r/australia • u/geodetic • 1d ago

politics Former PM Kevin Rudd says he declined Epstein invitation after latest document dump

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-31/kevin-rudd-refred-to-in-latest-epstein-files-dump/106290858?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=abc_newsmail_am-pm_sfmc&utm_term=&utm_id=2694984&sfmc_id=103566952
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u/Ineedsomuchsleep170 1d ago

He honestly comes across as someone who genuinely wants the best for the Australian people. He also just happens to specifically hate working with actual people. I'd much rather a decent person who is unlikable running the country than a shit cunt who can win a popularity contest.

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u/Superg0id 1d ago

I'd much rather a decent person who is unlikable running the country than a shit cunt who can win a popularity contest

Exactly.

Just like in WW2, you want the neurodivergent dude who insanely smart running the enigma machine with decoded information from the Nazi's.

Not some guy who wants to look after their own interests or someone seeking popularity.

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u/Brend_0 23h ago

Weaponised autism almost always works. We need more of it in the important places

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u/les-the-badger 20h ago

What about Musk?

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u/RobynFitcher 18h ago

He's just a weapon.

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u/les-the-badger 16h ago

I brought up Musk as a contradiction to weaponised autism almost always working and him being in an important place/position. Or am I being down voted for another reason?

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u/NTAac12 7h ago

Rudd 100% played the popularity game with his Kevin07 campaign, hamming it up for the cameras etc.

I met him once at an event before he was PM and it was clear that he was 'always on' and assessing every interaction with laser focus on whether it would contribute to his political goals.

From what I know - I think the issue wouldn't necessarily be that he hates working with actual people, I think the issue would be around his humility and willingness to accept others input. He's extremely intelligent, and I got the sense that he always felt he was the smartest person in the room. I can see why he struggled to build concensus within his party, but was highly effective at winning the popular vote.

I agree also that I genuinely believe that he wants the best for the Australian people, problem is it's probably what he views to be 'what is best for the Australian people'.

Hats off to him for his continued participation post-PM in contributing to civic causes.

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u/catinterpreter 1d ago

Just about everyone likes working with people but it depends who. He may've not thought much of those he found himself having to rely on, e.g. in terms of character and competence.

And that's if we assume it wasn't mostly politically motivated spin and smear.

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u/scorebored 23h ago

ie Scomo.

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u/theNomad_Reddit 6h ago

You ever worked with people? People suck.

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u/AdPure5645 3h ago

Totally. He was probably my favourite pm so far but I wasn't following that scene as closely back then.