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Australian PM voted out by her own party

AUSTRALIAN prime minister Julia Gillard has been ousted by her predecessor, Kevin Rudd, in a vote of party MPs hoping to avoid a huge defeat in upcoming elections.

The ballot took place three years after Ms Gillard removed Mr Rudd in a similar internal government showdown to become the country's first fe-male prime minister. She lacked Mr Rudd's charisma, and although many Labour MPs preferred her style, her deepening unpopularity among voters compelled a majority to seek a change ahead of elections that are set for September but could be held in August.

The 57-to-45 vote makes Mr Rudd leader of the party. Governor-General Quentin Bryce could make him prime minister within a day, but Mr Rudd will have to demonstrate that he can command a majority in the House of Representatives.

Labour depends on independents and a minor party for its fragile ruling coalition, but Mr Rudd appeared capable of retaining it after two independent lawmakers who did not back Ms Gillard's government said they would support his.

Mr Rudd gave no indication of new policy directions or when he expected Australians would go to the polls.

"In 2007, the Australian people elected me to be their prime minister and that is a task I resume today with humility, with honour and with an important sense of energy and purpose," he said.

He paid tribute to Ms Gillard: "She is a woman of extraordinary intelligence, of great strength and great energy. She has been a remarkable reformer."

The party ballot ends a bitter rivalry between Ms Gillard and Mr Rudd that helped create an atmosphere of chaos and disunity. Ms Gillard had survived two previous attempts by Mr Rudd to take over.

Ms Gillard had vowed to quit parliament at the next election if she lost, and said after the vote that she would fulfill that pledge. She said she was proud of her government's achievements, including the introduction of an unpopular carbon tax paid by the biggest industrial polluters.

Ms Gillard had been dogged by her pre-election promise never to introduce such a tax. The Green party, which supported her government, blamed sexism for much of the public hostility she endured.

Ms Gillard also hit back at critics who accused her of playing the gender card. Because of her tenure, she said, "It will be easier for the next woman and the woman after that and the woman after that. And I'm proud of that."

? CHANGE: Australian prime minister Julia Gillard has been replaced as leader of the ruling Labour party by her predecessor Kevin Rudd