Transcript of doorstop: Australia Japan Conference

Brisbane

Subjects: Bilateral relationship with Japan; UNESCO; Domestic politics

Transcript E&OE, proof only.

4 November 2011

QUESTION: Mr Rudd, you talked a lot about free trade talks, and also about the distance Japan has to go on structural - for structural reform. Can you see real progress or is it going to be bogged down?

KEVIN RUDD: Well look it's a matter, ultimately, for the Japanese political system - Japanese politics. Japan's a sovereign nation and will make its own decisions.

My function today was to say let's take our vision from above the trenches of where negotiations - technical negotiations - stand and look at what we can actually do together. If you turbo charge these two economies through a free trade agreement - let me tell you, you could really cook with gas. And that means more jobs for Australia, rising living standards. The same in Japan as well.

QUESTION: Minister, on UNESCO are you satisfied with the way Australia voted and what implication does it have for our bid for a Security Council seat?

KEVIN RUDD: Well the first thing I would say is I support the Government's policy. The second thing I'd say is that when it comes to a UN Security Council bid we've got about 12 months to go. It's highly competitive as I've said from the very beginning, way back when. There's absolutely no assurance of success at the end of the day because it's a tough and competitive race.

QUESTION: But this government...

KEVIN RUDD: [Interrupts] But we'll be giving it our every shot.

QUESTION: Do you reaffirm your commitment to the Government's position on mandatory pre-committment?

KEVIN RUDD: I support the Government's policies.

QUESTION: Are you planning to challenge Julia Gillard anytime soon?

KEVIN RUDD: [Laughs] Now my standard response is - and I'm just going to say it once and I'll say it a thousand times - I am very happy being the Foreign Minister of Australia. I intend to remain the Foreign Minister of Australia on the condition that I continue to do a reasonable job. That's what I'm looking forward to do in the future because that's the area I think I can make a difference and make a difference hopefully of some benefit to Australia's national interests.

QUESTION: Do you think you can make more of a difference as Prime Minister?

KEVIN RUDD: Mate, can I just say I'm very happy being Foreign Minister. And when everyone asks me that question for a second time I give you another example of how Mr Abbott will change Australia if he was to become Prime Minister.

And my example today is that Mr Abbott will rip $700 million out of the Australian Government program to put computers in schools. Now that means that a whole bunch of kids [inaudible] who are having computers and laptops [inaudible] in their classroom, often for the very first time ever, that will simply be knocked on the head [inaudible] rip $700 million out of that.

If he wants to become Prime Minister of Australia, let me tell you, the Australian public needs to be very aware of what they're buying. That's one of the things he'll be buying.

Thanks folks.

ENDS

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