As Prime Minister Julia Gillard contemplated a major cabinet reshuffle after an exodus of ministers following Thursday's leadership spill, Mr Rudd said through a spokesman on Friday that he had been consistent that he would not challenge for the leadership and that he would contest the next election as a local member of parliament. There are no circumstances under which he will return to the Labor Party leadership in the future. "That position hasn't changed," the spokesman said in a statement. Mr Rudd refused to stand as a candidate for the leadership on Thursday after Ms Gillard caved into demands from frontbencher Simon Crean that a spill be called. The ructions have caused several members of the party to resign their positions including Rudd supporters Tertiary Education Minister Chris Bowen, Human Services Minister Kim Carr and Resources Minister Martin Ferguson, who all quit the Gillard ministry on Friday. Immediately following the spill on Thursday, Mr Rudd's chief numbers man Joel Fitzgibbon, and his fellow whips Ed Husic and Janelle Saffin, all resigned their positions. Mr Crean was sacked from his arts and regional Australia portfolio responsibilities after igniting the leadership spill. Martin Ferguson resigns from the ministry during a press conference in Canberra. Mr Rudd told reporters on Friday afternoon that he decided not to challenge Ms Gillard because it would have further divided the party. He pledged his "100 per cent " support for Ms Gillard and called on his colleagues to unite behind the Prime Minister. "Our party needs to be united," he said. The time now is to bind up the wounds. Human Services Minister Kim Carr resigns from the position. Speaking to reporters in Bangalow, in northern NSW on Friday, Ms Gillard said Mr Rudd's statement that he would not in any circumstances return to the Labor leadership laid the matter to rest. "This issue is over and done with," Ms Gillard said. This issue has been resolved for all time and I think Kevin's statement reflects that. Ms Gillard was in the region on an pre-arranged visit to inspect road works with local MP and Rudd supporter Justine Elliot. PM faces major ministerial reshuffle Ms Gillard said she would make decisions about a new ministry in the coming days. "There are a number of people clearly considering their position and I too will consider ministerial arrangements over the next few days," she said. In a press conference at Parliament House on Friday afternoon, Mr Ferguson paid tribute to Mr Crean in bringing on Thursday's leadership vote. "I thought what he did was courageous yesterday," he said. Mr Ferguson said he would have voted for Mr Rudd had he nominated in the ballot. However, he said, Thursday's events provided Labor with the opportunity of a "fresh start." He said the government should focus on "jobs and training for Australians." "Let's just go forward and try and pull this party together," he said. He said it was a "major error" to take away from caucus the right to elect the members of the frontbench. He said the "debacle" of Labor's media laws - the remaining four billls were withdrawn from parliament this week - and the development of the mining tax indicated the need to reform cabinet processes. Mr Ferguson told reporters he would stand for re-election in this year's election and if returned would serve the full term of the next parliament. In announcing his resignation from the ministry, Senator Carr also praised Mr Crean for his courage. "Simon Crean did a very courageous thing, but no one followed him," Senator Carr said. Senator Carr said after Thursday's leadership ballot he decided "the principled course of action" was to offer his resignation to Ms Gillard, and she had accepted. It is my fervent hope that Labor can restore itself and revive its electoral fortunes, because when we have a strong Labor Party, we have a strong Australia. He said the worst possible result for Labor would have been Mr Rudd narrowly losing a leadership ballot. He said there was "quite clearly an opportunity this week to build a new team." The numbers were very close. Asked about Labor's chances of winning the September 14 election, Senator Carr said: "You don't have to be a great scholar to know that we have great challenges ahead." At an earlier press conference to announce his resignation, Mr Bowen said he "took the decision that the best thing for the Labor Party and for Australia would be for Kevin Rudd to return to the Prime Ministership." He said he thought resigning was the "appropriate and honourable" decision to take. 'Surprised' Rudd didn't challenge: Gillard Earlier on Friday, Ms Gillard said that she was surprised that Mr Rudd didn't challenge after she called the spill on Thursday afternoon but the leadership issue was over. Other frontbenchers reaffirm support for PM On the resignation of several Rudd supporters Mr Combet said: "With the fiasco that was instigated yesterday by some of my colleagues, unfortunately, those who don't feel that they have all the confidence necessary in Julia Gillard as leader, I think it is time that they have a look at themselves." Rudd wanted Albanese as his deputy: Crean Mr Crean said on Friday morning he did not plan to quit politics and would stand at the election in September.