Kevin Rudd News Aug 30: Rudd on Reddit being Called Mo********er; Advises Singing Chinese in the Shower
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had already invaded Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and now he had moved to Reddit.
Mr Rudd started a thread on Reddit urging bloggers to "Ask me Anything."
"Hi, I'm Kevin Rudd - and for better or worse I'm here to answer your questions... ask me anything. I'll be taking questions for an hour, starting at 6pm. And yes, it's actually me but I will have some help with the typing so I can answer as many questions as possible," wrote Mr Rudd.
The bloggers took the opportunity to ask Mr Rudd about his policies on mental health services, the Australia-Chinese relationship and NBN. It was amusing to note that bloggers called Mr Rudd just plain "Kevin."
"Hi Kevin. What is your policy on more funding for mental health services?," wrote one blogger.
Mr Rudd was thankful of being asked the question, that, he had sort of pre-announced his policies on mental health.
"I was going to announce this in the next couple of days, but since you've asked I'll tell you now. If we're re-elected, a government I lead will put in a $34 million investment to open another 10 headspace centres so that we have 100 across the country. We'll also be expanding e-headspace so people can get access to advice online too. That's an important investment - money we want to put in so that we have services that can help. Headspace centres are working - 90% of young people who have used the service reported mental health improvements - and with this expansion, we'd be able to help 80,000 young people every year," wrote Mr Rudd.
"How do you see the relationship between Australia and China (both economically and culturally) changing as we go into the future? Also I'm currently studying Mandarin as a second language. Do you have any tips? " wrote one blogger.
Mr Rudd responded fondly.
"Getting closer and closer, which is good. As for the language, perseverance and singing in the shower, helps with the tones."
One blogger asked Mr Rudd about the controversial NBN policy.
"Hi Kevin, In the debate surrounding the NBN how come download speeds are often quoted (by both sides of politics) when the most startling gap is that of uploads?" one blogger wrote.
"I am passionate about the NBN.If you value our NBN then you've got to get people to vote for it. Because Mr Abbott is going to disconnect it ... And you're right, upload speeds are the key to the future. Which is why the NBN isn't optional, it's mandatory."
The blogger was impressed about Mr Rudd's response and he got too vocal about it.
"Yes, this is the main reason I'm voting for you. Keep it up mother*****," the blogger wrote.
However, Mr Rudd did not answer one pertinent and sensitive question which arouses the intense curiosity from the bloggers.
"What is your stance on the recent NSA / PRISM issues plaguing the US? Did you have any involvement, or know of Australia's involvement, in these programs at any time during your previous PM-ship (or your recently revived PM-ship)? Lastly, what would be your response if the circumstances were replicated in Australia by an Australian citizen?" asked one blogger.
The question provoked other bloggers to prod on Mr Rudd, but, Mr Rudd offered no answer.
As one blogger sarcastically wrote, "the silence is deafening."