Officials have said that Australia's Labor Party has elected Julia Gillard as its leader, ousting Prime Minister Kevin Rudd weeks before a federal election.

The Age newspaper has reported that Gillard was unopposed in the leadership election and is to be sworn in Friday morning as Australia's first woman prime minister, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported. Gillard, a former deputy prime minister who demanded a vote on the party leadership, will decide when to lead her party into the next general election.

Final offer has been made by Kevin Rudd to the states on his health reform package.

It was declared by Victorian Premier John Brumby's that the state should keep hold of 30% of GST revenue. On Monday night's teleconference it was told that all the hospital funding should be shared, most probably to be circulated by some independent authorities.

Asylum applications, for immigrants from Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, have been suspended by Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd.

The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that Rudd said his decision was based on an improvement in the security situation in both countries. Under the new policy, asylum seekers from Sri Lanka will be held on Christmas Island for three months before their applications are dealt with, while Afghans will have to wait at least six months.

Australia and China are planning for a new air services agreement between the two countries that could further open skies for the business and tourism segment. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s government bats for increasing number of flights under the proposed accord for providing better air connectivity between two nations.

The proposed deal would make airlines from both countries to offer as many as 10,500 seats a week immediately and 4,000 seats from November this year. The development would roll out new opportunities for airlines in the Asia-Pacific which is the biggest market of Asia Pacific region, according to a statement.

Melbourne, Jan 3 : Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has penned a children’s book which follows the adventure of his pet dog and cat.

Described by his staff as "more secretive than the Budget", the adventure story for charity will be published this month.

The book titled Jasper and Abby and the Great Australia Day Kerfuffle follows dog Abby and cat Jasper in an adventure in the grounds of Kirribilli House.

It has been co-authored former Play School presenter and actor Rhys Muldoon.

Sydney, Jan 3 : Prime Minister Kevin Rudd welcomed the Pakistani and Australian team for a lunch at the Kirribilli House ahead of the Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and asked jokingly for the birth certificate of Pak teen sensation Mohammad Aamer after his five wicket haul against Australia.

The Prime Minister took the unusual step of welcoming an international side inside his Sydney home for the first time in recent memory.

Sydney, November 30 : Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has described himself as a " complete classical nerd".

In an interview, the premier said that he’s a a "garden-variety Christian" who wants to be remembered as the "bloke (who) made a difference".

"The best way to describe me is a complete classical nerd,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted him as telling January edition of Rolling Stones magazine in Australia.

New Delhi, Nov. 14 : Rotary Australia has taken on Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for apparently promising barbecues to Indian students in his country while on a visit to Indian capital New Delhi, saying barbecues were not an ideal welcoming gesture as most Indians are vegetarian.

Rudd’s reported announcement came moments before Thursday’s press conference here over criminal attacks on Indian students in Australia.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (52) said on Thursday he was “disgusted” and “deeply disturbed” by the attacks on Indian students in his country.

Speaking at the Indian Council of World Affairs, Rudd, who is on an official visit, said: “These attacks will not be tolerated. We are working to make sure everything is done to protect overseas students.”

Nearly 100 Indian students have been assaulted in Australia in recent times, including 83 during a 52-day period between May 25 and July 15.

New Delhi, Nov. 13 : Following bilateral discussions here on Thursday evening, the Prime Ministers'' of India and Australia -- Dr. Manmohan Singh and Kevin Rudd -- have agreed to take the relationship to the level of a strategic partnership and to intensify their contacts with each other.

Both Dr Singh and Rudd agreed that India and Australia are two countries with shared interests and shared values.

New Delhi, Nov 12 : Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's wife Therese Rein laid a wreath at the India Gate memorial to the "unknown soldier" Thursday, becoming first foreign female dignitary not holding an office to do so, an official said here.

"Both the prime minister (Kevin Rudd) and his wife laid a wreath at the memorial as is the tradition in Australia. Moreover, the name of an Australian nursing assistant is inscribed on the monument," said an official.

New Delhi, Nov. 12 : Visiting Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Thursday described the relationship between his country and India as one that was growing fast in the 21st century, and that every effort must be availed to take these ties to a higher and meaningful level, including from the strategic perspective.

New Delhi - Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Thursday said his government was committed to taking all possible measures to ensure the safety of international students, seeking to allay New Delhi's concerns over recent attacks on Indian students in the country.

"The Australian government is committed to do all that is physically possible to ensure that all international students in Australia have a safe and rewarding experience," Rudd told a meeting hosted by Indian business chambers in New Delhi.

New Delhi, Nov. 12 : Describing the recent racial attacks on Indian students down under as ‘disgusting’, visiting Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Thursday said the attacks has left him deeply disturbed.

“I am deeply disturbed and disgusted by attacks on Indian in Australia,” Rudd said.

Rudd, who arrived here last night on a two-day visit, assured that such incidents would not be repeated in future.

New Delhi, Nov. 12 : Visiting Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has made it clear that he will not buckle on Australia''s refusal to sell uranium to India just hours ahead of a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

New Delhi, Nov. 12 : Australia’s First Lady and wife of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Therese Rein, on Thursday became the first head of government’s spouse to lay a wreath at the India Gate memorial to the “Unknown Soldier”.

The memorial, which is also known as the “Amar Jawan Jyoti”, is dedicated to the men and women soldiers who laid down their lives during the First World War (1914-1918). The names of 13,500 armed forces personnel are inscribed on the memorial.

New Delhi, Nov 12 : Despite concerns over the falling US dollar, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Thursday said his country would continue to support the currency.

"The US dollar will provide stability," Rudd, currently visiting India, said here while interacting with reporters and business leaders.

Asked whether Australia would support a common currency for the Asia-Pacific region, he said: "I would prefer to support the US dollar as the reserves and will continue to support it in the future because it will provide stability."

New Delhi, Nov 12 - A day after India reiterated its concerns over recent attacks on students from here down under, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Thursday said they were welcome guests in his country.

"Indian students are welcome guests in Australia. They are important for the Australian economy and we want them to stay amicably in a cordial manner," said Rudd, currently visiting India,.

New Delhi, Nov 12 : Australian Prime Minister (PM) Kevin Rudd will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh this evening and will discuss issues of bilateral and international importance.

Rudd, who arrived here last night on a two-day visit, is expected to hold talks on maritime security.

Both leaders will sign agreements on maritime security and counter- terrorism measures.

Both leaders could also declare the start of negotiations for a free trade agreement.

New Delhi, Nov 11 : Amid the shadow of repeated attacks on Indian students in his country, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will hold talks with Indian leaders Thursday aimed at boosting economic and strategic ties between the two countries.

Rudd will begin his two-day whistlestop tour to India from its financial hub Mumbai Wednesday, his first visit to the rising Asian power since becoming prime minister last year.