As it happened: Julia Gillard becomes our first female PM
1.55pm: Well, thank you so much for joining us on this live blog over the past 18 extraordinary hours. The Punch will now resume our usual daily coverage of House of Representatives Question Time here. Please join us to see how our first female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, performs in the hot seat.
1.50pm: Greens leader Bob Brown has just described Julia Gillard as “such a high quality woman.”
1.14pm: Tony Abbott is holding a short press conference.
The Labor Party have dumped their leader but they haven’t changed their policies. They’ve changed the salesman, but they haven’t changed the product. Julia Gillard made it clear that she is committed to the same policies, the dud policies, Rudd was committed to.
1.10pm: BHP has just announced it will pull it’s RSPT attack ads, as requested by the new Prime Minister.
12.58pm: Julia Gillard is about to be sworn in at Government House in Yarralumla. Our first female PM sworn in by our first female GG.
12.38pm: And the press conference is over with a round of applause. Her performance was confident, clear and no-doubt reassuring for some members of the ALP.
12.35pm: Gillard has indicated she has to leave soon so she’s not “diabolically late” to see the Governor-General and be sworn in.
12.31pm: Gillard said she would stay in her own home instead of the Lodge until when and if she wins a general election.
12.30pm: Am glad to see the Prime Minister-elect pulled herself together very quickly after a slightly shaky start. She’s speaking clearly, with authority - Tors.
12.26pm:
Hard work matters, but for families like mine, quality government services matter, and for families like mine being treated properly in your work place matters.
12.24pm: On being the first female PM:
I didn’t set out to crack my head on any glass ceilings.
12.23pm:
This isn’t my first day in the parliamentary building, I’ve been here since 1998, and I would defy anyone to analyse my parliamentary career and find that I have done anything but made up my own mind.
12.22pm:
I believe my track record as a member of parliament bears this out ... I believe in consultation, I believe in getting the best.
12.20pm: On where how the Rudd Government had lost its way:
I believe that we have on a set of issues… not delivered the kind of stability the Australian people expect.
12.16pm: On Rudd’s future role in the Government:
Today is obviously a difficult day for Kevin, for his family.. there are plenty of time for those discussions.
12.15pm: Gillard says the election will be “in the coming months”, but in the meantime she’s asking for the Australian people for their “consideration and support.”
12.14pm: Swan says of Rudd that it’s a tough day for the former Prime Minister “but he’s worked very hard.”
12.12pm: Wayne Swan has described Julia Gillard as a “first class deputy Prime Minister, she will be a first class Prime Minister.”
12.10pm:
We should not be afraid of the future. There are some days I delight you, on some days I will disappoint you.
12.08pm:
Ultimately Kevin Rudd and I disagreed about the direction of the Government. I believed we need to do better.
12.07pm: On the mining tax Gillard said:
To reach a consensus we need to more than consult, we need to negotiate.
She also said the Government RSPT advertising campaign will be cancelled, and has called on the mining industry to do the same.
12.06pm: Gillard says she believes in man-made climate change, and thinks we need a price on carbon.
12.04pm: She’s given credit to Bob Hawke, Paul Keating, John Howard and Peter Costello for putting the economy in the position to survive the GFC, “and particularly to Kevin Rudd” for guiding us through it.
12.02pm: “Hardwork and teamwork” have been Gillard’s “compass” during her tenure as Deputy Prime Minister and Kevin Rudd’s deputy.
I love this country and I was not going to sit idly by and watch an incoming opposition cut health, cut education and slash worker’s rights.
I take my fair share of responsibility for the Rudd Government’s record.
I also acknowledge that I have not been elected by the Australian people.
12pm: Julia Gillard’s press conference has started with the words she is honoured to lead the country she loves. She too is emotional, with a shaking voice and damp eyes.
11.42am: Rudd thanks God “him, or her” - and moves on to talking about the future. Says he’ll be dedicating his efforts to getting the government re-elected.
He thanks his wife and family.
His final sentence: “And, having said all that folks, we’ve gotta zip.”
He leaves to applause from the gallery.
11.40am: If Rudd had communicated in this human honest way before his leadership would have survived.
A pic from Leo at the scene:
11.37am: He’s on to saying thanks to the Australian people, the Labor party, his colleagues, the people of Griffith, his staff.
11.34am: Rudd’s press conference is harrowing. He is clearly devastated, listing his achievements in office.
The apology was unfinished business for our nation. It is the beginning of new business for our nation.
What I’m less proud of is the fact that I have now blubbered.
Nice line, Kev.
11.30am: Rudd spoke about how he has someone else’s aortic valve in his chest. He could barely manage to speak as he choked back the tears. More speech highlights:
I’m proud of the fact that we now have paid parental leave…
I’m proud of the fact that we’re adding 20,000 units of new social housing. I can’t stand it when you go to places and there is literally no place at the inn.
I’m proud of the fact that the first thing we did in government was ratify the Kyoto protocol…
I’m proud of the fact that we tried three times to get emissions trading through this parliament, although we failed.
11.25: Rudd, standing with Therese… excerpts from his speech below. He’s tearing up, can’t bring himself to get the lines out. The press gallery is deathly silent.
I’m am proud of the achievements that we have delivered to make this country fairer…
I’m proud of the fact that we kept Australia out of recession…
I’m proud of the fact that we got rid of WorkChoices…
I’m proud of the fact that we started to build on our nation’s infrastructure (including the National Broadband Network)...
I’m proud of the fact that we have begun the education revolution…
I’m proud of the fact that new libraries are springing up right across the country…
I’m really proud of the fact that we have reformed the health system… [In future]... this will be seen as a very deep reform.
He’s tearing up… talking about cancer patients…
11.22am: Caroline Overington has a nice piece on The Australian on Gillard’s rise fulfilling the feminist dream. Excerpt:
Plenty of women - married and single, with and without children, working or at home - sat in front of TV sets this morning, and watched this unfold with our daughters on our laps.
We texted each other, saying: “Woo-Hoo!” and “Yee-ha!”
More here.
11.21am: From Leo in the media scrum in the PM’s courtyard - waiting for Rudd’s statement.
11.07am: Rudd will make a statement shortly in the Prime Minister’s courtyard. It will be his last there.
10.57am: Julia Gillard’s press conference is coming up. Shortly after that there’ll be a live video panel analysis with Punch editor David Penberthy hooking in from South Africa.
Here’s a history of Labor spills.
10.52am: Betting odds update - Labor now $1.50 for an election win, Coalition $2.50.
10.25am: Julia Gillard is going to hold a press conference at 11am and be sworn in at 12.30pm. Wayne Swan will attend the G20 in Toronto this weekend on her behalf.
10.16am: The BBC has published a profile of Julia Gillard.
10.03am: “Rudd rolled” is the headline on news.com.au. Story on The Australian being updated here. Dennis Shanahan says Rudd did the right thing by Labor.
The Aussie dollar has jumped slightly after the result. On the mining tax, Reuters quotes an analyst saying:
“The market is going to assume that the (mining) tax is going to be amended, and hence the worst-case outcome they were staring at is not going to eventuate.”
10.02: I think anyone having a day like Rudd’s should have Senator John Faulkner by their side. He’s a very solid presence, who just made Rudd’s sad walk back to his office that much more bearable - Tors.
9.49am: Gillard to press: “I feel very honoured and I’ll be making a full statement shortly.”
There was some grace to Rudd’s last act as Labor leader by standing down, though it spared him and the party the humiliation of a ballot in which he managed minimal support as a standing Prime Minister.
Rudd has left the caucus meeting with John Faulkner. Hands in his pockets, he’s not saying anything to the press, just chit chat with Faulkner. In to the office clear out the desk.
From Leo: MPs streaming out of caucus, ashen faced and mute.
9.47am: No matter what you think of Julia Gillard’s politics and work record, today is a big day historically. We have female Prime Minister and that’s a big step - Tors.
9.40am: So Australia has its first female leader in Julia Gillard, the Welsh-born Victorian MP. Swan will remain as Treasurer.
9.39am: Returning officer Michael Forshaw has confirmed Julia Gillard has been elected unopposed as Prime Minister, as has Wayne Swan as Deputy PM.
9.32am: The Australian’s Samantha Maiden has just said on Twitter: “Labor Mp text: it’s Julia no ballot”
9.21am: Does dumping Rudd also mean dumping the mining tax? - Tors.
9.11am: So now we wait… news.com.au has a live chat going here.
8.58am: Leadership ticket Gillard and Swan just walked smiling, side by side, into the caucus meeting. Rudd is in too. Showtime.
8.54am: Julia Irwin on Sky on the way into the partyroom meeting says it’s going to be very hard to watch as MPs put a knife into Kevin Rudd. She says NSW Right powerbroker Mark Arbib has “a lot to answer for”, clearly blaming him for the chain of events that has unfolded.
8.50am: The Australian reports powerbrokers as saying Gillard will win “decisively”. Dennis Shanahan says all the pressure is on the PM’s supporters. Phil Coorey at the SMH has some background on the faceless men behind the move on Rudd.
8.30am: Mark Kenny of The Advertiser says the South Australian left faction has decided to support Gillard.
8.21am: Chris Uhlmann is reporting Rudd’s backers are conceding defeat. Meanwhile, Small Business minister Craig Emerson is on Sky News explaining he is supporting Kevin Rudd because he delivered power to the Labor party after more than a decade in the wilderness.
8.12am: Labor MP Kelvin Thomson has told Sky News he wants a change of direction that will give members of the parliamentary party a genuine say in policy. There has clearly been festering resentment of Rudd’s leadership style and it’s all coming out now.
7.49am: David Speers of Sky News and other sources reporting Gillard has secured some 70 of the 112 votes in the ALP caucus.
7.34am: There’s a Hitler parody, and it’s pretty good as they go. Usual very coarse language warnings apply. Hat-tip to Punch reader “elvis”.
Kevin Rudd’s Downfall - Awesome video clips here
6.56am: ABC’s Newsradio reports Gillard supporters are urging Rudd not to contest a leadership ballot.
6.32am: From The Australian this morning.
Oh and the Socceroos are out of the World Cup.
6.31am: There’s a transcript of Rudd’s press conference from last night here.
6.28am: news.com.au has a round up of some of this morning’s commentary on the leadership spill.
6.18am: ABC News says (on Twitter) Treasurer Wayne Swan is backing Gillard.
6.09am: The Australian reports it all started at 9am yesterday when the leader of the NSW Right faction, Mark Arbib, walked into Gillard’s office and offered her the leadership after this story reported Rudd had been counting numbers.
Sports updates: A flurry of goals in the soccer means it’s 2-1 to Australia while over at Wimbledon two men have been playing the longest game in tennis history. They were recently tied at 58 games all in the final set.
5.48am: Good morning. It’s 0-0 in the Socceroos’ game against Serbia at the World Cup, and they’re still in with a chance. The same can’t really be said for Kevin Rudd.
He’s set to be replaced as ALP leader and Prime Minister by Julia Gillard today when MPs meet in Canberra at 9am for a leadership ballot. We’ll have developments, reaction and highlights of coverage elsewhere as it all unfolds.
**
Update 12.30am: Well, all will be revealed in 8 and a half hours. Rudd and Gillard will both be up all night hitting the phones looking for votes. Check back here in the morning as we keep the updates flowing. Leo has also filed this story from Canberra.
Update 11.40pm: Someone has already set up a Twitter account @KevinRuddExPM and already has more than 1000 followers.
Update 11.39pm: The bookies’ verdict - Gillard $1.20 Rudd $4.20
Update 10.51pm: This just on Twitter from Senator Kate Lundy: “I will be voting for Julia Gillard in the l’ship ballot. She will be an inspiring PM!”
Update 10.45pm: Julia Gillard has confirmed she will be a candidate in tomorrow morning’s ballot. She didn’t look too thrilled either.
Update 10.35pm: Well, you’ve got to hand it to him - Kevin Rudd is not going down without a fight.
Update 10.33pm: “I think I’m quite capable of winning tomorrow.”
Update 10.32pm: “I was elected by the people of Australia to do a job. I was not elected by the factional leaders. Although they might be doing a job on me.”
Update 10.29pm: Rudd - “I was elected to do a job. I intend to continue to do that job.” He’s not going down without a fight, and is sheeting this home to “certain factional leaders.”
Update 10.28pm: Kevin Rudd says there will be a special meeting of the Caucus at 9am tomorrow. He plans to contest the leadership ballot.
Update 10.10pm: Kevin Rudd is about to hold a press conference and Sky is reporting there will be a challenge first thing tomorrow morning.
Update 9.43pm (or 1.43pm in South Africa): Penbo in Nelspruit for Australia-Serbia game claims Pim Verbeek understood to be backing Gillard.
Update 9.25pm: Just an observation. If Gillard has the whole caucus calling on her to move - how can she possibly refuse… Tors.
Update 9.24pm: Sky now reporting the NSW Right has moved behind Gillard - Rudd’s position now terminal.
Update 8.45pm: Peter van Onselen reports the Australian Workers Union has now shifted away from Rudd towards Gillard.
Update 8.28pm: Apparently lefties Lindsay Tanner and Anthony Albanese have joined the crew in Rudd’s office.
Update 8.18pm: Oakes says the factional leaders from the Right have told Julia Gillard they have lost confidence in the PM and they want her to take over. Gillard was undecided, and John Faulkner is operating as the “honest broker.” Oakes says it’s “deadly serious” and Wayne Swan is also in with Rudd right now.
Update 8.15pm: Goodness, Hey Hey it’s Saturday is about to do a news flash with Laurie Oakes.
Update 8.07pm: From Leo in Canberra: Simon Crean has put out a statement backing Rudd. Backing implies a contest. Looks like it’s on.
Update 8.05pm: David Speers says it started with the Victorian Right and now the South Australian Right has joined the party.
Update 8pm: The SMH had a great story this morning that Rudd’s chief-of-staff had been canvassing MP’s to gauge support. Those conversations might have set the cat amongst the pigeons.
Update 7.57pm: David Speers from Sky News has just written on Twitter: “it’s up to Gillard now. if she wants it looks like job is hers.”Update 7.55pm: The 7.30 Report says the turning point was a shift in the stance of NSW Right power broker Mark Arbib, who was crucial to getting Rudd into the leadership in the first place.
Update 7.50pm: Julia Gillard’s office says her “position has not changed”, in other words, she’s not preparing to challenge.
It is being reported tonight senior factional leaders in the ALP are currently meeting in Canberra to count numbers on a possible challenge to Kevin Rudd’s leadership.
Both the ABC and Sky News are reporting moves are afoot, and Sky has just confirmed Julia Gillard is at present in Kevin Rudd’s office.
This might all be a storm in a tea cup. But we’ll be here through the night keeping you up to date on developments.
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