Julia Gillard has declared Labor's leadership ructions "completely at an end" after being elected unopposed as leader following a farcical Caucus leadership spill.

Labor once again revealed its deep internal divisions as the spill, called for 4:30pm AEDT, fizzled out following former PM Kevin Rudd's announcement that he would not run.

The Prime Minister was duly re-elected unopposed and unanimously, along with her Deputy Wayne Swan.

The spill was called after a dramatic intervention from party elder Simon Crean, who demanded the leadership be put to a vote to end the "disunity" which he said was killing the party.

Speaking after the Government withdrew its contentious media reform bills because they had failed to attract enough support in the House of Representatives, Mr Crean had called on Mr Rudd to show his hand and stand against the PM.

"I don't want any more games, I'm sick to death of it, it's about time he stood up and instead of having his camp leak things, actually have the courage of his conviction and his belief," Mr Crean said.

But just 10 minutes before the ballot, Mr Rudd said he would not dishonour his previous promises not to stand.

Look back at how the day unfolded using our live blog (All times AEDT):

7:30pm: That's where we leave today's live blog. If you'd like a more detailed wrap, check out a full summary of the day's extraordinary events from our chief political correspondent. You can follow more developments at the ABC News home page, or by watching ABC News 24. Here are the main players giving their take on the challenge that never was:

7:10pm: Leigh Sales is interviewing Simon Crean. Watch live on ABC News 24. Mr Crean says he is surprised that Kevin Rudd didn't challenge in the end.

I can't understand why all of this agitation would be on, including the need to bring it to a head then for the pretender not to stump up. So that was - he should have run. There is no question about that, Leigh, he should have run. I think that itself would have been an important cleansing, I suppose, for the party.

Mr Crean says he has no regrets about bringing the tensions to a head today:

I don't have have any regrets about the path that I took because I did it out of no personal gain, out of no animosity to Julia, who I go back a long time with. It meant me having to put my differences aside with Kevin, but also pledging that in the healing process, that I wanted to be part of the exercise that demonstrated the very point that you were just asking me about, that we could actually he heal, that we could actually come together, settle our difference in the interests of unifying the show. If that result didn't work, the one thing the Labor Party must now do is to unify around the result they got.

He finishes with a plea to the party, who he says are capable of putting their best foot forward and "inspiring a nation" again in the vein of the Hawke and Keating years.

We remind people of what our brand really is. We don't have to invent our brand. At the moment we are doing a lot to take people's minds off what it was. We don't have to reinvent it, we have to reinforce it, rebuild it and present a positive image going forward.

7:06pm: Moments ago we received this statement from one of the Prime Minister's spokesmen:

"The Prime Minister has received the resignation of the Member for Corio, the Honourable Richard Marles, as Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs and as Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs. The Prime Minister has accepted the resignation. The Prime Minister thanked Mr Marles for his contribution and service, and acknowledges his behaviour in offering his resignation is honourable."

6:50pm: Kevin Rudd backer Richard Marles has resigned from the Government's frontbench.

He served as parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs and Pacific island affairs.

6:28pm: Greens leader Christine Milne says the Labor Party is a complete shambles.

She says, however, that her party still wants to work with the Government.

"We are calling on the Labor Party backroom boys for goodness sake get out of the way and let this Parliament deliver the good things that the country want. "The minority Government hasn't failed. Labor has failed. Let me put that very strongly."

6:16pm: The dramatic events of this afternoon have been described by the independent Member for New England, Tony Windsor, as sad to watch.

"It's the Clayton's ballot. It's the ballot you have when you're not having a ballot. "So the status quo remains. Maybe that was part of what Simon Crean was trying to do, to clear the air, but it's a fairly ordinary look."

6.03pm: Defence Minister Stephen Smith says a number of people need to reconsider their positions after today.

Mr Smith said Joel Fitzgibbon, a known Rudd backer, has already flagged that he will consider his role as chief whip.

"And that is appropriate and that is right. "And he's not in my view the only one who needs to consider his or her position. "(Julia Gillard) was elected unopposed today by a Caucus of about 100... It's over. That's it. Finished. "In my experience, when you have weeks of hints and suggestions in the end when there's a nil contest, that's because the challenger doesn't have a sufficient pile of votes."

5:39pm: It's hard to say what the Labor Government has gained from today's events, if anything at all.

Despite declarations that this is over once and for all, Federal Labor has revealed its deep internal divisions once again.

Julia Gillard is still Prime Minister, but this is hardly likely to give Labor a lift in the polls.

On a day when crowds gathered for an apology to the victims of forced adoptions, and the day after the National Disability Insurance Scheme passed Parliament, valuable hours were devoted to this issue by MPs and the press corps.

Video expired Mon 16 Sep 2013, 5:57pm AEST

5:32pm: Tony Abbott is responding to what he says is a "very big day". He says Andrew Wilkie, Rob Oakeshott, and Tony Windsor all voted with the Coalition in support of today's failed no confidence motion, and calls for the election date to be brought forward.

"The message that the people of Australia have received from this Government is that nothing is resolved, the civil war goes on. "The civil war will continue as long as Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard are in the Parliament. "The only way to give our country the good government so that we so badly need right now, at a difficult time in the life of our nation, is to have an election. "We cannot wait till September 14. If the Prime Minister was concerned about the party, if she was concerned about the country, if she was less concerned about herself and her own survival, there would be an election now."

5:31pm: Here's video of Julia Gillard and Joel Fitzgibbon speaking after the spill.

Video expired Mon 16 Sep 2013, 5:29pm AEST

Video expired Mon 16 Sep 2013, 5:27pm AEST

5:18pm: More Gillard:

"I'm grateful to my colleagues for their continuing support of me as just demonstrated in our Labor Party meeting. "I accept their continuing support of me as Prime Minister and Labor leader with a sense of deep humility and a sense of resolve. "I never sought office for its own sake. I have only ever sought office in the interests of the nation."

5:16pm: Julia Gillard is delivering a brief statement now.

"Today the leadership of our political party, the Labor Party, has been settled and settled in most conclusive fashion possible. "The whole business is completely at an end. It has ended now."

Wayne Swan echoes his boss's words, saying: "I think today's result does end these matters once and for all."

5:14pm: Lost in all the political drama has been today's official apology to those affected by forced adoptions:

Annabel Crabb says many Australians would be feeling disappointed the speech was overshadowed.

"The people who are directly interested in that apology have every right to feel a bit let down, a lot let down, disappointed saddened by what's happened," she said. "But more generally, I think that over recent months and even years the Australian public in general has become very disenchanted with politics and politicians arguing who's going to do which job and quibbling over their entitlements as office bearers rather than doing the business of the Parliament."

5:11pm: Chris Uhlmann declares that today's drama has been an "utter farce".

"When we saw Simon Crean this morning there appeared to be some coordination in this. It all ended up as a damp squib today ... It's hard to put aside the sense that what we've seen today has been an utter farce."

While for Annabel Crabb it's "been like a piece of performance art" conducted by "genuinely confused people".

"That's what I thought when I listened to Simon Crean's press conference. It seemed to be an opening act without much of a conclusion. And it's ended in kind of farce I suppose. "I think that often the criticism is made of politics that it's very packaged and stage-managed and very slick. I think what you've seen here is kind of a live theatre of one kind or other. "I think that this whole circumstance in the federal Labor Party is one that's composed of genuinely confused people. "I think Simon Crean started something today that he thought would finish one way and it didn't finish that way at all."

Asked whether Kevin Rudd's supporters underestimated Julia Gillard, Crabb said:

"Well, I think that she's had an enormous amount of pressure put on her. It's the amount of pressure that would really crack almost any living breathing human being. "I must say that when she opened Question Time with the words, you know: 'Simon Crean will be represented by Anthony Albanese, there will be a ballot at 4:30pm. Until then, give it your best shot,' I mean, I did reflect that she is an incredibly tough individual."

4:57pm:

Text from Labor source 'just another day in the Gillard Govt.' (May have included a WTF) #nospill #spillfail — Latika Bourke(@latikambourke) March 21, 2013

Important to note there will be people whose votes changed in favour of KRudd, were today declared and...for nothing. #spillfail#fnospill — Latika Bourke(@latikambourke) March 21, 2013

Joel Fitzgibbon says he'll now reconsider his position as Chief Govt Whip twitter.com/Simon_Cullen/s… — Simon Cullen (@Simon_Cullen) March 21, 2013

Joel Fitzgibbon says we'll be hearing very little from him between now and the next election — samantha hawley (@samanthahawley) March 21, 2013

4:54pm: Joel Fitzgibbon, whose comments yesterday set the hounds running, says he is reconsidering his position as the Government's Chief Whip.

"There is no provision in the rules to elect a chief whip if I were to resign today, so not much point in that. "I will take the next six weeks to consider my position. I will of course consult with my colleagues and the Prime Minister might have a view. "I will put that decision on notice now."

4:52pm: Here's what Chris Hayes said:

"I called for nominations. I received one nomination for the position of leader of the parliamentary Labor Party, that was Julia Gillard. "I then called nomination for deputy leader and I received one nomination, which was Wayne Swan. "Both were duly elected unopposed. "Simon Crean was speaking but I thought it appropriate to come out and tell the media first-hand what just occurred.

4:45pm: Returning Officer Chris Hayes says no-one challenged Julia Gillard. That's it. Gillard and Swan elected unopposed.

4:43pm: As it stands, there is a leadership spill without a contender.

In a stunning development, Kevin Rudd has said he will not stand for the leadership in this afternoon's caucus ballot.

There's still the chance a third person will nominate.

But in every likelihood Returning Officer Chris Hayes will emerge within the next half hour or so, to report that the position of leader was thrown open, Julia Gillard was the only one to nominate and was therefore re-elected unopposed.

As far as the Deputy PM position goes, we know Simon Crean has said he will put his hand up against Wayne Swan. But without a "running mate" even that is now in doubt.

Or, to put it another way...

This really must go down as one of the least successful games of "Simon Says" ever. #spill — Annabel Crabb (@annabelcrabb) March 21, 2013

4:39pm: Insiders' Barrie Cassidy says Kevin Rudd waited until 11th hour to say he wouldn't challenge because he was waiting to see if he had numbers.

The ABC's Jonathan Green is live-blogging events here.

4:36pm: Tweets:

I think that does confirm that Simon Crean wasn't acting for Rudd when he called for the #spill today. — Latika Bourke(@latikambourke) March 21, 2013

The PM enters caucus meeting with her supporters twitter.com/Simon_Cullen/s… — Simon Cullen (@Simon_Cullen) March 21, 2013

4:33pm: Here's video of Kevin Rudd dramatically ruling himself out of today's ballot.

Video expired Mon 16 Sep 2013, 4:32pm AEST

4:30pm: The Caucus meeting is getting underway now. It's unclear if anyone will challenge Ms Gillard, who was flanked by a large cohort of supporters as she entered the room.

And another titbit - this is the first time in his parliamentary career that Simon Crean has been off the front bench.

So the caucus will now just vote on... Crean v Swan. That'll clear things up. — Annabel Crabb (@annabelcrabb) March 21, 2013

4:26pm: Anthony Albanese says he believes Mr Rudd has made the "right decision in the party's interest".

Mr Albanese also says he will "never support a spill motion against a sitting Labor prime minister" and predicts Ms Gillard will still be PM after the Caucus meeting.

4:24pm:

Big grin on Albo's face, walking the corridors after Rudd announces he won't contest the #spill. @abcnews24 — Melissa Clarke (@Clarke_Melissa) March 21, 2013

4:22pm: Here's what Rudd told reporters outside the Caucus room just now.

"I believe in honouring my word... others take such commitments lightly, I do not. "I have been very plain about that for a long period of time. "Secondly, I have also said that the only circumstances under which I would consider a return to leadership would be if there was an overwhelming majority of the parliamentary party requesting such a return, drafting me to return and the position was vacant. "I am here to inform you that those circumstances do not exist. "Therefore, in the absence of any such draft not withstanding what Simon Crean had to say this morning, I will be adhering absolutely to the commitment that I gave the Australian people and to my parliamentary colleagues. "This is a difficult day for the Australian Labor Party, it is a difficult day for is a Australian government, but I take my word seriously. "I have given that word. I gave it solemnly in that room after the last ballot and I will adhere to that word today. I therefore suggest to all and sundry across the party and the Government that we unite in ensuring that Tony Abbott does not simply walk into the Lodge as if it is his own personal property. "We are a government with a proud record. Health and education, the economy, it is a record upon which we should robustly stand. "But I'm not prepared to dishonour my word which I gave solemnly. I will, therefore, adhere to that word as I have said before and excuse me I'm going to Caucus."

4:19pm: RUDD SPEAKING NOW: HE WON'T STAND.

4:17pm: Here are the key videos since the spill was called:



4:07pm:

Joe Ludwig 'I support Julia Gillard 100% as the leader of our party and as the Prime Minister. I always have, and I continue to do so.' — Latika Bourke(@latikambourke) March 21, 2013

4:03pm: The number crunching continues:

Hearing 20 MPs in Kevin Rudd's office urging him to run. He's still undecided. #spill — Latika Bourke(@latikambourke) March 21, 2013

3:59pm:

There are reports Anthony Albanese is in Kevin Rudd's office. Mr Albanese was one of Rudd's supporters in the last challenge, but has since declared support for Gillard.

3:53pm:

Here are the numbers as the ABC understands them - although it is still unclear if Kevin Rudd will stand:

Spill numbers Swan



Feeney



Shorten



Bradbury



Combet



Perrett



Mitchell



Ludwig



Conroy



Danby



D'Ath



Dreyfus



Emerson



Evans



Farrell



L Ferguson



Garrett



Gray



Leigh



O'Neill



Plibersek



Rishworth



Ripoll



Roxon



Lundy



Grierson



Wong Marles



Albanese



Jones



Stevens



Furner



Hall



Saffin



Griffin



Byrne



Fitzgibbon



Smyth



Bowen



Brodtmann



Cameron



K Carr



Champion



Crean



Crossin



Elliott



Faulkner



M Ferguson



Husic



Kelly



McClelland NB: Bob Carr and Dick Adams are away and will not be able to vote. 51 votes are needed to win.

3:49pm:

Two Rudd supporters just walked past. Said the numbers were very close — Simon Cullen (@Simon_Cullen) March 21, 2013

3:43pm: The ABC's Barrie Cassidy hints that there will be no winners this afternoon:

"Whoever walks out that door, the winner has a massive challenge ahead of them. It is not a pretty picture whichever way you look at it. As you went into this week, you had anger and frustration. They were helpless. They were at a loss about how to deal with this. There was confusion. That gave way to panic. That's what occurred here today. Everybody has panicked. Nobody had a clear way through, so you get to this silly situation. It is hard to see how Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard or anybody else walks out of this situation today strengthened by this when Fairfax has the primary vote at 31."

3:41pm: The ABC has been told there are about 20 MPs in Kevin Rudd's office urging him to run in this afternoon's ballot.

3:4opm: The ABC's Barrie Cassidy calls Simon Crean's press conference today a "disaster":

He said some time ago he felt Kevin Rudd was disloyal. He mocked and ridiculed him at one point. Even at his news conference today [he said]: 'I don't want any more games. I'm sick of it. It is about time he - that is Kevin Rudd - stood up and instead of having his camp leak things... has the courage of his convictions and his beliefs'. This is the guy who says he will support Kevin Rudd and wants to be his deputy. What is the public to make of this? There is no unity here, not even between the intended leader Kevin Rudd and this guy who wants to be his deputy, Simon Crean.

3:33pm:

ABC 7.30's political editor Chris Uhlmann tells ABC News24 that today's Labor crisis is a "foot soldiers' revolt" as opposed to the initial Rudd-Gillard spill which he called a "Generals' revolt":

"It happened in the dead of night. Very few people were aware of it. Most of them were made aware by the broadcast on the ABC. I had people ringing me that night asking me what was going on - Cabinet ministers who'd been left out of the loop."

3:20pm:

As I said yesterday, @juliagillard is as tough as they make them- she'll win today & on 14 Sept because she’s got the reforms for the future — Wayne Swan (@SwannyDPM) March 21, 2013

Simon Crean's office confirms he has been sacked from all his ministerial responsibilities. — Simon Cullen (@Simon_Cullen) March 21, 2013

3:14pm: 100 members of the Labor Caucus will vote in the leadership ballot at 4:30pm.

Two members - Bob Carr and Dick Adams - are overseas and will not be able to vote.

Fifty-one votes are needed to win.

It's believed that in the event of a tied result, the winner will be decided by the toss of a coin.

We're working on a list of who's voting for you.

3:08pm: Labor MP Graham Perrett says he doesn't think Kevin Rudd will be throwing his hat in the ring in this afternoon's ballot:

"I don't think Kevin Rudd's nominating. As I said, he made it very clear not long ago that he would not be nominating. "Kevin would have to make up his own mind and reconcile his words with his actions. I judge him on face value and what he said."

3:07pm: From the photo desk:

2:56pm: Richmond MP Justine Elliot says she is "definitely" voting for Kevin Rudd.

2:53pm: ABC election analyst Antony Green says if the Labor leadership changes, the new leader is not bound to the September 14 election date.

2:47pm:

Lobbying happening in earnest RT @ellinghausen Chief Govt Whip @fitzhunter speaks with Labor backbenchers #qt twitter.com/ellinghausen/s… — Simon Cullen (@Simon_Cullen) March 21, 2013

2:45pm:

Sports Minister Kate Lundy says Julia Gillard has her "full confidence and ongoing support" — Simon Cullen (@Simon_Cullen) March 21, 2013

2:42pm:

The no confidence motion fails.

2:37pm:

The ABC's Lyndal Curtis says we still do not know if there will be a challenger in this afternoon's leadership ballot.

"Before that though, Julia Gillard has to survive parliamentary votes in the House. The Coalition has 72 votes with the Liberal Party and the National Party. "It needs another four votes to get to 76, to get to the magic number to allow it to suspend standing orders to allow the Opposition Leader to move a no-confidence motion."

2:35pm:

Speaker says a division is required.

2:32pm:

Julia Gillard responds to Tony Abbott calling a motion of no confidence in the Government:

"What we've seen across the contributions of the leader and the deputy leader of the Opposition is the same negative dummy spit that they've been engaged in since the 2010 election. The Leader of the Opposition just had an opportunity to indicate to the Australian people if he chose to take it what his vision was for the country, what his vision is and what his leadership attributes are. Instead, because he is unable to do that, he filled the space with the only thing he knows how to do is that is negativity, bitterness and the politics of personal assault."

2.26pm:

2:20pm: "For your party's good, you should go. For our country's good, you should go. You should go," Mr Abbott wraps up.

"Let's have a new prime minister and a new government."

2:17pm:

There's a Fairfax photo doing the rounds on Twitter of a beaming Kevin Rudd arriving for Question Time.

2:12pm:

"A House that is divided against itself cannot stand," Mr Abbott says. "That is why standing orders must be suspended, because this cannot go on."

Some info: There has never been a successful motion of no confidence in the Government in the House of Representatives.

2:09pm:

Tony Abbott is seeking leave for a no confidence motion. "This House has no confidence in the Prime Minister."



2:07pm:

Pm has emerged flanked by Wayne Swan Jenny Macklin Tanya Plibersek and Craig Emerson for #qt security demands media move — samantha maiden(@samanthamaiden) March 21, 2013

Labor Senator Doug Cameron 'this issue has to be resolved.' He's told me he's also signed the petition. #spill — Latika Bourke(@latikambourke) March 21, 2013

2:01pm: GILLARD SAYS THERE WILL BE A BALLOT FOR THE LEADERSHIP AT 4:30PM.

"In the meantime, take your best shot," she told the Opposition.

2:00pm: It's Question Time.... the Speaker kicks off with a fiery warning about taking photos.

1:55pm: The ABC understands the spill petition is circulating, with Ursula Stephens the first to sign.

Labor MP Richard Marles is backing a Rudd return — Simon Cullen (@Simon_Cullen) March 21, 2013

Senator Doug Cameron has also signed.

1:53pm: The ABC's chief political correspondent Mark Simkin says the Coalition's tacticians are deep in talks:

"Essentially a very large gift horse has been wheeled into the parliamentary chamber and dolloped right in front of Tony Abbott and his frontbench team. "Already there would have almost certainly been plans for a censure motion or something of that nature because of the failure to even bring the media bills on for a vote. "Now you would have to imagine the Coalition tacticians are deep in talks - in fact, they are deep in talks. I've been trying to get through to them. No-one is picking up the phones."

1:51pm: Stephen Smith just walked into the PM's office.

1:50pm: Labor Senator Ursula Stephens responded to a message from a fake Kevin Rudd account that claimed he would be running...

Thanks! I'll be putting my name on the ballot for the leadership. It's time we got our Party under control. #auspol _KRudd (via @_kruddmp) — Ursula Stephens (@ursulastephens) March 21, 2013

And minutes later tweeted..

Sorry folks that was a phony Kevin Rudd tweet, but I sure hope the real one will step up! — Ursula Stephens (@ursulastephens) March 21, 2013

1:42pm: If there is a leadership spill, it will be the third in just three years for the Labor government. Mr Rudd lost the last leadership challenge which he launched in February 2012.

1:40pm: Simon Crean's former chief of staff Simon Banks says Mr Crean is a "compromise" candidate in the deputy role.

"Well, clearly he is putting himself up in that deputy's role as a compromise candidate between the two camps, hoping that might act as a bridge to some kind of resolution to these issues as well. I guess we have to see how his Caucus colleagues react to that."

1:35pm: Lyndal Curtis tells ABC News 24:

"We don't yet know if Kevin Rudd has been convinced to stand.

"He would need to be convinced to stand to go against what he has said consistently since February last year.

"There may be some levels of confidence among his supporters that he stands. I don't know. You don't usually get these opportunities presented to you often if you want to be leader, and you tend to take them when you get them. These decisions have not been made yet."

1:30pm: Sam Dastyari has hit Twitter to deny ordering the NSW Right to turn on Gillard.

Check your facts mate. I vehemently oppose those outside the caucus making these decisions.“@phillipcoorey: NSW Right boss Dastyari..... " — Sam Dastyari (@samdastyari) March 21, 2013

1:28pm: Question Time is on for 2:00pm

Will Tony Abbott move a no- confidence motion in question time. What will the independents do in that case - wait for Labor or abandon them? — fran kelly (@frankellyabc) March 21, 2013

So; Crean wants a spill, but there's no guarantee there will be one, unless 1/3 of caucus signs a petition calling for a special meeting. — Naomi Woodley (@naomiwoodley) March 21, 2013

1:25pm: Simon Crean commenting on whether his actions will affect the current deal with the independent MPs:

"The fact is I've had the responsibility for dealing with the agreement with the independents for over three years. "We've delivered on every front. I certainly have no intention of tearing up that agreement. "I think that's a question, at the appropriate time, you would need to direct to the independents, but I think there is no point continuing on in a hung parliament in these circumstances, and it is better for us to resolve the circumstances we can control rather than try and predict those we can't."

When asked whether he had lost confidence in Wayne Swan and whether Anthony Albanese should be the one to serve as a deputy to Mr Rudd, Mr Crean replied: "It is a matter for Caucus."

1:20pm: Fairfax's Phil Coorey has tweeted that NSW Right boss Sam Dastyari has ordered the faction to unite against Julia Gillard.

NSW Right boss Dastyari orders NSW Right to unite against Gillard — Phillip Coorey (@PhillipCoorey) March 21, 2013

1:16pm: Crean is still speaking: "There is no ticket between me and Kevin. Let's get that right. I am not saying I am only doing this if he nominates me as his deputy."

1:15pm: Simon Crean said the Prime Minister's reaction was to say that she would not be calling for a spill:

"Now, I urged her in the circumstances to reconsider that. "I understand if she does not, but if it is the case and we are to end this, then the Caucus has other options, but it has to do them, and it must do it if we are to resolve this position expeditiously."

1:13pm: Crean says he has not spoken to Kevin Rudd in the last 48 hours.

"I have had discussions in not just recent weeks with him, those discussions started from policy perspectives, but we clearly had discussions. "And it was important in arriving at this decision that I was convinced he was going to be, what I've called on other occasions, a 'changed Kevin' or a more disciplined asset. "Now, I'm satisfied with the responses that I've had, but I believe it's important that he is continued to be held to it, and that's why I've put my name forward for the deputy position."

1:12pm More:

"He [Rudd] has got no option but to run. I don't want any more games, I'm sick to death of it, it's about time he stood up and instead of having his camp leak things, actually have the courage of his conviction and his belief. "I'm urging Mr Rudd to put his name forward, in the interests of breaking the deadlock, but I do not believe that simply changing to Mr Rudd from Ms Gillard is going to solve our problems. "The internals have to stop. We have to get on with the message and it has to become an inclusive party."

1:09pm: Crean says he won't stand for the leadership, but will offer himself up as deputy.

"Kevin Rudd in my view has no alternative but to stand for the leadership. "He can't continue to play the game that he's reluctant or must be drafted. "I know he won't be drafted. "That's why I'm putting myself forward as part of the leadership group."

1:05pm: "Kevin Rudd, in my view, has no alternative but to stand for the leadership. He can't continue to play the game that says he is reluctant or he has to be drafted."

1:00pm: Crean: "The party through the Government is in a stalemate position. Something needs to be done to break this deadlock."