Gillard Government Gillard Government confirmed a plan to increase the US military presence in northern Australia. Defence Minister Stephen Smith welcomed the first contingent of 200 US Marines to Darwin in April 2012 – with the force projected to grow to 2500. Since coming to office, Gillard has remained adamant towards her position in the Afghanistan War. The Gillard Government believes that withdrawing troops prematurely from Afghanistan, could re-establish the country as a 'safe haven' for terrorists. On 19 October 2010 Prime Minister Gillard addressed Parliament stating her government's commitment to the war, and said "Australia will stand firm in our commitment
My Story (Julia Gillard autobiography) throughout her tenure, followed by a successful leadership spill in June 2013, which saw her ousted as Prime Minister and replaced by Rudd. The Liberal–National Coalition, led by then-Opposition Leader Tony Abbott also received criticism for their "hostile" and "negative" approach to opposition; Gillard detailed her motivations and reactions towards to the 2012 "Misogyny Speech" she delivered, in which she accused Abbott of sexism and misogyny. The memoir is split into two sections. The first section, entitled "How I Did It", comprises the circumstances in how she challenged Rudd for the leadership of the Labor Party, as well the issues