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| Australia PM Gillard calls leadership ballot | Australia PM Gillard calls leadership ballot |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has called a leadership ballot, in a bid to resolve who should lead the Labor party into September's election. | Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has called a leadership ballot, in a bid to resolve who should lead the Labor party into September's election. |
| A number of MPs want Kevin Rudd to take on the leadership. | A number of MPs want Kevin Rudd to take on the leadership. |
| Ms Gillard ousted Mr Rudd, then prime minister, in a 2010 ballot. | Ms Gillard ousted Mr Rudd, then prime minister, in a 2010 ballot. |
| Opinion polls, however, show he is far more popular with the public than Ms Gillard, who looks set to lose the forthcoming election to the Liberal Party's Tony Abbott. | Opinion polls, however, show he is far more popular with the public than Ms Gillard, who looks set to lose the forthcoming election to the Liberal Party's Tony Abbott. |
| There has been no word yet from Mr Rudd on his intentions. | There has been no word yet from Mr Rudd on his intentions. |
| Ms Gillard's move came after a senior Labor MP called on her to act, saying the leadership issue had to be resolved once and for all because it was "killing" the party. | |
| "I have determined that there will be a ballot for the leadership at 16:30 (05:30 GMT) today. In the meantime, take your best shot," she told parliament. | |
| The deputy party leader role will also be decided at the same time. | The deputy party leader role will also be decided at the same time. |
| Hung parliament | |
| Mr Rudd did challenge Ms Gillard for the party leadership in February 2012, but lost by 31 votes to 71. | Mr Rudd did challenge Ms Gillard for the party leadership in February 2012, but lost by 31 votes to 71. |
| In recent weeks, however, local media reports have suggested he was closer to marshalling the numbers needed for victory. | In recent weeks, however, local media reports have suggested he was closer to marshalling the numbers needed for victory. |
| Ms Gillard became Australia's first female prime minister in June 2010, ousting Mr Rudd amid concerns over his environmental and taxation policies. | |
| But many voters were angered by the move and the general election she subsequently called delivered a hung parliament. | |
| Ms Gillard then formed a government that relies on independents for a majority, but public support for her has remained low. | |
| Mr Rudd, meanwhile, served as foreign minister in her cabinet until his failed challenge in 2012. | |
| In recent weeks, speculation that his supporters could seek a leadership change ahead of the election had mounted. | |
| A change of leader could bring the polls forward if the support of the independents is removed. | |
| The general election is due to take place on 14 September. |