Australia’s PM overcomes first parliamentary hurdle

Australia’s new parliament, under the leadership of Prim Minister Julia Gillard, has opened in Canberra, following the country’s closest election in 70 years.

28 September 2010, 12:00am

1 min read

Gillard, who was forced to seek the backing of independents and Greens to form a government after August’s polls, overcame the first hurdle of her Labour government after her nominee was re-elected parliamentary speaker.

The leader of the opposition Liberals, Tony Abbot, has vowed to lead a "ferocious opposition" in the assembly.

Gillard, who is Australia's first woman prime minister - called an election after ousting former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in an internal Labour party revolt in June.

A welcome ceremony, performed in the presence of Aboriginal elders, marked the opening day of the new parliament.

Shortly afterwards, Labour MP Harry Jenkins was re-elected unopposed as speaker of the 150-seat lower house.

Abbott, who came close to beating Gillard in the run up to elections, is insisting that ministers attend all votes, limiting the ability of government ministers, including Gillard herself, to travel.