Julia Gillard became the first woman to be elected Prime Minister of Australia when she was sworn into office after finally getting the support of two of the three independents – nicknamed the Three Amigos – who held the balance of power after she called an early election last month.
In a bid to heal bitter divisions in the ruling Labor Party after her palace putsch against Kevin Rudd in June, she appointed the former PM as her new Foreign Minister.
Although Ms Gillard has the backing of the Greens her majority of one in the 150 seat Lower House means she is likely to have to do deals with the opposition Liberals – probably on a bill by bill basis – if she is to be able to run the country.
She has promised to bring in a 30 per cent tax on the profits of iron ore and coal mining companies, a tax on polluters to help cut carbon emissions by 5 per cent in 10 years and help for rural areas.
