Julia Gillard

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Sunday said he would bring forward a challenge to his leadership by 24 hours to Monday, as a potential contender declared his support for the embattled premier.

Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who was famously accused of misogyny by former leader Julia Gillard, today suggested that sexism was behind criticism of his female chief-of-staff.

Thousands of Australians were urged to evacuate their homes on Wednesday as dry winds threatened to fan a firestorm in mountainous bushland around Sydney, where firefighters battled to control blazes which have been raging for a week.

Australia's first female premier Julia Gillard has described her "murderous rage" at her sexist treatment but said she would do it all again in her first public appearance since being dumped.

Australia's new prime minister has ditched his "Mad Monk" tag and softened his macho image to turn around his conservative party's fortunes and steered them towards a victory in Saturday's election.

Australia's conservative opposition swept to power Saturday, ending six years of Labor Party rule and winning over a disenchanted public by promising to end a hated tax on carbon emissions, boost a flagging economy and bring about political stability after years of Labor infighting.

Australians headed to the polls on Saturday in an election that is expected to see the Labor Party ousted from government after six years in power.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Monday it was time to end the "acrimonious" debate on gay marriage, after he vowed to introduce a bill legalising same-sex unions if returned to office.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and conservative rival Tony Abbott went head-to-head Sunday in the first debate of the election campaign, an encounter which focused on the economy and divided viewers.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Monday launched the first day of Australia's election campaign faced with a poll showing his personal support has slumped and the Murdoch press urging voters to "kick this mob out".

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd called a September 7 general election on Sunday, barely six weeks after he toppled former leader Julia Gillard in a party-room vote, ending a turbulent three years in power for the minority Labor government.

Australia's first female leader Julia Gillard has spoken out against the "glossed over" sexism of her tenure, saying it would have ended political careers had it been about race, in an interview published today.

Australia's first female premier Julia Gillard has opened up for the first time on the sexism that plagued her leadership and her famous misogyny speech in her final interview before being ousted.

Like Japan's Shinzo Abe, Australia's resurrected Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd believes he has learned the hard lessons of a failed first government and can be a more effective leader in the runup to national elections.

A charismatic but hot-tempered politician with an ear for the zeitgeist, the prodigal son of Australian politics Kevin Rudd sealed his remarkable resurrection as leader, pleading with the public to renew the faith.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Sunday said he would bring forward a challenge to his leadership by 24 hours to Monday, as a potential contender declared his support for the embattled premier.

Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who was famously accused of misogyny by former leader Julia Gillard, today suggested that sexism was behind criticism of his female chief-of-staff.

Thousands of Australians were urged to evacuate their homes on Wednesday as dry winds threatened to fan a firestorm in mountainous bushland around Sydney, where firefighters battled to control blazes which have been raging for a week.

Australia's first female premier Julia Gillard has described her "murderous rage" at her sexist treatment but said she would do it all again in her first public appearance since being dumped.

Australia's new prime minister has ditched his "Mad Monk" tag and softened his macho image to turn around his conservative party's fortunes and steered them towards a victory in Saturday's election.

Australia's conservative opposition swept to power Saturday, ending six years of Labor Party rule and winning over a disenchanted public by promising to end a hated tax on carbon emissions, boost a flagging economy and bring about political stability after years of Labor infighting.

Australians headed to the polls on Saturday in an election that is expected to see the Labor Party ousted from government after six years in power.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Monday it was time to end the "acrimonious" debate on gay marriage, after he vowed to introduce a bill legalising same-sex unions if returned to office.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and conservative rival Tony Abbott went head-to-head Sunday in the first debate of the election campaign, an encounter which focused on the economy and divided viewers.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Monday launched the first day of Australia's election campaign faced with a poll showing his personal support has slumped and the Murdoch press urging voters to "kick this mob out".

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd called a September 7 general election on Sunday, barely six weeks after he toppled former leader Julia Gillard in a party-room vote, ending a turbulent three years in power for the minority Labor government.

Australia's first female leader Julia Gillard has spoken out against the "glossed over" sexism of her tenure, saying it would have ended political careers had it been about race, in an interview published today.

Australia's first female premier Julia Gillard has opened up for the first time on the sexism that plagued her leadership and her famous misogyny speech in her final interview before being ousted.

Like Japan's Shinzo Abe, Australia's resurrected Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd believes he has learned the hard lessons of a failed first government and can be a more effective leader in the runup to national elections.

A charismatic but hot-tempered politician with an ear for the zeitgeist, the prodigal son of Australian politics Kevin Rudd sealed his remarkable resurrection as leader, pleading with the public to renew the faith.