PM talks to Rudd about cabinet post

The finishing touches are being put on Prime Minister Julia Gillard's new cabinet
line-up, with her predecessor Kevin Rudd a chance of nabbing a frontbench spot.
Ms Gillard is expected to announce the outcome of the ministerial reshuffle in
Canberra on Monday.
Despite ousting Mr Rudd from the top job just a few days ago, she is considering
giving him a portfolio in the revamped government.
"I am very keen to settle the ministry arrangements and I will be doing that as
quickly as possible," Ms Gillard told the Nine Network on Sunday.
"I will have a conversation with Kevin Rudd during the course of today."
The new prime minister denied suggestions that rancour over Mr Rudd's disposal would
result in a divided team.
"Let's just settle down a little bit," she said.
"On the best way of dealing with these issues, it would be between me and Kevin
having a conversation.
"I am the prime minister, what's got to guide me and drive me is the best interest
of the nation."
It would appear no one is safe from the impending shake-up.
Families Minister Jenny Macklin was tight-lipped on the subject, saying only that
she had enjoyed her work to date.
"Of course, in the end, it is up to Julia Gillard to make those (cabinet)
decisions," she told Network Ten, before adding the pair remained in talks.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said he was expecting Ms Gillard to call an
election soon - most likely after she does a deal with industry over the federal
government's proposed resources super-profits tax.
Ms Abbott has suggested she will come to an agreement over the controversial 40 per
cent tax with the coal-seam gas sector.
"There'll be a big announcement shortly about a deal with the coal-seam gas people,
she'll then say 'problem solved, let's have an election'," he told ABC TV.
"The public need to get to know the new prime minister to make a fair judgment of her.
"But I don't know that she will want to give us that chance."
Mr Abbott, who said he would be a "hard but fair" competitor in the upcoming
election, dismissed Ms Gillard having already started to turn Labor's poor opinion
polling around.
"It always happens, new face, looks like a new start," he said.
"She is probably a more together politician than Kevin Rudd.
"But in the end the people were turning off the government, not just the former
prime minister."
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has warned Ms Gillard will have to watch for a
backlash from Mr Rudd's supporters too.
"Having seen what's happened to Kevin Rudd, it's not surprising I think that
Queenslanders, when (they) see that happen to one of their own, are feeling in two
minds about the events of last week," she said.
"I think she understands she has a pretty tall mountain to climb."