LABOR caucus backers of Kevin Rudd have told colleagues he will be "more generous" to supporters than he was when he was prime minister.
They point to the diplomatic appointment of a former federal Labor MP as a demonstration of the Foreign Minister's new preparedness to reward Labor loyalists.
The new pitch by the Rudd camp for caucus support comes as Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade documents reveal that the Foreign Minister overrode a merit-based selection process to appoint former Labor chief whip Roger Price to the $200,000-plus post of Australian consul-general in Chicago.
A senior Labor backbencher in NSW has told The Age that Mr Rudd's supporters have said that if returned to the Labor leadership, the Foreign Minister will be more be "more sympathetic" about diplomatic and other appointments, including looking at opportunities for MPs who may retire or leave Parliament at the next election.
A Victorian MP has said he has heard a similar pitch that "support will be recognised and rewarded".
As prime minister, Mr Rudd made only three political appointments to diplomatic posts former Labor leader Kim Beazley as ambassador to the United States, former deputy prime minister and Nationals leader Tim Fischer as ambassador to the Vatican, and former minister and Liberal leader Brendan Nelson as ambassador to the European Union and NATO.
Mr Rudd's reluctance to appoint Labor MPs to diplomatic and other posts led to internal criticism that he failed to repay political debts to his supporters and Labor loyalists.
The DFAT documents released under freedom-of-information laws show that the department had started a merit-based selection process for the appointment of a new consul-general in Chicago. As Foreign Minister, Mr Rudd was briefed on the status of the selection process in December 2010.
But the selection of a professional diplomat did not proceed. Instead, last July, Mr Rudd abruptly decided to appoint Mr Price, who was elected to Parliament in 1984 and served as Labor chief whip from 2004 until he retired at the 2010 poll.
Although he served on the parliamentary joint committee for foreign affairs, defence and trade, Mr Price's engagement with international issues was limited and he referred directly to the ANZUS Treaty only five times in 26 years of parliamentary debate.
The released documents show that DFAT had to rush to find a copy of Mr Price's CV before his appointment was urgently submitted for formal endorsement by the Governor-General.
Emails released indicate Mr Price's main concerns were "questions on the residence, salary and superannuation" and "inclusions in the residence like linen and cutlery". His appointment was announced on September 13 last year and he took up his role in November.
DFAT delayed release of the FOI documents for five months. Details of the circumstances of and reasons for Mr Price's appointment have been withheld from release on the grounds that public disclosure would damage Australia's international relations, "compromise the effectiveness of our post in undertaking its responsibilities" and "undermine the systems in place to ensure that these appointments into the future are handled appropriately".
Unusually, DFAT has advised that any internal review of the decision to withhold information will be undertaken by Mr Rudd's office rather than the department.
Mr Price did not respond to requests by The Age to discuss his appointment and duties as consul-general. He is not the only former federal MP to be appointed to the post. US-born, former Liberal MP Bob Charles served as consul-general in Chicago from 2005 to 2008.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
What did the article say about Kevin Rudd and political appointments?
The article reports that Kevin Rudd’s caucus backers say he has signalled he will be “more generous” to supporters than when he was prime minister, and that his camp has been pitching a readiness to reward Labor loyalists with diplomatic and other appointments if he returns to the leadership.
Who is Roger Price and what appointment did he receive?
Roger Price is a former federal Labor MP who was elected in 1984 and served as Labor chief whip from 2004 until retiring at the 2010 election. The article says Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd overrode a merit-based selection to appoint Price to the Australian consul-general post in Chicago, a position reported to pay more than $200,000.
How did the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) handle the Chicago consul-general selection, according to FOI documents?
Freedom-of-information documents show DFAT started a merit-based selection for the Chicago consul-general and briefed Mr Rudd on the process in December 2010. The selection of a professional diplomat did not proceed; instead Mr Rudd decided to appoint Roger Price. DFAT had to rush to locate Price’s CV before submitting the appointment for formal endorsement, and the department delayed release of the FOI documents for five months.
What reasons did DFAT give for withholding details of the appointment from the FOI release?
DFAT withheld some details on the grounds that public disclosure would damage Australia’s international relations, compromise the effectiveness of the Chicago post in carrying out its responsibilities, and undermine the systems in place to ensure future appointments are handled appropriately.
What criticisms or concerns did the article highlight about political appointments?
The article highlights internal criticism that Mr Rudd previously failed to repay political debts and that his supporters are now promising more favourable treatment. Senior and Victorian Labor MPs told The Age they had heard pitches that support would be recognised and rewarded, raising concerns about patronage and the bypassing of merit-based processes.
Does Roger Price have a strong diplomatic or international affairs background?
The article notes Price served on the parliamentary joint committee for foreign affairs, defence and trade, but that his engagement with international issues was limited. It states he referred directly to the ANZUS Treaty only five times in 26 years of parliamentary debate, suggesting limited direct diplomatic experience.
What practical details about the Chicago consul-general role were revealed?
The article reports the Chicago consul-general post carries a salary of more than $200,000. Emails released mention Price’s concerns about the residence, salary, superannuation and even inclusions in the residence such as linen and cutlery. The appointment was announced on September 13 and Price took up the role in November; the article also notes former Liberal MP Bob Charles previously served as consul-general in Chicago from 2005 to 2008.
Why should everyday investors care about stories of political appointments and FOI disclosures?
For everyday investors, government transparency and accountability are important governance signals. The article’s account of an overridden merit process, delayed FOI release and withheld information can be seen as indicators about how appointments and public-sector processes are managed — matters investors often watch when assessing governance standards and public-sector stewardship.
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