Reacting philosophically to the news that her time as Australia’s prime minister had come to an end, Gillard reflected on her struggles as a female leader, saying in a press conference “What I am absolutely confident of is it will be easier for the next woman and the woman after that and the woman after that, and I’m proud of that.”
“This privilege was truly humbling. I thank the Labor Party for that privilege and the Australian people for their support.”
The Guardian’s political editor for Australia, Lenore Taylor, called Labor’s move ‘a desperate bid to avoid annihilation at the upcoming election.’
“I don’t think it will help Labor. I think they’ve dug themselves a deeper grave,” the professor of politics at the Australian National University John Wanna told Reuters.
Rudd won 57 votes to Gillard’s 45 in the ballot of Labor party MPs and senators.
“She has been a remarkable reformer,” said Kevin Rudd, referring to Gillard and addressing reporters following the vote.
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