Australia's Julia Gillard survives challenge by Kevin Rudd

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has defeated Kevin Rudd in the Labor Party leadership ballot.

Ms Gillard, who ousted Mr Rudd as PM in June 2010, won by 71 votes to 31. She called the ballot after weeks of speculation that Mr Rudd was going to challenge her for the top job.

Correspondents say the result is a major boost for a leader who had been facing serious internal divisions.

Duncan Kennedy reports from Sydney.