Broadband Minister quits as Gillard administration tumbles
Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy has resigned as head of the Senate following the putsch which overthrew Julie Gillard's premiership.
The (former) Prime Minister this evening
Frontbenchers Wayne Swan, Craig Emerson and Bill Ludwig have also all resigned within the last hour.
Reaction on social media to the leadership spill and the return of Kevin Rudd has been largely negative, with many expressing sympathy with Australia's first female Prime Minister, whose tenure has been dogged by claims of misogyny and sexism.
3AW journalist Michelle Zydower (@MichelleZydower) said: “Politics is a tough career. Never know who your friends are or when they will turn on you. Like or hate her Gillard has put up with a lot.”
ABC South Australia reporter Prue Adams (@abcprueadams) said, in apparent reference to Gillard's similar coup against Rudd in 2007: Was always taught 2 wrongs don't make a right. Seems applicable tonight.”
Australian Associated Press reporter Angie Raphael (@AngieRaphael) said: "Despite her flaws, there is no doubt Julia Gillard is a great negotiator and I admire her passion for education. Sorry to see her go."
Sunrise Brisbane correspondent Michelle Tapper (@Michelle_Tapper) said: "Unheard of, unprecedented, unbelievable. Three times a charm for Rudd."
UK Labour party MP Tom Watson, instrumental in bringing the News International phone hacking scandal to the attention of the public said: "Makes UK political drama look tame. Australia has a new PM.”
Rudd now leads the Parliamentary Labour party into the next election, and must seek a commission from the Governor General to become Prime Minister in the interim.