Kevin Rudd opened a public forum in Rockhampton by declaring support for the Maroons in the Origin. Source: AAP
KEVIN Rudd is a maroon-wearing, NRL loving, cockroach hating Queenslander.
And the prime minister made sure those attending a community cabinet in the rugby league mad town of Rockhampton in central Queensland on Tuesday night knew it.
Federal Labor is banking on Mr Rudd's popularity in his home state to help retain and even gain seats in Queensland in the upcoming election.
Mr Rudd opened the public forum, in the marginal seat of Capricornia, by declaring his support for the Maroons against the NSW Blues in the State of Origin rugby league decider on Wednesday night.
"With deference to my colleagues south of the border, it's great to be back to Queensland during State of Origin week," he said to applause.
He also joked police would take the names of those in the crowd who identified themselves as Blues supporters.
The prime minister then threw his weight behind the push for a central Queensland NRL team by announcing $500,000 to help a bid consortium work towards a new stadium for Rockhampton.
The stadium will be essential for the region's success.
While the announcement was well received, Mr Rudd did have his detractors, including a mishmash of protesters outside the gates. Activists calling for action on everything ranging from the Great Barrier Reef, live exports and Guantanamo Bay chanted outside the gates of North Rockhampton High School.
Inside the crowd was just as fiery at points, with questions including topics on education reform, disability services, carbon pricing and asylum seekers.
An indigenous attendee scalded Mr Rudd and his ministers for not acknowledging the traditional owners of the region before they each spoke.
Mr Rudd was not impressed.
"Can I just say in response to that mate, we had an official welcome to country and as the bloke who delivered the national apology to all indigenous Australians, I honour all first Australians wherever I go," he said.
"OK mate, why don't we get to the question?" Surprisingly, no one asked about agriculture or cattle, which are big industries in the region.
Mr Rudd will continue his blitz along Queensland's coast on Wednesday in Gladstone after he spent the morning in Townsville.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Rudd plays up Qld support at cabinet meet
Dengan url
http://semangatglegar.blogspot.com/2013/07/rudd-plays-up-qld-support-at-cabinet.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Rudd plays up Qld support at cabinet meet
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Rudd plays up Qld support at cabinet meet
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar