MEMOIR Not for the Faint-hearted KEVIN RUDD Pan Macmillan, $44.99. When Kevin Rudd became Leader of the Opposition in December 2006, dramatically ousting Kim Beazley, few Australians knew who he was. But who is Kevin Rudd… Rudd made climate change a centerpiece of his first administration and issued a formal government apology to … Eleven months later - and even more dramatically - he ousted John Howard to become Prime Minister of Australia, in the biggest electoral swing since 1975. 1 review When Kevin Rudd became Leader of the Opposition in December 2006, dramatically ousting Kim Beazley, few Australians knew who he was. Biography of Kevin Rudd, Australian politician who served as leader of the Australian Labor Party (2006–10; 2013) and prime minister of Australia (2007–10; 2013). Hawke, Keating, Howard - none of them attracted as many voters as quickly as Rudd. Eleven months later - and even more dramatically - he ousted John Howard to become Prime Minister of Australia, in the biggest electoral …