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Australia gets new Prime Minister

Kevin Rudd was sworn in, promising to do his ''absolute best''Kevin Rudd has been sworn in as prime minister of Australia, a day after he ousted Julia Gillard as leader of the Labor Party.

Mr Rudd took the oath at Government House in front of Governor-General Quentin Bryce.

The leadership change comes ahead of a general election scheduled for 14 September, which polls suggest Labor will lose.

 Opposition leader Tony Abbott called on Mr Rudd to set an earlier poll date.

 "The Australian people are yearning to make a choice. The Australian people are well and truly over this low and dishonourable parliament," he told a news conference.

Anthony Albanese has been sworn in a deputy prime minister and Chris Bowen replaces Wayne Swan as treasurer.

'Energy and purpose'

Mr Rudd returned to Australia's top job three years and three days after he was toppled in a similar party ballot by Ms Gillard, then his deputy.

He secured 57 votes to Ms Gillard's 45 in Wednesday's vote, which followed months of speculation over who should lead Labor into the forthcoming election.

Opinion polls have been pointing to a crushing defeat for Labor. But Mr Rudd is more popular with voters than Ms Gillard and many believe Labor will perform better under him.

Speaking after his win on Wednesday, Mr Rudd said he resumed the role of prime minister with "an important sense of energy and purpose".

"Why am I taking on this challenge? For me it's pretty basic, it's pretty clear. I simply do not have it in my nature to stand idly by and to allow an Abbott government to come to power in this country by default," he said.

Ms Gillard resigned as prime minister on Wednesday and says she will leave politics.

Despite their bitter rivalry, Mr Rudd praised his predecessor, describing her as a woman of extraordinary intelligence, with great strength and energy.

"Julia, as prime minister and prior to that as deputy prime minister, has achieved much under the difficult circumstances of a minority government," he said after his win.

Six of Ms Gillard's ministers resigned after the party vote and further cabinet shake-ups are expected.

Mr Rudd is due to address parliament later on Thursday.

Source: BBC

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