Rudd returns after ousting Gillard

Australian prime minister Julia Gillard has been ousted as Labour Party leader by her predecessor Kevin Rudd by MPs hoping to avoid a huge defeat in upcoming elections.

The ballot took place on three years and two days after Ms Gillard removed Mr Rudd in a similar internal government showdown. It makes him leader of the party, but not prime minister.

Ms Gillard lostby 57 votes to 45.

Mr Rudd will have to demonstrate that he can command a majority in the House of Representatives before the governor-general makes him prime minister.

If he cannot, opposition leader Tony Abbott could be asked to form a government or the elections could be moved up from September to August.