Julia Gillard ousted as Australia Prime Minister

Gillard lost Labor Party leadership ballot to her rival Kevin Rudd. She is set to retire from politics following the news.

07:12 27 June 2013

Julia Gillard is no longer Australia’s Prime Minister after she lost Labor Party leadership ballot to her rival Kevin Rudd. She got 45 votes while Rudd got 57, giving him a majority of 12 within the ruling Labor Party.

Julia Gillard is the Australia’s first female prime minister and now, she is being replaced by the same man she ousted three years ago. This is the second time that an Australian Prime Minister was removed from office by their party. Rudd’s removal three years ago was the first.

With Rudd’s return, an election on August can be expected rather than the set date on September 14 to cash in on his greater popularity with voters.

Gillard faced difficult challenges in winning public support despite economic growth, low unemployment, and low interest rate at a time when other developed countries are struggling to keep out of recession.

Meanwhile, Rudd he said he doesn’t hold grudges to those people who have openly slammed him and said he will not punish ministers who are still loyal to Gillard. He said: "If I win this ballot, every effort I have in my being will be dedicated to uniting the Australian Labor Party. No retributions, no paybacks, none of that stuff. It's pointless, it's old politics.”