(Image source: The Australian)

BY CELIA MURRAY

Ever since Julia Gillard successfully took leadership of the labor party from Kevin Rudd in 2010, Australian media have speculated when he would return the favor. Now, as the new parliamentary year starts up, pundits say it’s just a matter of time.

Here’s ABC Australia.

“Leadership rumblings are continuing to dog the Prime Minister as MPs prepare to return to Canberra for the year’s first sitting of parliament. There’s been a renewed focus on the leadership including speculation of a challenge before the end of March.

If Rudd’s challenge is successful, he will retake the Prime Minister position. The Australian outlines Rudd’s chances.

“Strategists from both camps believe the Foreign Minister can afford to lose a first leadership ballot if he were to secure a reasonable level of support, whereas they believe Ms Gillard must win a ballot comprehensively to see off the possibility of a second Rudd challenge.”

Labor’s power brokers are trying to warn Rudd off the challenge. Several MPs have announced they would step down to the backbenches with “suicide” resignations should Kevin Rudd win back his position.

Former Labor leader Simon Crean tells SBS Rudd isn’t a team player:

I think that part of the reason he lost the leadership was that he wasn’t. There’s no point having a band of prima donnas unless they operate as a team.

In a recent article on The Punch, Adelaide Advertiser’s political editor says it’s not about Rudd’s popularity within the party -- it’s about staving off the opposition.

If it were, he would have no chance now and would not have been leader the first time around. Then, as now, his potential attractiveness is about voter appeal. MPs will be asking, can we win with Kevin or at least avert annihilation? If enough conclude that the answer is yes, then it’s game-over for Ms Gillard.

Gillard hasn’t publicly acknowledged the chance of a Rudd challenge, saying he’s doing a great job as Minister of Foreign Affairs. But a writer for The New Zealand Herald believes things may be more tense behind the scenes.

This will be a long, cold autumn for Prime Minister Julia Gillard. With polling at rock bottom, an appalling run of bad press, blunders and deep rumblings among her backbenchers, the sound of knives on whetstones is growing louder.