Why did Kevin Rudd put the Greens before Australian jobs and economic growth?

Mr Rudd has serious questions to answer today regarding his decision to preference the Greens in the Senate. Mr Rudd must explain to Australians why he believes it is in the best interests of Australian jobs and the economy to give preferences to the Greens. Mr Rudd needs to come clean and tell the Australian public what secret policy deals have been done as part of this preference arrangement with the Greens? How much taxpayer money has been or will be pledged to grease the wheels for another minority Labor Government propped up by the Greens? Even Members of the Labor Party are quoted in today’s newspapers describing Mr Rudd’s decision as ‘insane’. Last week Mr Rudd refused to show leadership and ducked questions on his Green preference deal, now he has signed a deal to protect his own political skin. While Kevin Rudd has refused to rule out governing in minority, Bill Shorten confirmed Labor’s backroom scheming: “I think it’s a really, really tiny chance that there’ll be a minority government.” (Bill Shorten, Capital Hill, ABC News24, 14 August 2013) It’s clear that members of the Labor Party are now willing to put their own jobs ahead of those of ordinary Australians. Mr Rudd’s decision is at odds with comments from his Treasurer Chris Bowen last month: “We must govern alone, or not at all.” (Chris Bowen, Hearts & Minds: A Blueprint for Modern Labor) Mr Rudd’s deal means that a vote for Labor is a vote for the Greens and their policies, it’s a deal that makes a mockery of Mr Bowen’s empty words. Mr Rudd would rather save his own skin than protect Australian industries and jobs. Mr Rudd’s deal with the Greens is a betrayal of the decent working people of our country. Mr Rudd has put politics above jobs, he has put his own job survival above expanding jobs for the people of Australia. After three years of a minority Parliament, that Australians desperately want to put behind them, Labor's addiction to shady deals is once again proven beyond doubt by this grubby preference fix. The only way to restore the stability needed to build a strong and prosperous economy and a safe, secure Australia is to vote for the Coalition. The Coalition offers real change and will deliver a genuinely united government and a better future for all Australians. 18 August 2013