Australian Prime Ministers

On 26 June, 2013 Julia Gillard was ousted as Australia’s Prime Minister after three years and two days in the top job. This happened for one reason only; her lack of popular appeal. Opinion polls consistently showed that the Australian Labor Party was headed for a wipe-out at the forthcoming election with Gillard at the helm. After a vote was taken by the Labor Caucus, Kevin Rudd was reinstalled as PM. This was despite the fact that Rudd had been dumped three years previously, described by his parliamentary colleagues as ‘totally dysfunctional’ in terms of his leadership and management style. By all accounts Julia Gillard did a wonderful job throughout her three year tenure, but the people of Australia didn’t like her, they preferred Kevin.

Kevin Rudd is a Virgo and Australia has had more Virgo Prime Ministers than any other Sun sign. This is interesting, for Virgo is not known for its capacity to lead, nor for its ability to handle public life; often preferring to work alone, or in the background.  Past Virgo Prime Ministers of Australia include; Andrew Fisher, who was Prime Minister on three separate occasions, James Scullin, Joseph Lyons, Ben Chifley and John Gorton. If we add to this Kevin Rudd’s two innings, this makes a total of nine terms of office for Virgo Prime Ministers from a total 33.

When we look at the Sun signs of all past Australian Prime Ministers, we see a massive emphasis towards fire and earth signs. This is in keeping with Australia’s Federation chart, which has the same element imbalance.

From 1901 to 2013, fire sign leaders were in the top job 48.1 per cent of the time and earth signs were in charge 37.8 per cent of the time. Taken together, this is almost 86 per cent, leaving only 14 per cent air and water signs. Since Federation, fire and earth signs have been in charge for 96 years out of a possible 112.

Although we are only discussing Sun signs here, the Sun does symbolise leadership. This huge preference for fire and earth Sun sign leaders seems highly significant. Equally, the aversion we have for water and air sign leaders is very apparent. Julia Gillard, only our second Libran Prime Minister, was the latest casualty of this popularity contest.

In keeping with Libran symbolism, Julia Gillard presided over a hung parliament, where the balance of power was always an issue. The only other air sign PM, another Libran, Billy Hughes, could not decide which side of politics he preferred. Leader from 1915 to 1923, he was a highly divisive character and during the course of a long career in politics, he was a member of many different political parties, from the left, the right and the centre.  He died in 1952 aged 90 and was the longest ever serving member of the Australian parliament.

Above: Percentages and days in power for Australian Prime Ministers according to their Sun sign, 1901-2013. Barton to Gillard inclusive.