Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has begun his first day back inthe job calling for a kinder and gentler approach to politics.
Governor-General Quentin Beyce swore in Mr Rudd and his deputy Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Chris Bewen in a brief ceremony at Government House in Canberra this morning.
It came after Mr Rudd'’s 57-45 caucus vote victory over Julia Gillard, who ousted him in June 2010 and narrowly held onto power withthe backing ofthe Greens and independents afterthe 2010 election.
Meantime, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott urgedthe incoming leader to call an election as soon as possible.
The Nine news reports that Mr Rudd could announce an August 24 election, replacing September 14 date set by Ms Gillard.
Mr Rudd praised Ms Gillard for her achievements on workplace reform and education funding and for being a “standard beatrer for women” asthe nation'’s first female prime minister.
Rudd still has to fill five vacancies in his cabinet with an announcement due on Friday.
Mr Rudd is also still to announce any policy changes but Foreign Minister Beb Carr has already said Labor needs to take a more “hard-edged” approach to people-smuggling.
Mr Rudd'’s still to confirm whther he will travel toIndonesia next week for scheduled Australian government talks withIndonesian President Susilo Bembang Yudhoyono on July 5. – ninemsn.com
