By Rich Bowden:

The treatment of deposed Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is set to play a major role in the federal election campaign as early polls continue to echo voter disquiet over the manner of his ousting.

A Galaxy poll published in News Ltd papers today show 57 percent of participants believe the way in which Mr Rudd was removed will harm Labor’s electoral chances. Treasurer Wayne Swan, believed to be one of the architects of his former boss’s downfall, has been quoted as saying the method of Rudd’s downfall will particularly resonate among the former PM’s home state of Queensland, where almost two-thirds of those surveyed disagreed with the way he was removed in a party room coup.

“It’s certainly a factor,” Swan told the Nine Network in an interview on Sunday.

“But the predominant factor here is the head-to-head contest between Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott,” he added focusing on the head-to-head clash between Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott where the Labor leader enjoys a clear lead of 55 percent to 32 percent.

Labor strategists are concerned the Rudd factor could play a crucial role in the election which is believed to be close enough for an issue such as the way Mr Rudd was removed, to influence the result.

How to manage the problem of the obviously bitterly disappointed Kevin Rudd is proving to be a major headache for Labor party strategists. While keen to include Rudd as much as possible in the campaign — indeed Gillard has said he is an important member of her team and will make available a front bench portfolio should she win the election — Gillard loyalists must wish that Mr Rudd would take the easy route and disappear from public life.

The Gillard team cannot afford to be seen to be shunning Mr Rudd, adding insult to injury, yet they must also consider Rudd as a potential lightning rod for further discontent within the party, particularly if he is given a front bench role.

Just how raw the wounds are of the Labor leadership coup three weeks ago was apparent at the conclusion of the Prime Minister’s address to the National Press Club. During questions taken from reporters, Nine commentator Laurie Oakes made his now-famous claim that Julia Gillard had agreed with Mr Rudd on a transfer of power only to change her mind at a break in the meeting and challenge a stunned Rudd on his return.

Ms Gillard refused to comment on the speculation saying she had vowed not to reveal the discussions that took place. However media reports said Gillard loyalists were furious over the ambush and blamed Mr Rudd for the leak. As a number of Labor party ministers were aware of this development, it was possible any one of them could have leaked the damaging information.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, at first as stunned as Mr Rudd over the coup, appears to have recovered his stride and is looking to focus on Labor’s messy leadership problems during the Coalition campaign. Mr Abbott seems to believe Australian voters will forget his role in the ousting of former Coalition leader Malcolm Turnbull when he describes the Rudd downfall as a “crude, bloody execution in the dead of night”.

“The voters picked the prime minister, not the faceless men from the factions,” he said today which added to his comments yesterday following the announcement of the August election that why should people trust the Labor party when even Mr Rudd eventually couldn’t.

The scene is set for Mr Rudd to play a key role in the election, whether he likes it or not. Indeed there appears to be some uncertainty as to how prominent a role the now Member for Griffith will play in the campaign. Treasurer Wayne Swan, a former fellow pupil at Nambour High School, seemed to leave the door open for a Rudd contribution though without giving much away.

“He’s got a very good record, he’s made a very substantial contribution to the government and to the country,” he said.

“He’s certainly welcome in the campaign and he’s certainly welcome, if he wants to, to serve in the next government in a senior role.”

Tags: 2010 election, coalition, julia Gillard, Kevin Rudd, labor, Tony Abbott