Kevin Rudd and Kerry O’Brien

Kevin Rudd’s time as Prime Minister was short, tumultuous and, at times, momentous. Rising to power in 2007 on a wave of popular optimism, Rudd defeated a formidable opponent in John Howard and ushered in an era of Labor rule and extensive reform.

Perhaps the most outward-looking and globally ambitious of recent Australian Prime Ministers, Rudd's legacy is linked most strongly with his landmark apology to the Stolen Generations in 2008 and his successful steering of the economy through the Global Financial Crisis. His leadership is also associated with an era of internal party turmoil. Rudd has been vocal in his criticism of factional power dynamics in the ALP and instrumental in changing the Labor leadership election system in recent years.

Since leaving Parliament, Rudd has pursued his passion for international affairs, with roles at the International Peace Institute, the World Economic Forum, Global Leadership Forum and the Asia Society.

Much has been said and written about Australia’s 26th Prime Minister. At the Athenaeum Theatre in October, hear Kevin Rudd speak for himself. In conversation with the peerless Kerry O’Brien, Rudd will talk leadership, legacy and Labor. The pair will also discuss Rudd’s hopes and ideas for the future of this country, its place in the region, and in the world.

This event will be Auslan interpreted.