AUSTRALIA: MINISTER RUDD TO SLEEP OUT FOR ST. VINCENT'S CHARITY

CATH NEWS REPORT:

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd

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Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd will sleep rough, on a piece of cardboard, in Melbourne for a night as part of the Vinnies CEO Sleepout this month, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.


Mr Rudd has chosen Melbourne, partly because that's where work takes him that evening (of course) and because ''he's really tough, and sleeping out in warm beautiful Queensland is simply too soft''. The Herald report adds that Mr Rudd will be sleeping on a piece of cardboard.An email from Mr Rudd's office said: "The Foreign Minister is spending a night in Australia - and not only that, is sleeping rough", the Herald reports about his participation in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout scheduled for June 16.

Mr Rudd has an interesting friend ready to join his sponsors. Julie Bishop, Deputy Opposition Leader and his ''shadow'', said yesterday: ''I offered Kevin Rudd support last time he found himself on the street, after Julia Gillard threw him out of The Lodge.'' She was happy to donate: ''using the carbon price as a guide, it will be north of $10''.

But Julia Gillard is giving Mr Rudd no special treatment. ''The Vinnies CEO Sleepout is a great way to raise much-needed funds. It's great to see government representatives doing their bit for this worthy cause and the Prime Minister supports them 100 per cent,'' her spokeswoman said. There was no talk of money, and Ms Gillard won't be out there on the cardboard.

Others participating include Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, in Sydney and Homelessness Minister Mark Arbib - who has raised $200 in sponsorships and aims to get $1000.

http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=26729

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