2012 Australian Labor Party leadership spill

none February 2013 August 2020 2012 Australian Labor Party leadership spill Australian Labor Party Logo.svg presidential Caucus no 2010 Australian Labor Party leadership spill 2010 March 2013 Australian Labor Party leadership spill March 2013 27 February 2012 140x140px|Julia Gillard Julia Gillard DC241F 71 69.6% 140x140px|Kevin Rudd Kevin Rudd DC241F 31 30.4% Seat Faction Lalor (VIC) Left Griffith (QLD) Right Leader Julia Gillard Julia Gillard A leadership spill in the Australian Labor Party, the party of government in the Parliament of Australia, was held on 27 February 2012 at 10 am AEDT, followed by a ballot. The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, announced the spill at a press conference on 23 February 2012, following the resignation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd, from his cabinet position after months of speculation that he intended to challenge Gillard for the leadership. Rudd announced his intention to seek the leadership at a press conference on 24 February.Rudd confirms he'll contest leadership - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - Retrieved 24 February 2012. At the leadership ballot, Gillard won by a vote of 71 to 31.Julia Gillard wins Labor leadership ballot https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/julia-gillard-wins-labor-leadership-ballot/news-story/c88de814c1b1dfb14c57e7ce63c9ad70 27 February 2012 The Australian 2012-02-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20120227102600/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/julia-gillard-wins-labor-leadership-ballot/story-fn3dxity-1226282461385 subscription live 27 February 2012 Background Kevin Rudd led the Labor Party to a landslide victory at the 2007 federal election, becoming Prime Minister on 3 December. On the same day, Julia Gillard was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister. On 23 June 2010 Gillard publicly requested that Rudd call a leadership election for the following day. Despite declaring that he would stand in the election at a press conference, it quickly became apparent that Rudd did not have the necessary support to remain in his position. Hours before the vote on 24 June, Rudd resigned as Prime Minister and Leader of the Labor Party, allowing Gillard to assume both offices unopposed. Gillard announced a snap election to be held on 21 August 2010 but, despite Labor leading the polls at the start of the campaign, the result was the first hung parliament since 1940. In the days following the election, Gillard successfully negotiated the support of one Green MP and three Independent MPs in order to allow Labor to rule as a minority government. The Second Gillard Ministry was sworn in on 14 September 2010 by Governor-General Quentin Bryce, with Rudd accepting an offer from Gillard to become Minister for Foreign Affairs. For several months, beginning in September 2011, many stories and opinion pieces began to appear in the press speculating that Rudd intended to challenge Gillard for the leadership, although it was generally believed that his support in the Labor Party was relatively low and hence a challenge would be unsuccessful.http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/Gillard-prepares-for-Rudd-challenge-report-pd20111014-MMM6F?opendocument&src=rss Labor prepares for Rudd challenge: report AAP Business Spectator 15 October 2011 23 February 2012http://www.news.com.au/national/movers-and-shakers-pm-julia-gillard-to-reshuffle-cabinet-to-ward-off-rudd-challenge/story-e6frfkvr-1226218932855 https://web.archive.org/web/20111211150701/http://www.news.com.au/national/movers-and-shakers-pm-julia-gillard-to-reshuffle-cabinet-to-ward-off-rudd-challenge/story-e6frfkvr-1226218932855 dead 11 December 2011 Movers and shakers: PM Julia Gillard to reshuffle cabinet to ward off Rudd challenge Farr Malcolm The Australian 10 December 2011 23 December 2011https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/kevin-rudd-may-challenge-julia-gillard-before-queensland-state-poll/news-story/af45f8af46a81806b6d45ad5f22796d7 Kevin Rudd may challenge Julia Gillard before Queensland state poll Shanahan Dennis The Australian 3 February 2012 2012-02-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20120203035742/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/kevin-rudd-may-challenge-julia-gillard-before-queensland-state-poll/story-fn59niix-1226261322265 subscription live 23 February 2012 Rudd denied these rumours publicly, stating that he was happy being Foreign Minister and that Gillard had his full support as prime minister. By February 2012, it was suggested by some journalists that Rudd himself had been giving "background briefings" in his office to the press.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-17/cassidy-leadership-tussle/3834486 (Opinion) Leadership tussle: Rudd circles, Gillard stumbles Barrie Cassidy 17 February 2012 23 February 2012 Barrie Cassidy Several senior ministers, including Simon Crean, reacted to this by openly accusing Rudd of disloyalty, demanding that Gillard sack him.http://www.news.com.au/national/simon-crean-attacks-disloyal-kevin-rudd/story-e6frfkvr-1226275671248 https://web.archive.org/web/20120220101317/http://www.news.com.au/national/simon-crean-attacks-disloyal-kevin-rudd/story-e6frfkvr-1226275671248 dead 20 February 2012 Simon Crean attacks 'disloyal' Kevin Rudd Farr Malcolm news.com.au 20 February 2012 23 February 2012 On 22 February 2012 Rudd, who had been on government business overseas, gave a press conference from the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C. announcing his resignation as Minister for Foreign Affairs, citing the attacks on him by Crean and others he described as "faceless men" within the party, as well as Gillard's unwillingness to condemn the attacks when given the opportunity. He said he would return to Australia the following day and consult with family and parliamentary colleagues before announcing his next move.http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/rudds-resignation-speech-as-foreign-minister-20120222-1tnue.htm Rudd's resignation speech as foreign minister The Sydney Morning Herald 22 February 2012 13 March 2019http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201202/3437133.htm?desktop Rudd resigns as Australian foreign minister ABC (Radio Australia News) 22 February 2012 23 February 2012February 2025 medicmedichttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-23/rudd-media-scrum-in-washington/3846574 Media circus surrounds Rudd's Washington hotel ABC Online 23 February 2012 23 February 2012 A number of senior ministers spoke to the press later that evening attacking Rudd, while Bruce Hawker and Senator Doug Cameron gave interviews supporting Rudd. Rudd himself held a second press conference the following morning, outlining his policy vision for Australia and saying that he wished to "save" Australia from a Tony Abbott-led government. Rudd stated, "I do not believe that Prime Minister Gillard can lead the Australian Labor Party to success in the next election."Curran Enda https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204909104577238391099283650?mod=googlenews_wsj Resignation sparks Australia leadership battle The Wall Street Journal 23 February 2012 23 February 2012 In response to these developments, Gillard called a news conference in Adelaide on 23 February, at which she announced that a spill of leadership positions would be held at 10.00am on Monday 27 February, at which she would re-nominate herself as Labor Leader. She strongly defended her performance as prime minister, citing her health agreement between the states, the structural separation of Telstra vital to the implementation of the National Broadband Network and, as achievements, noted that these had not been achieved under Rudd's leadership.http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/pm-challenges-rudd-to-go-to-backbench-if-leadership-bid-fails-20120223-1towu.html Rudd to contest Labor leadership The Age 23 February 2012 23 February 2012 Melbourne Gillard stated that if she was defeated by Rudd in the ballot, she would retire to the backbenches and renounce any further claims to the leadership.Williamson Brett http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/02/23/3437622.htm PM Gillard announces leadership ballot in Adelaide ABC Online 23 February 2012 23 February 2012 In their initial responses to the announcement, senior ministers launched stinging attacks on Rudd's legacy as prime minister. Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan criticised Rudd as "dysfunctional"; Tony Burke said of Rudd's term in office that "the stories that were around of the chaos, of the temperament, of the inability to have decisions made, they are not stories"; Nicola Roxon declared she could not work with Rudd again; and Stephen Conroy said that Rudd had had "contempt" for his colleagues, the Parliament and the public.Vasek Lanai Ministers line up to attack Rudd https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/ministers-line-up-to-attack-rudd/news-story/131ad4dc175c1f8d6681297887c31c02 23 February 2012 The Australian 2012-02-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20120223045138/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/ministers-line-up-to-attack-rudd/story-fnccyr6m-1226279000205 subscription live 26 February 2012http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/wayne-swan-attacks-dysfunctional-kevin-rudd-accusing-him-of-self-interest/story-e6frea6u-1226278752968 Wayne Swan attacks 'dysfunctional' Kevin Rudd, accusing him of self-interest Adelaide Now 14 May 2010 24 February 2012http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/pm-says-rudd-didnt-tell-her-of-his-plan/story-e6frf7jx-1226278721007 Gillard will call leadership ballot on Monday Herald Sun 22 February 2012 24 February 2012http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2012/s3437238.htm 7.30 22 February 2012 ABC 24 February 2012 Ministers Tanya Plibersek, Stephen Smith, Bill Shorten and Greg Combet were more circumspect, but also declared their support for Gillard.Lincoln By http://www.news.com.au/national/labor-leadership-crisis-the-rival-camps/story-e6frfkw9-1226279597314 https://web.archive.org/web/20120223181420/http://www.news.com.au/national/labor-leadership-crisis-the-rival-camps/story-e6frfkw9-1226279597314 dead 23 February 2012 Labor leadership crisis: The rival camps news.com.au 24 February 2012 24 February 2012http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2012/s3438353.htm Leadership stoush no different than any other Abc.net.au 22 February 2012 24 February 2012http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2012/s3438301.htm 7.30 23 February 2012 ABC 24 February 2012 Senator Doug Cameron and Immigration Minister Chris Bowen came out in support of Rudd and called on their colleagues to show him respect.http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2012/s3437323.htm Democracy requires leadership ballot to wait: Cameron Abc.net.au 22 February 2012 24 February 2012http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8424441/bowen-says-rudd-should-run-for-leader Bowen says Rudd should run for leader News.ninemsn.com.au 13 September 2009 24 February 2012 Ministers Robert McClelland and Martin Ferguson also declared for Rudd, saying that they didn't believe Gillard would win against Tony Abbott.http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2012/s3438299.htm 7.30 23 February 2012 ABC 24 February 2012http://www.skynews.com.au/topstories/article.aspx?id=721622&vId= Martin Ferguson declares for Rudd Sky News 24 February 2012 Minister Kim Carr also declared for Rudd.http://www.skynews.com.au/politics/article.aspx?id=721740&vId= Rudd supporters emerge as Gillard fights Sky News 24 February 2012 Labor MP Nick Champion resigned as caucus secretary in order to back Rudd.Vasek Lanai Champion declares support for Rudd, resigns as caucus official http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/champion-declares-support-for-rudd-resigns-as-caucus-official/story-fnccyr6m-1226280439265 https://web.archive.org/web/20120224045257/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/champion-declares-support-for-rudd-resigns-as-caucus-official/story-fnccyr6m-1226280439265 dead 24 February 2012 24 February 2012 The Australian 26 February 2012 Gillard portrayed Rudd's time as Prime Minister as "chaotic and dysfunctional" and implied that he viewed the ballot process as "an episode of Celebrity Big Brother".Julia Gillard calls leadership vote as Kevin Rudd states his case for a return as PM https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/julia-gillard-calls-leadership-vote-as-kevin-rudd-states-his-case-for-a-return-as-pm/news-story/272c9cda8216228f9ebf87b173536b59 24 February 2012 The Australian 26 February 2012 Ben Packham Lanai 2012-02-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20120223052023/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/julia-gillard-calls-leadership-vote-as-kevin-rudd-states-his-case-for-a-return-as-pm/story-fnccyr6m-1226279143768 subscription live Vasekhttps://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/debate-about-leadership-not-an-episode-of-celebrity-big-brother-says-prime-minister/news-story/7c4aea0b9b9dda735a72ded93952ef64 Debate about leadership 'not an episode of Celebrity Big Brother', says Prime Minister news.com.au 24 February 2012 24 February 2012 Rudd called for "people power" to support his challenge for the leadership, as well as accusing Gillard of betraying him in 2010 and questioning her trustworthiness.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17150602 Australia leadership: Rudd and Gillard set for showdown Bbc.co.uk 24 June 2010 24 February 2012 Prior to the vote, Rudd promised that if he lost he would initiate no further challenges against Gillard, although he did not rule out being drafted as Labor Leader at any later date.Kevin Rudd fails to rule out being drafted as leader at a later date, as he heads for ballot defeat http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/fears-gillard-win-wont-end-warfare/story-fnccyr6m-1226282270766 https://web.archive.org/web/20120227070638/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/fears-gillard-win-wont-end-warfare/story-fnccyr6m-1226282270766 dead 27 February 2012 27 February 2012 The Australian 27 February 2012 Ben Packham Lanai Vasek Caucus support 102 of the 103 members of the Labor caucus from the House of Representatives and the Senate were eligible to vote, with 52 votes needed to win. Several ministers and members of the Labor caucus publicly stated ahead of time who they intended to support in the event of a ballot.http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/a-dummies-guide-to-the-alp-leadership/story-e6frea8c-1226278655369 Dummies guide to a leadership challenge Daily Telegraph 22 February 2012 23 February 2012http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/whos-backing-julia-gillard-and-whos-support-kevin-rudd-in-labor-showdown/story-fn7x8me2-1226278899646 Who's backing Gillard and who's supporting Rudd in Labor showdown? Herald Sun 23 February 2012 23 February 2012 Michelle Rowland was not able to vote as she was on maternity leave but had made it known that she would have voted for Prime Minister Gillard.Flitton Daniel Caucus vote sticks to tradition and rules http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/caucus-vote-sticks-to-tradition-and-rules-20120224-1ttqe.html 25 February 2012 The Sydney Morning Herald 26 February 2012 Public supporters of Gillard: Mark Arbib, Minister for Small Business and Minister for Sport Catryna Bilyk,http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/political-news/backbench-throws-off-vow-of-silence-20120223-1tqsb.html Backbench throws off vow of silence 24 February 2012 Brisbane Times Senator for Tasmania Sharon Bird, MP for Cunningham, New South Wales Julie Collins,http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/illawarra-mps-pledge-support-for-gillard/2464886.aspx Illawarra MPs pledge support for Gillard 23 February 2012 The Illawarra Mercury Minister for Community Services, Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development, and Minister for the Status of Women David Bradbury,http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2012/s3436352.htm Gillard supporters continue offensive on Rudd 21 February 2012 ABC Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer Gai Brodtmann,TV News story, WIN TV Canberra, 24 February 2012 MP for Canberra, ACT Tony Burke, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Mark Butler,https://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/federal-mps-arrive-in-canberra-prevote/news-story/5c019afee3434ca4cb4a3e1a2c59caac Federal MPs arrive in Canberra pre-vote 26 February 2012 AAP Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Jason Clare,http://www.parramattasun.com.au/news/local/news/general/local-mps-pick-sides/2466966.aspx Local MPs pick sides 24 February 2012 Parramatta Sun 6 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120406040145/http://www.parramattasun.com.au/news/local/news/general/local-mps-pick-sides/2466966.aspx 6 April 2012 dead dmy-all Minister for Justice and Minister for Home Affairs Jacinta Collins,http://ministers.deewr.gov.au/collins/interview-gary-hardgrave-4bc-brisbane Interview with Gary Hardgrave 4BC Brisbane 21 February 2012 Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Australia 6 March 2012 27 February 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120227091045/http://ministers.deewr.gov.au/collins/interview-gary-hardgrave-4bc-brisbane dead Parliamentary Secretary for School Education and Workplace Relations Julie Collins,http://www.theadvocate.com.au/news/local/news/general/state-labor-pollies-voice-support-for-gillard/2465804.aspx State Labor pollies voice support for Gillard 23 February 2012 The Advocate, Australia Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Simon Crean, Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government Craig Emerson, Minister for Trade Peter Garrett,http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-24/cassidy-labor-leadership-spill-resentment/3850672 Labor faces tough battle against the Rudd rift 24 February 2012 ABC News Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth Gary Gray,http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/labor-pill-tipped-as-kevin-rudd-quits/story-e6frf7jo-1226281406660 Leadership fight live—a great day for Kevin Rudd Herald Sun 25 February 2012 Special Minister of State Stephen Jones, MP for Throsby, New South Wales Andrew Leigh, MP for Fraser, ACT Kate Lundy, Senator for the Australian Capital Territory Jenny Macklin, Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Rob Mitchell, MP for McEwen, Victoria Brendan O'Connor, Minister for Human Services Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Health Nicola Roxon, Attorney-General Bill Shorten, Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation and Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Sid Sidebottom, MP for Braddon, Tasmania Lisa Singh, Senator for Tasmania Stephen Smith, Minister for Defence Wayne Swan,http://www.merredinmercury.com.au/news/national/national/general/cabinet-ministers-take-up-fight/2466355.aspx Cabinet ministers take up fight Merriden Wheatbelt Mercury Grattan Michell3 24 February 2012 Treasurer, Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Australian Labor Party Penny Wong, Minister for Finance and DeregulationPublic supporters of Rudd: Anthony Albanese,http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/albanese-throws-support-behind-rudd-20120225-1tut1.html Albanese throws support behind Rudd The Sydney Morning Herald 25 February 2012 Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and Leader of the House of Representatives Chris Bowen, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Mark Bishop,http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-25/wa-senator-blasts-alp-infighting-backs-rudd/3852434?section=act WA senator blasts ALP infighting, backs Rudd 25 February 2012 ABC News Senator for Western Australia Anthony Byrne, MP for Holt, Victoria Doug Cameron, Senator for New South Wales Kim Carr, Minister for Manufacturing and Defence Materiel Nick Champion,http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/champion-resigns-as-caucus-secretary/story-e6freuzr-1226280507879 Nick Champion resigns as caucus secretary to back Kevin Rudd in leadership ballot 24 February 2012 Daily Telegraph MP for Wakefield, South Australia Darren Cheeseman,http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/labor-mp-cheeseman-backs-rudd/story-e6frf7jx-1226275715069 Labor MP Cheesman backs Rudd 20 February 2012 Herald Sun MP for Corangamite, Victoria Martin Ferguson, Minister for Resources and Energy and Minister for Tourism Alan Griffin, MP for Bruce, Victoria Ed Husichttp://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8424958/husic-says-rudd-has-runs-on-the-board Husic says Rudd has runs on the board ninemsn 24 February 2012 24 February 2012 MP for Chifley, New South Wales Mike Kelly,TV News story, WIN TV Canberra, 27 February 2012 MP for Eden-Monaro, NSW Robert McClelland, Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness Janelle Saffin,http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/02/23/3437525.htm Saffin supports Rudd 23 February 2012 ABC North Coast NSW MP for Page, New South Wales Ursula Stephens, Senator for New South Wales Result Gillard overwhelmingly defeated Rudd in the leadership ballot, by 71 votes to 31. Rudd returned to the backbenches as he had promised, and pledged his loyalty to Gillard until the next election.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-27/gillard-wins-leadership-spill/3854204 Rudd pledges loyalty to Gillard after ballot defeat ABC News Abc.net.au 27 February 2012 4 March 2012 Rudd's strategist, Bruce Hawker, left open the possibility of Rudd being drafted as Leader in an emergency situation if Gillard's polling did not improve.http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/fears-gillard-win-wont-end-warfare/story-fnccyr6m-1226282113580 https://web.archive.org/web/20120227063523/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/fears-gillard-win-wont-end-warfare/story-fnccyr6m-1226282113580 dead 27 February 2012 Matthew Franklin Fears Julia Gillard win won't end Labor warfare 27 February 2012 The Australian Following the vote, Senator Mark Arbib, a factional leader and a key backer of Gillard in 2010, announced that he would be resigning in order to help the party "heal" in the wake of the leadership dispute. Gillard described the events leading up to the ballot as "ugly" but said that the leadership issue was now "determined".http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/13017552/arbib-resigns-after-rudd-crushed-in-spill/ Arbib resigns after Rudd crushed in spill Au.news.yahoo.com 27 February 2012 4 March 2012 Despite winning 31 votes, Rudd was estimated to have as high as 45 votes although Gillard supporters said it was lower, prior to Gillard calling the spill.https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/rudds-support-for-a-challenge-edging-closer-20130204-2dumb.html Rudd's support for a challenge edging closer 4 February 2013 See also 2010 Australian Labor Party leadership spill March 2013 Australian Labor Party leadership spill June 2013 Australian Labor Party leadership spill References 30em Category:2012 elections in Australia Category:Australian Labor Party leadership spills Category:Gillard government Category:Rudd government Category:February 2012 in Australia Australian Labor Party leadership spill