I’m not normally one to discuss politics too openly, as for many it’s a heated and passionate topic. But in this case, I wanted to introuduce you to Australia’s new Prime Minister.
Last Saturday 24th November we held our Federal election, and Australia voted in a new government and a new Prime Minister. His name is Kevin Rudd, otherwise known as K-Rudd (yes, think Britney) or Kevin ’07 Voting is compulsory for all people over the age of 18 in Australia, (only one of 3 countries in the world where this happens) so it’s usually about 85% of the adult population who contributes to the decision.
Kevin most recently made headlines for being caught on camera in parliament, eating his own earwax (EW!) but on a more serious note, for taking a different stand on many subjects such as climate change, ratifying Kyoto and our participation in Iraq, to that of our outgoing conservative government.
Our former Prime Minister, and George Bush BFF, John Howard, also lost his parlimentary seat over the weekend, only the second time in history a sitting PM has been booted from his seat, regardless of who has gone on to win government. Obviously, he didn’t quite get what the people wanted!
It’s going to be an interesting couple of years!
And you get the front man of Midnight Oil, Peter Garrett, as environment minister. sweet.
Congrats, Emily and all of our Australian friends! I can’t wait for Kevin’s phone call to Washington, D.C. on January 21, 2009 to welcome in our new head of state. I believe she or he will be from a different political party than the current one, too.