Labor celebrates in front of solemn Rudd
The Labor Government's front bench team was sworn in yesterday, but Kevin Rudd didn't seem to be in the mood for a party.
There were plenty of smiles at Government House as ministers celebrated a day that almost didn’t come for Labor.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who pulled off the narrowest of victories by winning the support of independents after the August 21 election, beamed and joked with colleagues after being sworn in as Australia’s first elected female Prime Minister.
But the man she toppled for the leadership job, newly-anointed Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, was in a sombre mood as rainclouds darkened the Canberra sky.
He wore a serious expression and did not interact much with fellow ministers as he watched Ms Gillard preside over the ceremony – a job he used to do.
Mr Rudd pledged to serve the country "in the office of minister for foreign affairs, so help me God", as he was sworn in.
He perked up at a group photograph after the ceremony, fixing the ties of colleagues and joking with Health Minister Nicola Roxon as rain fell.
It was a historic day as Australia’s first female PM and first female Governor-General, Quentin Bryce, led the ceremony together. Ms Gillard’s partner Tim Mathieson watched from the front row.
Family was close to hand for Ms Bryce too – she took an oath from new minister Bill Shorten, who is her son-in-law.
Don Farrell, a factional leader who helped elevate Ms Gillard to the leadership, raised a laugh when he fluffed his lines.
Senator Farrell forgot part of his oath then announced, "so help me God" in a startled tone at the wrong time.
More entertainment was provided by two-year-old Una Rose O’Connor, daughter of home affairs minister Brendan O’Connor.
Dressed in red tights with no shoes, Una Rose frolicked in the aisle and marched right up to the front towards the Governor-General.
The budding politician was scooped up by her mum and taken out to play.
Nineteen Cabinet ministers, 10 ministers and 12 parliamentary secretaries were sworn in as the Gillard Government’s second ministry.
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Class photo: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard joins Australian Governor-General Quentin Bryce and her new government.
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