It is an historic day in OZ. This morning there was a leadership spill and the Labor Party (Oz version of the Democrats) was to take a ballot to either keep Kevin Rudd as PM or elect Deputy PM Julia Gillard to PM. At the last minute Mr. Rudd stood down so now we have the first female Prime Minister in Australian history. She will call a Federal election probably Oct or Nov when she will run against Tony Abbot the Leader of the Opposition which is the Liberal Party (Oz version of the Republican Party)

Here in Oz the party chooses their leader then we vote for the party in our local electorate. Then the outcome is based on how many seats a leader wins.

I feel sorry for Kevin but I do like Julia and it was something to see her being sworn in by Oz's first female Govenor General.

Just Google Julia Gillard if you want to know more!

This is excellent!

The news did not make it to usa via mainstream yet, but thanks to your post , here is what I able to dish up:
Gillard gets down the business

"Game on." With her first two words in the parliamentary chamber, the new Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard delivered a telling insight into her style of politics. She uttered them to the opposition leader, Tony Abbott, as he reached out a congratulatory hand when she made her entrance.

Julia Gillard at a press conference in Canberra, 24 June 2010Although trained as a lawyer, Julia Gillard has long been a professional politician, and a proudly political animal. Just 48 hours before she made her move on Kevin Rudd, the ABC's popular show Australian Story reworked its 2006 profile of the then deputy Labor leader and broadcast it again in primetime. It presented her as self-deprecatory, charming, family-loving and genuinely funny. But she also came across also intensely, myopically and ruthlessly political. As she spoke of her entry into electoral politics, one particular quote leapt out from the television. "I had to fight hard to get preselected," she said. "I had to play a factional game to do that, I had to count numbers, I had to make deals and I'd do all of that again tomorrow if I needed to." Two days later, in a new factional game, she had the numbers once more, this time to oust the prime minister.

Wish I knew whether it is good or not. Can't even keep up with what's going on over here...

Looks like we may be going to the Polls at the end of August.

Yep! August 21st!

SO.......this Saturday is our Federal Election. Please cross your eyes, fingers, legs and toes and hope that the Labor Party wins. (please)

You should be ashamed. I got up after reading this post and fell down. I was seeing double and my legs were crossed.

So, you've got a bunch of Blundery Yanks rolling around on the floor, half blind and with muscle cramps. Whatever it takes to win--we're with you!

I especially loved the crossed eyes!

The fingers and the legs I can manage and I will do on Saturday. Now hold on, on which day do I have to do it to be right for you upside downers?

Sat morn your time I think Brigitte. IT is going to be a tight race. I'll post as soon as I know the result. I'll be glad when it's all over.

Sending lots of "Labour Vote" vibes!

Me too, and waiting for results with plenty of crosses!

Hey Louise, if they need a swing vote, possibly they can use Dirty Harry's !
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/2 ... 88837.html