Kevin Rudd creating 'clear space' for Premier as Bligh relieved at resolution

KEVIN Rudd has declared that he wanted to create "clear space" for "good friend" Anna Bligh by quitting as Foreign Minister.

Rudd Bligh

KEVIN Rudd has declared that he wanted to create "clear space" for "good friend" Anna Bligh by quitting as Foreign Minister.

Meanwhile, the Queensland Premier played down Mr Rudd's shock resignation, expressing relief that the issue was being resolved.

Mr Rudd said the people of Queensland should be able to concentrate on the choice between Ms Bligh or Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman without the distraction of federal Labor leadership ructions.

Mr Rudd said "this ongoing saga" was bad for Ms Bligh as she "fights the fight of her life" leading up to the March 24 Queensland election.

"She's a great Premier, she's a good friend and I believe the good people of Queensland deserve some clear space over the coming month as they make up their minds on a very important decision on the future of Queensland, my home state, a state I am very proud to be from", he said from Washington.

The Queensland Premier, fighting a difficult election campaign in the north Queensland town of Cardwell, made the comments just moments after Mr Rudd's announcement.

"I've always said this issue has to be resolved, certainly for Queensland and this campaign," she said.

"I note Kevin says he understands that this issue is not helping this campaign he's right about that. I share his views and I'm glad to see it being brought to a head."

She said she had not spoken with the former Foreign Affairs but said she had been friends for a long time.

"I don't think there is a lot of surprise in this. This matter has been brewing for days. The country has to have this resolved and I look forward to the federal party resolving it as soon as they can."

She said the issue had already derailed her campaign, which was trundling on her bus through north Queensland as Mr Rudd held his press conference.

"There's no doubt this hasn't been good for a state election campaign," she said. "It's very hard to talk to people about State issues when something this big is happening.

"Frankly I'm pleased that it will come to a head, I'm pleased that hopefully we can have it resolved once and for all and put the whole thing to bed and we can get on talking about state issues."

Asked how it would impact on Julia Gillard's leadership, Ms Bligh said it would be a "difficult time for everybody".

"Right now the federal party has got to make a decision. It's got to make a decision about who is the right person to lead the party."