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Australia election: Tony Abbott defeats Kevin Rudd | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 had 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 that the results showed 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. | 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. | 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). | 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. |
British Prime Minister David Cameron was among the first to congratulate him on the victory, writing on Twitter that "it'll be great working with another centre-right leader". | |
Australia largely avoided the recession that hit the UK and other Western nations thanks to a natural resources boom. | |
But the boom is coming to an end, and Mr Abbott will be charged with managing the transition. | |
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. | 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. | 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. | More than 14 million people were registered to vote in Saturday's election. Voting is compulsory in Australia. |