[Sreekar]

Labour party sweeps general election in Australia
(source:www.TimesofIndia.com)

The Labour party on Saturday swept to power in Australia, routing the coalition led by Conservative Prime Minister John Howard which has ruled the country for 11 years with a promise of major policy change on Iraq and global warming.

Howard, the second-longest serving leader, conceded defeat in the bitterly-fought elections, clearing the way for Labour party leader Kevin Rudd to take power.

"A few minutes ago I telephoned Rudd and congratulated him and the Australian Labour party on a very emphatic victory," Howard said in a nationally televised concession speech.

"I accept full responsibilty for the Liberal party campaign, and I therefore accept full responsibility for the coalition's defeat in this election campaign," the leader said.

Voters turned to Labour party leader Kevin Rudd's pitch of fresh leadership and new ideas over Howard's record of economic management and unprecedented years of growth under his government.

The historic victory has put Rudd into the company of Gough Whitlam and Bob Hawke as Labour's only modern leaders to take government from opposition.

Exit polls had consistently put the Labour party ahead since Rudd took the reins from Kim Beazley last December.

The counting trends had suggested he could lose the seat of Bennelong he has held since first being elected to parliament in 1974.

-Thanks much,
Sreekar

[chanda_s]

muralitharan must be the happiest man around.

[Sreekar]

Off course Chanda Sir. On another note, Bush lost his so called "deputy sheriff".