Gillard not to move into Australian PM residence

MELBOURNE - Australia’s new Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who lives in a simple brick bungalow near an Indian take-away, will not be moving into her official residence — for now.

Gillard said she would not move into the prime minister’s residence, The Lodge, till she was elected by the people. “I am very happy in my home in Altona”, a Melbourne suburb.

She also has a flat in Canberra.

“Indeed, I believe it is appropriate for me to stay there until we have an election and I have fulsomely earned the trust of Australian people to be prime minister,” The Age Friday quoted Gillard as saying.

Gillard’s bungalow with a tidy garden is located close to a selection of take-away including Indian and Thai. There is also a nearby tattoo parlour and a fancy dress shop.

According to one visitor to the house, Gillard’s security measures up to now “involved her locking the front door, and maybe the back one”.

Her home is nowhere close to The Lodge, which has a 1920s-style reception areas, artwork borrowed from the National Gallery of Australia and well-manicured gardens.

Gillard has support from residents in her electoral seat of Lalor in Melbourne.

Joy and Eric Vincent, who are Gillard’s neighbour in Altona suburb here, are happy on her becoming the prime minister.

Eric said Gillard is a “very nice, delightful lady”.

The Vincents often collect the newspapers that are thrown onto the Gillard’s front garden, and neatly place them outside the front door.

“Her presence has elevated us and we appreciate the security we have here,” said Eric.

Joy added: “We have to look out for each other.”