Julia Gillard Becomes Prime Minsiter

This week saw the Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd, deposed from the highest office in the land. it happened supposedly in a 24 hour turn of events that was indicating that the labour Party was headed for an election defeat, and so the power brokers stepped in, enlisted the support of all the caucus and staged what in essence was a mutiny, and encouraged the Prime Minister to resign, thus paving the way for the deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard to assume the mantle of the leader of the Australian Labour Party and by default, the Prime Minister.

My thoughts on the process are mixed and varied. Clearly, Julia is a very talented, a very accomplished person, politician and woman - no if's or butt's.

I even admire her working class roots, her ethic and determination to rise high and that she certainly did, becoming a partner with big law firm Slater & Gordon. I imagine that though she has achieved some staggering personal accomplishments, she retains much of her sense of balance and equality. I love her ability to attack and chase her opponent down. I am pleased that we have a woman who is at the helm of the country, I think it could make for some very interesting times ahead.

That praise said, and that acknowledgement of her personal and professional credentials stated, a small part of me is quite flummoxed that an elected government official can be deposed in such an ungracious way, and all because it was a self serving party sponsored attempt to remain in power.

I have met and photographed the former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on several occasions and have been disarmed at his sense of candor and openness. I don't feel sorry for him, but I have a greater sense of admiration of the qualities this man has that allows him to accept defeat in such a terrible way, with humour, grace and dignity, and then assume his new found place at the backbench of the Parliament.

I don't believe that many of the people who orchestrated his demise COULD bring themselves to walk back into the floor of the chamber after such an event and do so with such humility. Most I believe would resign, or cite personal reasons or whatever. Laurie Oakes a famous political knowledge base and commentator in Canberra said, "I don't think I could do it" in reference to Kevin Rudd's walking out with humour and respect minutes after being walked over and assassinated politically.

Regular visitors to my blog know that I am not really interested in politics, in fact, I normally shun any reference to it, but this event this week was momentous, and I wonder where such ramifications extend to.

I wish Julia well, and hope I have the chance to meet her again and take some photographs. It will be an interesting road to walk for her in the lead up to the next election where both she and the party will be able to "test" whether she was able to resurrect the parties chances.

pictures and comments within the picture box frames from ninemsn.com.au