PM Gillard retains Australian Labor leadership unopposed

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard retained the Labor party's top job on Thursday after no-one stood against her in a ballot called in response to building pressure over her leadership. Gillard survived after former leader Kevin Rudd decided not to challenge. Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan was also retained in his position unopposed after Simon Crean withdrew, according to Chris Hayes, returning officer for Labor party caucus votes. Gillard called the ballot as internal unrest mounted in a party floundering ahead of a general election in September. Her decision came after senior cabinet minister Crean openly called for a vote, with the premier lagging badly in opinion polls and facing rampant leadership speculation.