” was made when Kevin Rudd sought permission for his 12th trip overseas trip in just 8 months. It had not been raised in earlier correspondence released under FOI.
It is clear that Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd are engaged in open warfare.
The FOI request also raises questions about whether Kevin Rudd is even seeking permission from the Prime Minster for all his overseas travel.
The FOI sought all correspondence between the offices of the Foreign Minister and the Prime Minister regarding the Foreign Minster’s overseas travel, however only 7 letters were released.
This is despite the Foreign Minister planning 14 overseas trips over the past 9 months.
It appears that Kevin Rudd hasn’t even bothered to follow protocol and ask permission from his Boss for half of his overseas travel, including the famous ‘Where’s Wally’ moment earlier this year, when he miraculously turned up on commercial television in London just hours prior to the Royal Wedding.
If the Prime Minister’s office believes that Kevin Rudd has sought approval for all his overseas travel, then they should release all the correspondence.