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'''Julia Gillard''' is the prime minister of [[Australia]] and leader of the [[Australian Labor Party]], having succeeded [[Kevin Rudd]] upon his resignation on June 24, 2010. She previously served as deputy prime minister and Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations in Rudd's cabinet.

'''Julia Gillard''' is the prime minister of [[Australia]] and leader of the [[Australian Labor Party]], having succeeded [[Kevin Rudd]] upon his resignation on June 24, 2010. She previously served as deputy prime minister and Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations in Rudd's cabinet.

She announced on July 17, 2010, that the next federal election would be held on August 21, 2010, stating, "I seek a mandate from the Australian people to move Australia forward."<ref>http://www.smh.com.au/federal-election/gillard-seeks-mandate-to-move-australia-forward-20100717-10er7.html</ref>

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.  

 

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

 

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