Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has congratulated Julia Gillard for winning the federal Labor leadership ballot and says the challenge now is to heal the rift in the party.
Ms Gillard won an emphatic vote of confidence - 71 votes to 31 - over former leader Kevin Rudd at a special caucus meeting on Monday.
"Leadership battles are always difficult - and you have seen a lot of those problems - and that pain has played out in the last couple of days," Ms Bligh told reporters on the Gold Coast on Monday.
"I think the challenge now for Labor federally and for us as a party is to heal that rift and come together as a united organisation.
"I don't underestimate that. "I don't think that will happen overnight."
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Ms Bligh believes the players involved have the political will to overcome the division.
"Everyone knows Kevin is a friend of mine and it's never easy to watch your friend go through something like this," she said. "No doubt Kevin is disappointed by the level of support.
"He would have liked to have seen more votes."
Ms Bligh admits the drama has damaged Labor's state campaign.
"I don't think people have had a real chance to look at the state issues," she told reporters. "I look forward to this being put behind us."
