Interview with David Koch, Sunrise, Seven Network

Subjects: Visit to London; Royal Wedding

Transcript, E&OE, proof only

28 April 2011

DAVID KOCH: We've had lots of celebrity sightings here in London for the wedding but never expected to find Kevin Rudd wandering by here. How are you?

KEVIN RUDD: I'm good, Kochie.

DAVID KOCH: We just heard Dame Edna has been sighted at rehearsals today and…

KEVIN RUDD: I've been training her.

DAVID KOCH: Oh, well, someone was just saying to Monique there that a lot of the English think Julia Gillard might be related to Dame Edna. Any truth in that, do you think?

KEVIN RUDD: I think Dame Edna is unique.

DAVID KOCH: [Laughs]

KEVIN RUDD: I remember when I was elected as Prime Minister several years ago Dame Edna, prior to the election, said first of all Australia would never vote a man called Kevin to become Prime Minister and secondly it's a bit like - having seen me - a bit like electing your local dentist as Prime Minister. So ever since then I've been challenged by Dame Edna.

DAVID KOCH: She is just fantastic, isn't she? Now, what are you doing in London? Are you here for the wedding?

KEVIN RUDD: No, I'm not. I'm here for the meeting with the British Foreign Minister which I had today - Middle East, Libya, Syria, the unfolding scenario there and also meeting the Commonwealth, what's called ministerial action group, preparing for the Commonwealth meeting in Perth at the end of this year.

DAVID KOCH: Oh, right.

A lot of controversy that Gordon Brown and Tony Blair weren't invited to the wedding - does that surprise you?

KEVIN RUDD: To be blunt it does, a bit. I didn't even know that.

I'm seeing Gordon for breakfast in the morning so I'll ask him how he's feeling. Knowing Gordon he's a pretty basic sort of bloke and I'm not sure he'd be all that upset but it does surprise me a bit.

DAVID KOCH: Well, the big issue back at home is that the Chaser boys have been banned from doing any commentary on the wedding. Now, that's a bit rough, don't you reckon?

KEVIN RUDD: The - well, I've copped a few barbs from the Chaser boys over the years, they seem to regard me as pretty usable raw material, but usually they're pretty funny - what do I say diplomatically at this point?

I reckon…

DAVID KOCH: The Poms have always had a great sense of humour, haven't they? And that's the thing that is surprising.

KEVIN RUDD: If you want my personal view - this is not the Government view - my personal view is I really think the BBC needs to lighten up a bit.

DAVID KOCH: Yes, yes.

KEVIN RUDD: Just get a bit of a sense of humour. I mean, look at all this stuff around the place in terms of memorabilia.

DAVID KOCH: Yes.

KEVIN RUDD: On plates and whatever else. I mean, not of all that - not all of that is deadly serious.

DAVID KOCH: No.

KEVIN RUDD: So I'm sure the ABC's done the right thing, they're being respectful towards the Palace but I think it would be useful if the Beeb just lightened up a bit and developed a sense of - Australian sense of humour.

DAVID KOCH: Speaking of memorabilia, Monique has done her own here, our own royal wedding plates that she was handing around to Londoners yesterday. We've got a bit of a pack of yours, for you here.

KEVIN RUDD: That's seriously awful.

DAVID KOCH: No.

KEVIN RUDD: I don't know whoever's done that, that's really bad.

DAVID KOCH: It's a bit classy. So we're going to give you a wedding quiz and you can - you can actually win all of this memorabilia so just a couple of quick questions.

KEVIN RUDD: Oh, god, I'm going to fail this.

DAVID KOCH: Okay. Which of the following people are not invited to the wedding?

KEVIN RUDD: Me.

DAVID KOCH: David Beckham, Fergie, or Elton John?

KEVIN RUDD: Fergie.

DAVID KOCH: Right. See, he is up to speed on this. Where did Kate and William meet?

KEVIN RUDD: Umm, in a pub.

DAVID KOCH: At university.

KEVIN RUDD: The pub at the university.

DAVID KOCH: University. Okay. And who is Kate's maid of honour?

KEVIN RUDD: Kate's best friend.

DAVID KOCH: No, sister. Her sister. [Laughs] You only got one out of three then so you don't - you don't win at all. Kevin Rudd, good to see you, mate.

KEVIN RUDD: Look after yourself.

DAVID KOCH: Enjoy it, yeah, keep warm.

KEVIN RUDD: Enjoy the wedding and all the world loves a lover, all the best to the happy couple. I think it's great.

DAVID KOCH: All the world loves a lover, did you say?

KEVIN RUDD: I mean that, you know.

DAVID KOCH: Oh.

KEVIN RUDD: It's true, it's true. I mean, these guys are - they're in love with each other. We should celebrate that.

DAVID KOCH: Okay, all right.

KEVIN RUDD: I'm a republican, but I celebrate that.

DAVID KOCH: Oh, good. You and Therese, sort of brings out the romantic side, a wedding like this?

KEVIN RUDD: We're deeply romantic, yes.

DAVID KOCH: Excellent, all right, mate.

KEVIN RUDD: All the best.

DAVID KOCH: See you soon. Here's Mel. No, Beretts.

NATALIE BARR: Good to see everyone living it up in London, isn't it, Beretts?

MARK BERETTA: That was just a beautiful moment there between Kochie and Kevin Rudd.

NATALIE BARR: So gorgeous. Yes.

MARK BERETTA: I'm glad we could be there for that.

DAVID KOCH: Everyone loves a lover.

NATALIE BARR: Yes.

MARK BERETTA: Two great romantics.

NATALIE BARR: Oh, what a fun city.

MARK BERETTA: Good on you, boys, why aren't we there?

END

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