June 28, 2013

Kevin Rudd yesterday was sworn in as prime minister of Australia. He previously served as prime minister from 2007 to 2010.

On June 25, Rudd ousted then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard as leader of the Australian Labor Party. By a vote of 57-to-45, Rudd retook the leadership of the party and, thus, returns as prime minister. Rudd stated that he resumes the office “with humility, with honor, and with an important sense of energy and purpose.”

Rudd’s overthrow of Gillard came ahead of a general election due in September, which polls show Labor could lose. However, Rudd is more popular with voters than Gillard, and political experts suggest that Labor will perform better under his leadership.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of Australia (© Commonwealth of Australia)

Pundits noted that Rudd’s return to leadership was the latest twist in a long and bitter rivalry between the two politicians. Once close friends and colleagues, Gillard overthrew Rudd as prime minister in 2010 in what has been widely described as an act of ruthless political ambition. Since his overthrow, Rudd has been said to have worked unceasingly to destablize Gillard’s government.

Additional World Book articles:

• Parliament
• Australia 2010 (a Back in Time article)
• Australia 2012 (a Back in Time article)