I am Kevin Rudd, the Prime Minister of Australia. AMA!

Have you considered using this as a last minute campaign ad? http://i.imgur.com/IADZC6Z.jpg

I'll pass it on to my team and see what they think. KRudd

EDIT: The original poster has edited their question. Their original question was:

Have you considered using this as a last minute campaign ad? http://i.imgur.com/IADZC6Z.jpg

Kevin’s answer above was in reference to that. KRudd team

Mr Rudd, I have been quite shocked by the Murdoch press' treatment of Labor - and by how they have misused their power as a giant part of the press landscape.

I know that media reform is hard to achieve - but if you are returned to Government, are there any policy directions that you think may be worth pursuing to stop this type of behaviour, and help prevent the rise of a "Fox News" situation in Australia?

Australia has freedom of the press. The truth is Mr Murdoch owns 70% of the print media in Australia. This includes the Courier-Mail, The Sunday Mail in Brisbane (which is a one newspaper town); The Adelaide Advertiser and the Sunday Times in Adelaide (which is also a one newspaper town); the Hobart Mercury; The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph in Sydney, and the Herald-Sun and Sunday Herald-Sun in Melbourne.

Mr Murdoch has made plain he wants to see Mr Abbott installed as Prime Minister.

Mr Murdoch's views are also reflected virtually every day on the front pages of the above newspapers. The Australian people will decide whether they think this is fair and balanced reporting. It's worth having a look at Media Watch and in the meantime that's why it is so important for all you guys out there in the social media space to express your own views and opinions on what's important to you in this election campaign. KRudd

Rudd dog.

What's the deal with the media outlets jumping in bed with the opposition and the amount of smeary ads they have put out about you?

Love your work and the NBN so keep it up, i have a need for speed and Australia as whole has a need for infrastructure.

Back at ya j3za dog...

The media have their view - it's been out there, and people will I think see it for what it is.

As for the NBN, that's a crucial issue for Australia, our economy, tapping the potential of our creative people, and for, of course, all people on Reddit who also like gaming, videos and so on. If you haven't already seen it, take a look at AbbottsInternet.com.au.

KRudd dog

Hello Kevin,

Thank you for doing this AMA. I'm a university student studying Chemistry. This will also be the first time I've voted in a federal election, I want to ask: What will the labor party do to promote scientific research in Australia and where do you think Australia should be heading (research wise)?

EDIT: I'm actually studying at the university where you did your undergraduate, can you tell me your best stories from when you were an undergrad?

Science and technology are the foundations of Australia's future. The government has made an unprecedented investment in science and research. We are putting in $8.6 billion into science research this year and we have increased this since we came to government by 73%. I was really pleased to announce $125 million for a new Medical Research Innovation Fund last week that would support further biotech research.

Thanks for your question. KRudd

Hi Kevin. What is your policy on more funding for mental health services?

Thank you for asking about this. It’s an important topic for people across Australia, and we don’t get many chances to discuss it. Issues like depression, self-harm, stress, alcoholism – these are all issues that blight lives and stop people from reaching their potential. The impact on families is also acute.

We’ve taken this area very seriously. We invested in “headspace” centres where young people can get help. It’s vital because mental health issues affect one in every four young Australians in any given year.

I was going to announce this in the next couple of days, but since you’ve asked I’ll tell you now. If we’re re-elected, a government I lead will put in a $34 million investment to open another 10 headspace centres so that we have 100 across the country. We’ll also be expanding e-headspace so people can get access to advice online too. That’s an important investment – money we want to put in so that we have services that can help.

Headspace centres are working – 90% of young people who have used the service reported mental health improvements – and with this expansion, we’d be able to help 80,000 young people every year.

How fast can you down a pint?

Still not as fast as Hawkie. KRudd

As an American, I would like to know what is your favorite thing about Australia?? I would love to visit some time it looks awesome

Dropbears. Dropwombats. KRudd

The tourism department is going to be so mad at you, but you've done the right thing warning them about the very real dangers of visiting this country.

Thanks JediCapitalist.

I would emphasise both dropbears and dropwombats represent a key attraction to international visitors to our country. But you don't always know when they are going to strike :) We should also not mention the number of venomous spiders and snakes :) For the real picture on why you should visit Australia, click here. KRudd

Mr Rudd, why a conscience vote for marriage equality, if you get elected surely you have a mandate to implement it?

My personal belief is that the time for marriage equality has come.

I've also said that within 100 days of the government being re-elected, Parliament would consider legislation. The way to get such legislation passed is for Mr Abbott to allow a conscience vote for his party just like we allow for ours. In any debate on these sorts of questions, the Australia of the 21st century should not tolerate any element of homophobia. KRudd

How do you see the relationship between Australia and China (both economically and culturally) changing as we go into the future?

Also I'm currently studying Mandarin as a second language. Do you have any tips? :)

Getting closer and closer, which is good. As for the language, perseverance and singing in the shower, helps with the tones. KRudd.

Hi Kevin,

In the debate surrounding the NBN how come download speeds are often quoted (by both sides of politics) when the most startling gap is that of uploads?

I am passionate about the NBN.

If you value our NBN then you've got to get people to vote for it. Because Mr Abbott is going to disconnect it. Here are the basic differences between our fibre-optic plan for the 21st century and Mr Abbott's clapped out copper wire plan from the previous century. And you're right, upload speeds are the key to the future. Which is why the NBN isn't optional, it's mandatory. KRudd

Mr Rudd,

Can you please explain why both sides of politics are intent on returning the budget to surplus when basic economic theory suggests that we should be doing the exact opposite as we head into an economic downturn?

Global economic circumstances are uncertain.

During the GFC, we deliberately stimulated the economy by public investment once the private economy started contracting rapidly. That's largely why we managed to stay out of recession which would have put hundreds of thousands of people out of work and smashed small businesses across the country. In our present circumstances, we are bringing the budget back to surplus over time so that we don't trigger a recession.

The big difference with Mr Abbott is that his $70 billion of cuts risk triggering a recession now. This is a risk and danger I believe Australians can not afford at this time.

If you want to see what really lights up the lights of the alternative Treasurer of Australia then have a look at this one.

What is your position on Australia's response to climate change?

First thing I did as PM was ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Second thing I did was increase our Mandatory Renewable Energy Target to 20% by 2020. Third thing is, we have a price on carbon, which will be a floating price from next July. As a result, our greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation are down 7%. KRudd

As a fellow Australian and Queenslander, I need to know, What is your favourite beer?

You're not a queenslander if you don't drink xxxx KRudd