In a surprise turn of events, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was forced to step down on June 24, 2010, after months of political debate over a 40 percent tax on the mining industry proposed by his government. He lost a leadership battle within his governing Labor Party with his deputy leader, Julia Gillard, on June 23rd, clearing the way for her to become the country’s first female prime minister. Hours after accepting her new position as Prime Minister and Party leader, she addressed members of the Australian House of Representatives in her first Question Time. This program is a recap of the week’s events, which include remarks from Ms. Gillard and outgoing Prime Minister Rudd, and a portion of Prime Minister Gillard’s first Question Time in Parliament.