Introducing Australia’s First Female PM

Posted on Jun 24, 2010

AP / Gurinder Osan

Her name is Julia Gillard, and she’s Australia’s first lady prime minister, voted in Thursday after a power shuffle in the government’s highest ranks. However, besides the whole gender angle, Aussies apparently don’t expect Gillard to bring big changes into office with her.  —KA

AP via Los Angeles Times:

Australia’s ruling Labor Party ousted Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Thursday in a sudden, stunning revolt that also delivered the country its first female leader.

Rudd’s deputy, Julia Gillard, was elected leader in an uncontested vote about 12 hours after she surprised many colleagues by challenging a prime minister who until recently had been among the country’s most popular.

[...] Many foreign policies, including Australia’s 1,500-strong military contribution to the war in Afghanistan, are not likely to change under Gillard.

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