JULIA GILLARD HAS secured her position as leader of Labor – and Prime Minister of Australia – after a tense day of wrangling within the party.

The Australian PM emerged from a third leadership spill in three years today after she stood unopposed in a strange caucus election.

In a brief statement, Gillard claimed the leadership issue within Labor has been settled “in the most conclusive fashion possible”, declaring the “whole business is completely at an end”.

“The Government has a plan for the nation’s future. We’ve got plenty of work to be getting on with it, and we’ll be getting on with it in a few minutes’ time.”

During the conference she said she accepts the continuing support of the Labor party with “humility” and “resolve”.

“I never sought office for its own sake; I have only ever sought office in the interests of the nation, and to assist our nation to prepare to meet the challenges of the future.”

For the past three years, deep divisions within the party have been obvious. However, just minutes before the election today, former PM Kevin Rudd announced he would not stand against Gillard in what then became a farcical leadership spill (given that there was no one to oppose the current leader). According to ABC in Australia, there were reports of the former leader canvassing numbers until the last minute but when convinced he could not win with a convincing majority, he reneged.

The vote had been called by party elder Simon Crean as he wanted to end the disunity which he said was destroying Labor.

“I don’t want any more games, I’m sick to death of it, it’s about time [Rudd] stood up and instead of having his camp leak things, actually have the courage of his conviction and his belief.”

Deputy PM Wayne Swan said there was “strong support” for Gillard in the party room today. He described her as a “tough leader” and a “champion for our country”.

His said it was now time to get “back to work”.

The fallout from today’s vote will see Crean lose his jobs as Arts Minister and Minister for Regional Australia and will take a seat on the backbench for the first time in 23 years. He said he does not regret being the “circuit breaker” and believes Gillard’s mandate is now stronger – something he achieved for her inadvertently.

However, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has used the opportunity to call for an immediate election, claiming the leadership issue is not resolved.

It was a busy day for Gillard who earlier addressed more than 800 victims of forced adoptions to issue a full and unreserved State apology.

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