Months after ousting him in a ruthless coup, Australian Prime Minister, Ms Julia Gillard, has appointed her former leader, Mr Kevin Rudd as the new foreign minister. Ms Gillard, Australia first woman Prime Minister, who has returned to power on a wafer thin majority of just a lawmaker named Rudd in sweeping changes to her Cabinet in which she shifted the incumbent foreign minister, Mr Stephen Smith, to Defence. By bringing back Rudd, Ms Gillard has stuck to her pre-election pledge to give him a senior ministry. Mr Rudd, a Mandarin-speaking former diplomat was ousted from party leadership by Ms Gillard on June 24, said after the announcement was made that he felt honoured to take on his new role. The key portfolio of Finance was given to Senator Penny Wong, while the deputy prime minister Wayne Swan would continue as treasurer. Australia's new government is expected to be sworn in early next week in Canberra by Governor General Quentin Bryce. Ms Gillard had said on Friday "Kevin's status as a former party leader and his undoubted capacity meant he is deserving of a senior portfolio where the government can best use his skills. His experience and intense interest in foreign affairs makes this the obvious choice." Meanwhile, Rob Oakeshott, one of the two country independents propping up Ms Gillard's minority government, has declined her offer of a cabinet post as minister for regional Australia. He said the offer was for him to sit in cabinet for regional development issues only, while maintaining voting rights on the floor of Parliament for all other issues. But he said he might have had trouble getting any proposed reforms through Parliament.