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'''Kevin Rudd''' was the 26th and is now the 28th [[Prime Minister]] of [[Australia]] and leader of the federal [[Parliament of Australia|parliamentary]] wing of the [[Australian Labor Party]] (ALP) between December 2007 and June 2010, and June 2013 onwards, and Minister for Foreign Affairs from 14 September 2010 to 22 February 2012. At the federal level, the ALP won the 24 November 2007 election after 11 years of [[John Howard]]'s [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]]-[[National Party of Australia|National]] coalition government. Kevin Rudd advocates socialistic policies, such as a multi-billion dollar stimulus package that gave cash handouts to any citizen earning less than $100,000 a year<ref name="stimulus">[http://www.treasurer.gov.au/DisplayDocs.aspx?doc=factsheets/2009/001.htm&pageID=011&min=wms&Year=... Household Stimulus Package Factsheet], accessed 8 November 2009.</ref> and a carbon emissions trading scheme which the government has so far been unable to pass.<ref name="emissions">[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/kevin-rudd-urges-liberals-to-back-emissions-trading-scheme/story-e6frg6nf-1225793355127 Kevin Rudd urges Liberals to back emissions trading scheme], The Australian, 2 November 2009, accessed 8 November 2009.</ref> Despite this, Australia was one of few Western nations to not record two consecutive quarters of negative growth during the [[recession of 2008]].

'''Kevin Rudd''' was the 26th and 28th [[Prime Minister]] of [[Australia]] and leader of the federal [[Parliament of Australia|parliamentary]] wing of the [[Australian Labor Party]] (ALP) between December 2007 and June 2010, and June to September 2013, and Minister for Foreign Affairs from 14 September 2010 to 22 February 2012. At the federal level, the ALP won the 24 November 2007 election after 11 years of [[John Howard]]'s [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]]-[[National Party of Australia|National]] coalition government. Kevin Rudd advocates socialistic policies, such as a multibillion-dollar stimulus package that gave cash handouts to any citizen earning less than $100,000 a year<ref name="stimulus">[http://www.treasurer.gov.au/DisplayDocs.aspx?doc=factsheets/2009/001.htm&pageID=011&min=wms&Year=... Household Stimulus Package Factsheet], accessed 8 November 2009.</ref> and a carbon emissions trading scheme which the government has so far been unable to pass.<ref name="emissions">[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/kevin-rudd-urges-liberals-to-back-emissions-trading-scheme/story-e6frg6nf-1225793355127 Kevin Rudd urges Liberals to back emissions trading scheme], The Australian, 2 November 2009, accessed 8 November 2009.</ref> Despite this, Australia was one of few Western nations to not record two consecutive quarters of negative growth during the [[recession of 2008]].

==Public Service and Political career==

==Public Service and Political career==

==2013 Leadership Challenge==

==2013 Leadership Challenge==

The minister for sour grapes re-took the leadership of the [[Australian Labor Party|ALP]], and following that the office of Prime Minister, on Jun 26th 2013 after a leadership spill. The timing coincides with an imminent federal election which the ALP are expected to lose badly, so some have suggested this may have been a damage control measure.

Rudd re-took the leadership of the [[Australian Labor Party|ALP]], and following that the office of Prime Minister, on Jun 26th 2013 after a leadership spill. The timing coincided with an imminent federal election which the ALP were expected to lose badly, which they did despite the change in leader.

==Personal life==

==Personal life==

Rudd met his future wife, Therese Rein, at a meeting of the Australian [[Student Christian Movement]] while studying at university. He was then attending a [[Uniting Church in Australia|Uniting]] church. They married in 1981 at [[St John]]'s [[Anglican Church]] in Canberra, and have three children.  

Rudd met his future wife, Therese Rein, at a meeting of the Australian [[Student Christian Movement]] while studying at university. He was then attending a [[Uniting Church in Australia|Uniting]] church. They married in 1981 at [[St John]]'s [[Anglican Church]] in Canberra, and have three children.  

Rudd has given various speeches about his faith, and quotes the German [[theologian]] and [[martyr]] to the anti-[[Nazi]] cause, [[Dietrich Bonhoeffer]], as his hero<ref name="light" />.

Rudd has given various speeches about his faith, and quotes the German [[theologian]] and [[martyr]] to the anti-[[Nazi]] cause, [[Dietrich Bonhoeffer]], as his hero.<ref name="light" />

Rudd has attended the Anglican church with his wife and family, without formally taking up membership<ref name="light">[http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/national/more-than-just-a-light-on-the-hill/2007/12/21/1198175342004.html More than just a light on the hill], Fairfax Digital, 22 December 2007, accessed 27 December 2007</ref>. He is credited with being an active member of the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship, attending not only lectures but also Bible studies. He is said to carry a Bible when he travels and has stated he is a creationist:<ref name="creation">[http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24260582-911,00.html Why Kevin Rudd believes in God], Adelaide Now, 29 August 2008, accessed 13 December 2009.</ref>

Rudd has attended the Anglican church with his wife and family, without formally taking up membership.<ref name="light">[http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/national/more-than-just-a-light-on-the-hill/2007/12/21/1198175342004.html More than just a light on the hill], Fairfax Digital, 22 December 2007, accessed 27 December 2007</ref> He is credited with being an active member of the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship, attending not only lectures but also Bible studies. He is said to carry a Bible when he travels and has stated he is a creationist:<ref name="creation">[http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24260582-911,00.html Why Kevin Rudd believes in God], Adelaide Now, 29 August 2008, accessed 13 December 2009.</ref>

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==External Links==

==External links==

*[http://www.kevinpm.com.au/ Kevin Rudd's official website]

*[http://www.kevinpm.com.au/ Kevin Rudd's official website]

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[[Category:Australian Prime Ministers]]

[[Category:Australian Prime Ministers]]

[[Category:Australian Politicians]]

[[Category:Australian Politicians]]