Leadership about getting things done- PM - Sky News Australia

Updated: 16:48, Friday February 24, 2012

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the ballot for the Labor leadership on Monday is about who has the personal attributes and strength to get things done for the country.

Ms Gillard says Monday's Labor leadership ballot is about who can 'get things done'.

Former leader Kevin Rudd on Friday declared he would contest the ballot.

'The choice that the nation faces and my parliamentary colleagues face on Monday is a choice as to who has got the character, the temperament and the strength to deliver on behalf of the Australian people,' Ms Gillard told reporters in Melbourne.

'This isn't Celebrity Big Brother - it is about working out who can lead the nation, who has got the ability to get things done.

'That is the main question and the main choice.'

Ms Gillard said she wanted to do more reforming.

'I am asking my caucus colleagues for their support on Monday so we can spend 2012 delivering further much-needed reforms for our nation,' she said.

Ms Gillard listed her priorities as schools and skills reform, health reforms, job creation, carbon pricing and the national disability insurance scheme.

Ms Gillard said talk was easy.

'Getting things done is harder,' she said.

'I am the person who gets things done.'

Labor can prevail over Opposition Leader Tony Abbott at the next poll, Ms Gillard said.

'I, as prime minister, can lead Labor to a victory at that election.' Caucus will meet in Canberra on Monday to choose between Ms Gillard and Mr Rudd as leader.

'When Monday comes and go there will still be a nation that needs to be governed,' she said.

'There will still be a party which needs to live out its historic mission for working people.

'Those things can only be done with purpose, with method, with character, with strength and that's what I will seek to continue to deliver as prime minister beyond Monday.'

Ms Gillard said Mr Rudd had a poor record when it came to 'trust'.

'Kevin Rudd spoke about trust today but did not deny when challenged that he has spent time whilst I have been prime minister and he has been foreign minister behind closed doors, in secret conversations with people, undermining this government,' she said.

'There's questions of trust there.'

Asked if any senior ministers, like Martin Ferguson, who have come out in support of Mr Rudd, would be dumped if she prevailed, Ms Gillard said ministers were chosen on merit.

'I'll do what I've always done, which is select my cabinet on the basis of merit and the ability to take up the fight to the Liberals,' she said.

Ms Gillard said she remained confident of a win on Monday.

'I have been speaking to my caucus colleagues,' she said.

'And I have been reassured that I've got strong support.

'I've said consistently I've got the strong support of my colleagues, and my conversations with my caucus colleagues certainly verify that.'