Gillard has the numbers to beat Rudd - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Julia Gillard is inching closer to becoming Prime Minister, as number crunchers on both sides agree she will win this morning's leadership ballot against Kevin Rudd.

As the numbers are being frantically counted ahead of the ballot at 9:00am AEST, the ABC understands Ms Gillard has secured more than 70 votes, while Mr Rudd has just 30.

Supporters for Mr Rudd dispute the size of the margin, but have acknowledged that Ms Gillard will take over as prime minister.