Rudd halts campaign for Syria, then does TV show

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd leaving his Norman Park home. Picture: Mark Calleja Source: News Limited

Editor's note 8.21pm: Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has released a statement accusing the Sunday Telegraph of reporting he 'delayed' security briefings on Syria. Mr Rudd is wrong. The Sunday Telegraph's report - which is being published now in our print edition - merely says Mr Rudd suspended campaigning to deal with Syria, but then flew to Brisbane to shoot Kitchen Cabinet. See the Prime Minister's full statement below

HE started the day with the sombre announcement that the campaign had been suspended so he could focus on urgent talks about the Syria crisis.

What the Prime Minister didn't say was that he had his taxpayer funded VIP jet waiting so he could fly home to Brisbane for the afternoon to appear on a cooking show, Kitchen Cabinet, billed as an opportunity to watch politicians cook dinner in exchange for "a bring-a-plate dessert and a cheeky glass of wine''.

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In a bungle reminiscent of his infamous Dawn Service scandal on the Sunrise Show, Mr Rudd made no reference to his afternoon-long commitment with the ABC when he announced he would not be campaigning all day.

The episodes, featuring Mr Rudd and Liberal leader Tony Abbott will air in the final week of the campaign.

Annabel Crabb in Kitchen Cabinet. Picture: ABC Source: Supplied

Amid international reports the United States may launch a missile strike against Syria, a sombre-faced Prime Minister declared yesterday it was a matter of "grave concern'' and he would seek urgent briefings in Canberra.

Asked twice during a press conference if he was suspending his campaign to deal with the crisis in Syria, Mr Rudd said the next practical step was to ensure he was fully briefed by officials.

"My first responsibility, as Prime Minister of this country, is to make sure these matters are attended to thoroughly and carefully,'' he said.

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"These are troubling times and we need to focus carefully and squarely on unfolding events and as they affect Australia's core national interests.''

"The next practical step is for formal national security briefings to myself and other relevant Ministers which will occur in Canberra later today.''

But immediately after Sydney press conference, Mr Rudd boarded a taxpayer-funded RAAF jet to fly 728 kilometres to Brisbane to film an episode of the cooking show, a surprise ratings hit for the ABC.

He then flew back to Canberra arriving at 6pm.

The Prime Minister's Office later confirmed to the Sunday Telegraph that he was spending the afternoon filming Kitchen Cabinet in Brisbane.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd leaving his Norman Park home. Picture: Mark Calleja Source: News Limited

While Tony Abbott also filmed a segment for the show last Sunday, Mr Rudd made no public disclosure to the travelling media that he had cleared the diary to take part.

Mr Abbott filmed his own episode last Sunday night in Sydney after he launched his paid parental leave policy. Filming took several hours.

Mr Rudd's press advisers told the travelling media the Prime Minister was returning to Brisbane but the purpose - to film the cooking show - was not disclosed.

Dozens of media travelling with the Prime Minister were told they would be diverted to Canberra where the Prime Minister would arrive at around 6pm to hold talks on Syria with key officials.

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When asked if Mr Rudd would also be flying to Canberra, one of his advisers said that he was "already in the air" on his way to Brisbane.

"He's got some things he needs to do there,'' an adviser said.

The Prime Minister spoke to the Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon about the unfolding crisis on Friday amid shocking reports that Syria has used chemical weapons on innocent civilians.

Annabel Crabb in Kitchen Cabinet. Picture: ABC Source: Supplied

Kitchen Cabinet has proved a surprise rating hit for the ABC, attracting more viewers on some nights than Masterchef and The Great Australian Bakeoff .

``They are cooking for Kitchen Cabinet host Annabel Crabb in return for a bring-a-plate dessert and a cheeky glass of wine; these terms were swiftly accepted by ABC Television,'' the ABC said in a press release.

Consistent with caretaker provisions Mr Rudd also offered a national security briefing on Syria to Mr Abbott.

Federal Election 2013- Kevin Rudd in Sydney

In Adelaide, Mr Abbott said he supported Mr Rudd's decision to suspend his campaign to fly to Canberra for urgent briefings.

But Mr Abbott said he was satisfied with being briefed while on the road and would not suspend campaigning.

``I don't for a second underplay the seriousness of this situation and I entirely support the Prime Minister receiving briefings, that's a very good thing to happen,'' Mr Abbott said.

``Certainly I will be continuing my campaign but in between ordinary campaigning events I will be receiving briefings and updates on the events in Syria."

A spokeswoman for Mr Rudd's campaign said Kitchen Cabinet was a longstanding commitment and he had never suggested that the campaign was suspended - despite media reports online and on the 6pm news.

"Kitchen Cabinet is a campaign event which Tony Abbott has filmed as well. The Prime Minister is in Canberra now for briefings that could not have happened until 6:30 pm tonight," the spokeswoman said.

"No campaign events were suspended."

WITH REPORTING FROM SARAH BLAKE

KEVIN RUDD CAMPAIGN STATEMENT

We understand that the Sunday Telegraph is intending to report that the Prime Minister delayed a national security briefing on Syria in Canberra today because of a previously arranged media commitment in Brisbane.

This is wrong.

Following a briefing from the Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to the Prime Minister this morning, the Secretary recommended that a full national security briefing occur including the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister with officials this evening or tomorrow. This was to ensure all officials and full briefing papers were ready following discussions with allies during the course of the day.

Had a full national security briefing on Syria been possible earlier, Mr Rudd would have made arrangements to be in Canberra earlier.

The Prime Minister made it clear this morning that a parallel briefing be made available to the Leader of the Opposition at his earliest convenience which we understand will occur tomorrow (Sunday).

Any statement or inference that the timing of Saturday evening's national security briefing to the Prime Minister on Syria has in any way been delayed because of other Prime Ministerial commitments in Brisbane is 100 per cent wrong and is defamatory.

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