Julia Gillard will remain as prime minister afterthe lLeadersip spill she called this afternoon went uncontested.
Kevin Rudd was anticipated to stand as a candidate but announced his plans to stay onthe backbench at 4.20pm AEDT.
With no ther candidate stepping forward, no vote took place, caucus spokesman Chris Hayes said.
Ms Gillard announcedthe spill in parliamentary question time at 2pm today after former opposition leader Simon Crean called for it an hour earlier.
Mr Crean was sacked fromthe frontbench soon after his 1pm press conference, where he declared his support for former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
Mr Crean had said he would run as deputy leader, but with no vote taking place, Wayne Swan remains inthe position.
Ms Gillard first became prime minister following a lLeadersip spill ousting Mr Rudd in June 2010. – ninemsn
