Mixed reaction to Gillard as new PM
Kevin Rudd has stood down and Julia Gillard is Australia’s new Prime Minister, but the reaction from social media commentators and Yahoo7 readers has not indicated full support for the new first lady.
At midday on Thursday, our Yahoo7 poll showed voters were already slanting away from Ms Gillard, with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott edging past with 55 per cent support to 45 per cent.
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On top of this the Coalition are now $1.80 favourites with SportsBet to win the next Federal Election, with Labor a $1.90 outsider, in stark contrast to earlier this year when the Coalition’s price stretched out to $5 compared to Labor’s short $1.16.
Readers’ comments indicate a similar sentiment, with many expressing ambivalence at the outcome and frustration Mr Rudd has stood down instead of serving his full term.
"Unbelievable... I can't believe K Rudd stood down in such a cowardly way, Australia is done for… Gillard is a sell out and the people are done for," said a comment posted by G.
"What absolute rubbish," wrote another reader, Michael. "Gillard has not been voted in by the Australian public. She has been handed the reins by a political puppet so now we not only have a disastrous federal government we now have one being 'led' by someone who has slipped through the election process."
Dialman added: "I'm concerned about Julia taking up the post - she was instrumental in the ETS failure and initial slide of labour popularity. I'm voting green again and I'm guessing they won't support Abbott. Julia will get mine, but not directly."
But there has also been a big response from those supporting the concept of a woman leading Australia for the first time.
"Good on you Julia. Australia's first female leader - this is a real milestone for Australia. Definately got my vote," wrote Rebekah.
Other Yahoo7 readers noted that Labor would need to do some quick housekeeping on the resources super tax, and that they should call an election sooner rather than later to benefit from what they called the "honeymoon period".
The Twitter sphere has also whipped into a frenzy over the last few hours, with mixed responses to the spill.
"Australia finally has a woman at the top," tweeted ABC’s Insiders host Barry Cassidy.
Another user Rebecca_Sands posted: "Gillard: Not Doris Day who's just parachuted into Canberra / much more likeable than Tony Abbott."
Comedian Wil Anderson was cheeky as usual, saying: "Don't worry Mr Rudd, it could have been worse, you could have lost to Alf Stewart."
Tell us what you think about the leadership spill and Julia Gillard's rise to leadership by leaving a comment below
