Thursday, April 12, 2007
STAFF COUNSELLED
Kevin Rudd rejected claims in the Sunday Telegraph that he or his office knew of plans to schedule a TV-friendly pre-dawn Anzac Day service in Vietnam:
Neither I nor anyone from my office has spoken to or had conversation with anyone whatsoever about requesting the changing of the dawn service time at Long Tan in Vietnam or anywhere else.
Further details now emerge:
The office of Kevin Rudd was warned more than two weeks ago that plans for a stage-managed pre-dawn service at Long Tan, Vietnam, in which the Labor leader was slated to take part, risked “seriously offending” veterans and others.
A series of emails obtained by the Herald also reveal Mr Rudd had booked flights and was confirmed to attend the event, which was scrapped only four days ago when it became public.
Last night Mr Rudd admitted his office had received the email which warned about the possibility of causing offence, but said it had not been brought to his attention. “My staff have informed me that in their search of the documentary record on Easter Sunday, this email was overlooked. I have now counselled my staff on this matter,” he said.
That “counselling” was likely gentle and polite.