Rudd backers gathering to oust Gillard

Australian prime minister Julia Gillard says she still has enough support to lead the government despite growing speculation that foreign minister Kevin Rudd plans to seize power.

Gillard came to power in an internal coup within the Labour Party that ousted Rudd in June 2010. She became only the third prime minister since Australian World War II to gain power in this way.

But speculation is mounting that Rudd supporters plan to attempt to restore him to power. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that rebel Labour lawmakers were circulating a petition calling for a leadership ballot next week. The petition needs at least 35 signatures from among the 103 Labour lawmakers in the Parliament to force a ballot.