Rudd claims underdog status

May 21, 2008, 8:33am,  145 views

Kevin Rudd has staked a claim for underdog status in the Gippsland by-election.

He says it will be almost impossible for Labor to win.

Gippsland will be an almost impossible seat to win, Mr Rudd told reporters in Melbourne today.

It s going to be a difficult task for us but we need to make sure we provide an option for the local people.

(But) while recognising it will be one hell of a chance for Labor to win, this is a very difficult seat for us.

Despite his pessimism, Mr Rudd said Labor would campaign hard in the seat.

The question the good people of Gippsland will need to ask themselves is whether they ve received effective representation for their local interests from the National Party after all these years, he said.

I am sure the good people of the area will have their own answer to deliver, he said.

The seat has been in Country/National party hands since 1922, with only four members in that time.