Kevin Rudd can do no wrong. Many people have begun to believe this. Three months into the job as Prime Minister of Australia, his popularity is soaring at 70%. He has come as a breath of fresh air for Australians, who had felt bored during the long John Howard years. His cabinet includes a lesbian and a former rock star. The country is rejoicing at this openness and freshness.
Rudd’s decision to sign the Kyoto protocol has gone well with his countrymen. They had felt ashamed at Howard’s stubborn refusal to do so, as Australia was the only other country besides the US who was dragging feet on the matter. Rudd’s apology to Aborigines has made the community feel better and part of the country. The non-Aborigine Australians too have welcomed the apology. It has made them feel free of the guilt that they had received as inheritance.
So can Rudd take it easy and enjoy life? No way! Dark clouds though distant now, nevertheless loom in the skies. His past dealings with a discredited West Australian lobbyist, Brian Burke, have cast a stain on his lily-white reputation. His denial of ever meeting Burke has only made things worse.
Trouble could come from the economic front. The country’s economy is vulnerable. Australians are resenting the interest rate rise this month. It is the tenth one in a row, the first in Rudd’s premiership. As there is a sense of euphoria in the country, Rudd will have to deliver on the tall election promises he had made on tax cuts, education, repeal of industrial reforms and fixing the public hospital system. Any failure on these counts will lead to a quick end to the honeymoon.
Source: Independent
