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09 Sep 2026, 20:45 by Emily Kaine, James Costa · WAtoday

11.37am

‘Nothing wrong’ with being upfront about your past, Rudd says

By James Costa

Asked about the recent revelations regarding One Nation Victorian leader Warren Pickering’s admission that he took drugs and was caught drink-driving, Kevin Rudd said he wouldn’t comment on the specific case.

But Rudd did say that we had to “get past” the idea that everyone in public office is some “inherent beacon of moral virtue”.

“Is the matter at stake fundamentally compromising of the person’s ability to discharge, effectively, their public responsibilities? That’s where the issue lies.”

“Being upfront about your past, there’s nothing wrong with that.

“I think the voting public respond to that because Australian people at the end of the day they’re not hypocrites.