The Australian Christian Lobby said it would expect Labor under new Prime Minister Julia Gillard to “confirm its concern for the poor and the disadvantaged” along with “the values in society that proved attractive to many Christians throughout Australia” under former PM Kevin Rudd.
Ms Gillard was sworn in as Australia’s 27th prime minister at Government House in Canberra this afternoon after Mr Rudd stepped down from the office following a leadership challenge this morning.
The Australian Christian Lobby’s managing director, Jim Wallace, congratulated Ms Gillard on what he said was an “historic occasion”.
“However, we also want to thank Kevin Rudd for the commitment and energy he brought to issues such as homelessness, poverty, reconciliation and the importance of marriage in particular,” he said in a statement.
“Our immediate concern and prayers are for Mr Rudd, and we hope that at what must be a difficult time he can take strength in the God in whom we know he relies.”
In the statement, the ACL said “it would be expecting to see Labor under Ms Gillard confirm its concern for the poor and the disadvantaged, as well as the values in society that proved attractive to many Christians throughout Australia under Mr Rudd”.
Speaking after the leadership spill, Ms Gillard paid tribute to Mr Rudd’s term in office but said she felt the Labor Party was “losing its way” under his leadership.
Mr Rudd, meanwhile, in an emotional press conference at Parliament House, has said he will contest the next election and listed what he had achieved as prime minister, including keeping Australia out of the global financial crisis.
