Rudd discounts second run for PM

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Rudd discounts second run for PM

By Michelle Grattan

KEVIN Rudd has beaten Julia Gillard as preferred Labor leader in two recent polls but discounts his chance of another tilt at the prime ministership, saying he's ''not of the view that lightning strikes twice''.

This week's Age/Nielsen poll has Mr Rudd leading Ms Gillard 39-34 per cent; last week's Newspoll had the margin 44-37 per cent.

Pressed about his comment, Mr Rudd said on 3AW: ''I haven't studied the history of lightning too much, mate, but I think it's a pretty rare occurrence.''

Reminded of Julia Gillard's line as deputy that there was more chance of her becoming full forward for the Western Bulldogs than of a change in the Labor leadership, Mr Rudd shot back, ''So what would you like me to do? It's more likely for me to be captain of the Broncos?''

While there is dismay in Labor ranks about the government's poor standing, caucus members do not see a prospect of a leadership change this term, let alone back to Mr Rudd. Mr Rudd said he ''absolutely'' supported Ms Gillard's leadership.

He also strongly defended his performance, implicitly rejecting the line leaked against him that he has been freelancing out of control, particularly in relation to his pushing for a flight ban over Libya.

A copy of the ''live issue brief'' sent to Labor backbenchers refutes claims by an adviser to Ms Gillard last week that Mr Rudd was acting on Libya without the knowledge or approval of the Prime Minister. The private notes are dispatched daily, with contributions from the ministers' offices, to Labor MPs.

The March 7 brief - before the adviser's comments - said ''Australia urges the [United Nations Security Council] to consider steps to impose a no-fly zone to prevent the Libyan air force from attacking the Libyan people'' and, at another point, ''Australia is calling for the establishment of a no-fly zone as part of the international response''.

The adviser claimed that Mr Rudd did not run press releases past the PM's office, but his February 25 release announcing Australia's call for the Security Council to consider ''a range of options against Libya, including the imposition of an arms embargo and no-fly zone'', was sent to her office in advance.

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