Australia's former leader Rudd wins Labor caucus ballot

 • Kevin Rudd won Labor caucus ballot Wednesday evening, defeating incumbent Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

 • Before Rudd can be sworn in as new prime minister, he must also win a confidence vote in the parliament.

 • Rudd's return as prime minister came almost three years to the day after he was dumped in favor of Gillard.

CANBERRA, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Australia's former leader Kevin Rudd won Labor caucus ballot on Wednesday evening, defeating incumbent Prime Minister Julia Gillard in a 57-45 vote.

Party Returning Officer Chris Hayes announced the result to reporters immediately after the conclusion of vote, which was called by Gillard after a day of internal party manoeuvring to dump her in favor of her arch-rival and predecessor, whom she had deposed in 2010.

Before Rudd can be sworn into office as Australia's new prime minister, he must also win a confidence vote in the parliament, which is expected to happen Thursday, and obtain endorsement from Governor General Quentin Bryce.

The vote of Labor Party lawmakers followed months of destabilizing leadership speculation, fueled by opinion polls pointing to an election wipeout for Labor against the Conservative Opposition headed by Tony Abbott.

Rudd's return as prime minister came almost three years to the day after he was dumped in favor of Gillard, who was Australia's first female prime minister, and following two aborted leadership attempts, the most recent in March.

Rudd is likely to team up with Anthony Albanese, current minister for infrastructure and Transport, to lead Labor to take part in the federal elections originally scheduled for September 14 this year, sources said.

Related:

Former leader Rudd decides to challenge Gillard for Australia's ruling party leadership

CANBERRA, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Australia's former leader Kevin Rudd said Wednesday he has decided to stand out to challenge Prime Minister Julia Gillard for leadership of the ruling Labor Party in the party's forthcoming caucus meeting, according to local media.

The party's parliament members will cast ballots 7:00 p.m. local time Wednesday to decide who will lead the party to take part in the federal elections originally scheduled for September 14 this year.  Full story

 Video: Australian former PM to challenge PM Gillard for party leadership

BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Australia’s former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, has decided to challenge the current head of government, Julia Gillard, for the leadership of the ruling Labor Party.

The move could see him lead the party to elections due within three months. Rudd led the Labor Party to victory in late 2007, but was dropped in favor of Gillard in June 2010. Gillard called for a party ballot on Wednesday after weeks of falling support for her minority government in opinion polls.  Full story