The agreement will see Gillard contribute her perspective on key national and international issues and follows the success of her 5,000 word essay, published exclusively by Guardian Australia in September, which sparked thousands of comments and social media interactions.
"We are delighted that Julia Gillard has agreed to build on her existing relationship with Guardian Australia. The news further demonstrates our commitment to providing Australian readers with high quality, serious and lively journalism. Gillard's insight and commentary will add a valuable perspective to important stories we want to bring to our Australian audience," said Katharine Viner, editor-in-chief of Guardian Australia.
With a global digital audience of 40 million unique users per month, the Guardian is the third largest English newspaper website in the world. Guardian Australia launched in May 2013, offering Australian audiences high-quality, independent and innovative journalism; and connecting some of the best writers in Australia with the best of the Guardian's global journalism, says The Guardian.
Commenting on the announcement Gillard said: "My essays to date have been warmly received by The Guardian and its readership in Australia and worldwide. I am really looking forward to working with Guardian Australia and believe its Open Journalism approach to news is the right way forward across a very challenging media landscape. I'll be working closely with Kath to bring a distinctive perspective to the Guardian and its readers around the world."
Julia Gillard's previous columns can be found by clicking the below links:
www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/13/julia-gillard-labor-purpose-future
www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/23/us-shutdown-congress
