After months of inept leadership, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has been removed in a 'bloodless coup'.
Doncha Americans wish you could have had that power, say in 2002?
Details below...
Kevin Rudd has decided not to stand in this morning's ALP leadership ballot, relinquishing the Prime Ministership and handing power to his deputy Julia Gillard in a bloodless Parliament House coup.
Mr Rudd had called for a leadership ballot to be held at 9:00am AEST today but has decided not to contest the ballot after it became clear he would be soundly defeated.
Ms Gillard now has the task of leading a party traumatised and divided by the recent dramatic events to the federal election which could be held in a matter of weeks.
Treasurer Wayne Swan now steps up as Deputy Prime Minister. He was also elected unopposed.
Congratulations to Ms. Gillard, Australia's first female Prime Minister. Let's hope she's more competent than Kevin Rudd. Here's a short video exploring who she is.