This was published 12 years ago
Explosive day in Parliament
A historic and explosive day in Australian politics as independents Robert Oakeshott and Tony Windsor retire and Kevin Rudd challenges for the leadership of the Labor Party. Fairfax photographers Andrew Meares and Alex Ellinghausen capture all the drama.
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An emotional Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott announced they will not recontest the next election at Parliament House.Credit:Andrew Meares
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Independent MP Tony Windsor speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
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Independent MP Rob Oakeshott and Independent MP Tony Windsor embrace at Parliament House.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
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Independent MP Tony Windsor delivers his valedictory speech in the House of Representatives at Parliament House.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
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Kevin Rudd shakes hands with outgoing Independent MP Tony Windsor during a divison on Government changes to immigration visa subclass 457 at Parliament House.Credit:Andrew Meares
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Gary Gray and Martin Ferguson talk after question time at Parliament House.Credit:Andrew Meares
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Portraits of Prime Minister Julia Gillard and other former Prime Ministers appear in the Caucus room at Parliament House.Credit:Andrew Meares
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A Portrait of Prime Minister Julia Gillard appears in the Caucus room at Parliament House.Credit:Andrew Meares
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Kevin Rudd and Joel Fitzgibbon depart after question time at Parliament House.Credit:Andrew Meares
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Prime Minister Julia Gillard during a division at Parliament House.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
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Opposition Leader Tony Abbott smiles during question time at Parliament House.Credit:Andrew Meares
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Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Treasurer Wayne Swan depart after a division at Parliament House.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
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Kevin Rudd passes Warren Snowdon after a divison on Government changes to immigration visa subclass 457 at Parliament House.Credit:Andrew Meares
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Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Treasurer Wayne Swan leave via a side door after question time at Parliament House.Credit:Andrew Meares
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Kevin Rudd announced he will challenge Prime Minister Julia Gillard in a leadership ballot at Parliament House.Credit:Andrew Meares
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Bill Shorten arrives for a press conference agead of a ALP leadership ballot at Parliament House.Credit:Andrew Meares
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Prime Minister Julia Gillard arrives for the leadership ballot at Parliament House.Credit:Andrew Meares
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Labor MP Kevin Rudd arrives for the leadership ballot at Parliament House.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
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Attendants look twards the caucus room as the leadership ballot continues at Parliament House.Credit:Andrew Meares
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Kevin Rudd announced he will challenge Prime Minister Julia Gillard in a leadership ballot at Parliament House.Credit:Andrew Meares