Barry-born woman is Prime Minister of Australia (From Barry And District News)

Barry-born woman is Prime Minister of Australia

9:40am Thursday 24th June 2010

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BARRY-BORN Julia Gillard is the new Prime Minister of Australia.

Ms Gillard, 48, is the first woman to hold the office.

She took on the role after Kevin Rudd stepped down as Labor party leader, thereby avoiding the need for a leadership ballot that it was believed he could not win.

Speaking at a press conference in Canberra's Parliament House, Ms Gillard said she was 'truly honoured' to become prime minister.

The 48-year-old was born in a terraced home in Queen Street, Barry, but emigrated with her parents and sister as assisted passage migrants in 1966.

She entered the Australian parliament in 1998, when some factions criticised her for being a single woman with no children.

But she said at the time: "I think if there's one girl who looks at the TV screen over the next few days and says 'I might like to do that in the future', then that's a good thing."

Speaking this morning as she accepted the leader's role, she said she did so with 'the greatest humility, resolve and enthusiasm'.

Her promotion from the Deputy Prime Minister's role followed a recent poll which showed the government under Kevin Rudd would lose an election if it was held now.

Ms Gillard's partner, Tim Mathieson, said: "She will be a fantastic prime minister. I am so proud."

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