Kevin Rudd announced Labor's plan for a $69 million volunteer program in Tasmania this morning.
Under the program, up to 27,000 volunteer and non-profit organisations would receive up to $3000 in grants, and petrol coupons to give out to volunteers.
“Volunteers are the heart and soul of our nation,” Rudd said.
"If we don't have a voluntary effort from these organisations across Australia, the fabric and glue of our society starts to tear apart." Community Services Minister Mal Brough labelled the program “a con”.
"Even if you spent every dollar of Mr Rudd's funding on petrol, Australia's estimated five million volunteers would get less than $5,” he said in a statement.
The Opposition leader then ran into a bit of trouble at the Devonport senior citizens club 43rd birthday celebrations.
Rudd, his wife Therese, Labor candidate for Braddon Sid Sidebottom, and a full press pack entered the club, interrupting a choral performance. Two of the performers stormed off stage mid-song. When the song was over, local senior David Vowles confronted the would-be PM.
"You spoiled the party. You ignorant bastards," fumed Vowles.
Later, he said the appearance had politicised the event.
"That's all he's doing here - publicity," he said.
Rudd took responsibility for the gaffe, explaining that he thought the visit had been organised.
“Things never go completely smoothly in an election campaign,” he said.
Click on the video tab above to see the senior citizen yelling at the Opposition Leader, followed by an angry accordian player yelling in a carpark.
Later Rudd made amends, belting out a rendition of ‘Georgie Girl’ with the seniors. See it here.
Read Richard Famer's take on the visit, and what it says about election campaigns here.
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