Asia-Pacific

Julia Gillard sworn in as Australia's 27th PM

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-06-24 11:36
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CANBERRA - Julia Gillard has been sworn in as Australia's 27th prime minister on Thursday.

Julia Gillard sworn in as Australia's 27th PM
Australia's new Prime Minister Julia Gillard arrives at a news conference after a leadership ballot at Federal Parliament House in Canberra June 24, 2010. [Agencies] 

The country's first female Governor-General, Quentin Bryce, performed the ceremony at the Government House in Canberra on Thursday afternoon.

Gillard was greeted with a kiss by her partner Tim Mathieson as she entered the room for the swearing in.

Gillard became Australia's first woman Prime Minister on Thursday after Kevin Rudd stepped aside as party leader.