Albanese a ‘first-class leader’: Rudd

At the National Press Club, Kevin Rudd has glowing words for his former deputy after being asked about leadership.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd at the National Press Club in Canberra today. Picture: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Kevin Rudd has described Anthony Albanese as a “first-class political leader in his own right”, after being asked to comment on his former deputy’s public positioning as an alternative Labor leader.

Mr Albanese this afternoon attended Mr Rudd’s National Press Club address on closing the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, instead of joining most of the rest of the ALP team in parliament as they watched their leader Bill Shorten present his own Closing the Gap speech.

Mr Rudd offered some support to Mr Shorten, and said Labor was well positioned to win government at the next election.

“We’re fortunate to be led by Bill Shorten, a strong leader, and fortunate to have in the team Albo, who is a first-class political leader in his own right,” Mr Rudd said.

“I know that having worked with (Mr Albanese) intimately in my period in government, and I believe our combined challenge lies in causing the Australian people to conclude that it’s time to get rid of this mob, and having just come from Queensland, I reckon the mood is about to do just that.”

Mr Albanese lost the race against Mr Shorten for the Labor leadership in 2013, despite winning the majority of the rank and file votes.

Members of Mr Shorten’s inner circle told The Australian last week they were resigned to Mr Albanese’s public positioning as alternative Labor leader, saying they understand he has to do it “in case Bill gets hit by a bus”.

Since last year’s May budget Mr Albanese has made a series of comments that have appeared to contradict Mr Shorten or embarrass him by promoting Mr Albanese’s personal political views and policy ideas.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd at the National Press Club in Canberra today. Picture: AAP