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Australia politics: Gillard, Rudd in leadership vote | Australia politics: Gillard, Rudd in leadership vote |
(35 minutes later) | |
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the man she ousted, Kevin Rudd, are contesting a party leadership vote. | Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the man she ousted, Kevin Rudd, are contesting a party leadership vote. |
Ms Gillard called the vote after Mr Rudd's supporters sought to force a party meeting to hold a ballot. | Ms Gillard called the vote after Mr Rudd's supporters sought to force a party meeting to hold a ballot. |
The vote was due to begin at 19:00 local time (09:00 GMT) on Wednesday. Both contenders have committed to stepping down if they lose. | The vote was due to begin at 19:00 local time (09:00 GMT) on Wednesday. Both contenders have committed to stepping down if they lose. |
The move comes ahead of a 14 September election, which polls suggest Labor is set to lose. | The move comes ahead of a 14 September election, which polls suggest Labor is set to lose. |
Ms Gillard toppled Mr Rudd in a leadership challenge in 2010, but he remains more popular with voters. | Ms Gillard toppled Mr Rudd in a leadership challenge in 2010, but he remains more popular with voters. |
The Labor party has been divided by bitter in-fighting between supporters of Ms Gillard and Mr Rudd, and there has been sustained speculation over the leadership in recent weeks. | The Labor party has been divided by bitter in-fighting between supporters of Ms Gillard and Mr Rudd, and there has been sustained speculation over the leadership in recent weeks. |
If Mr Rudd replaces Ms Gillard as prime minister, he could be forced to call an early election. | |
'This is it' | 'This is it' |
Julia Gillard's call came hours after news surfaced that Kevin Rudd's supporters were circulating a petition calling for a caucus meeting to vote on the party leadership. | Julia Gillard's call came hours after news surfaced that Kevin Rudd's supporters were circulating a petition calling for a caucus meeting to vote on the party leadership. |
Ms Gillard said that this was the final opportunity for the issue to be resolved. | Ms Gillard said that this was the final opportunity for the issue to be resolved. |
"I have been in a contest with the leader of the opposition, but I've also been in a political contest with people from my own political party," she said. | "I have been in a contest with the leader of the opposition, but I've also been in a political contest with people from my own political party," she said. |
"We cannot have the government or the Labor Party go to the next election with a person leading the Labor Party and a person floating around as the potential alternate leader." | "We cannot have the government or the Labor Party go to the next election with a person leading the Labor Party and a person floating around as the potential alternate leader." |
"Anybody who enters the ballot tonight should do it on the following conditions: that if you win you're Labor leader, that if you lose you retire from politics." | "Anybody who enters the ballot tonight should do it on the following conditions: that if you win you're Labor leader, that if you lose you retire from politics." |
"This is it, tonight is the night," she said. "I wouldn't be putting myself forward unless I had a degree of confidence." | "This is it, tonight is the night," she said. "I wouldn't be putting myself forward unless I had a degree of confidence." |
Shortly afterwards, Mr Rudd told reporters that he intended to run. "For the nation's sake I believe it's time for this matter to be resolved," he said. | Shortly afterwards, Mr Rudd told reporters that he intended to run. "For the nation's sake I believe it's time for this matter to be resolved," he said. |
"I believe with all my heart that I owe it to the Australian people to offer them a viable alternative." | "I believe with all my heart that I owe it to the Australian people to offer them a viable alternative." |
He added that he believed the Labor party was "on course for a catastrophic defeat unless there is change". | He added that he believed the Labor party was "on course for a catastrophic defeat unless there is change". |
"If I lose, of course I would announce that I would not contest the next election and I thank Julia for making the same commitment." | "If I lose, of course I would announce that I would not contest the next election and I thank Julia for making the same commitment." |
Mr Rudd would need the support of at least 52 of Labor's 102 MPs in order to oust Ms Gillard. | Mr Rudd would need the support of at least 52 of Labor's 102 MPs in order to oust Ms Gillard. |
In March Mr Rudd declined to contest a leadership vote and said afterwards that there were "no circumstances" under which he would seek the top job. | In March Mr Rudd declined to contest a leadership vote and said afterwards that there were "no circumstances" under which he would seek the top job. |
Nonetheless speculation that he could return had persisted amid polling showing he could deliver a better outcome for Labor in the election. | Nonetheless speculation that he could return had persisted amid polling showing he could deliver a better outcome for Labor in the election. |
A poll published earlier this month suggested that three cabinet ministers would lose their seats under Ms Gillard, but would retain their seats if Mr Rudd was leading the party. | A poll published earlier this month suggested that three cabinet ministers would lose their seats under Ms Gillard, but would retain their seats if Mr Rudd was leading the party. |
Tony Abbott leads the opposition coalition, which polls suggest is currently on course for a convincing win. | Tony Abbott leads the opposition coalition, which polls suggest is currently on course for a convincing win. |
Earlier on Wednesday, Tony Abbott challenged Ms Gillard to bring forward the election date to 3 August, and said that "paralysis" was gripping the government. | Earlier on Wednesday, Tony Abbott challenged Ms Gillard to bring forward the election date to 3 August, and said that "paralysis" was gripping the government. |