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Australian PM announces election Australian PM announces election
(30 minutes later)
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has announced parliamentary elections for 24 November after visiting the governor-general. Australian Prime Minister John Howard has announced parliamentary elections for 24 November.
He asked Michael Jeffery, the representative of head of state Queen Elizabeth, to dissolve parliament. The PM earlier visited Governor-General Michael Jeffery, the representative of head of state Queen Elizabeth, to ask for the dissolution of parliament.
The veteran PM is seeking a fifth term in office but analysts predict a heavy defeat after 11 years in office.The veteran PM is seeking a fifth term in office but analysts predict a heavy defeat after 11 years in office.
Mr Howard, 68, is badly trailing his Labor opponent Kevin Rudd, 50, in opinion polls. Mr Howard, 68, is badly trailing his Labor opponent Kevin Rudd, 50, after nine months of dismal polls.
Mr Rudd has promised to sign the Kyoto climate pact and introduce sweeping reforms to health, education and controversial labour laws introduced by the PM. The BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney says the PM now hopes to persuade the electorate that voting for Labor would be a gamble with prosperity.
Iraq questionIraq question
Mr Rudd has promised to sign the Kyoto climate pact and introduce sweeping reforms to health, education and controversial labour laws introduced by the PM.
Love me or loathe me, the Australian people know where I stand on all the important issues of their future John Howard Time for change in Australia?
Younger voters are said to be angry with Mr Howard for introducing legislation that makes it easier to hire and fire workers.Younger voters are said to be angry with Mr Howard for introducing legislation that makes it easier to hire and fire workers.
Kevin Rudd has revived Labor's electoral chances
But Mr Howard will point to the enduring strength of the economy.But Mr Howard will point to the enduring strength of the economy.
The Australian stock market is hitting record highs, while unemployment is at a 33-year low.The Australian stock market is hitting record highs, while unemployment is at a 33-year low.
The elections will also decide whether Australia starts bringing home its troops from Iraq, correspondents say. "Love me or loathe me, the Australian people know where I stand on all the important issues of their future," Mr Howard told a press conference after announcing the election.
The BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney says Mr Howard's unflinching support for US President George W Bush has proven unpopular with many Australian voters. Kevin Rudd has revived Labor's electoral chances
The poll is also expected to decide whether Australia starts bringing home its troops from Iraq.
Mr Howard's unflinching support for US President George W Bush has proven unpopular with many Australian voters, our correspondent says .
The war and the refusal to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on climate change have found Mr Howard on the wrong side of public opinion, he says.
The PM is even behind in opinion polls in his own Sydney constituency of Bennelong, which he has represented since 1974.