Australia's first female Prime Minister

JULIA Gillard is “honoured” to become Australia’s first female prime minister as Kevin Rudd struggles to keep his composure during his last speech as leader.

Ms Gillard is expected to make a full statement shortly and will be sworn in as prime minister by Governor-General Quentin Bryce at 12.30pm (AEST)

Mr Rudd was close to tears and his voice wavered as he listed his achievements in office during a press conference.

He repeatedly said he  was “proud” of abolishing WorkChoices and his record on health, education and at shielding Australia from the worst of the global financial crisis.

“I did my best to give Australia a fair go,” he said.

Mr Rudd will be dedicating his efforts towards Labor remaining in power at the coming federal election.

“I will serve the Govenrment in any manner I can, and I will be recontesting the next election in the seat of Griffith,” he said.
In a historic decision, Labor MPs decided to oust Mr Rudd who will go down in history as the first Prime Minister ever to be turfed out by his party within his first term of winning power.

The leadership handover occurred without a ballot after Mr Rudd decided not to force his supporters into declaring their support.

Ms Gillard’s victory was assured last night after most of the Rudd government ministers, including Treasurer Wayne Swan, decided to end his run as the Labor leader.

A confident Ms Gillard, flanked by the Treasurer who will become her deputy, walked into the Caucus meeting, certain they had the numbers to defeat Mr Rudd. Senior factional leaders claimed Ms Gillard had at least 70 votes from a Caucus of 112.

At 9.36am (AEST), Caucus spokesman and New South Wales Senator Michael Forshaw emerged to declare Ms Gillard would become Australia’s next Prime Minister.

“The new leader elected unopposed is Julia Gillard, the new deputy leader is Wayne Swan,” Senator Forshaw said, outside the Caucus room.

Ms Gillard, and the man she ousted as national leader,  then addressed a dazed Labor partyroom.

State support

New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally later congratulated Ms Gillard via Twitter.

“Congratulations to Julia Gillard, Australia’s 1st female Prime Minister. A passionate advocate for families. Look fwd to working with her.

“[I] acknowledge and thank Kevin Rudd for his leadership, especially on health and hospital reform & national apology to the Stolen Generation.”

Victorian Premier John Brumby said Ms Gillard  had a “wonderful way” with people.

Mr Brumby, who has had a rocky relationship with outgoing PM Kevin Rudd, told Sky News the leadership upheaval had been a “history-making 24 hours”.

“But the reality now is we have a new prime minister and she’s someone who I believe will make a fantastic prime minister,” he said.

“I know her well, she’s a person of extraordinary ability, of great intellect, of great compassion, she’s got a wonderful way with people.”

Swift defeat

Mr Rudd – who won power in 2007 with a popular Kevin 07 campaign – bowed to pressure from his colleagues and withdrew from the contest, assuring Ms Gillard’s ascension to the leadership.

Mr Rudd’s decision to stand aside came as he lost the backing of key factional brokers and powerful unions including the Australian Workers Union after ALP powerbrokers formed the view that the Government was heading for defeat unless it changed leaders.

A suite of Ministers, including Sports Minister Kate Ellis and Climate Change Minister Penny Wong, decided to back Ms Gillard.

Mr Rudd’s defeat represents the most stunning political turnaround imaginable, for a leader who just a few months ago was rivalling Bob Hawke in the popularity stakes.

But a series of political mistakes including ditching the emissions trading scheme and rolling out a new 40 per cent “super” profits take on the mining sector, saw a collapse in Mr Rudd’s and Labor’s vote.

The historic vote of confidence for Ms Gillard will see her installed as Australia’s 27th Prime Minister.

Mr Forshaw said it had been a difficult time for both Mr Rudd and the Labor Party.

“He led us to victory in 2007, a victory that was achieved when many people thought that we would still be spending more years in Opposition.

“That is a great achievement, he did that with Julia Gillard as the Deputy Leader.”

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