Australia's Conservative challenger Tony Abbott on Saturday stormed to power with a thumping victory in national polls, as Prime Minister Kevin Rudd conceded defeat ending six years of Labor Party rule.
Abbott, head of the Liberal-National coalition, claimed victory, saying, ‘I can inform you that the government of Australia has changed.’ 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.
The dramatic change of fortune for Rudd came months after he ousted Julia Gillard as Prime Minister and Labor leader. Rudd had called for elections after defeating Gillard in a leadership challenge in June, amid dismal polling figures that showed Labor on course for a wipe-out.
Earlier, outgoing Prime Minister Rudd conceded defeat and announced that he would not re-contest the leadership of the Labor Party, saying it was ‘time for renewal’.
Abbott, head of the Liberal-National coalition, claimed victory, saying, ‘I can inform you that the government of Australia has changed.’ 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.
The dramatic change of fortune for Rudd came months after he ousted Julia Gillard as Prime Minister and Labor leader. Rudd had called for elections after defeating Gillard in a leadership challenge in June, amid dismal polling figures that showed Labor on course for a wipe-out.
Earlier, outgoing Prime Minister Rudd conceded defeat and announced that he would not re-contest the leadership of the Labor Party, saying it was ‘time for renewal’.