This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24000133
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
Australia election: Tony Abbott defeats Kevin Rudd | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Australia's opposition has crushed the governing Labor party in a general election that has returned the Liberal-National coalition to power for the first time in six years. | |
Early projections show Labor winning 55 seats compared with the coalition's 91. | |
Liberal leader Tony Abbott said he looked forward to forming a competent and trustworthy government. | |
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd earlier admitted defeat and said he would not stand again for the Labor leadership. | |
The main election issues were the economy, reducing the number of asylum seekers arriving by boat, and a tax on carbon emissions. | |
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. But Mr Abbott, who enjoyed the strident support of Rupert Murdoch's newspapers, then widened the gap again. | |
"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. | "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. |
He said that he would put the budget back into surplus, and boats bringing migrants from Asia would stop. | |
He added that support for Labor was at its lowest ebb for 100 years, and said the results showed that the Australia people would punish anyone who took them for granted. | |
Mr Rudd said he had phoned Mr Abbott and wished him well. | Mr Rudd said he had phoned Mr Abbott and wished him well. |
"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". | "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". |
Mr Rudd retained his seat in the Brisbane constituency of Griffith but said he would not re-contest the Labor party leadership because the Australian people "deserve a fresh start". | |
"I know that Labor hearts are heavy across the nation tonight. As your Labor leader I accept it as my responsibility," he said. | "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. | 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. | 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. | Mr Abbott took on the leadership of the flagging Liberal-National coalition in 2009. |
A Rhodes scholar who once wanted to be a Roman Catholic 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 he says he will fund an expanded paid parental leave scheme. | |
The economy has been at the heart of campaigning. | |
Mr Abbott will be charged with managing the transition as the mining and resources boom subsides, amid slowing demand from China and slumping commodity prices. | |
Ahead of the polls, his coalition highlighted bitter Labor infighting, seeking to portray itself as the more stable party. | |
And former Labor Prime Minister Bob Hawke blamed the internal divisions for Labor's defeat. | And former Labor Prime Minister Bob Hawke blamed the internal divisions for Labor's defeat. |
"I really believe this was an election that was lost by the government rather than one that was won by the opposition," he said. | "I really believe this was an election that was lost by the government rather than one that was won by the opposition," he said. |
Julia Gillard, meanwhile, congratulated the Labor candidate who succeeded her in her seat, as she bowed out of politics. | Julia Gillard, meanwhile, congratulated the Labor candidate who succeeded her in her seat, as she bowed out of politics. |
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. | 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. |
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 (08:00 GMT) 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. |