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'''Julia Gillard''' is an [[atheist]] Australian politician and former [[Prime Minister]] of [[Australia]].

'''Julia Gillard''' is an [[atheist]] Australian politician and former [[Prime Minister]] of [[Australia]].

Gillard called a Federal election for 21st August 2010 to try and achieve a mandate in her own right. The election was much closer than expected and almost resulted in a hung parlaiment. After three weeks of negotiations she was able to form a government with a majority of 2 seats, making her the first elected female Australian Prime Minister.  

Gillard called a Federal election for 21 August 2010 to try and achieve a mandate in her own right. The election was much closer than expected and almost resulted in a hung parlaiment. After three weeks of negotiations she was able to form a government with a majority of 2 seats, making her the first elected female Australian Prime Minister.  

Her government is formed in the House of Representative of the Parliament of Australia as a coalition of seventy-two members of the [[Australian Labour Party]], one [[Green Party]] member and three independants (a total of 76 seats), while the opposition is a coalition of the [[Liberal Party of Australia]] (44 seats), Liberal-National Queensland (21), the [[National Party]] (7), one Country Liberal and one independant.

Her government is formed in the House of Representative of the Parliament of Australia as a coalition of seventy-two members of the [[Australian Labour Party]], one [[Green Party]] member and three independants (a total of 76 seats), while the opposition is a coalition of the [[Liberal Party of Australia]] (44 seats), Liberal-National Queensland (21), the [[National Party]] (7), one Country Liberal and one independant.

===2010 leadership grab===

===2010 leadership grab===

On 23 June 2010, Prime Minister [[Kevin Rudd]] called a press conference announcing that a leadership ballot of the [[Australian Labor Party]] would occur on the morning of 24 June 2010, with the candidates being himself and Deputy Prime Minister [[Julia Gillard]].<ref>{{cite web|author=By James Grubel, ABC Online News |url=http://uk.ibtimes.com/articles/30275/20100623/australia-pm-rudd-calls-leadership-ballot.htm |title=Australia PM Rudd calls leadership ballot |publisher=Abc.net.au |date=23 June 2010 |accessdate=28 December 2010}}</ref> This followed weeks of speculation that senior members of the ALP were beginning to lose confidence in Rudd and would back Gillard in replacing him if necessary.  By the eve of the election, it was obvious that Rudd didn't have enough support to remain ALP leader and Prime Minister. After personal discussions between Gillard and Rudd later in the evening, Gillard returned with an ultimatum. After this late-night meeting, Rudd withdrew his candidacy and resigned as party leader, leaving Gillard to take the leadership unopposed.  Gillard was then sworn in as Australia's 27th Prime Minister by Governor-General [[Quentin Bryce]] and became Australia's first female Prime Minister on 24 June 2010, with Treasurer [[Wayne Swan]] being appointed Deputy Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite web|author=By online political correspondent Emma Rodgers |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/24/2935500.htm |title=Gillard ousts Rudd in Bloodless coup |publisher=Abc.net.au |date=24 June 2010 |accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> This set the scene for fluctuating polling figures and a gradual decline in Gillard's relative popularity compared to both Rudd and the Leader of the Opposition, [[Tony Abbott]].<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-24/gillard-and-rudd-rivalry-history/3847676 Gillard and Rudd: How it came to this], [[ABC Online]], 24 February 2012</ref>

On 23 June 2010, Prime Minister [[Kevin Rudd]] called a press conference announcing that a leadership ballot of the [[Australian Labor Party]] would occur on the morning of 24 June 2010, with the candidates being himself and Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard.<ref>{{cite web|author=By James Grubel, ABC Online News |url=http://uk.ibtimes.com/articles/30275/20100623/australia-pm-rudd-calls-leadership-ballot.htm |title=Australia PM Rudd calls leadership ballot |publisher=Abc.net.au |date=23 June 2010 |accessdate=28 December 2010}}</ref> This followed weeks of speculation that senior members of the ALP were beginning to lose confidence in Rudd and would back Gillard in replacing him if necessary.  By the eve of the election, it was obvious that Rudd didn't have enough support to remain ALP leader and Prime Minister. After personal discussions between Gillard and Rudd later in the evening, Gillard returned with an ultimatum. After this late-night meeting, Rudd withdrew his candidacy and resigned as party leader, leaving Gillard to take the leadership unopposed.  Gillard was then sworn in as Australia's 27th Prime Minister by Governor-General [[Quentin Bryce]] and became Australia's first female Prime Minister on 24 June 2010, with Treasurer [[Wayne Swan]] being appointed Deputy Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite web|author=By online political correspondent Emma Rodgers |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/24/2935500.htm |title=Gillard ousts Rudd in Bloodless coup |publisher=Abc.net.au |date=24 June 2010 |accessdate=30 October 2010}}</ref> This set the scene for fluctuating polling figures and a gradual decline in Gillard's relative popularity compared to both Rudd and the Leader of the Opposition, [[Tony Abbott]].<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-24/gillard-and-rudd-rivalry-history/3847676 Gillard and Rudd: How it came to this], [[ABC Online]], 24 February 2012</ref>

On 26 Jun 2013, in response to dissent among the ALP, Ms Gillard again invited other members to offer themselves for the office of Prime Minister. This time Rudd stood against her and reclaimed office and leadership of the party.

On 26 Jun 2013, in response to dissent among the ALP, Ms Gillard again invited other members to offer themselves for the office of Prime Minister. This time Rudd stood against her and reclaimed office and leadership of the party.

==Personal Life==

==Personal life==

While Prime Minister, Gillard lived in the official residence of the Prime Minister, "The Lodge", with her partner, Tim Mathieson, a hairdresser by profession, and will soon hold another Lodge garage sale for items no longer needed. Gillard and Mathieson have lived together since 2006 but are not married and have no children. She had previous relationships with several [[trade union]] officials and a fellow Federal Labor Member of Parliament. She is expected to fall back on her knitting career after politics.

While Prime Minister, Gillard lived in the official residence of the Prime Minister, "The Lodge", with her partner, Tim Mathieson, a hairdresser by profession, and will soon hold another Lodge garage sale for items no longer needed. Gillard and Mathieson have lived together since 2006 but are not married and have no children. She had previous relationships with several [[trade union]] officials and a fellow Federal Labor Member of Parliament. She is expected to fall back on her knitting career after politics.

[[Category:Socialists]]

[[Category:Socialists]]

[[Category:Atheists]]

[[Category:Atheists]]

[[Category:Former Heads of government]]

[[Category:Former Heads of Government]]

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