Sealing a remarkable comeback, Kevin Rudd was on Thursday sworn in as Australia’s new Prime Minister, three years after his predecessor Julia Gillard ousted him in a similar showdown.
The 55-year-old Rudd was sworn in as Prime Minister by Governor-General Quentin Bryce at 9.30 a.m. (local time) at a short official ceremony at the Government House in Canberra.
Anthony Albanese was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister and Chris Bowen as Treasurer.
This is the third time in the last three years that a new Prime Minister has taken over in Australia with Mr. Rudd reclaiming the Labour Party leadership just three months ahead of the country’s general elections.
On Wednesday, Mr. Rudd had ousted Ms. Gillard, who lost the leadership battle after the former secured 57 votes in a caucus ballot, compared to her 45 votes.
She now returns to the backbench.
Mr. Rudd said he resumed his old job with “humility, with honour, and with an important sense of energy and purpose.”
Addressing Parliament on Thursday as Prime Minister, Mr. Rudd said politics can be brutal and asked MPs to remember that “in this Parliament, in this place, we are all human beings.”
“Try, just try to be a little kinder and gentler to each other,” he said.
Mr. Rudd used his first official comments as Prime Minister to acknowledge the contributions of Ms. Gillard and former treasurer Wayne Swan, while talking of the difficulties of political life.
“I’ve got an obligation to the nation, we are talking about who leads the nation. I am not going to let that speculation run endlessly. This is the moment for Caucus to decide. I accept that outcome,” Ms. Gillard said earlier.
The leadership change comes ahead of the September 14 general elections, which surveys suggest the Labour is set to lose.
It is unclear whether Mr. Rudd will stick to Ms. Gillard’s schedule of the September election or go for an earlier one.
The earliest date Mr. Rudd can call an election for is August 3.
