Kevin Rudd’s downfall had all the hallmarks of compelling telemovie drama - ruthless ambition, bitter rivalries, back-stabbing, political assassination and more - but it lacked one thing: sex, writes Laurie Oakes.
ALP leadership
Milne: Gillard Labor looks a lot like Rudd Labor
Some of the key criticisms of Kevin Rudd - particularly poor communication skills and lack of consultation - appear to be also reflected in the new PM’s leadership style. Just look at the mining tax and the so-called East Timor Solution, writes Glenn Milne.
No stopping the rise of the ranga
Julia Gillard has proved to the nation that a certain breed of marginalised people can make it all the way to the top. We’re talking, of course, of redheads. Gillard’s ascension has well and truly cracked the ginger ceiling, says Dominic Knight.
Crabb: Gillard embarks on a violent Rudd trashing
Julia Gillard may have been one of the key players who scrapped the ETS, but she’s going to keep that fact quiet as she embarks on blaming Rudd for everything, writes Annabel Crabb.
Gillard’s rise: 157 years (and some trailblazing) in the making
I know I am not the only Australian who is quietly blessing those trail-blazers of the past for clearing the rocky road to Gillard’s momentous climb to the top job, writes Dr Clare Wright.
Holmes: It’s not just your ABC, it’s everyone’s
The Oz has been unfairly laying into the ABC for its leadership spill coverage last Thursday night. The ABC couldn’t just cut some of its most popular programs for a handful of political junkies, writes Jonathan Holmes.
Farrelly: Gillard and the rise of the Catwoman
Julia Gillard’s ascension marks a significant step forward for atheists, redheads and unmarried politicians but most of all it marks the beginning of the next period in human history: the rise and reign of the Catwoman, writes Elizabeth Farrelly.
Rundle: Pull your finger out Gillard
It’s been a week since PM Gillard ascended, and the whole thing has been fought on the Coalition’s and right-media terrain ever since. Where’s the initiative? asks Guy Rundle.
Burnside: Argy bargy can be good for everyone
Bitter and rancorous debate might not be “the true Australian way” but a fair whack of old fashioned confrontation can actually lead to good policy outcomes, writes Sarah Burnside.
Political snippets: Same campaign, different leader
Now that Julia Gillard is in the top job the Prime Minister might be different, but Labor’s campaigning techniques look like same old same old.
Gillard will win the election but Labor has lost its way
Both our major political parties have an identity problem. It’s the task of their leaders to define them, but is Julia Gillard up to the job?
Never mind ABC TV, put a rocket up ABC Radio
When the ALP leadership spill story began to break last week, ABC’s TV coverage compared unfavorably with Sky News - but it wasn’t exactly a fair comparison.
Carney: surprise surprise, politics is a grubby game
Yes, Kevin Rudd’s political assassination was swift and calculated but he isn’t the first and he won’t be the last. Moral dubiousness is the nature of the beast, writes Shaun Carney.
Grattan: Once upon a Gillard
On top of untangling contentious issues such as asylum seekers, climate change and the RSPT, Julia Gillard must construct a narrative that defines her, writes Michelle Grattan.
Rudd: executed by smartphone
Languishing polls, back-stabbing MPs and bad communication skills weren’t the only things that did Kevin Rudd in - his political assassins also used iPhones and Blackberries.
Turnbull: Rudd deserves a hug
He may have lacked competence and conviction but Kevin Rudd deserves respect (and a hug), writes Malcolm Turnbull in a Yeats inspired tribute to the former PM.
must read 
Maloney: I was there for the spill (and the mopping up)
Author Shane Maloney was sniffing around the corridors of parliament house last week. He wasn’t expecting to stumble into a PM leadership spill while eating dinner with Lindsay Tanner.
The post spill polling roundup
Another Galaxy, a Newspoll and an Essential Report have come into the field. The two party preferred is up for Labor by a smaller amount and the Coalition’s primary vote has barely budged, writes Possum Comitatus.
Rundle: Has Gillard’s rise screwed up the Right?
In espousing the virtues of Julia Gillard before last week’s coup, the media Right may now be wondering if they have overplayed their hand, writes Guy Rundle.
The factions always hated Rudd
The challenge by Julia Gillard to Kevin Rudd was fed by the media, the Liberals and factional heavyweights determined to get rid of Rudd. Now Gillard emerges as damaged goods.
Mungo: who’s really to blame for Rudd’s demise?
Kevin Rudd was knifed repeatedly and by many, says Mungo MacCallum. Who could have guessed that there were so many killers lurking in the wings of Parliament House?
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: A “weak” Rudd “wasted” his chance
Crikey readers weigh in on what has been an exceptional week in politics. Rudd’s tears tore at the hearts of readers, even if it was just a pre-written speech.
Farr: Thanks Abbott for making Julia PM
It’s not just Julia Gillard and ALP factional heavyweights that brought about Kevin Rudd’s downfall. Give Tony Abbott credit for preying on ALP insecurities, says Malcolm Farr.
Guy Rundle: Send off the clowns — the collapse of mainstream politics
A leader elected to widespread acclaim, empowered to sweep away a discredited regime and now either gone or on the ropes. It happened to Gordon Brown, Kevin Rudd, Angela Merkel and Barack Obama. Why? asks Guy Rundle.
Brave in the face of defeat
There were two emotional political departures yesterday. Lindsay Tanner’s resignation suddenly leaves the Labor frontbench looking altogether lighter, while Kevin Rudd’s faced up to the wrenching experience of defeat.
