24th Nov 2007
A new wizard in Oz
The Australians are counting the votes after a six week election campaign which Liberal PM, John Howard hopes will deliver him an historic fifth term in office. But opinion polls suggest he will be defeated by Labor’s Kevin Rudd who needs a significant swing of 26 seats in the Canberra parliament.
13.5 million Australians have a vote and voting is compulsory, yes compulsory!
As I write exit polls on the east coast suggest Labour (Labor in Oz) have a seven percent swing on the more industrialised, urbanised and liberal side of the country. There are also suggestions that Howard himself could loose his Bennelong - Sidney seat to glamour Labour candidate and former news anchorwoman, Maxine McKew. The Liberal PM has also been engulfed in accusations of a dirty tricks campaign in the final week when a fake letter linking Muslim extremists to the Labor Party was blamed on his supporters.
Watching live feed on Australia’s ABC, there are suggestions a number of smaller grouping such as the greens could make a significant breakthrough in the Australian upper house, the Senate. The big issue appears to have been the economy and in particular interest rates.
Interestingly winning the popular vote does not guarantee a majority in Parliament and Labor’s lead in the big cities and New South Wales (even a majority of the national votes) does not guarantee victory. Indeed Mr Howard slipped through in ‘98 with a minority of the popular vote.
Kevin Rudd, a Queenslander, and Labor leader (check out their logo, website and policies - look familiar??) has reputation a for organisation and head for policy. Apparently he speaks Mandarin too!
For live feed on results click on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Some aussie election blogs:
And for some light relief check out the Guardian NewsBlog Australian election top ten which leads with a YouTube link to an election wrap with the unforgettable line, “I’m the fliest Mudda Rudda that you ever did see, now sit back, relax, while I speak Chinese”.
UPDATE, 9.45am
Labour will win a majority in Parliament. Howard’s future hanging on a thread.
UPDATE, 2.25pm
To read and see Kevin Rudd’s pretty impressive victory speech click here. Howard’s seat on a knife edge.
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