Canberra

CANBERRA, Australia - Among the newly elected legislators who congregated for the first time Thursday at Parliament House were Australia's first Muslim lawmaker, its youngest-ever at 20 years old and the first Aboriginal in the House of Representatives.

CANBERRA, Australia - Julia Gillard became Australia's first female prime minister by seizing control of her party from her former boss less than two months ago and called elections weeks later - hoping to save the left-leaning government from rising voter grumbling with fresh, straight-talking leadership.

CANBERRA, Australia - Australia's Senate on Thursday overwhelming rejected a call for an inquiry into allegations against the Church of Scientology made by former members who claim to have been abused, harassed or coerced into having abortions.