Australia’s former Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd announced on Friday that he will challenge Prime Minister Julia Gillard for leadership of their party and the country amid a bitter power struggle that has been brewing for weeks.
Ms. Gillard is planning a leadership ballot for Monday an effort by the Prime Minister to knock down Mr. Rudd’s ambitions to grab back power. Ms. Gillard ousted Mr. Rudd as Prime Minister in June 2010 in an internal party coup, and their Labour Party scraped through elections later that year to lead a minority government.
“It’s no secret that our government has a lot of work to do if it is to regain the confidence of the Australian people,” Mr. Rudd said. “Starting on Monday, I’m going to start restoring that trust.”
Mr. Rudd resigned as Foreign Minister during a trip to the U.S. earlier this week, saying he could not continue in his role without the support of the Prime Minister.
Ms. Gillard has said she will abandon her leadership ambitions if Labour lawmakers choose Mr. Rudd over her on Monday, and she called on Mr. Rudd to do the same if he loses.
Keywords: Australia politics, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard
This entire leadership struggle takes on an interesting flavor when
one considers that: "...In 2010, leaked US cables disclosed that key
government figures in the Labor Party coup that brought Julia Gillard
to power were "protected" sources of the US embassy: what the CIA
calls "assets"...." (as reported by John Pilger).
Go for it Mr Rudd if you do this i will enrole to vote. We believe you will lead us to ALP victory we need you.
Ms Gillard has let women down. Her lack of honesty, supported by Wong & Roxen have suely damaged the integrity of women in politics They have smashed the glass ceiling and looking for someone to blame. If Gillard is endorsed on Monday, it is apparent to the voting population that honest commitment is not part of the Labor ideology.
As an Australian citizen, and the minister of Australian Christian churches, we will fully support Mr. Kevin Rudd, to challenge Mrs. Gillard and her colleague, to take back his high office of {PM} which he deserves. Mr. Kevin Rudd was the main reason, that we Australian public vote to ALP IN 2010 and the consequence of that ALP took 86 Majority Seats. In Government, this we called a VICTORY. We are fully behind Mr. Rudd and his entire faithful cabinet members, to continue governing this country as they were doing in 2010
Mr. Rudd fully aware that Most Australian people are behind him, because we did not vote for him to be (FM) but rather {PM} God Bless Kevin Rudd and all his loyal cabinet members, whom support him to the end. And our prayer is behind him of which I believe on this coming Monday he will be back to his high office, to continue as a PM just as he was in 2010 all the way to govern Australia for the Australian people.
Firstly go Mr Rudd, we need a Leader not a Looser, Gillard has shown her kindergarden speeches long enough with lies and back stabbing, she has brought the labour party to its knees in all she does, i cannot stand for her way of jibberish any longer, we are not at school where she belongs and always on the news we nned a leader not a looser and not a school yard bully. gillard go away to the back bench or get out of the labour party fot its benefit.
Kevin Rudd had his chance back in 2008 when Prime Ministership was handed over to him by Australian people on a Golden platter. He messed it up with that opportunity and should let others to do the job now. He is selfish and now doing things which is not in the interest of the nation!! He should move on with his life!!
Australians voted Kevin Rudd to be the best Prime minister. People voted for Rudd including myself and he was ousted. This is what the taxpayers wanted and Public servants (yes Julia) you are not supposed to be anything but a servant to the public. Listen to the public not what you want.
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