Rudd Government (2007–2010)
Rudd Government (I)
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| In office | |
| 3 December 2007 – 24 June 2010 | |
| Prime Minister | Kevin Rudd |
| Deputy | Julia Gillard |
| Party | Labor |
| Status | Majority |
| Start reason | Won 2007 election |
| End reason | Rudd's resignation |
| Predecessor | Howard Government |
| Successor | Gillard Government |
The Rudd Government (2007–10) was the government of Australia formed by the Australian Labor Party and led by Kevin Rudd as Prime Minister. The Rudd Government commenced on 3 December 2007, when Rudd was sworn in along with his ministry. This took place nine days after the defeat of the Howard Government, which was a Coalition of members of the Liberal and National parties, at the 2007 federal election. The Rudd Government concluded on 24 June 2010, when Rudd, under pressure from an impending leadership caucus ballot, stepped down from the leadership of the Australian Labor Party and was succeeded by his deputy, Julia Gillard. Rudd was re-elected leader of the Labor Party in 2013 and served a second term as prime minister.
Treasurer Wayne Swan delivered the Rudd government's first budget in May 2008, which he said was designed to fight inflation. Total expenditure, as a share of gross domestic product (GDP), was lower than at any time of the previous government, despite including many of the expensive election promises for "working families". The projected surplus of 1.8% of GDP, or $21.7 billion, exceeded the 1.5% target set by the government in January. Labor supported improving the federal-state funding process through a reform of the Council of Australian Governments. Three nation-building investment funds were established—the infrastructure fund, "Building Australia", was earmarked $20 billion of federal funding. Education received $10 billion as part of Rudd's "education revolution", while health also received $10 billion.
In the 2008-09 budget, the Rudd government cut $63.4 million over four years from the CSIRO, forcing the closure of two laboratories and the loss of 100 jobs. It also cut $20 million from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
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