KEY POINTS:
Kevin Rudd's left hand trembled slightly but his voice was strong as the Labor leader was sworn in as Australia's 26th Prime Minister yesterday.
Standing in an alcove at the private entrance to Government House - a door used only by the Prime Minister and the head of state - Mr Rudd grasped the piece of paper bearing his oath of office and read it aloud.
"I, Kevin Michael Rudd, do swear that I will well and truly serve the Commonwealth of Australia, her land and her people, in the office of the prime minister, so help me God," Mr Rudd said in a loud and clear voice.
His wife Therese Rein and children Jessica, Nicholas and Marcus beamed as their father officially ended John Howard's reign as Australia's second-longest serving Prime Minister in a brief ceremony at the Governor-General's residence.
Mr Rudd confirmed to Governor-General Michael Jeffery that he was the leader of the party which held the majority of seats in the House of Representatives and was thus capable of forming a Government.
- AAP