With each day, it's more about Kevin

Kudelka, 6 Aug 2010

THERE are now three leaders in this election campaign.

The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard; the alternative prime minister, Tony Abbott; and the former prime minister-in-exile, Kevin Rudd.

In his intervention, Rudd presents himself as the saviour of Labor's fortunes - an event of far-reaching and unpredictable consequences.

There has never been an election like it. With each day it's more about Kevin.

Gillard, who assassinated Rudd as prime minister six weeks ago, has been reduced to asking him to salvage her prime ministership. It is a huge risk and reversal, but Gillard had no choice.

Rudd, the recently detested and vanquished former PM, now returns to centre stage as potential saviour. Indeed, it seems only Rudd might resurrect Labor in Queensland and that he is dictating terms to the party. Labor MPs do not know whether to laugh, cry or cheer.

This is the decisive event in the campaign. It will either make or break Gillard's election hopes. There are two scenarios: Gillard and Rudd together overwhelm Abbott, or the voters reject this sham, saying: "If Labor cannot win without Rudd, then why is Gillard the leader?"

Rudd as saviour will demand a high price: a senior ministry with his eye on the prime ministership again.

The Labor Party knows Rudd only too well.

It will be under no illusion that he has two aims: Labor's re-election as an instrument for his personal vindication and resurrection.

Rudd's statement yesterday was a masterpiece of double meaning. Defending his prime ministerial legacy with a passion Gillard has lacked, Rudd said his new mission was to stop Abbott from winning "by default".

"I'm not a quitter," he declared - a message with import for both Abbott and Gillard. After next Sunday, "I'll be hitting the campaign trail".

Will he hurt Abbott? Will he outcampaign Gillard? Will Rudd's role mean a disunited Labor effort? The next fortnight will provide answers but Rudd has played himself back into the big time.