June 2013 Australian Labor Party leadership spill explained
| Election Name: | June 2013 Australian Labor Party leadership spill |
| Flag Image: | Australian-Labor-Party-stub.svg |
| Previous Election: | March 2013 Australian Labor Party leadership spill |
| Previous Year: | March 2013 |
| Next Election: | October 2013 Australian Labor Party leadership election |
| Next Year: | October 2013 |
| Module: | | Election Name: | Leadership election | | Embed: | yes | | Type: | presidential | | Vote Type: | Caucus | | Ongoing: | no | | Candidate1: | Kevin Rudd | | Colour1: | DC241F | | Popular Vote1: | 57 | | Percentage1: | 55.9% | | Candidate2: | Julia Gillard | | Colour2: | DC241F | | Popular Vote2: | 45 | | Percentage2: | 44.1% | | 1Blank: | Seat | | 2Blank: | Faction | | 1Data1: | Griffith (QLD) | | 2Data1: | Right | | 1Data2: | Lalor (VIC) | | 2Data2: | Left | | Leader | | Before Election: | Julia Gillard | | After Election: | Kevin Rudd | | Module: | | Election Name: | Deputy leadership election | | Embed: | yes | | Flag Image: | Australian-Labor-Party-stub.svg | | Type: | presidential | | Vote Type: | Caucus | | Ongoing: | no | | Candidate1: | Anthony Albanese | | Colour1: | DC241F | | Popular Vote1: | 61 | | Percentage1: | 61.6% | | Candidate2: | Simon Crean | | Colour2: | DC241F | | Popular Vote2: | 38 | | Percentage2: | 38.4% | | 1Blank: | Seat | | 2Blank: | Faction | | 1Data1: | Grayndler (NSW) | | 2Data1: | Left | | 1Data2: | Hotham (VIC) | | 2Data2: | Right | | Deputy Leader | | Before Election: | Wayne Swan | | After Election: | Anthony Albanese |
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A leadership spill in the Australian Labor Party, the party then forming the Government of Australia, took place on 26 June 2013 at 7:00pm AEST.[1] Prime Minister Julia Gillard called a ballot for Leader and Deputy Leader of the Labor Party live on Sky News Australia at 4:00pm, following persistent leadership tensions. She stated that she would retire from politics if she lost the vote, while calling on any would-be challengers to pledge to do the same if they lost.[1] [2] In a press conference held shortly after Gillard's announcement, backbencher and former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced that he would challenge Gillard, whilst also pledging to step down if he did not win the vote.[3] [4] At the ALP caucus meeting, Rudd was elected Leader of the Labor Party, with the caucus voting 57–45 in his favour.
Following new leadership election reforms which introduced 50:50 weightage for the party membership and caucus in leadership votes subsequently implemented by Rudd, this marked the last time that the Leader of the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party was elected solely by the caucus.
Background
Despite the previous leadership spill on 21 March 2013, at which Gillard was re-elected leader unopposed, tensions continued to remain high. By 10 June 2013, the security of Gillard's position as leader was plunged into doubt following the loss of significant support in the Labor caucus, as well as persistently bad opinion polling that indicated Labor could be left with the low number of 40 seats in the House of Representatives.[5] ABC News reported that "some former staunch supporters" now held the view that Gillard could not win the upcoming election, and ABC journalist Barrie Cassidy identified former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd as the only feasible replacement.[6]
The political editor of The Australian newspaper, Dennis Shanahan, reported on 10 June that Rudd had been "mobbed" by members of the public in Geelong on 7 June 2013, and that he was "expected to be returned to the ALP leadership".[7] On 26 June, rumours began to spread that supporters of Rudd were circulating a caucus petition calling for a vote to challenge Gillard for the leadership.[8] In an interview with Sky News Australia that afternoon, Gillard told interviewer David Speers that she had not seen the rumoured petition, and jokingly called it the "political equivalent of the Loch Ness Monster". She also said that nobody had approached her to advise they intended to challenge her.[1] Gillard then proceeded to call a leadership election for 7:00pm that evening to end the speculation, declaring that she would retire from politics if she lost, and called on any potential challenger to make the same commitment.
Rudd announced in a press conference shortly afterwards that he would challenge Gillard for the leadership, and committed to retiring from politics if he lost.[4] Shortly before the 7:00pm vote, influential factional leader Bill Shorten, who had first come out in support of Gillard in the 2010 and 2012 leadership spills, announced that he would support Rudd as he believed he was the person most likely to defeat Tony Abbott in the upcoming general election.[4]
Result
102 members of the Labor caucus from the House of Representatives and the Senate were eligible to vote, with 52 votes needed to win. All caucus members voted and Kevin Rudd won the ballot by 57 votes to 45, therefore becoming Leader of the Labor Party for the second time.[9] Following the result, Deputy Leader Wayne Swan announced that he would resign his position. Anthony Albanese subsequently defeated Simon Crean by 61 votes to 38 votes, thus becoming the Deputy Leader of the Labor Party. Penny Wong was also unanimously elected to be Labor's leader in the Senate, with Jacinta Collins elected as her deputy.
Summary of changes
| Office | Predecessor | Successor(s) |
|---|
| Prime Minister | | |
| Deputy Prime Minister | | |
| Deputy Leader of the Labor Party |
| Treasurer of Australia | |
| Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy | Senator Stephen Conroy | |
| Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | Senator Joe Ludwig | |
| Trade and Competitiveness | | Richard Marles
(as Minister for Trade) |
David Bradbury
(as Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs) |
| Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research | Brendan O'Connor
(as Minister for Skills and Training) |
Senator Kim Carr
(as Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) |
| Climate Change, Industry and Innovation | |
Mark Butler
(as Minister for Climate Change) |
| Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities | | Mark Butler
(as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Water) |
| School Education, Early Childhood and Youth | | Bill Shorten
(as Minister for Education) |
Kate Ellis
(as Minister for Early Childhood, Childcare and Youth) |
| Regional Development and Local Government | | Catherine King
(as Minister for Regional Australia, Local Government and Territories) |
Sharon Bird
(as Minister for Regional Development) |
| Higher Education and Skills | | Senator Kim Carr
(as Minister for Higher Education) |
Brendan O'Connor
(as Minister for Skills and Training) |
| Employment | | |
| Financial Services and Superannuation | David Bradbury
(as Minister Assisting for Financial Services and Superannuation) |
Mental Health and Ageing
Social Inclusion
Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform | | Senator Jacinta Collins
(as Minister for Mental Health and Ageing) |
| Housing and Homelessness | |
| Immigration and Citizenship | | Tony Burke
(as Minister for Immigration, Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship) | |
Aftermath
Julia Gillard publicly congratulated Kevin Rudd on his victory, and announced her resignation as Prime Minister of Australia. In keeping with the pledge she made before the vote, she also announced that she would not seek re-election at the upcoming general election. Wayne Swan, Craig Emerson, Peter Garrett, Stephen Conroy, Joe Ludwig and Greg Combet all also announced their resignations from the cabinet. Gillard submitted her resignation as Prime Minister to Governor-General Quentin Bryce that evening, to take effect the following day. Rudd was subsequently sworn in as prime minister for the second time, with Anthony Albanese being sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister.[29]
On 4 August 2013, Rudd visited the Governor-General and asked her to dissolve parliament and issue writs for an election on 7 September.
At the 2013 federal election on 7 September, Rudd led Labor to defeat and resigned as Labor leader.[30]
See also
Notes and References
- News: Gillard calls spill vote for tonight. 26 June 2013. Sky News Australia. 26 June 2013.
- News: Australia politics: Gillard, Rudd in leadership vote. 26 June 2013. BBC News. 26 June 2013.
- News: Rudd will stand for leadership ballot. 26 June 2013. Sky News Australia. 26 June 2013.
- News: Ireland. Judith. Shorten to back Rudd in leadership ballot. 26 June 2013. The Sydney Morning Herald. 26 June 2013.
- News: Julia Gillard loses significant support among caucus. 9 June 2013. ABC News. 9 June 2013.
- News: Is Gillard's number up?. 9 June 2013. ABC News. 9 June 2013. Barrie Cassidy. Barrie. Cassidy.
- News: Julia Gillard's leadership on the line as caucus eyes turn to Bill Shorten. 10 June 2013. The Australian. 10 June 2013. Dennis. Shenahan.
- News: Hartcher. Peter. Rudd supporters move to force leadership vote. 26 June 2013. The Sydney Morning Herald. 26 June 2013.
- Web site: Labor leadership live: Kevin Rudd returns, Julia Gillard loses support of partyroom . News.com.au . 26 June 2013 . 26 June 2013 . 16 October 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131016132633/http://www.news.com.au/national-news/federal-election/labor-leadership-live-kevin-rudd-returns-julia-gillard-loses-support-of-partyroom/story-fnho52ip-1226669921693 . dead .
- News: Kevin's loyal backers receive promotions . . David . Crowe . 27 June 2013 . 27 June 2013 .
- News: Bradbury backed Rudd . https://archive.today/20130629190650/http://www.westernweekender.com.au/index.php/news/1655-bradbury-backed-rudd . dead . 29 June 2013 . The Western Weekender . O'Connor, Cassandra . 27 June 2013 . 29 June 2013 .
- News: Peake, Ross . 'Heavy heart' but I back Rudd as PM: Kelly . 27 June 2013 . . 27 June 2013 .
- News: Greg Combet reportedly tried to strike Gillard-dumping deal with Kevin Rudd in exchange for treasurer job . The Daily Telegraph. Sydney . 25 June 2013 . 26 June 2013 . Simon . Benson . Gemma . Jones .
- News: 27 June 2013 . Maiden, Samantha . The Daily Telegraph. Sydney . New Senate leader Penny Wong leads list of high-profile defectors from Julia Gillard's camp . 27 June 2013 .
- News: Rudd returning as head of Australian ruling party . Jewish Telegraphic Agency . 26 June 2013 . 29 June 2013 .
- News: This time, the impetus for a fresh Rudd-Gillard leadership stoush comes from the PM's side . Scott, Steven . Jones, Gemma . . 25 June 2013 . 27 June 2013 .
- News: Two agonising weeks before kingmaker turned on his queen . . Aston, Heath . Swan, Jonathan . 28 June 2013 . 29 June 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130630043146/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/opinion/political-news/two-agonising-weeks-before-kingmaker-turned-on-his-queen-20130627-2p06h.html . 30 June 2013 .
- News: Labor competitive under Rudd: Carr . Australian Associated Press. 26 June 2013 . 27 June 2013 . .
- News: Labor cabinet: Who is in, who is out? . 27 June 2013 . 28 June 2013 . Elston, Rhiannon . . Australia .
- News: Labor now more competitive: Clare . https://archive.today/20130629091925/http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1783312/Labor-now-more-competitive--Clare . dead . 29 June 2013 . Australian Associated Press. 28 June 2013 . 28 June 2013 . .
- News: Cabinet bloodbath as loyalists quit . 27 June 2013 . 27 June 2013 . . James . Massola . Jacob . Greber .
- News: Why we had to back Rudd . 27 June 2013 . 5 January 2014 . The North West Star . Tony . moore .
- News: 'We will unite under Kevin Rudd': Page MP Janelle Saffin . 27 June 2013 . 28 June 2013 . ABC .
- News: Phone some friends: how Kevin Rudd won the day . . Crowe, David . 28 June 2013 . 29 June 2013 .
- News: Which ministers will survive the Rudd ascendancy? . . Farr, Malcolm . 26 June 2013 . 27 June 2013 .
- News: Gillard supporter concedes Rudd 'game changer' . Brisbane Times . More, Tony . 28 June 2013 . 29 June 2013 .
- News: Richard Marles hopeful Labor can win election under Rudd . The World Today . ABC Radio . transcript . 27 June 2013 . 29 June 2013 .
- News: Labor MP John Murphy has said Kevin Rudd would save Labor hemorrhaging votes as Prime Minister . The Daily Telegraph . Habib, Rashell . 17 June 2013 . 26 September 2013 .
- News: Kevin Rudd defeats Julia Gillard 57-45 in Labor leadership ballot, paving way for a return to PM . Griffith, Emma . ABC News. Australia . 26 June 2013. 26 June 2013 .
- News: PM Kevin Rudd concedes defeat in election . . 7 September 2013 . 7 October 2013 .
