- Gillard announces leadership ballot for 4.30pm AEDT
- Comes after Crean calls for spill, supports Rudd for leader
- Leadership Live: Latest developments from Canberra
- Spill-ard defiant in face of crisis
JULIA Gillard has called a leadership ballot for 4.30pm AEDT today.
It comes after Simon Crean publicly urged the PM to call a spill of all leadership positions.
Mr Crean said he was backing Kevin Rudd for Labor leader.
He said he was putting himself up as a deputy under Mr Rudd.
Simon Crean tackles questions after calling for a spill. Picture: Ray Strange
''We need to settle this and move forward," Mr Crean said.
''This is not personal decision. I am doing this for the interests of the Labor party and in turn the nation.''
Mr Crean was relegated to the backbench following his call for a leadership spill.
Simon Crean calls for a spill to settle the leadership. Picture: Ray Strange
Leader of The House Anthony Albanese was answering questions on behalf of Mr Crean's regional Australia portfolio.
Ms Gillard walked into parliamentary question time flanked by a group of her supporters.
Ms Gillard confidently strided into the chamber with cabinet ministers Craig Emerson, Jenny Macklin, Wayne Swan and Greg Combet. Backbench MPs Yvette D'Ath and Mike Symons also entered with Ms Gillard.
Simon Crean said he will not run for leader but is interested in the deputy role. Picture: Ray Strange
Less than five minutes into question time Opposition Leader Tony Abbott sought to move a no confidence motion in the Prime Minister.
He was refused leave by Mr Albanese and so sought leave of the house to suspend standing orders in order to have a no confidence motion in the PM.
"This is a government in crisis," he said.
"A house divided among itself cannot stand ... this cannot go on."
Mr Crean said in his press conference Labor could not win from its current position in the polls.
"I don't believe that can change simply by a change of leader," he said.
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''We need conviction.''
Mr Crean said Kevin Rudd had no choice but to put his hand up for the leadership of the party.
''I don't want any more games. I am sick to death of it, it is about time he has the courage of his convictions and stand up,'' he said.
Mr Crean said the conversation with Ms Gillard was not heated.
He said if Ms Gillard did not call for a spill the caucus needed to deal with the leadership issue ''expeditiously, decisively and conclusively''.
''Let's be mature about this,'' he said.
Mr Crean said if Mr Rudd challenged he would likely have the numbers.
''I wouldn't be doing this if I did not believe there was the mood and the need for change in the party,'' he said.
If made Deputy Prime Minister Mr Crean said he was not seeking the Treasury portfolio.
''I want to conclude the regional agenda,'' he said.
He said he had not spoken to Mr Rudd in the last 48 hours.
''It was important in arriving at this decision that I was convinced he was a changed Kevin,'' Mr Crean said.
''I believe it is important he is held to that.''
Mr Crean said that was the primary reason for him putting his hand up for the position of deputy.
Mr Crean said if any leadership challenge was unsuccessful he would stand down from the ministry.
He said he was not simply putting his hand up as deputy under Mr Rudd but under any future leader.
''I do not believe the position we find ourselves in is just to destabilisation,'' he said.
Mr Crean said he was not standing as leader because he knew he didn't have the numbers.
Asked on the consequences of a leadership change Mr Crean said it would be a matter for the independents.
''There is no point continuing on in a hung parliament in these circumstances,'' he said.
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