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Aussie PM Refuses to Quit in Car Dealer Scandal

By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 21, 2009 4:45 PM CDT

(Newser) – Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is refusing to resign in the first major crisis of his 19 months in office, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Dubbed "Utegate"—after a popular SUV—the scandal centers on whether Rudd gave special treatment to a friend's car dealership. Critics say Rudd prompted the Treasury to extend a loan to Queensland car dealer John Grant, who lets Rudd drive a pickup truck for free.

Opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull, who is calling for Rudd's resignation, says the PM sent an email nudging officials to extend the loan. Today Rudd demanded Turnbull's resignation if he can't product the email. "Parliament resumes in about 24 hours and Mr Turnbull therefore has the clock ticking," Rudd said. Police and the auditor general are investigating.

Australian opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull, left, is calling on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to resign.
Australian opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull, left, is calling on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to resign.   (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd speaks at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Sunday, June 14, 2009.
Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd speaks at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Sunday, June 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd speaks at a press conference at the end of the G20 Summit at the Excel centre in London, Thursday, April 2, 2009.
Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd speaks at a press conference at the end of the G20 Summit at the Excel centre in London, Thursday, April 2, 2009.   (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Mr.C
Jun 23, 2009 6:00 AM CDT
haha, yeah, but it was the newest one at the time and I posted this while others were bickering away on other stories
Mr.C
Jun 21, 2009 10:10 AM CDT
The attitude of "my side is right, yours sucks" reflected in these newser posts make me fucking hate this country. I'll be out of the US by 2015.

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