Changes in Prime Minister Position in Australia: Analysis and Effects

Running head: INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS 1
Introduction to Politics and Government
Student
Institution

INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT
2
Introduction to Politics and Government
The change of the Prime Minister in Australia has occurred drastically since the year
2010 where changes have occurred from time to time. Australia is not a republic as in the case of
other nations and thus does not have all powers vested on the presidency but rather spread among
the persons elected and other government officials (Hazan, Rahat & Kenig, 2018). In Australia,
the position can be compared to that of a board chairman where changes can be made by the
officials electing one to the position.
Thus, a vote by the members can lead to a replacement of the incumbent member. While
changing of prime ministers maybe considered a challenge, it causes little disruption to the it
may be perceived as a challenge having different prime minister in a record of five years, little or
no problems arises in relation to the nation’s stability.
Prime ministers in Australia have changed over time as individuals drew preference on
different political paths. Since 2007, the nation has experienced a radical change in its prime
minister position with a popular vote leading to the changes present in the nation. From the
perceived conditions in the political patterns in the nation, the change of prime ministers due to
different reasons affected little operations. However, each of them had their reason for the
occurrence due to acts and decision that did not please the members and the general public.
Much of the reasons related to politics and handling of foreign affairs by the prime minister.
Reasons for Individual Changes of Prime Ministers
The prime minister changes since 2010 have occurred unexpectedly and further
complicated the situation in the nation. Each prime minister ousted had their own and unique
reason for the action by members. Since the members have the power and mandate to vote out

INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT
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and initiate a new one, it becomes possible for the case of five prime ministers in barely six
years. The unique reasons are presented below through an analysis of each party.
Kevin Rudd (2007-2010) Prime Minister
The prime minister experienced controversy in his decision to withdraw troops from Iraq
and further signing a climate pact. The decision did not go down well with some of the officials
thus leading to dissatisfaction cases among the party members. The prime minister was ousted
based on the shelving of the emission trading scheme central to his strategy in environment
coupled by his decision on high tax in the mining sector. Consequently, deputy prime minister at
the time Julia Gillard challenged the leadership leading to the Rudd’s stepping down in the
position.
Gillard Julia (2010-2013)
As the first women prime minister, her leadership was under scrutiny and went down due
to her speech that busted the opposition thus gaining global attention. Under her leadership, tax
on mining was passed as well as the law on emission-trading scheme. However, individuals were
opposed to on her policy focusing on the processing asylum seekers offshore leading to the
labor’s decline in the polls continued to decline leading to a re-election where she was defeated
by Rudd.
Kevin Rudd (June 2013-sept 2013)
Rudd resigned from his position as the foreign minister thus being termed as
dysfunctional by the prime minister. He further overhauled the law on climate policy and asylum
with a high record in the appointment of highest number of females as ministers (Widmaier &
Grube, 2015). His popularity fell when the voters changed loyalty towards the Liberal coalition
thus leading to the replacement due to growing levels of criticisms.