As it happened: Labor leadership in crisis

Updated

Former PM Kevin Rudd has resigned his post as Foreign Minister, after months of speculation that he was preparing to challenge Prime Minister Julia Gillard. As the leadership rumblings take a dramatic turn, follow updates as they happen using our live blog.

Watch live: ABC News 24 coverage

11:30pm: Tom Iggulden reports for Lateline on a dramatic day for the Federal Government.

Check out his wrap up of the day's events:

Sorry, this video has expired Video: Leadership spill expected after Rudd resignation (Lateline)

10:56: Former Queensland premier Peter Beattie laments that Queensland is "bleeding" thanks to the federal crisis. Refers to Monday's caucus vote as a "cleansing ballot". He doubts Kevin Rudd would quit the Labor Party if he loses the ballot because he is a man with a "sense of history".

Mr Beattie tells Tony Jones that Kevin Rudd has plenty of time to prepare for Monday's ballot.

I just say to the Federal Caucus; for God's sake, after Monday everybody accept the decision, turn the page and get on with it.

Sorry, this video has expired Video: Leadership fight must end for Labor's sake (Lateline)

10:47: Doug Cameron says it would not be fair on Kevin Rudd to hold a leadership ballot on Monday because he would not have time to "talk to the independents". He pushes for a Friday vote to give Mr Rudd more time to prepare. Senator Cameron says Mr Rudd is the best man for the PM's job and the best man to take on Tony Abbott.

I think quite frankly that Julia Gillard has a poison chalice, and that poison chalice is the way she came to power and the manner in which she accepted the job. My problems with Julia Gillard go back a long way, and that is to the morning of the coup against Kevin Rudd.

He blames the faceless men for Kevin Rudd's demise. He won't name who the faceless men are.. mentions "union officials".

Sorry, this video has expired Video: Democracy requires leadership ballot to wait: Cameron (Lateline)

10:45: Craig Emerson refers several time to Kevin Rudd's backers, warning them that the issue needs to be put to rest now.

He tells Lateline the proper Cabinet processes did not exist when Kevin Rudd was prime minister.

10:37pm: Trade Minister Craig Emerson tells Tony Jones there has been an attack on the Prime Minister that's been going on since the last election. He says the only alternative to Julia Gillard is Tony Abbott.

Some backers of Kevin Rudd have said this will go on and on until they get Kevin Rudd back in the prime ministership... all they are doing is giving comfort to Tony Abbott and the Liberal Party.

10:25pm: @latikambourke: No-one I've spoken to tonight in the Rudd camp thinks they have the numbers in the event of KRudd contesting Monday's #respill.

10:19pm: @latikambourke: Labor MP again 'why hold the ballot on Monday, one day before the #Newspoll?' #respill

@latikambourke: Labor MP 'if [the Gillard camp] is so confident, why the disproportionate response to Kevin Rudd's leadership pitch?' #respill

10:17pm: @latikambourke: Labor MP tells me Wayne Swan's attack on Kevin Rudd was 'outrageous' and 'completely over the top.' #respill

Timeline: Take a look back at Kevin Rudd's colourful career in the Labor Party.

Coming up on Lateline Tony Jones interviews Trade Minister Craig Emerson, Senator Doug Cameron and former Queensland premier, Peter Beattie. You can watch it at 10:30pm (AEDT) right here on ABC News 24.

9:20pm: Kevin Rudd takes to Twitter to thank "everyone in the twitterverse for your kind words. Much appreciated."

9:16pm: The Department of Foreign Affairs has published the full text of Kevin Rudd's resignation speech:

9:05pm: Liberal National Party MP turned Speaker Peter Slipper weighs in via Twitter: @peterslipperMP: We live in interesting times!

8:36pm: Via Twitter @abcmarkscott: It is an amazing statement from the Deputy Prime Minister. #ABCNews24. #wow

8:34pm: Deputy PM Wayne Swan issues a statement slamming Kevin Rudd for deliberately putting his own interests ahead of the Labor Party. Here are some of the key points:

For too long, Kevin Rudd has been putting his own self-interest ahead of the interests of the broader labour movement and the country as a whole, and that needs to stop. The Party has given Kevin Rudd all the opportunities in the world and he wasted them with his dysfunctional decision making and his deeply demeaning attitude towards other people including our caucus colleagues. He sought to tear down the 2010 campaign, deliberately risking an Abbott prime ministership, and now he undermines the Government at every turn. He was the Party’s biggest beneficiary then its biggest critic; but never a loyal or selfless example of its values and objectives. Wayne Swan

Read his full statement here.

8:15: ABC's Lyndal Curtis says Julia Gillard likely to set leadership vote for Monday morning when Parliament resumes.

8:10: BREAKING: Julia Gillard to hold a press conference tomorrow morning and Lyndal Curtis understands she will call for a leadership ballot. She has issued a statement:

Today Kevin Rudd has tendered his resignation as minister for foreign affairs. Mr Rudd was a strong and effective advocate for Australia's interests overseas. During his period of service as foreign minister there were many achievements. He strongly pursued Australia's interests in the world. I am disappointed that the concerns Mr Rudd has publicly expressed this evening were never personally raised with me, nor did he contact me to discuss his resignation prior to his decision. I plan to hold a press conference tomorrow to make a further statement.

7:59: Labor strategist Bruce Hawker indicates on 7:30 that Mr Rudd's resignation is part of a two-part strategy to challenge Julia Gillard:

I'm only focussed on this contest. If he [Rudd] determines to have this contest I think he should win it and win it now. Bruce Hawker

7:49pm: Minister Tony Burke has weighed into the debate, telling 7.30's Chris Uhlmann that he is glad the issue is coming to a head, and that the government has been unable to sell its achievements through the campaign of undermining that Kevin Rudd has been driving. We'll have video from the minister's frank interview ASAP.

I'm glad that it's now been resolved and I think that's the most important thing. The fact that Kevin has been openly campaigning for the leadership has been the worst kept secret in Canberra. Tony Burke

7:40pm: 7.30's Heather Ewart has interviewed Victorian Labor MP Michael Danby, during which he calls on Kevin Rudd to deny that he recently met with four journalists - including two ABC political journalists -to talk about challenging the PM.

7:38pm: Anna Bligh's predecessor in Queensland Peter Beattie says there should be a ballot to end the issue:

What's important is that there be a clear decision. I've always supported a caucus ballot on this so that in fact the party knows exactly who has support and then the party and the Government can move on and the Labor Party in Queensland can get on with the state campaign. Peter Beattie

7:30pm: The photo desk has just got hold of a pic of Mr Rudd shortly before his resignation statement, pressing the flesh with US defense secretary Leon Panetta:

7:19pm: Labor strategist Bruce Hawker has been talking to Mark Colvin on PM, predicting a spill within days:

7:08pm: When he announced he was leaving the foreign ministry, Mr Rudd said he would be consulting those closest to him about his next move. His family have already started giving their two cents.. on Twitter:

@Jess_Rudd: Effing proud of you, Dad. xxxx

@Therese_Rein: Me too, Kevin xxxx

7pm: We are still waiting for a response from Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

6:50pm: Labor Left powerbroker Doug Cameron comes out in support of Mr Rudd, laying the blame for his resignation at the feet of the "faceless men" of the party.

I'm shocked and I'm extremely disappointed, and this came out of the blue and I think the tearing down of one of our finest foreign ministers by faceless men has to stop. It's bad for the party, it's bad for the nation and it's bad for the Government.

Senator Cameron has called on Ms Gillard to talk to Mr Rudd and attempt to get him to rescind his resignation.

I am sure that he's acting in what thinks is the best interests of the party. My advice to Julia Gillard would be to express her support and confidence in Kevin Rudd and see if we can get him back as foreign minister... but if the faceless men are pulling the strings then we won't.

6:40pm: Qld Premier Anna Bligh, down in the polls and in the middle of an election campaign, has responded to the news. During his resignation statement, Mr Rudd said he also felt he had to stand down because the leadership speculation was damaging for his "good friend" Ms Bligh as she "fights the fight of her life".

Speaking from North Queensland, Ms Bligh said the federal party said there was no doubt the speculation was hurting her campaign, and she was glad it was out in the open.

Well there's no doubt that that this isn't good for a state election campaign. It's very hard to talk to people about state issues when something this big is happening. Frankly I'm pleased that it'll come to a head, I'm pleased that hopefully we can have it resolved once and for all, put the whole thing to bed, and we can get on talking about state issues.

PHOTO: The ABC News site has a terrific pic taken by AAP's Peter Wallis as news of Mr Rudd's resignation reached the campaign bus of Queensland Premier Anna Bligh:

6:28pm: The ABC's Annabel Crabb tweets: Bruce Hawker (close to Rudd) says there is "no chance" KR will quit his seat.

ABBOTT RESPONDS TO RUDD STATEMENT:

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says Mr Rudd has confirmed that the faceless men are running the Labor Party and that the instability at the top of the Government is damaging Australia.

Kevin Rudd's statement tonight confirms that this government is unworthy to continue in office. Only the Coalition can provide the strong and stable government that will address the issues facing our country and restore hope, reward and opportunity for all Australians.

6:02pm: Read the full story on the ABC News website.

5:22pm AEDT: Kevin Rudd announces during a snap press conference in Washington that he is resigning as Foreign Minister, saying that he did not have the support of the PM Julia Gillard.

Mr Rudd names senior Labor minister Simon Crean, and "faceless men" who had attacked his integrity and therefore his fitness to serve as a minister in this government.

When challenged today on these attacks, Prime Minister Gillard chose not to repudiate them... I can only reluctantly conclude that she therefore shares these views. Kevin Rudd

More key quotes from the Rudd speech:

The Australian people regard this whole affair as little better than a soap opera - and they are right. Under current circumstances I won't be a part of it. Kevin Rudd

I deeply believe that if the Australia Labor Party, a party of which I have been a proud member for more than 30 years, is to have the best future for our nation, then it must change fundamentally its culture and to end the power of faceless men - Australia must be governed by the people, not by the factions. Kevin Rudd

There is one overriding question for my caucus colleagues, and that is who is best placed to defeat Tony Abbott at the next election. Kevin Rudd

Topics: federal-government, alp, rudd-kevin, gillard-julia

First posted