This will prove a formality. It is then at the discretion of the caucus chair, Gavin Marshall, to decide the timing. Kevin Rudd: will he oust Julia Gilard? Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Parliament is due to rise on Thursday night so the meeting is likely to be on Wednesday or Thursday at the latest. It is the last ready opportunity for a challenge before the scheduled September 14 election. During question time on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Abbott asked Ms Gillard if, given the "paralysis" gripping the government over her leadership, she would call an earlier election on August 3.

"I can assure him and I can assure the Australian people that as prime minister I am getting on with the job and that is what the government is doing," she told the house. Prime Minister Julia Gillard during question time on Wednesday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Mr Abbott then moved a motion to suspend standing orders and called on the government to "end its internal arguments and actually get on with governing this country". "And if it can't, to restore the selection of the prime minister to the people," he said. Labor sources have told Fairfax Media that the reason the Rudd camp had the confidence to move was because Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten has shifted his support from Ms Gillard to Mr Rudd.

However, a spokesman for Mr Shorten said his position has not changed and he will not add to speculation on the leadership issue. Ms Gillard may choose to bring on the ballot by stepping aside for a vote - "spilling" the leadership as she did in March. Or the caucus can declare the position vacant to allow a ballot. The leader is traditionally chosen by a simple majority selected by a secret ballot of the caucus, which currently has 102 members. Several of Ms Gillard's supporters in the past two days have demanded that if Mr Rudd wants the job, he should bring on a ballot. The Prime Minister's office has been contacted for comment.

There have been reports that a special caucus meeting has been called for Thursday. A spokesman for Mr Marshall, the caucus chair, could not confirm this, saying he would not comment on the matter. Resources Minister Gary Gray - and Gillard supporter - told reporters on Tuesday that he supported the Prime Minister. "The Prime Minister is a terrific woman. The right person to be the Prime Minister. And everyone knows I support the Prime Minister in all circumstances." Mr Gray last week called on Mr Rudd and his supporters to "put up or shut up" on the subject the leadership. More to come

Loading with AAP, Judith Ireland

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