CANBERRA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard won Labor caucus on Monday, defeating former PM and former foreign minister Kevin Rudd in a 71: 31 vote.
Party returning Officer Chris Hayes announced the result to reporters after the ballot vote. The leadership was decided at a meeting of 102 caucus members in Canberra's Parliament House on Monday.
One MP, Michelle Rowland, who recently gave birth, was absent from the meeting.
Rudd resigned as foreign minister last Wednesday and announced he would challenge for the leadership after returning to Australia on Friday. Gillard, who ousted Rudd as prime minister in June 2010, had been expected to win with at least two thirds of the vote.
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