SYDNEY: Just two months ago, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard was fighting with her back to the wall, fending off record low levels in opinion polls, a resurgent opposition and a leadership challenge within her own Labor Party.
On Friday, her party gave her a rousing ovation at the start of a policy-making conference, underlining a remarkable turnaround in a matter of weeks.
The passage of important legislation, an increase in her slim parliamentary majority and well-received visits by Queen Elizabeth and US President Barack Obama have brought new hope of a revival that will carry through to the next election.
"I said 2011 would be a year of decision and delivery. I never said it wouldn't be hard," Gillard said to cheers from lawmakers, union representatives and Labor branch members.
Assistant Treasurer and former union leader Bill Shorten said there was an added "buzz" around the Labor conference, which is held once every three years, which will strengthen Gillard's authority over the party.
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