Prime Minister Julia Gillard has ordered cabinet members to refrain from talking to major newspapers in a bid to stamp out leadership speculation.
Ministers must now seek express permission from the prime minister’s office before any meeting or private talks, News Limited reported on Friday.
The gagging order was issued at a cabinet meeting last week.
“For someone who accused (former prime minister Kevin) Rudd of ruling with an iron fist, it was quite a turn around,” a senior minister was reported as saying.
“She has basically told everyone that they can’t talk to newspaper editors without her permission.”
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