Today feels positively quiet given the events of the past 48 hours. But let's do a recap anyway:
- Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has promised to be more consultative with his colleagues;
- Mr Rudd has already flagged issues such as immigration and the carbon price as things he wants to discuss with his cabinet colleagues when they meet on Monday;
- this means a new ministry will need to be sworn in which will happen some time before that meeting;
- the Coalition had a mini campaign rally in where leader Tony Abbott ran through the issues he wanted to focus on - Labor instability and its track record on asylum seekers; and
- the Senate was busy dealing with the final legislative business of the 43rd Parliament but has now adjourned.
Again - a huge thanks to all our readers and contributors. We've had an astonishing response over the past few days and Andrew Meares, Alex Ellinghausen and I appreciate your generous comments. We try to bring you accurate, up to date information with a side serving of humour.
Andrew Meares and Alex Ellinghausen - take a bow. You are the best.
We will see you soon.
The Senate has also agreed to the government's proposed changes to the 457 visa program which will compel employers to demonstrate that they have done everything they can to show they have tried to find an Australian to fill a job vacancy before looking overseas.
Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor says: "Most Australians would expect that employers look local first before hiring workers from overseas and these legislative changes will ensure that occurs where it's not already happening".
The changes were opposed by the Coalition.
The Senate sits on. Bill by bill it is working its way through the business of legislation.
Just passed is the government's plan to offer $300 million of pay increases to childcare workers.
The package is contentious inside the childcare industry.
On the one hand some staff (who among the lowest paid workers in the country) will get pay raises but, on the other, the money is enough to increase wages for only about 40 per cent of childcare workers in long day care centres.
Michael Throsby, the president of the childcare workers' union, United Voice, says the legislation is "a great start but our campaign will continue until 100 per cent of the workforce is paid fairly."
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is the first prime minister to be a supporter of same sex marriage.
In this video you can see the comments he made in relation to the issue earlier today.
Rudd floats gay marriage referendum
Kevin Rudd has called on Tony Abbott to allow Liberal MPs a conscience vote on same sex marriage, or Labor may consider taking it to a referendum.
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Breaking news reporter Judith Ireland has filed this story about Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's press conference and where this leaves things such as education reform and Australia's relationship with Indonesia.
You can also watch some of the highlights here.
'Just chill', Rudd tells the media
Kevin Rudd answers press questions for the first time since being reinstated as PM, but says if the media are expecting an "avalanche of policies" by Monday they should "just chill".
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Go on, you know you want to watch the video of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott crediting his communications spokesman Malcolm Turnbull with "virtually" inventing the internet in Australia.
(For the record - yes, I think he was joking and I giggled.)
Turnbull 'virtually invented the internet'
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott describes his team as very strong, particularly Malcolm Turnbull, who he says 'virtually invented the internet in this country'.
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Mr Rudd says he is a "daggy dad".
His daughter, Jessica, told him last night to stop using the phrase "cooking with gas" because it was "one of the daggiest things she had ever heard me say".
(And, let's face it, that's no small call. Remember the "fair shake of the sauce bottle"?)
Jessica appears to be making her influence known. For the first time in memory Mr Rudd finishes a press conference without saying he has to "zip".
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd during a press conference at Parliament House on Friday. Photo: Andrew Meares
Liberal Party Senator Bill Heffernan just press conference bombed Mr Rudd.
"Good to have you here," Mr Rudd says.
(Senator Heffernan has an alarming habit of looming up at the press conferences of politicians from all parties and throwing his own questions. So far he appears just to be observing Mr Rudd. The handsome gentlemen standing to Senator Heffernan's left are my colleague Daniel Hurst and Australian Financial Review stablemate James Massola.)
Liberal Senator Bill Hefferan during Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's press conference on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
"I would like to see this done," Mr Rudd says of same-sex marriage.
(Treasurer Chris Bowen told ABC television last night there would be no change in the party's election platform despite Mr Rudd's views. In other words - MPs have a conscience vote on the issue.)
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd addresses the media at Parliament House on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Mr Rudd says accusations that he leaked against Julia Gillard throughout her prime ministership and the 2010 election campaign are "completely false".
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd during a press conference in Parliament House on Friday. Photo: Andrew Meares
Mr Rudd says it is important women continue to play a strong role in politics.
He notes it was his good self who appointed the first female governor-general and the first female deputy prime minister.
There will continue to be a strong female line-up in the cabinet, Mr Rudd promises.
He asks the people taking part in the preselection for the Melbourne seat of Batman (where Senator David Feeney - backed by former prime minister Julia Gillard - is being challenged by Mary-Anne Thomas) to keep the issue of the number of women in Parliament in mind.
"We see things through slightly different eyes, these two genders of ours," Mr Rudd says and both should be well represented in Parliament.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd during a press conference in Parliament House on Friday. Photo: Andrew Meares
Ms Bishop is watching closely:
PM Rudd first major gaffe - his absurd alarmist statements on Indonesia are irresponsible and reckless
— Julie Bishop (@JulieBishopMP) June 28, 2013
That prompted this immediate response from the Coalition:
Outrageous claim by PM Rudd over 'conflict' with Indonesia. He must refrain from ridiculous statements about our bi-lateral relationship
— Julie Bishop (@JulieBishopMP) June 28, 2013
Mr Rudd warns of the Coalition's policy on turning back asylum seeker boats to Indonesia saying it would make the diplomatic relationship with that country very difficult.
"You really need to have some pretty cool hands on the tiller when dealing with Indonesia," Mr Rudd says.
Mr Rudd warns the Coalition's policy on boats could leave to "conflict" with Indonesia.
He comes back to clarify that he means diplomatic conflict.
But when asked if it could go further Mr Rudd says: "I certainly hope it doesn't, I don't believe it would."
Re the debate (see 12.47 pm post):
When PM Rudd announces the election date, the Press Club debates can begin #givethepeopletheirvote
— Julie Bishop (@JulieBishopMP) June 28, 2013
Mr Rudd backs comments made by Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr about people who pose as asylum seekers being economic migrants.
"Some are genuine refugees," Mr Rudd says. "You would have to be deluded yourself if you thought there weren't a bunch of people seeking to come here who weren't economic refugees."
[Remember that when Mr Rudd lost the prime ministership in 2010 that he cited immigration policy as one of the reasons he was dumped. He is now being urged to move further to the right on this issue.]
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd addresses the media at Parliament House on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
In relation to the carbon price Mr Rudd says he doesn't walk away from any of his previous statements but he also believes in "due process" and will speak to the cabinet about it.
(Note how careful Mr Rudd is being by saying he will discuss pretty much everything with his ministers first.)
"There is sufficient time for us to work through some of the significant problems we face in an orderly fashion," Mr Rudd says.
"Major policy settings" should be put in place before an election is called, Mr Rudd says, although he reserve the right to whip out a few new ideas during the campaign.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd addresses the media at Parliament House on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Mr Rudd is asked what his approach will be to immigration.
Mr Rudd says he believes in a system of "orderly migration" and he is concerned about the "fragmentation of support" for immigration policy.
"We have to be very attentive to a basic national interest which is to sustain broad public support for orderly migration," he says.
On the question of the proposed visit to Indonesia - Mr Rudd says he will be briefed on the trip this afternoon and will make up his mind after that.
Mr Rudd reissues his challenge to Opposition Leader Tony Abbott (made after question time yesterday) for a debate about "the facts" to do with the economy at the National Press Club some time in the next two weeks.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd addresses the media at Parliament House on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Mr Rudd says he will no longer refer to the education reforms as "Gonski" (after the man who made the recommendations the changes are based on).
Mr Rudd says the package needs to be better explained.
He says he will proceed with the package as is but he will extend the June 30 deadline by two weeks (this gives the states and Northern Territory a bit longer to come to the party).
There is still a "gap" between what Catholic and independent schools want and what the government has offered, Mr Rudd says.
But his general feeling is that "this policy direction will continue".
The second reason, Mr Rudd says, is the people kept coming to him and saying they wanted a "real choice" at the election.
He believes his return gives people "a real policy choice".
The third reason, Mr Rudd says, is he wants to make "policy changes".
"These have been hard times," Mr Rudd says.
"Parties come through and we intent to come through.
"Any member of the ministry under prime minister Gillard who wants to continue to work under my prime ministership is welcome to do so . . . My business is to harvest talent."
Mr Rudd promises he has changed his ways and will work closely with his cabinet colleagues again.
For people expecting an "avalanche" of policy announcements between now and Monday, Mr Rudd says: "Chill."
Mr Rudd says he thinks it is important to tell people why he made a return to the leadership.
There are three reasons why he wanted to come back.
It is rare that a person is given a second chance to lead a political party, Mr Rudd says.
"The government was on track for a catastrophic defeat," Mr Rudd says and Labor stood to lose not only government but control of the Senate.
All of Labor's achievements since coming to office in 2007 would be "torn down", Mr Rudd says.
"If we lost in the Senate who knows what would happen" when it comes to industrial relations.
"I could not stand idly by and allow all these good changes that have affected millions of changes to be thrown away," he says.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd addresses the media at Parliament House on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Mr Rudd said he discussed the composition of the ministry last night.
The new ministry will be sworn in on Monday, he says (but has not announced the line up yet).
Mr Rudd says he has been having briefings on the economy and national security.
"So, we've had a bit on," Mr Rudd says.
I take it back. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is on time.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd addresses the media during a press conference at Parliament House on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Parliament House was the place to be yesterday - and it appears there are more political junkies and tragics around than I thought.
A security guard told photographer Andrew Meares earlier this morning that the queues to get into the public galleries were 200 metres long all day. It was the biggest day he had seen.
In case the booklet of the Coalition's Real Solutions policy document is too cumbersome for you to carry around, it's now available in a handy bookmark form! No word yet on when the app is coming.
Booklet Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is scheduled to give a press conference in about half an hour.
While we wait let me draw your attention to some of the stories looking at the whys and wherefores of the week that was:
- Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is expected to travel to Indonesia next week;
- the last day of the 43rd Parliament as seen by Jacqueline Maley;
- Damien Murphy on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's unique way with words;
- just what was Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten thinking anyway; and
- economics correspondent Peter Martin on the new Treasurer, Chris Bowen.
Mr Abbott has been running through many lines we are bound to become very familiar with in the coming weeks such as the promise to return "stability and certainty" to Australia.
Mr Abbott capitalised on the Labor leadership saga - "Newflash Kevin, it's not all about you" - before going on to point out the differences between Labor and the Coalition.
As you might expect, Mr Abbott zeroed in on Labor's record on asylum seekers saying he was "not being negative" but merely factual when he makes the claim that "Kevin Rudd is the best friend people smugglers' have ever had".
Mr Abbott also praised his frontbench as a "strong team" but he singled out communications spokesman Malcolm Turnbull for a big tick - "the man who virtually invented the internet in Australia". (I got a lot of comments when I posted that remark on twitter. I stress Mr Abbott was joking. I thought it was quite funny.)
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott with frontbenchers Malcolm Turnbull and Andrew Robb at Parliament House on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is in full swing in the Coalition party room (more of that in a minute).
But take a look at the chap in the bottom right hand corner of this picture - the one in loafers and bright blue socks. It's former foreign affairs minister Alexander Downer who is set to become president of the South Australian Liberal Party.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott during a meeting with Coalition MPs at Parliament House on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Former first bloke, Tim Mathieson, has spoken for the first time since the events of Wednesday.
Speaking outside The Lodge, Mr Mathieson said: ''For Julia, she's done some incredible things which I'm sure in time will be shown to be amazing.''
Mr Mathieson told Channel 9 he wished Mr Rudd ''all the best'' and was looking forward to a quiet weekend.
His plans include ''probably not reading the newspapers for the first time in three years''.
The quirky arrangement of the Coalition's partners always amuses me.
The Liberal and National parties are a coalition and the National Party is the junior partner - that's straightforward enough.
When in opposition, the leader of the National Party is not the deputy opposition leader. That title goes to the deputy leader of the Liberal party.
But when the Coalition is in government then the leader of the National Party gets to be deputy prime minister. Should the Coalition come to office later this year that person would be Warren Truss.
Joe Hockey, Julie Bishop and Tony Abbott wait for National Party leader Warren Truss to finish speaking in Canberra on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Coalition MPs are meeting in Canberra. It's like they are having a warm-up campaign launch.
Treasury spokesman Joe Hockey introduced National Party Leader Warren Truss who introduced deputy opposition leader Julie Bishop who will introduce Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.
Mr Abbott walked in to a round of sustained applause.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott during a meeting of Coalition MPs at Parliament House on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Should Prime Minister Kevin Rudd give in to the opposition and announce the election date?
Even after extraordinary events there are still offices to be cleared out, boxes to be packed and houses to be moved.
After dropping into the Parliament House cafe, Aussie's, for a coffee yesterday morning these are the things that would have been occupying former prime minister Julia Gillard.
Labor MPs Wayne Swan and Julia Gillard leave the House of Representatives on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
A lightening fast poll conducted last night shows Labor has received an immediate bounce from Kevin Rudd's return but still trails the Coalition.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will hold a press conference at Parliament House at 12.30pm.
(Don't hold your breath for it actually starting at that time. If Wednesday night reminded me of anything it was that Mr Rudd often operates in a slightly different time zone.)
What will Prime Minister Kevin Rudd actually do is the question on everyone's lips. The carbon price and asylum seeker issues are two key policies Mr Rudd will need to focus on.
Already there is talk that Mr Rudd will dump the carbon price and move to an emissions trading system - something he could only say he would do if he is returned to government because the change would require legislation.
Greens' leader Christine Milne does not think much of that idea. You can see a video here of comments on the carbon price.
Milne: Keep the tax, Kevin.
Greens' leader Christine Milne says Kevin Rudd's history of 'flip-flopping' on carbon pricing is a worry, and that he should not bring forward a floating price on carbon.
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Yesterday I pointed you in the direction of links to the statements made by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, his deputy Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott late on Wednesday night (you can find the links in yesterday's blog at the 9.23 am post).
I have not, until now, had a transcript of former prime minister Julia Gillard's statement. Understandably, it probably wasn't a first order issue for her office yesterday.
Here is the link to Ms Gillard's statement. A video of it is also contained.
Former prime minister Julia Gillard surprised everyone when she named the election date - September 14 - way back at the start of the year. The move was supposed to short circuit the usual speculation about poll dates that runs through an election year.
But we are now back in that position with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd making it clear he will choose another date. He has hinted it won't be too far away from the date chosen by Ms Gillard despite the opposition howling for an election as soon as possible.
August 24 is a firm favourite but Mr Rudd has signalled he will go back to the traditional method of naming election dates - by not naming the date before he makes the trip to Government House.
As an aside - one senior Coalition strategist has been putting about the theory that if he was Kevin Rudd he would choose October 19. This date is the first Saturday after September 14 that does not host a major sporting event and would give Mr Rudd more time to rattle Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.
You can catch up on why some dates are more favourable than others here.
Although the 43rd Parliament has officially concluded the Senate is still sitting. It's kind of like it's on detention to catch up on things it didn't get done before.
It is the last day National Party Senator Barnaby Joyce will sit in the pink chamber - he's off to contest the lower house seat of New England. He is handing over the leadership of the National Party in the Senate to his deputy, Fiona Nash. Never one to be shy away from a stunt Senator Joyce has gifted his boots to Senator Nash.
Barnaby Joyce presents his boots to Senator Fiona Nash at Parliament House on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghasen
The end of another extraordinary week. The Senate is sitting and we are waiting for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to announce his ministry and hint at policy directions he might pursue.
Please join me, Andrew Meares and Alex Ellinghausen for all the day's events in federal politics.
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