As one of the Australian government’s most senior ministers, Joel Fitzgibbon has overseen some important policy shifts in just over 18 months in office.
There was a new defence policy paper; a radical reform program for an at-times resentful defence department; and there were big changes in Australia’s role in two major conflicts, in Iraq and in Afghanistan.

One of Australia’s key mining states, Queensland, will go to the polls on March 21 in what could be a major test of how Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is seen to be handling the global financial crisis.
Queensland is Rudd’s home state and heavily reliant on the mining industry, putting it on the front line of the crisis as export demand tumbles and unemployment climbs. An election was not due to be called there until September.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, who belongs to Rudd’s ruling Labor party, said in a video statement …

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd has welcomed Senator Obama’s election as a “great day for American democracy” and one that brought hope to the world.
“The great democracy that is the United States of America has once again demonstrated to the world the greatness of the democratic idea at work,” Mr Rudd told a media conference after Cabinet in Launceston.

Kevin Michael Rudd is the 26th and current Prime Minister of Australia