Special Sub-Topic: Kevin Rudd, Australian Prime Minister Click Here To Play: Kevin Rudd, Australian Prime Minister

How old was Kevin when his father died from hospital contracted septicemia following a car crash?

11. His mother Margaret was evicted from their farm following her husband's death, and the family briefly slept in a car before finding accommodation. Margaret later trained as a nurse to support the family.

Which federal labour politician attended Nambour State High School two years ahead of Kevin Rudd?

Wayne Swan. Being a couple of years apart, the two were not friends in high school. Rudd went on to appoint Swan to the position of Treasurer of Australia.

Rudd graduated with First Class Honours in Arts (Asian Studies) from the Australian National University. What did he major in?

Chinese language and Chinese history. Rudd went on to further his Chinese studies at the National Taiwan Normal University, and is able to speak Mandarin. China is Australia's second largest trading partner after Japan.

Kevin Rudd and his wife Therese Rein had three children. What are their names?

Jessica, Nicholas, Marcus. Their children are Jessica (born 1984), Nicholas (born 1986) and Marcus (born 1993). Marcus was the only child still in high school during the 2007 election campaign and Rudd briefly used his government allowance to pay for a sitter for him. After the media announced this, Rudd agreed to fund the sitter himself, as most Australians do.

What nickname did Rudd receive after cutting back and restructuring the Queensland public service in the early 1990s?

Doctor Death. Rudd was working as chief-of-staff to then Queensland Opposition Leader Wayne Goss when he earned this moniker.

What was the scandal Rudd faced during the election campaign of 2007?

That he attended a strip club in New York. Rudd attended the "gentleman's club" in Manhattan in 2003, while representing Australia at the United Nations. It is alleged that Rudd was warned for inappropriate behaviour during this visit. Rudd responded to Australian media that he did not recall all the events of that night as he "had too much to drink". The scandal actually raised his approval rating in Australia.

Who did Kevin Rudd succeed as the Prime Minister of Australia?

John Howard. John Howard was Australia's second longest serving prime minister, holding the office for four terms, from the 11th of March 1996 to the 3rd of December 2007. Sir Robert Menzies is Australia's longest serving prime minister, holding the job for 16 years.

Which Queensland seat did Kevin Rudd hold to become Prime Minister in 2007?

Griffith. Lalor was held by Julia Gillard, Deputy Prime Minister. Hunter was held by Joel Fitzgibbon, Minister for Defense. Gellibrand was held by Nicola Roxon, Minister for Health and Aging.

Kevin Rudd was sworn in as Australian Prime Minister on December the third 2007; when did he sign the Kyoto Protocol?

3rd December 2007. With Australia agreeing to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, the USA is the only developed country that has not done so.

On the 13th of February 2008, Rudd delivered his famous "Sorry speech". Who was this apology directed at?

The stolen generation of mixed heritage and Indigenous Australians. The stolen generation are people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, or more commonly those of mixed descent, who were removed from their families by church missions and the Australian government over a period of roughly 100 years until 1969. There continues to be debate in Australia about the motives behind this policy.