Rudd dumped as Australia PM

Julia Gillard becomes country’s first female leader after Labor MPs back her over Rudd.

Gillard, Rudd’s erstwhile deputy, stood unopposed at a vote of the Labor party’s 112 legislators at a meeting on Thursday, hours after a revolt against Rudd.

Rudd’s decision not to stand for reappointment was a sign that he knew his support had collapsed.

Since she is leader of the majority party in parliament, Gillard’s swearing in as prime minister is a formality.

Source: News Agencies