"I asked my colleagues to make a leadership change because I believe that a good government was losing its way... and at risk at the next election... I was not going to sit idly by," Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
"I was elected by the Australian people as prime minister of this country to bring back a fair go for all Australians and I have given my absolute best to do that, I've given my absolute all," Deposed Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
"She [Julia Gillard] comes from South Australia - that's where women first got the vote," Greens Leader Bob Brown.
"They've changed the salesman but they haven't changed the product... She is committed to the same policies, the same dud policies, that Kevin Rudd has been committed to," Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.
"I'd like to thank Kevin Rudd for the great personal support he has given me and the assistance he has given SA as Prime Minister," South Australian Premier Mike Rann, via Twitter.
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"There's obviously no point changing leadership unless the federal party makes some decisions about changing the direction that Australians have been, I think, indicating they don't want to see," Queensland Premier Anna Bligh.
"It was clearly Rudd's leadership style that led to his demise. Quite clearly he's not consultative, and I think the Super Mining Profits tax (sic) showed his lack of consultation," Family First Senator, Steve Fielding, on Sky News.
"Julia Gillard must now do better than KRudd (sic), and talk to the Greens about getting real action on climate change and compassion for refugees," Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, via Twitter.
"This is the first time in Australia's history that a prime minister has been defeated by a civil campaign of anger," Mining magnate Clive Palmer on the Government's resources tax.
"We are encouraged by the comments of (Ms Gillard), that her government will open the doors for negotiation with the objective of achieving consensus... In response to the new prime minister's request, we have immediately asked our agencies to suspend all advertising as a sign of good faith," Statement issued by resource giant BHP.
"Congratulations to Julia Gillard, Australia's 1st female Prime Minister. A passionate advocate for families. Look fwd (sic) to working with her," New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally, via Twitter.
"It would be wonderful if we didn't need to draw attention to the fact that Julia Gillard is a woman, but she is, and it would be amiss not to pause and acknowledge this remarkable development as a sign of just how far women have come in political life. The fact that we have to talk about her being the first female PM reminds us how far we have left to come," Dr Lauren Rosewarne, University of Melbourne.
"I think that whatever endeavour Julia participated in she'd rise to the top because she is a person of enormous talent, a prodigious worker," John Gillard, Julia Gillard's father.
