Zealand, and that her father had fled to the United States. 22 September – The 171-year-old Myer building in Hobart is destroyed by fire. October 4 October – The controversial Gunns Bell Bay Pulp Mill is given the go-ahead by federal Environment and Water Resources Minister Malcolm Turnbull, with some conditions imposed on its development and with the Shadow minister for Environment and Water's backing. 8–11 October – Severe thunderstorms have pounded South-East Queensland and Northern New South Wales, with hailstones the size of tennis balls and destructive winds being recorded in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Lismore. November 6 November – An Australian children's toy known as Bindeez is recalled and a safety warning is issued after several children who had swallowed the beads were hospitalised suffering the symptoms of ingestion of gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid or GHB. The toys are also recalled in the United States and United Kingdom after several U.S. children suffer the same effects. 9 November – The Assistant Commissioner of Victoria Police, Noel Ashby, resigns, after a long service. 21 November – Three days before the federal election, members of the Liberal Party are caught letterboxing the electorate of Lindsay with pamphlets from a bogus Islamic organisation, praising Labor for its support of the Bali bombers. Jackie Kelly, the retiring member for Lindsay whose husband was involved in the scandal, dismissed the incident as a "Chaser-style prank." 24 November – A federal election is held. Kevin Rudd is elected as Prime Minister of Australia after the Australian Labor Party wins a majority in the House of Representatives. 25 November – Peter Costello indicates he will not run for either Leader or Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party following their electoral defeat. 26 November – Clare Martin announces her resignation as Chief Minister of the Northern Territory. Paul Henderson, the Territory's education minister is sworn in as her replacement on the same day. 29 November – Brendan Nelson is elected Liberal Leader by 45 votes to 42 over Malcolm Turnbull. Julie Bishop is elected Deputy Leader. December 3 December – On his first day as Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd ratifies the Kyoto Protocol on climate change. 11 December – Julia Gillard becomes Acting Prime Minister as Kevin Rudd attends the 2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali, technically making her Australia's first female prime minister. 13 December – Zed Seselja becomes Opposition Leader of the