Kevin Rudd reinstalled as Australian prime minister
Kevin Rudd [was] installed [yesterday] as Australian prime minister, three years after he was removed in an inner-party coup, following one of the most serious political crises in the 122-year history of the Labor Party. Following last night’s 57 to 45 vote by the Labor caucus to restore Rudd to the Labor leadership, the entire ruling establishment has closed ranks behind the decision. The overriding motivation behind the decision to back the reinstatement of Rudd was the fear within ruling circles that the unpopularity of Gillard has been so deep and widespread, because of her role in the coup against Rudd three years ago, that the Labor Party was heading towards an electoral wipeout in the forthcoming federal election, scheduled for September 14. Recent polls have indicated that, under Gillard’s leadership, the Labor Party might have received fewer than 30 seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives.
Patrick O’Connor: The political crisis in Australia