Kevin Rudd pressed the palms of potential voters at Southland shopping centre this afternoon, using the visit to announce a $1 billion upgrade for Melbourne's roads.
His pledge included $900 million for a Western Ring Road upgrade, and $240 million to strengthen the West Gate Bridge.
Reporting from the food court, Crikey reader Paul Custance explains that Rudd still had time for a coffee:
While enjoying a cappuccino at my local shopping centre south of Melbourne, a woman arrived and told the owner that Kevin Rudd is coming and can he clear a large table and start making many cappuccinos.
Within five minutes the Kevin07 circus arrived with media entourage and proceeded to the coffee shop next door.
After the photo opp of Kevin attempting to make a coffee [Gloria Jeans] he and Mrs07 were off.
I listening to Jon Faine on 774 all morning, moaning that Kevin isn't interested in Victoria and won't come on his show, I called out as he walked passed, "Kevin can you call Jon Faine?" To this he replied "Yes, I think I'm talking to him this week."
That was my only question to the PM in waiting and he said yes, what more could I ask for?
I'm happy, Jon Faine will be happy, but I bet the coffee shop owner won't be voting Labor -- the only business he got was from a couple of hacks.
The visit came after the Opposition leader received a rock star's welcome from dozens of school students while campaigning in south-eastern Melbourne today.
Rudd arrived in the marginal Labor electorate of Holt to promote Labor's $2.5 billion trades in schools program. The teenagers cheered and chanted his name as he walked around the campus.
Click the video tab to watch the mob.
PIC CREDIT: AAP Image/Alan Porritt
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