Prime Minister Kevin Rudd defends men's health ambassador appointment
November 28, 2008 Article from: Australian Associated Press
KEVIN RUDD has defended the appointment of his deputy's partner as a men's health ambassador. Mr Rudd described Tim Mathieson - the partner of Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard - as a great bloke.
The ambassadors were honorary positions being done out of love and public duty, he said.
He also admitted he's an average bloke when it comes to health.
"If you're a bit like me, blokes are notorious about not having any interest in their health until it sort of hits them in the eyes," Mr Rudd said.
"The more blokes you've got out there, average blokes ... talking about what sort of check-ups you should get, what you do to prevent it is great."
He also defended Health Minister Nicola Roxon over the appointment of one ambassador who held homophobic views.
Warwick Marsh, from the Fatherhood Foundation, was sacked after he refused to repudiate offensive views that included suggesting gay men were more likely than heterosexual men to molest children.
"Mistakes happen, let's just be upfront about it and she's taken it on the chin, good on her - she's doing a fantastic job," Mr Rudd said.
