Joel Fitzgibbon - in Parliament House in Canberra. Pic. Gary Ramage Source: The Australian
Prime Minister Julia Gillard speaks to the media at a press conference on the Pacific Highway. Picture: Sky News
JOEL Fitzgibbon said he believes the Labor party have chosen to lose the September election in a revealing radio interview.
The PM said today a number of MPs were considering their positions following the events of yesterday and that she would take the coming days to consider the make-up of her ministerial team.
Veteran Labor man Martin Ferguson and Kim Carr were the latest to head to the backbench with Mark Butler tipped to become the next Kevin Rudd backers to be purged from Ms Gillard's team. Meanwhile the Opposition is calling for Foreign Minister Bob Carr to join them accusing him of agitating for Rudd's return behind the scenes.
Ferguson join the likes of Chris Bowen, Richard Marles, Joel Fitzgibbon, Ed Husic and Janelle Saffin who have slipped into the shadows of obscurity after Simon Crean's political suicide bombing yesterday.
Kevin Rudd has thrown his support "100 per cent behind Julia Gillard" as eight MPs head to the backbench Prime Minister considers the most important reshuffle of her government.
6.28pm Joel Fitzgibbon has told Triple J's Hack program that he believes Labor has chosen to lose the September election.
When asked this afternooon if he thought the party has chosen to lose the next election, Fitzgibbon replied:
"I do".
He then went on to say that if we went to the polls right now, knowing that some Labor MPs have less than 10 per cent of the marginal vote, they would lose their seats.
"What is going on?," he said.
He added that: "What makes it so weird...they're sacrificing themselves..in that somehow under the current leadership things will improve".
Fitzgibbon said that many Labor MPs were still operating under 100-year-old architecture in the Labor party, being influenced by others outside of the party including trade unions.
"It lets the party down," he said.
While he did not feel let down, he said the party was being let down.
He said he was "feeling fine" after resigning today, and emphasised his belief that Labor would have a better chance at the September election with Kevin Rudd.
He also refused to comment on Mark Latham's comments about him recently, saying they don't talk anymore.
"Mark Latham and I were great mates, but he just disappeared out of my life, changed his number and I never heard from him again."
6.20pm Bloodletting gripped the government today with three of Labor's most experienced Ministers quitting amid warnings the party must abandon class warfare if it is to recover.
4.37pm: 'I had zero chance of winning ballot'
Rudd said he didn't challenge yesterday after being advised he didn't have the numbers.
"I asked them 'what are the prospects of us obtaining a significant majority' - their collective response was zero," he said.
"I asked them 'what are the prospects of us obtaining a majority' - to which their response was zero."
He said each told him in turn: "Kevin I believe you should not run".
4.26pm: 'Unite behind Julia'
Kevin Rudd has confirmed he did not have a majority to contest yesterday's Labor leadership ballot and has called on Labor to unite behind Julia Gillard.
"There was no significant majority yesterday, in fact there was no majority there at all," he said.
"It's time for the Australian Labor party to unite under Prime Minister Julia Gillard and it's time for us to confront a significant threat to our nation and its future and that is Tony Abbott and all that he stands for.
"The Prime Minister Julia Gillard has my 100 per cent support."
3.48pm: 'Spill the last chance to get it right'
Senator Carr said yesterday was "the last opportunity" the party had to provide the best opportunity to win at the next election.
"We have no option but to work with the caucus position," he said.
3.47pm: 'I wanted to go last year'
Senator Carr said he was "profoundly disappointed" when he was demoted from Cabinet last year.
He said he considered resigning at the time but at the request of Ms Gillard decided not to.
"However given the events of yesterday I have decided to take the decision to resign," Senator Carr said. "I leave the ministry without rancour."
3.43pm: Not an easy decision, says Carr
Mr Carr is the third Kevin Rudd backer to resign from the ministry today.
"Today I have tendered my resignation as a minister in the Gillard government," he said.
3.41pm: Carr walks away
Human Services Minister Kim Carr has joined the exodus of Labor MPs resigning from Julia Gillard's Cabinet in the wake of yesterday's failed leadership showdown.
3.24pm: Is Kim Carr next?
Kim Carr will hold a press conference in Canberra at 3.40pm AEDT, with many saying he's likely to announce his resignation from the front bench at that time.
3.20pm: Rudd not talking
HOMECOMING: Kevin Rudd, his daughter Jessica and grand-daughter Josephine arrive at Brisbane Airport. PIC: Glenn Barnes Source: The Courier-Mail
Kevin Rudd has returned to Brisbane and had little to say to the waiting media at the airport when he arrived back with his family, as The Courier Mail reports.
"I will not be making any comment at this time," Mr Rudd said.
3.14pm: Time for Labor 'to get it right'
Martin Ferguson says while quitting the Cabinet wasn't an easy decision, he feels it is the "honourable" thing to do. Picture: Sky News Source: Supplied
Mr Ferguson said his decision was his own and he didn't feel pushed in any way.
"It is the right honourable position. I maintain my integrity and a sense of decency."
Mr Ferguson said he had been a Labor figure "since the day I was born".
He said the party had an obligation to "pull it together".
"The party has to get it right," Mr Ferguson said.
3.10pm: Spill shambles an insult
Today's resignations and the ongoing recriminations over the failed leadership coup is an insult to the grieving mother's who were forced to give up their babies for adoption and deserved a better apology, writes Wendy Tuohy.
"But reporting of the apology, and the chance to give a bit of real consideration to the experience of those touched, was drowned out by nothing more worthwhile than tawdry party bitching," she writes.
3.04pm: Yesterday is history, says Ferguson
Mr Ferguson said he wasn't disappointed that Mr Rudd did not put his hand up for the leadership yesterday.
"We all make our own decisions," Mr Ferguson said. "Yesterday was yesterday."
3.02pm: Is a Rudd-free Cabinet possible?
With the resignation of Martin Ferguson, some are wondering if Prime Minister Julia Gillard can form a Cabinet without any of the Kevin Rudd backers.
"PM will have to reappoint some of the plotters to the frontbench the way this is going. Will be nobody left," tweeted our own Samantha Maiden via @samanthamaiden.
3.01pm: Not an easy call, says Ferguson
Mr Ferguson said his decision was not an easy one and that he has spoken to very few people in the party about it.
He said he hoped there was a will within the executive to return the Labor party to greatness.
"The class war that started with the mining tax must cease," Mr Ferguson said.
2.50pm: Labor needs it mojo back, says Ferguson
Mr Ferguson said the spill yesterday in which Mr Rudd did not challenge was not what he had hoped for.
"I thought what he did was courageous yesterday. I thought it would have given the party a fresh start," Mr Ferguson said.
Mr Ferguson said he had been lucky to have a long and successful career and added that former Labor leader Kim Beazley would have been a "great prime minister".
Mr Ferguson said he was hopeful Labor could rebuild following yesterday's division. "I ask as a result of the events of the last couple of days the Labor party gets a fresh start," he said.
"That it reclaims the legacy of the Hawke and Keating governments."
2.45pm: Ferguson resigns
Resources Minister Martin Ferguson has resigned.
Mr Ferguson joined a growing group of Kevin Rudd backers who have sacrificed their positions on Julia Gillard's frontbench.
"I have this afternoon advised the prime minister that I intend to step down this afternoon," Mr Ferguson said.
"I have the view it is the only honourable thing to do.
"I would have voted for Kevin Rudd and Simon Crean yesterday to give the party a fresh start."
2.35pm: Universities face a fourth minister in 16 months
Australian Universities are calling for political stability as they wait to hear who will become their fourth minister in 16 months, as AAP repports.
Universities don't just provide education, they also do the research that drives Australia's productivity, new technology, innovation and new industry, she says. "We are disappointed," Ms Robinson added.
The Australian Greens science and research spokesman Adam Bandt condemned Labor for letting its factional warfare impact the "crucial" science and research portfolio. "Science and research is routinely threatened with budget cuts and it needs a champion in cabinet," he said.
2.25pm: Coup capital of the world
The latest leadership spill in Canberra will detract from already low business confidence, according to the Business Council of Australia.
Its president, Tony Shepherd, has called on the federal government to get on with governing for the whole nation rather than electioneering, as AAP reports.
"The terrible thing about this is that business confidence in Australia is low, and this will certainly detract from business confidence," Mr Shepherd told Sky News today.
"We are becoming the coup capital of the world at the moment."
2.12pm Gillard: "I too will consider ministerial arrangements over the next few days."
PM Julia Gillard says at a press conference on the Pacific Highway, that she has seen reports of Kevin Rudd's statement today.
She said: "This issue is over and done with. This issue has been resolved for all time."
She added: "There are a number of people clearly considering their positions and I too will consider ministerial arrangements over the next few days."
"I'm someone who's made of I think pretty strong stuff and I think that's been on display. Politics is not an easy business."
She said she thought Chris Bowen's decision was a "very honourable" one.
1.50pm: Bob Carr's position is 'untenable'
Julie Bishop continues to call for Foreign Minister Bob Carr to go, saying he has shown a pattern of undermining Julia Gillard that makes his position "untenable".
"He almost brought her leadership down a couple of months ago when he undermined her authority and then he boasted to the caucus that he had the numbers that she did not," Ms Bishop said.
"Bob Carr is refusing to resign – he is almost taunting the Prime Minister to come and get him. If she had any authority at all she should sack him."
1.40pm: Labor's harmony day miss
Yesterday was International Harmony Day, but not for the Labor caucus mired in chaos as a failed leadership showdown gripped the nation.
However, Rudd's "no circumstances" declaration - as his supporters waved the white flag on today - may go a long way towards restoring harmony in the government ranks, AAP reports.
As independent Tony Windsor said yesterday: "Kevin Rudd's proven himself more of a Costello than a Howard and he's probably gone for all time."
1.25pm: Bishop says Bob Carr must go
Deputy Opposition leader Julie Bishop told News Limited that it was "untenable for the Prime Minister to continue to have a Foreign Minister who she can't trust".
Ms Bishop said it was well known that Senator Carr - who was handpicked by the PM to come to Canberra - had been a "covert supporter" of Kevin Rudd and his ill-fated leadership push.
"If she had a shred of authority left, she would sack Bob Carr," she said.
The Liberal MP said the Foreign Minister was "taunting" the PM to sack him from his portfolio, knowing that "she won't".
1.10pm: Rudd v Gillard
12.40pm: Oakeshott presses for quick reshuffle
Independent MP Rob Oakeshott has called on Julia Gillard to reshuffle her cabinet urgently to prevent any further delay in funding for key policy areas. Mr Oakeshott said Simon Crean's portfolio of Regional Development and Chris Bowen's area of Tertiary Education needed swift attention.
"Rounds four and five of the Regional Development Fund have $400 million remaining, and this must be delivered. Likewise, in tertiary education, there is $200 million in the Regional Education Infrastructure Round still to be delivered," Mr Oakeshott said.
"I urge the Prime Minister to confirm this will occur, and that Ministers will be appointed quickly so that they can actually get on and deliver these important regional programs."
12.26pm: More Rudd backers tipped to go
Julia Gillard supporters are telling News Limited that Mental Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler and Human Services Minister Kim Carr "cannot be servants of two masters" and need to urgently declare their position following yesterday's spill.
Both were Rudd supporters.
12.22pm: Rudd not done yet
Kevin Rudd's insistence that he will not challenge nor will he accept leadership of the Labor Party under any circumstances, should be taken with a grain of salt according to Simon Crean.
"Simon Crean has told MPs not to trust KRudd without dotting all the I-s. Clearly he thought Rudd was set to run, although others deny that," our own Malcolm Farr tweeted via @farrm51.
12.10pm: Thomson says he won't back Abbott
Former Labor MP now crossbencher Craig Thomson put out a statement this morning on yesterday's leadership showdown, as our Lanai Scarr reports.
He said he would meet with other independent MPs in coming weeks for talks about the future of the government and the Coalition's proposed further motion of no confidence.
"We will see where the dust settles on this matter before I make further comment," Mr Thomson said.
"But at this point I am not inclined to give my vote to Tony Abbott because I think as prime minister, he would be very damaging for the Central Coast and for Australia."
12.02pm: Rudd the hipster
This Kevin Rudd meme was tweeted by beckodotcom. Picture: Twitter Source: Twitter
While hipster types have long been applauding Prime Minister Julia Gillard's new glasses, it seems she's not the only hipster in the federal Labor Party.
11.42am: In case you missed it the first, second and third time...
Mr Rudd's spokesman said he would absolutely not return to the Labor leadership in the future.
"Mr Rudd wishes to make 100 per cent clear to all members of the parliamentary Labor party, including his own supporters, that there are no circumstances under which he will return to the Labor party leadership in the future," he said.
Canberra reporter Lanai Scarr looks back on covering a mad day in Canberra and exactly how a coherent story emerges from the chaos.
11.38am: PM calls media to Pacific Highway upgrade
The Prime Minister's office has issued an invitation to media to assemble at the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale Highway upgrade project at 1.15pm.
"Flat enclosed shoes and long sleeves required".
Memories of another spill - the one in India - perhaps?
No doubt she will need to be wearing a fire-proof suit herself, given the grilling she will receive from the media.
11.36am: Rudd will remain on back bench
Kevin Rudd will remain in federal parliament following yesterday's leadership showdown, Lanai Scarr reports.
Mr Rudd's spokesman said he would still contest the September election for the seat of Griffith in Brisbane.
"Mr Rudd has said consistently over the last 12 months that he would not challenge for the Labor leadership and that he would contest the next election as a local member of parliament," the spokesman said in a statement.
"That position has not changed."
11.25am: Rudd rules out return
Kevin Rudd says there are now "no circumstances" under which he would return to the Labor leadership.
He said to AAP through a spokesman this morning that he had been consistent that he would not challenge for the leadership and that he would contest the next election as a local member of parliament.
"That position hasn't changed," the spokesman said.
"Furthermore, Mr Rudd wishes to make 100 per cent clear to all members of the parliamentary Labor Party, including his own supporters, that there are no circumstances under which he will return to the Labor Party leadership in the future."
PM Julia Gillard in the Blue Room at Parliament House following yesterday's unopposed vote. Picture: Ray Strange Source: News Limited
11.15am: Carr speaks out in support
Foreign Minister Bob Carr has reiterated his support for Prime Minister Julia Gillard, saying she's now a more seasoned politician.
Senator Carr says Ms Gillard had "renewed and reaffirmed'' her leadership and the Labor Party must put its leadership tension behind it.
"The fact is I'm on record stating ... my emphatic support for the prime minister,'' he told reporters in Washington.
"As recently as three days ago I said the prime minister has my unqualified support.''
Asked if it was still the case, he said: "Of course it is.''
11.13am: Combet says leadership issue is over
Cabinet minister Greg Combet agrees the leadership issue is at an end.
"Kevin Rudd didn't front up - that says it all,'' he told reporters in Sydney.
"It's imperative that the prime minister has a clear opportunity, with the authority that the Labor caucus has given her, to take the Labor party to the next election.
"This is a government with a great record of achievement, we've got great plans for the future and it's now time for everyone to stop internal divisions.''
11.06am: Twitter's spill frenzy
10.54am: Bowen going is 'honourable'
Julia Gillard's office issued a statement on Mr Bowen's resignation this morning.
"The Prime Minister thanked Mr Bowen for his contribution to the Ministry and particularly for his service in the Immigration portfolio," a spokesman for Ms Gillard said.
"The Prime Minister also acknowledges his conduct in offering his resignation is honourable."
10.27am: Public wanted a Rudd return
Our survey of reader opinions show most of you wanted Kevin Rudd to challenge for the leadership, with 50.9 per cent supporting such a move.
As to who the preferred Labor leader should be, 51 per cent said Kevin Rudd and 28.8 per cent said Simon Crean. Only 20.2 per cent of respondents selected Julia Gillard.
The poll had 7649 responses by 10.24am today.
Kevin Rudd is perceived as the one with the best chances of winning on September 14: 66.9 per cent of you said so.
But when it comes to respecting Kevin Rudd, opinions were evenly split. A third of you voted for each of the more, less or no change options.
10.20am: Carr says Bowen didn't have to go
Foreign Minister Bob Carr said Chris Bowen didn't have to resign, as our own Lanai Scarr reports.
"I wish he wouldn't have,"Senator Carr said.
"I think it was unnecessary and I would have thought the Prime Minister would have regarded it as unnecessary."
Senator Carr, who was reported to have switched camps to Kevin Rudd despite publicly expressing support for Ms Gillard, said the leadership issue needed to be completely over now.
"It's time the party put these leadership issues behind it,"Senator Carr said.
"We've got to put this behind us."
10.15am: Rudd's voicemail
Kevin Rudd's Parliament House office and his electoral office are both going straight to voicemail, but we here he is scheduled to appear on Sky New later today on The Contrarians show at 4pm AEDT.
10.02am: Farewell tweet
"It was an honour to serve in Cabinet for four years. Thanks for your messages of support," says Chris Bowen (@Bowenchris).
Follow our coverage on Twitter
9.59am: Gillard rejects loss of confidence
The Prime Minister has said she did not agree the business community was almost unanimously unhappy with her government.
"I meet with business people very routinely, even in the course of this week, which has had its stresses and strains, I've met with a number of business people,'' she said.
"We do what we've done over the last five budgets, which is we identify savings, many of them very tough savings, and they cause moments of concern and moments of opposition,'' she said. ''... we make those savings in order to fund things that we think are a higher priority.''
Chris Bowen holds a press conference to announce he is resigning from the Ministry after yesterdays leadership vote. Picture: Kym Smith Source: News Limited
9.52am: KRudd told numbers were 'tight'
Mr Bowen said he was not disappointed that Mr Rudd did not challenge yesterday.
"We advised him that the ballot would be close and we could not guarantee him an outcome," Mr Bowen said.
"I think Kevin did the right and decent thing in not taking it to a vote."
He said Mr Rudd would have been the best person to win the next election.
"But no election is unwinnable," Mr Bowen said.
9.48am: Did the PM tell Crean to call spill?
Labor's elder statesman Simon Crean was tapped by the prime minister to end Kevin Rudd's leadership ambitions once and for all, according to a political analyst.
Professor Scott Prasser's theory is that there's nothing about Mr Crean's demeanour and language to suggest he was a victim of the leadership fiasco that played out in Canberra on Thursday.
He said it was uncharacteristic for Mr Crean to have suddenly switched his allegiances from Prime Minister Julia Gillard to Kevin Rudd.
"He'd been a vociferous critic of Kevin Rudd previously," the Australian Catholic University political analyst told AAP this morning. "He's normally known as being a stable person in terms of his allegiances and I find it extraordinary that he suddenly became a supporter of Kevin Rudd. "I think he saw this as an action where he could try to end, or flush out, Kevin, to provoke Kevin. And Kevin wasn't ready."
Asked if Ms Gillard tapped Mr Crean to do the job, Prof Prasser said: "Yes, that's my view."
9.43am: Firing squad at dawn
Six down, two to go? The remaining Labor dissenters who have yet to face the firing squad are Kevin Rudd and Kim Carr - a key Rudd supporter and cabinet minister. Watch this space.
9.33am: Chris Bowen latest coup casualty
Chris Bowen has resigned from Julia Gillard's Cabinet.
Mr Bowen, who supported Kevin Rudd taking up the prime ministership, made the announcement this morning.
"Last night after discussing the matter with my wife and friends I decided to resign from the Gillard cabinet," Mr Bowen said.
"I informed the Prime minister of my decision this morning."
Mr Bowen was the Tertiary Education and Skills Minister. He also served as Immigration Minister before a cabinet reshuffle earlier this year.
Former Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, Chris Bowen is chased by the media yesterday. Source: News Limited
9.31am: Simon Crean says he will not resign.
Mr Crean has said he did not plan to quit politics.
"My intention is to stand at the next election,'' he told ABC radio this morning.
He said a number of people urged him, as a party elder, to bring some sanity to the leadership situation.
"There also had to be a healing in the process. It's not the first time that there have been tensions within a party and it won't be the last,'' Mr Crean said. ''(But) we've got to be bigger than individual egos.''
9.30am: Simon Crean has spoken to Kevin Rudd
Mr Crean said he spoke to Mr Rudd in the caucus room.
"My only words to him were 'You should have run','' he said.
He said the party had failed to effectively sell its policies, citing the media reforms.
"If you want to advance a cause, you've got to frame a debate - don't let anyone else frame it for you,'' he said.
"Use the power of persuasion, you will never get that if you truncate the process, don't engage in debate and don't frame the debate.''
He believes the prime minister now has clear air to frame the budget.
"Obviously they have shaken themselves from the shackle of the surplus,'' he said.
"Why is it that we allowed our economic credentials to be framed just by the measure of the surplus?
"People want jobs, low inflation and low interest rates.
"They've got all of those.''
9.22am: 'Gales of laughter' if any further leadership talk: Gillard
Prime Minister Gillard says the leadership issue is over.
"I think if anybody wanders into a journalists' office in the future from the Labor Party claiming to have a numbers sheet they will be met with gales of laughter. This is over,'' she said.
Ms Gillard said she did not think the media laws triggered the leadership spill.
"I think political watchers will know that for some period of time there's been an undercurrent in our party and it was dealt with yesterday and brought to an end,'' she said.
On The Kyle and Jackie O Show Prime Minister Julia Gillard sets the record straight on leadership spill. Courtesy 2DayFM
9.10am: Rudd 'did this the wrong way': Crean
Simon Crean says Mr Rudd did the wrong thing by not nominating for the leadership.
"There is no point people urging this to be done in the interests of the party, urging the healing process and then blinking," he told ABC radio this morning.
"I wouldn't cast it other than he should have done the right thing.
"There's a right way and there's a wrong way. He took the wrong way.
"There was only one right way given what he and his team had put us through and he should have exercised it."
Simon Crean, Australia's senior cabinet minister, speaks at a press conference at Parliament House yesterday. Source: AFP
9.00am: It's over now, says Crean
Dumped Labor frontbencher Simon Crean says the destabilisation within the party will now stop and Prime Minister Julia Gillard has his support.
"A line has been drawn ... on the leadership issue," he told Fairfax Radio this morning. "It's not a mess if it provides the basis for a regeneration," Mr Crean said.
"We have got a united party at the leadership level.
"It has been a circuit breaker."
8.55am: PM expects more to go
JuliaGillard says she expects the resignations of further members of her team following yesterday's leadership showdown.
Ms Gillard praised Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Kevin Rudd backer Richard Marles for standing aside yesterday and said she expected more to come.
"I anticipate there will be a few more people considering their position," she told ABC Radio.
Asked specifically on the future of senior cabinet ministers and Rudd backers Chris Bowen and Kim Carr, the Prime Minister would not be drawn.
"I will consider that and look at what is … the best team to go to the election," Ms Gillard said. "I am not dealing with issues of the ministerial reshuffle now."
Amid the chaos, some levity: From Bob Katter, no less. This morning he tweeted - Billy & @TheAFLFootyShow here's another perk to politics -some say I'm a trend setter #planking #katterplanking #AFL pic.twitter.com/dLp9di606t Source: Supplied
8.48am: Purge continues
Treasurer Wayne Swan says Simon Crean's challenge had good intentionsbut went on to say he expected further resignations.
"These are matters that she will consider in the course of the next few days," he said.
8.42am: Windsor has no confidence in Labor either
Federal Independent MP Tony Windsor says he'd support the opposition's right to move a no confidence motion to test the Gillard government's numbers.
"I think it's a debate that needs to be had and (I'm) quite happy to participate in it," he told the Nine Network this morning.
"I've been saying to him for a couple of years if he believes that the membership of the house doesn't have confidence in the government, test it in the house, and that's exactly what he should do if he believes that, then we'll all know what the numbers are."
8.35am: International media enjoy the sideshow
Overseas, the leadership non-challenge prompted various reactions. The Daily Mail referred to the "farcical" challange. Time magazine called it "bizarre" while The Guardian was incredulous that after 21 years of sustained economic growth, low unemployment and "plenty of sunshine…what does its Labor government do? Attempt suicide."
The BBC published a thoughtful analysis of Australia "coup culture". Australia, it said, "has one of the most brutal political cultures in the democratic world, in which party leaders are dispatched with abandon".
Recounting Rudd's knifing by Gillard and the recent putsches in the NT, Victoria and an attempt in SA, it said: "Spills, coups and leadership speculation have become so embedded in the political culture as to become the rule as much as the exception.
"With the prime minister ... delivering a moving apology to victims of the policy of forced separation, this should have been one of the more solemn and orderly days in the parliamentary calendar. An occasion that transcended politics. But Canberra's coup culture helped transform it into one of confusion, comedy and commotion that many Australians would prefer to forget."
8.29am: Labor now united, says Swan
Caucus had shown "strong and enduring support'' for Prime Minister Julia Gillard when she was unopposed after calling a leadership spill, her deputy Wayne Swan says.
"The fact is that there was very strong support in the room and the reason there wasn't a ballot was that there wasn't strong support for change,'' Mr Swan told ABC radio this morning.
"What we got was a very strong endorsement of the prime minister and this does resolve this matter once and for all.
"Now that this is resolved once and for all, we've got to get out there and we've got to talk to the Australian people about the things that matter to them, and that's what we're focused on.''
8.20am: Rudd goes to ground
Kevin Rudd has pulled out of a scheduled appearance on Sunrise this morning.
Environment minister and Gillard supporter Tony Burke replaced him on the popular breakfast TV program.
But Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has insisted the member for Griffith will continue to agitate for the top job.
8.14am: PM goes on Kyle and Jackie O
The Prime Minister's choice of going on 2DayFM for her first interview was interesting, considering she wouldn't take questions from the parliamentary press gallery yesterday, our own Lanai Scarr reports.
Her office says the interview with Kyle and Jackie O had been locked in "for weeks" because she had committed to doing an Easter egg hunt for sick kids from Bear Cottage with the pair this weekend.
Ms Gillard will also do an interview with the ABC's Jon Faine at 8.30am.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Source: AFP
7.59am: Even PM thought Rudd would run
Julia Gillard has conceded she was "surprised" Kevin Rudd did not put his hand up for the leadership yesterday.
Speaking on 2DayFM radio, Ms Gillard said she expected him to challenge.
"I was a bit surprised given all of the build up," Ms Gillard said.
"But having chosen not to stand that does underline that this is all definitely over.''
She said Mr Rudd would not be making another tilt at the leadership.
"He will be serving in his capacity as the local member for Griffith... he'll be doing all those things as a Labor backbencher.''
She said the party would now get on with governing the country.
She said after Thursday's events, she retired to The Lodge with Reuben the dog.
"Tim's away at the moment. It was me and Reuben the dog - he was full of wise words,'' she said.
"At the end of a long hard day I was happy to hang out, pat the dog and get some sleep.''
7.52am: Nothing to see here, says Garrett
Education Minister Peter Garrett said the government had endured a tumultuous week, but the caucus vote had ended the matter.
"I'm absolutely confident that the people will see this as a doing government,'' he told Sky News.
He then tweeted: "As I said on @SkyNewsAust this morning, it's all about getting on with the job, esp delivering #betterschools for all Australian students."
7.50am: What was Crean thinking?
Environment Minister Tony Burke said he didn't know what Mr Crean was thinking by calling a spill when it was clear Mr Rudd wouldn't run.
"It was an awful day yesterday,'' Mr Burke told the Seven Network this morning.
"Kevin had always said he wasn't going to run. He didn't run. It's got to be resolved now.''
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says the civil war inside the Labor Party will continue.
7.30am: Casualty list
The casualties of Simon Crean's political suicide coup attempt so far are:
- Simon Crean - cabinet minister sacked after forcing the leadership vote in caucus
- Richard Marles - parliamentary secretary who resigned after going on public record as switching to Rudd
- Joel Fitzgibbon - Rudd supporter resigned as chief whip after weeks of agitating for Rudd
- Ed Husic - Rudd supporter and whip resigned
- Janelle Saffin - Rudd supporter and whip resigned
Those who may yet face the firing squad include:
- Kevin Rudd - Who is under attack for having lost credibility in refusing to step up to the plate
- Kim Carr - Rudd supporter and cabinet minister
- Chris Bowen - Rudd supporter and cabinet minister
7.25am: Have elections now, says Abbott
A federal election is the only resolution to the government's leadership battle, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.
"We are no closer to strong and stable government,'' he told the Nine Network this morning.
"The only way we can get to strong and stable government is to hold an election as soon as humanly possible.''
Mr Abbott said the leadership battle would continue.
"As long as this is a government in trouble, there will always be this fight, whether it's Rudd stalking Gillard or it's Gillard stalking Rudd,'' he said.
7.20am: No Sunrise for KRudd
Kevin Rudd did not appear on this morning's Seven Network's Sunrise program for his normal Friday appearance with shadow treasurer Joe Hockey.
Environment Minister Tony Burke - who was dumped for Mr Rudd by Seven earlier this year - returned to fill in for Mr Rudd.
Mr Rudd has made no comment since the caucus meeting.
6.59am: Parliament is now on a seven week break and won't return till Tuesday May 14 when Treasurer Wayne Swan will hand down the budget.
In this photo provided by the Attorney-General's Department, Australian Prime Minister Julie Gillard leaves Parliament House yesterday. Picture: Attorney-General's Department, Andrew Taylor Source: AP
6.25am: No confidence vote
The opposition will put a motion of no confidence in the Gillard government at the next sitting of parliament - budget day.
Opposition leader of the house Christopher Pyne has called on the independents and Greens MP Adam Bandt to support the motion.
Mr Pyne says Thursday's leadership standoff, where Prime Minister Julia Gillard prevailed, had not ended the instability in the government.
"We will put a no confidence motion in the government on the notice paper for debate on budget day when we return," Mr Pyne told the Nine Network.
"If that no confidence motion is passed, the government will fall and an election will be called within in weeks.
"Otherwise the government will call an election before we come back."
Manager of Opposition Business Christopher Pyne. Picture: Ray Strange Source: News Limited
6.16am: 'Monty Pythonesque'
Australia's 'Monty Pythonesque' political showdown reveals that despite Julia Gillard's safari to western Sydney, she hasn't heard a word the public has said. But, had Rudd thrown his hat in the ring, it would have been a contest between two losers, writes Piers Akerman.
6.15am: Voters can't wait
Australia's patience has run out and they simply cannot wait another 177 days for a federal election, writes Phillip Hudson.
6.13am: Crean the bomber
Simon Crean became a political suicide bomber yesterday, nobly sacrificing himself in the best interests of his party. As a martyr, Crean often seemed the only grown-up in the room. But, like many suicide attacks, his move proved ill-aimed and ill-timed , writes Miranda Devine.
6.11am: PM should listen to Crean
Julia Gillard should listen to Simon Crean. After her 1003rd day as Prime Minister, she remains on the nose with the Australian public and Labor faces a thrashing at the election. The prime minister needs a plan, and a major attitude change to inspire a public that simply is not seeing her vision, writes Phillip Hudson.
6.10am: Twitter enjoys the chaos
Amid the emotion and the political carnage, many took a look at the lighter side. See how Australia's larrikins expressed their humour via social media.
6.07am: Bullet Dodgers
Lazarus with a triple-bypass has nothing over Julia Gillard. Jessica Marszalek examines exactly how the Prime Minister managed to dodge yet another leadership challenge bullet.
6.05am: Voters vent via social media
Australians have let their politicians know exactly what they thought of the coup fiasco, taking to Twitter and Facebooks in droves to express their opinions. Join the debate here: @newscomauHQ
6am: So many promises
The leadership spill could have been so many things: It could have provided a boost to business confidence. It could have shortened the election campaign farce. It could have led to better Australian government. It didn't, writes Jessica Irvine.
June 24, 2010
Gillard becomes Australia's first female Prime Minister after challenging Kevin Rudd. The incident becomes known as the 'knifing' of Rudd.
August 2, 2010
The PM says it's time voters had a chance to see the "real Julia". The move backfires when people ask: if it's now time to see the real Julia, who was she before?
December 15, 2010
At least 30 asylum seekers die when their ramshackle boat breaks up after being tossed against cliffs in rough seas off Christmas Island. The incident reignites debate about boat arrivals in Australia.
January 2011
Gillard visits flood-ravaged Queensland, and is criticised by some commentators for lack of warmth. Her one-off flood levy to help Queenslanders recover is highly controversial.
February 24, 2011
Gillard breaks an election promise in announcing a carbon tax. Tony Abbott slams the announcement as "an utter betrayal of the Australian people".
March 21, 2011
Gillard cops flack when she reveals she is opposed to gay marriage and, despite being an atheist, that she thinks it's important for people to understand the Bible.
March 23, 2011
A carbon tax protest rally led by Tony Abbott in Canberra turns personal when anti-government demonstrators start chanting "ditch the bitch". Placards at the rally read "Ju-Liar" and "Bob Brown's bitch".
May 7, 2011
The Gillard Government announces it is close to signing the "Malaysia Solution". Issues surrounding human rights and unaccompanied children then dog the government.
May 18, 2011
The Prime Minister flicks the switch on the National Broadband Network on mainland Australia. Many commentators and the Opposition call it waste of money but Gillard says naysayers are out of touch.
May 30, 2011
The government suspends live exports after Four Corners exposes brutal mistreatment of Australian cattle in Indonesian slaughterhouses. Pastoralists' livelihoods suffer as their cattle remain in limbo.
June 15, 2011
Newspoll shows support for Julia Gillard has crashed to a record low of just 30 per cent. The figure is lower than Kevin Rudd's was when she replaced him.
September 27, 2011
Kevin Rudd adds fuel to leadership speculation when he makes a gaffe on ABC Radio: "I'm a very happy little vegemite being prime minister ... being foreign minister of Australia."
November 23, 2011
The mining tax is passed after parliament sits late into the night. The Opposition vows to repeal the tax if elected and accuses the Government of secretive "backdoor deals".
November 24, 2011
Canberra is stunned by a deal installing Peter Slipper, a member of the Queensland Liberals, as Speaker of the House of Representatives. It shores up the government's numbers but the ousting of Harry Jenkins, a popular and effective Speaker, is seen has harsh.
December 2, 2011
Gillard is widely criticised for "airbrushing" Kevin Rudd from ALP history at the party's National Conference in Sydney.
January 22, 2012
Gillard reneges on a deal with key independent Andrew Wilkie to introduce measures to tackle problem gambling. Wilkie pulls his support from the government in retaliation. The move puts a new complexion on the installation of Slipper as Speaker.
January 26, 2012
One of Gillard's key advisors is forced to resign after admitting he tipped off Aboriginal activists to incorrect reports that Tony Abbott wanted to close the tent embassy.
February 24, 2012
Kevin Rudd announces he will contest the leadership, saying Gillard has lost the confidence of the Australian people.
February 27, 2012
Gillard retains the top job after winning the challenge 71-31, but it comes at a cost as Mark Arbib resigns.
March 26, 2012
Queensland Labor is stunned with a landslide state election reducing the party to a rump in the parliament. Gillard says she respects the "shouted" message from voters, but rejects claims it serves as a warning to her own Government.
April 23, 2012
The PM is forced to defend her decision to appoint Peter Slipper as Speaker after allegations he abused his Cabcharge account and sexually harassed a former adviser.
April 29, 2012
Gillard accepts Craig Thompson's resignation and stands Peter Slipper aside indefinitely. She says the scandals have "crossed a line", but some commentators see it as another complete U-turn.
May 8, 2012
Voters were unconvinced by Gillard's 2012 Federal Budget offering $5 billion in cost-of-living offset measures to counteract the impact of the Carbon Tax.
May 9, 2012
Gillard said she was "deeply disturbed" that a three-year investigation by Fair Work Australia found suspended Labor MP Craig Thomson had spent almost $500,000 of union members' funds on prostitutes, fine dining, hotels, cash withdrawals, air travel and electioneering.
May 10, 2012
Gillard declared that US President Barak Obama's support for same-sex marriage would not change her own view on the issue.
June 21, 2012
About 90 asylum seekers were lost at sea after a boat capsized north-west of Christmas Island. Rescue attempts successfully pulled 109 out of the water.
June 28, 2012
A second asylum-seeking vessel sank, claiming the lives of at least four people. Merchant and naval vessels rescued 125.
August 12, 2012
Gillard was forced into a major back-down by announcing the Government would nominate Nauru and Manus Island to be reopened as offshore processing facilities for asylum seekers.
August 18, 2012
It was revealed Julia Gillard had been under investigation when she resigned from her law firm Slater and Gordon in 1995. Questions had been raised about work she had done for her then boyfriend, a union boss accused of corruption.
August 23, 2012
The Australian reveals that Gillard admitted that the entity she set up for Wilson was a slush fund to raise cash for the re-election of union officials. Gillard breaks her silence, denying any wrongdoing and declaring the story is part of a sexist internet smear campaign.
October 9, 2012
A fiery speech by Prime Minister Julia Gillard slamming Opposition Leader Tony Abbott for being a misogynist gains global attention.
November 11, 2012
Wayne Hem swears in a statutory declaration that he made the Gillard payment and other payments after being instructed to do so by Bruce Wilson.
November 15, 2012
The Australian reveals that former AWU official Helmut Gries, who first raised concerns that union money may have been spent on Gillard's renovations, now doubts that version of events.
January 28, 2013
First bloke Tim Mathieson attracts the wrong sort of attention for the following comment: "We can get a blood test for (prostate cancer), but the digital examination is the only true way to get a correct reading on your prostate, so make sure you go and do that, and perhaps look for a small Asian female doctor is probably the best way."
January 30, 2013
Prime Minister Julia Gillard announces a September 14 election date, initiating one of the longest campaigns in Australian history.
January 31, 2103
Former Labor MP Craig Thomson is arrested at his electoral office on the NSW Central Coast and is charged with 150 offences relating to allegedly fraudulent use of union funds at the Health Services Union.
February 2, 2013
Ministers Nicola Roxon and Chris Evans announce their resignations ahead of the election.
February 19, 2013
Greens leader Christine Milne announces the end of her party's minority government agreement with Labor over its failed mining tax. The Greens will continue to offer supply until the September election.
February 26, 2013
A Newspoll published in The Australian shows a five-point drop in support for Julia Gillard as preferred Prime Minister, giving Opposition Leader Tony Abbott a four point lead of 40 to 36 per cent. Last November, Ms Gillard enjoyed a 14-point lead in the preferred PM stakes.
March 3, 2013
Julia Gillard begins a five-day stay in western Sydney where she tries to increase her appeal with a disillusioned electorate through promises to tighten the rules around the 457 Visas, giving $1 billion for the WestConnex road project for the M4 and a $50 million promise of federal funds for the Warragamba Dam.
March 9, 2013
Stephen Smith's comments about federal Labor's woes having an impact on Liberal Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett's landslide victory reportedly leave the PM fuming. Similar comments made by ex- Labor Minister, Alannah MacTiernan about the electoral massacre Labor faced with Julia Gillard as leader days later, further inflamed the situation and sparked a fresh round of leadership speculation.
March 11, 2013
A Newspoll published in The Australian shows that Labor's overall approval support rose three points to 34 per cent while the Coalition fell three points to 44 per cent. Ms Gillard regained her lead over Tony Abbott as preferred Prime Minister 42 to 38 per cent. Later that day, several members of the public were booted out of the federal parliament during question for heckling the prime minister and calling her a "moll" and "Ju-liar".
March 12, 2013
Bill Shorten rules out taking over from Julia Gillard as Labor MPs meet to find a circuit breaker to the crisis around the party leadership. Meanwhile, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy announces a raft of controversial new media reforms which the government wants to pass parliament by the end of the following week.
March 16, 2013
Labor MPs warn controversial media laws should be scrapped if they fail to pass parliament because they would be a dead weight ahead of an election.
March 18, 2013
Kevin Rudd surges ahead of Julia Gillard as preferred Labor leader according to a Nielsen poll. 62 per cent of voters named Mr Rudd as preferred Labor leader, over Ms Gillard (31 per cent). Labor's primary vote also drops back to 31 per cent.
March 19, 2013
Julia Gillard's key backers challenge Kevin Rudd's numbers men to "reveal names" after disputing their claims the former PM was close to having the numbers in caucus behind him to take back the leadership. Mr Rudd ruled out that he would run for the leadership by Friday.
March 21, 2013
Simon Crean calls on the PM to call a spill of all leadership positions to ''end the stalemate'', and Julia Gillard calls a ballot for 4.30 that day. Kevin Rudd announced he would not challenge for the leadership, and Ms Gillard was re-elected unopposed.
Overnight coverage
THE RUDD PLAN THAT IS NOW IN THE BIN.
ABBOTT MOVES HIS BISHOP INTO THE ATTACK.
LABOR LOST IN POLITICAL PURGATORY.
LIBS LAUNCH AD ATTACK.
BACKBENCHERS STICK WITH SINKING GILLARD.
Victims of past forced adoption are disappointed leadership dramas have overshadowed the national apology.
12am: All over now, says Labor
Labor senator David Feeney says the idea of a Kevin Rudd comeback as prime minister is over after Thursday's leadership tussle.
Speaking on Thursday night, the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence said Julia Gillard had won a decisive victory over Mr Rudd to confirm herself as party leader.
"The idea of a Kevin Rudd prime ministership is over," Senator Feeney told ABC television.
"It's not a pyrrhic victory, it's a decisive victory. This is an occasion where for the third time the prime minister has been decisively re-endorsed by the caucus as leader."
"This has been a week where the Liberal Party have quite happily said nothing and done nothing and allowed the Labor Party to talk about itself," he said.
"It's precisely the type of week that's emblematic of our challenge."
He said he believed Mr Rudd didn't have a tilt at the top job because "he knew he didn't have the support to become leader".
Victorian Labor MP Richard Marles told the ABC he backed Mr Rudd because he thought the former leader represented the "best chance" for the party.
"I thought the best chance we had in terms of putting our best foot forward was for Kevin Rudd to contest," he said.
"I had a point of view, I made it clear, I don't resile from it, I certainly made my decision, there is no regrets."
At no point did Mr Rudd say he was going to stand for the leadership, Mr Marles said.
Kevin Rudd has made his party look silly by not contesting the leadership spill, says Simon Crean.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has accepted the resignation of Richard Marles as parliamentary secretary.
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