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Australia election: Abbott poised for victory Australia election: Rudd concedes as Abbott wins victory
(about 1 hour later)
Tony Abbott's Liberal-National coalition appears on course for a decisive win in Australia's general election. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has conceded defeat in the general election, as Tony Abbott's Liberal-National coalition swept to power.
Early counting showed a swing to the opposition coalition in several states, with exit polls forecasting it would secure a lower house majority. Mr Abbot said he looked forward to forming a competent and trustworthy government.
Public broadcaster ABC's analyst has called the election for the coalition. With about two-thirds of the votes counted, the opposition coalition had secured a parliamentary majority.
The campaign has been dramatic, with Kevin Rudd ousting Julia Gillard as PM and Labor leader weeks from the polls.The campaign has been dramatic, with Kevin Rudd ousting Julia Gillard as PM and Labor leader weeks from the polls.
The economy, asylum and the carbon tax have been key election issues. The economy, asylum and the carbon tax have been the main election issues.
Mr Rudd called the election after defeating Julia Gillard in a leadership challenge in June, amid dismal polling figures that showed Labor on course for a wipe-out.Mr Rudd called the election after defeating Julia Gillard in a leadership challenge in June, amid dismal polling figures that showed Labor on course for a wipe-out.
Under Mr Rudd, Labor initially saw its figures improve significantly. But Mr Abbott, who enjoyed the strident support of Rupert Murdoch's newspapers, then broadened the gap again. Under Mr Rudd, Labor initially saw its figures improve. But Mr Abbott, who enjoyed the strident support of Rupert Murdoch's newspapers, then broadened the gap again.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's election expert, Antony Green, says the coalition is on course for a majority and will defeat the government. "From today I declare Australia is under new management and Australia is now open for business", Mr Abbott told a cheering crowd as he delivered a victory speech.
A Newspoll exit poll, released just over an hour before polling closed in the east of the country, predicted that the coalition would secure 97 seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives. Mr Rudd said he had phoned Mr Abbott and wished him well.
With about half the votes counted, however, ABC News, put its estimate significantly lower, with the coalition predicted to win 88 seats to Labor's 59. "I gave it my all but it was not enough for us to win," he said. But he was pleased that Labor was preserved as a "viable fighting force for the future".
Labor's Defence Minister Stephen Smith, speaking on ABC television minutes after polls closed in the east, said the government "will be defeated tonight". Mr Rudd - who retained his seat in the Brisbane constituency of Griffith - said he would not re-contest the Labor party leadership, saying the Australian people "deserve a fresh start".
Mr Abbott, who took on the leadership of the coalition in 2009, cast his ballot in his northern Sydney seat of Warringah early on Saturday. "I know that Labor hearts are heavy across the nation tonight. As your Labor leader I accept it as my responsibility," he said.
With two-thirds of the votes counted, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation said the coalition had secured 85 seats in parliament and was on course to win 91. Labor had secured 54, with a predicted final tally of 55.
In the previous parliament, Labor relied on the support of independents and the Greens for its minority government, with 71 seats to the coalition's 72.
Mr Abbott took on the leadership of the flagging Liberal-National coalition in 2009.
A Rhodes scholar who once wanted to be a priest, Mr Abbott has pledged to repeal both the mining and carbon taxes introduced by Labor.A Rhodes scholar who once wanted to be a priest, Mr Abbott has pledged to repeal both the mining and carbon taxes introduced by Labor.
He has also promised a raft of budget cuts - including reducing the foreign aid budget by A$4.5bn ($4bn, £2.6bn) - but says he will fund an expanded paid parental leave scheme.He has also promised a raft of budget cuts - including reducing the foreign aid budget by A$4.5bn ($4bn, £2.6bn) - but says he will fund an expanded paid parental leave scheme.
Mr Rudd, a former diplomat who served as prime minister from 2007-2010 before being ousted by Julia Gillard, voted in his Brisbane seat of Griffith. The economy has been at the heart of campaigning. Tony Abbott will be charged with managing the transition as the mining and resources boom subsides, amid slowing demand from China and slumping commodity prices.
The ABC predicts he will hold his seat, once preferential votes are included. He has also announced tough asylum policies aimed at stemming the number of people trying to reach Australia's shores by boat.
The election in 2010 resulted in a hung parliament, forcing Labor to enter into alliances with independents and the Greens to form a minority government. It currently holds 71 seats in the lower house to the coalition's 72. Ahead of the polls, his coalition highlighted bitter Labor infighting - seeking to portray itself as the more stable party.
The economy has been at the heart of campaigning. Australia's next leader will be charged with managing the transition as the mining and resources boom subsides, amid slowing demand from China and slumping commodity prices. And former Labor Prime Minister Bob Hawke blamed the internal divisions for Labor's defeat.
Infighting "I really believe this was an election that was lost by the government rather than one that was won by the opposition," he said.
Both parties have also announced tough asylum policies to stem the number of people reaching Australia's shores by boat, an apparent cause of anxiety in some crucial swinging electorates. Julia Gillard, meanwhile, congratulated the Labor candidate who succeeded her in her seat, as she bowed out of politics.
The coalition, meanwhile, has highlighted bitter Labor infighting - seeking to portray itself as the more stable party. And in something of an upset, billionaire Clive Palmer - who founded the fringe Palmer United Party - appeared on course to win a seat in parliament.
Former Labor Prime Minister Bob Hawke blamed the internal divisions for Labor's apparent defeat.
"I really believe this was an election that was lost by the government rather than one that was won by the opposition."
More than 14 million people were expected to vote in Saturday's election. Voting is compulsory in Australia.More than 14 million people were expected to vote in Saturday's election. Voting is compulsory in Australia.
Polling closed in eastern states at 18:00 (08:00GMT) and in Western Australia two hours later. Polling closed in eastern states at 18:00 (08:00 GMT) and in Western Australia two hours later.