The nation’s first female premier beat Rudd 71-31 in a secret ballot of the103-member Labor caucus.
Speaking to reporters after the results were published, Gillard described the vote as a bid to end a row with her predecessor over the ruling party leadership.
“I want to say to Australians one and all, this issue, the leadership question, is now determined,” she said.
Gillard thanked her party members for their ”overwhelming endorsement” and stressed that the Labor Party could win the next election due by mid-2013 under her leadership.
Rudd also congratulated Gillard on ”her strong win today,” saying, “I accept the verdict without qualification, without rancor.”
Rudd quit as foreign minister last week while he was on a visit to the United States.
Gillard was named as Labor leader in 2010, after party chiefs lost their confidence in the former prime minister. Gillard now plans to reshuffle her cabinet.
Observers say Defense Minister Stephen Smith is viewed as an option for the country’s new foreign minister post.
DB/MB/HJL
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