History repeated itself on Wednesday night as the leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) lost by a leadership vote. Julia Gillard got only 34 votes versus the 57 votes cast for Kevin Rudd, who is now back as prime minister of Australia.

Three years ago, the same scenario happened with Ms Gillard unseating Mr Rudd. The leadership vote was made to avert a possible loss in the Sept 14 election as surveys showed Coalition leader Tony Abbott continued to gain lead over Ms Gillard as preferred prime minister.

With just barely two and a half months to lead the nation until Australian voters cast their ballots, the other challenge facing the returning PM is to recruit new ministers since the leadership change resulted in ministers close to Ms Gillard refusing to serve under a Rudd leadership.

Among those who have quit their posts are Deputy Premier and Treasurer Wayne Swan, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, Climate Change Minister Greg Combet and Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig.

Also expected to resign are Trade Minister Craig Emerson, Schools Minister Peter Garrett, Immigration Minister Brendan O'connor and Sports Minister Kate Lundy. The last two had tweeted their support for Ms Gillard, the second incumbent PM to be removed from office.

Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten, who had pledged his support for Ms Gillard, made a turn around and backed Mr Rudd.

"I have now come to the view that Labor stands the best chance to defend the legacies of this term of government, and to continue improving the lives of millions of Australians, if Kevin Rudd is our leader," he was quoted by the New Zealand Herald.

Had Ms Gillard won the caucus vote, Mr Shorten said he would have quit his cabinet post. To assuage his former boss on his change of support, Mr Shorten said Ms Gillard has accomplished remarkable things during her 3-year term.

Mr Rudd said he is aware some of the senior ministers would refuse to serve under his government. "For those who believe they cannot serve, I wish them well, thank them for their service," the returning PM was quoted by The Herald Sun.

He promised he would not exact revenge on Ms Gillard and her ministers. "
No retributions, no paybacks, none of that stuff. It's pointless. It's old politics," Mr Rudd said.

Ironically, earlier this week, Mr Rudd said he would no longer challenge Ms Gillard for the top ALP post because the conditions have not change. But on Thursday night, it just did and Australia is back to a Rudd administration for a few more weeks.

There is also the possibility that the elections could even be moved earlier from the original Sept 14 date to early August.

RELATED STORIES