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Gillard becomes first female PM

Julia Gillard has become Australia's first female Prime Minister after Kevin Rudd stood down as Labor Party leader.

"The next Labor prime minister and the first female prime minister of this country will be Julia Gillard," caucus returning officer Michael Forshaw told reporters after emerging from a party room meeting.

"Wayne Swan will be elected the next deputy prime minister."

Mr Rudd had spoken to caucus, but Mr Forshaw did not want to canvass the content of his speech.

"The meeting was conducted in a very orderly manner," he said.

"I can say it was a very gracious speech by the prime minister and also by the new leader and deputy leader."

Mr Forshaw said it had been a difficult time for both Mr Rudd and the Labor Party.

"He led us to victory in 2007, a victory that was achieved when many people thought that we would still be spending more years in opposition.

"That is a great achievement, he did that with Julia Gillard as the deputy leader."

Mr Forshaw said he is now looking "confidently forward to the next election", led by the new team.

Mr Rudd ignored questions from reporters as he left the caucus room.

He was accompanied by senior ministers John Faulkner and Kim Carr and Queensland backbencher Jon Sullivan.

Both Ms Gillard and Mr Swan were elected unopposed.

Labor's new leaders have left the caucus room without speaking to reporters.

Frontbencher Craig Emerson said it was not Mr Rudd's happiest day.

"Julia Gillard is prime minister and we will all completely and fully support her," he told reporters.

Dr Emerson said the coalition will now have a great fight on its hands with Julia Gillard at the helm.

Asked if the Labor Party had done the right thing by Rudd, he said: "Look Julia is prime minister, she worked hard for that, she has been a very effective deputy, I congratulate her, I think everyone does."

He said the government will be very strong and unified heading into the election.

Julia Gillard will hold her first press conference at 1100 AEST after winning the Labor leadership following Kevin Rudd's decision to stand down as prime minister.

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More about: Emerson, Labor Party

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