Australia's first woman deputy Prime Minister

A woman will run Australia for the first time in history next week. Meet our new deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard :applause:



Gillard smashes glass ceiling

AUSTRALIA'S first female Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard yesterday jetted into Brisbane for talks with Kevin Rudd and Wayne Swan on the future of the Labor Government.

The first thing on the agenda was next week - when she will become the first woman acting PM of Australia.

Mr Rudd yesterday confirmed he had accepted an invitation from Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to visit Bali next week for an international climate change conference.

That means Ms Gillard will be in charge of the country - but don't expect her to make any bold decisions in Mr Rudd's absence.

"I don't think anybody who knows me thinks I will do anything but do the job competently," she said.

Ms Gillard said she was delighted with her new role but bridging the gender divide was not the main reason for getting into politics.

"It's obviously something that Australian women would like to see, I had that message during the campaign," she said. "I met thousands of people and there was quite visibly a 'go girl' factor. The reason I got involved in politics hasn't been about being the first women to do something but to make a better and fairer country."

Full article: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22820316-5001021,00.html