It would be simpler if we just gave Rudd that UN job

Out of Africa, the latest on Kevin Rudd’s undying wish to serve the world. The Sunday Telegraph, yesterday:

The mystery backer for former prime minister Kevin Rudd’s tilt at winning the United Nations top job was the Republic of Botswana. The southern African nation, home to meerkats and the world’s largest elephant population, where one in four adults has HIV, was the country that secretly ­offered to nominate Mr Rudd as UN Secretary-General, despite Malcolm Turnbull’s veto. It culminated in an extraordinary phone call from the President of Botswana Ian Khama to the Lodge on Saturday, August 13, to “test the waters’’ about nominating Mr Rudd ... Mr Rudd’s personal connection with Botswana runs deep. He visited in 2002 for the wedding of his brother Greg to a local woman, Okhola Rudd, who had briefly worked as an exotic dancer in a Brisbane strip club.

Let’s get on board with Rudd’s African safari. As foreign minister, Rudd gives a speech in Sydney in May 2011:

The 21st century looms as a century where Africa can fully realise its ­potential. Australia is alert to that ­potential. It is a big story and it spells opportunity for both Australia and Africa ... The once “hopeless” countries of Africa were described last year by McKinsey as “lions on the move” ... Quite simply, Africa’s economic and political reforms, its wealth in agriculture and minerals, and its economic potential have turned the continent around in the space of a decade.

Dogs bark, the caravan moves on. The Australian, September 2011:

Kevin Rudd has vowed to help Africa feed itself as he courts support on the world’s poorest continent for Australia’s UN Security Council bid. The Foreign Minister today pledged Australian agricultural expertise to ­address a worsening global food crisis, warning of potential wars and hunger-driven refugee surges unless production rose ... The focus on African food security follows a massive injection of Australian aid into Africa, which has traditionally been outside Australia’s sphere of strategic interest. Australia’s engagement with ­Africa has dramatically increased following the announcement by Mr Rudd when he was prime minister of Australia’s bid for a temporary seat on the UN Security Council in 2013. Africa is considered crucial to the bid because it commands 53 of 192 possible votes.

Surely no relation? Wikipedia:

The Rudd Concession, a written concession for exclusive mining rights in Matabeleland, Mashonaland and other adjoining territories in what is today Zimbabwe, was granted by King Lobengula of Matabeleland to Charles Rudd, James Rochfort ­Maguire and Francis Thompson, three agents acting on behalf of the South African-based politician and businessman Cecil Rhodes, on 30 October 1888.

Some nice footwork abroad from Peter FitzSimons, chairman of the Australian Republican Movement, The Sun Herald, yesterday:

(I’ve) spent a fair chunk of the week in Holland’s charming cities of Utrecht and Amsterdam, speaking at a couple of events on the shipwreck of the Batavia and the Dutch part of our history ... In Utrecht, I met King Willem-­Alexander and Queen Maxima who will be (coming) on a state visit at the end of this month.

Really? Do tell. FitzSimons:

As I explained to the Dutch media, I have no opinion on the Dutch monarchy — though they seem like very nice people — but Australia having an English queen is ludicrous.