Fed: Rudd supports Crean leadership "absolutely"
SYDNEY, April 7 AAP - Federal Opposition Foreign Affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd todaysaid he was "absolutely" behind Simon Crean's leadership of the Labor Party.
Mr Rudd said he supported Mr Crean, who had the difficult job of leading an oppositionparty while Australia was at war.
Another opinion poll has shown a decline in Mr Crean's popularity.
The latest Newspoll, published in today's Australian newspaper, found a majority ofvoters in key marginal as well as traditionally safe Labor seats are now dissatisfiedwith the performance of Mr Crean.
The poll suggests that the Labor leader's handling of the debate over Australia's participationin the invasion of Iraq has cost him voter support.
Mr Rudd said people tended to spontaneously rally around the flag and the governmentof the day in times of conflict.
Asked whether he was 100 per cent behind Mr Crean's leadership of the Labor Party,Mr Rudd answered: "Absolutely".
"He's shown good and gutsy leadership at this difficult time," he told the Seven network.
However, the government should move on from arguing Australia's role in a post-conflictIraq and focus on the domestic agenda, including the collapse of bulk billing, the futureof Medicare and the cost of tertiary education, Mr Rudd said.
AAP smb/hn/ldj/jlw
KEYWORD: LABOR RUDD
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