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 7 | Version 8 |
---|---|
Australia election: Tony Abbott defeats Kevin Rudd | Australia election: Tony Abbott defeats Kevin Rudd |
(about 4 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 won 88 seats to Labor's 57 in the 150-seat parliament. | |
Liberal leader Tony Abbott, who will be prime minister, promised a competent and trustworthy government. | |
Outgoing PM 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 slowdown, 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 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. | 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. |
The Australian Election Commission confirmed on its website that the Liberal-National coalition had won 88 seats in the House of Representatives, and Labor 57. | |
Three seats were distributed between three small parties, and there were two seats still to return results. | |
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 | 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). | |
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. | The outsider candidates had mixed fortunes at the polls. |
One of the two undecided seats in the House sees billionaire Clive Palmer, famous for his attempt to build a new version of the Titanic based on the original designs, on course for victory. | |
However, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange missed 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 registered to vote in Saturday's election. Voting is compulsory in Australia. | |