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Australia election: Tony Abbott defeats Kevin Rudd | Australia election: Tony Abbott defeats Kevin Rudd |
(about 3 hours 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. | 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. |
The coalition was on course to win 88 seats, compared with 57 for Labor. | |
Liberal leader Tony Abbott said he looked forward to forming a competent and trustworthy government. | 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. | Prime Minister Kevin Rudd earlier admitted defeat and said he would not stand again for the Labor leadership. |
The main election issues were how to tackle an expected economic slow-down, whether to keep a tax on carbon emissions, and how to reduce the number of asylum seekers arriving by boat. | |
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. | 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 stop boats bringing migrants from Asia. | |
He added that support for Labor was at its lowest ebb for 100 years, and said the results showed that the Australian 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". | 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 most of the votes counted, the Australian Election Commission predicted a large majority for the Liberal-National coalition. | |
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. |
Assange misses out | |
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. | 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). | 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. | But he says he will fund an expanded paid parental leave scheme. |
The economy has been at the heart of campaigning. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
The outsider candidates had mixed fortunes at the polls. | |
Billionaire Clive Palmer, famous for his attempt to build a new version of the Titanic based on the original designs, appeared on course to win a seat in parliament. | |
However, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange looked set to miss out on a Senate seat in Victoria, where the final place was claimed by Rick Muir of the Australian Motoring Enthusiasts Party. | |
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. |