Given Shorten's statement that he will support Rudd, it is clear that Gillard is gone.

While I regret that Gillard will duck facing the wrath of the voters, I relish Rudd explaining why he started the boats.

So Gillard is gone then Shadow Minister!
Aren't you just the tiniest bit worried that Rudd may change his party's fortunes before the election now?
Abbott has never been a popular leader...

It was sad to see Gillard voted out and Rudd appointed as leader. While I understand the fears about losing seats at the next election, I hope Labor does not live to regret their poll-fuelled decision.

In the short-term if it means losing less seats to the LNP to avoid the perils of a majority parliament (as under Howard) then not all is lost, however the flaws in Kevin Rudd's leadership most likely have not changed.

A commentator was once asked why Kevin Rudd is so popular with the electorate but not liked by a large number of his colleagues. The reply was because 'the electorate have never had to work with him'. Graham Richardson once wrote in Crikey that Rudd was the most disliked man in his own party, that he never listened or consulted with Cabinet colleagues. As for the backbench or leaders of other parties, independents he basically ignored them. This sort of approach is arrogant and self-serving. His attitude to the public service and lack of respect and consideration to others is well known.

One hopes that Kevin Rudd has genuinely learned from his experiences and will come to the job with a greater sincerity and a more professional approach to the administration of the important office of PM. To steal from Jane Austen "... and hope that he endeavours to deserve (it)"

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/gillards-downfall-reforms-poor-form-did-battle-20130626-2oxm2.html
A poll is running at the bottom of this link.
61% of readers thing Labor can now win the election.
That fact, that some one is now driving Labors Bus, must be of concern to SM.
Truth however can not be ignored.
Last nights events humbled those who knifed Rudd.
Impacts will be with us for a decade.
But last night was a EUREKA moment for me and middle Australia.
We took back possession of our party.
Union heads, both lost grip on the party and face a humble pie that both chokes them and embarrasses them.
We now face a chance, very big as we will see of victory.
Not every union, not most unions, but one for sure propped up the shanty that was leading us to the cliff.
ASU Australians Services Union polled those that matter, its members 36% said they intended to vote Labor.
18% more said they would vote Labor if Rudd returned, telling!

Yes, Belly, it's interesting. I'm one of those 18 % who vowed not to vote Labor under Gillard.

I will vote Labor under Rudd.

Rudd said last night that he didn't want to stand by and see an Abbott government delivered "by default".

I think he was right on target with that assessment.

So perhaps now Abbott and his team will have to come up with a more positive spiel - and not just hurl criticism at the government. So far they've been able to sit back and provide a negative commentary, and they seemed to be set to sail into government with not a skerrick of visionary narrative to be seen.

I look forward to Mr Abbott turning over a new leaf and waxing lyrical on his positive vision for Australia with "practicalities" included.

Here we go again, Rudd will endeavour to win election with rhetoric, just like 2007.

For myself, one of the most overrated leading politicians I have seen