Takes over after Kevin Rudd steps down as Labor party leader
Julia Gillard has become the first female prime minister of Australia, after the Labor Party booted out Kevin Rudd because of public disapproval. After it was clear that Rudd would do dismally in the elections, Gillard took over as leader after a surprise challenge on Wednesday evening. The ruling party has sustained significant drops in popularity after backtracking on election promises, including an about-face on a carbon trading plan and a poorly-handled mining tax. Gillard will lead the party into the country’s next general election expected in October.