From his humble early days as a child reading Hansard in the regional Sunshine State pocket of Eumundi, Kevin Rudd has been preparing for this martyrdom.

But the Passion Of The Kevin, when it came, was a million miles from home. It came in the White House's Cabinet Room, lately and elaborately emblingened by the 47th US president with golden plate ware, golden cornicing and golden drapes.

This room is best known in the current Trump administration for its lengthy cabinet meetings in which departmental secretaries take turns to descant upon the president's greatness and wisdom while the man himself listens sternly, occasionally allowing himself an economical nod of agreement.

It is very different from the Cabinet Room in Canberra, which has more of a native-timber vibe and in which Rudd,

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