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Australian poll campaigns begin Australian poll campaigns begin
(30 minutes later)
Australia's politicians have begun their general election campaigns, after PM John Howard set a 24 November date.Australia's politicians have begun their general election campaigns, after PM John Howard set a 24 November date.
Veteran leader Mr Howard, 68, pledged billions of dollars in tax cuts and launched a web video on climate change.Veteran leader Mr Howard, 68, pledged billions of dollars in tax cuts and launched a web video on climate change.
The opposition Labor Party has criticised Mr Howard's refusal to sign the emissions-limiting Kyoto agreement.The opposition Labor Party has criticised Mr Howard's refusal to sign the emissions-limiting Kyoto agreement.
Mr Howard is seeking a fifth term in office for his ruling Liberal-National coalition, but polls suggest a huge victory for Labor's Kevin Rudd.Mr Howard is seeking a fifth term in office for his ruling Liberal-National coalition, but polls suggest a huge victory for Labor's Kevin Rudd.
The 50-year-old opposition leader has been consistently ahead of Mr Howard in polls for most of the year. The 50-year-old opposition leader has been ahead of Mr Howard in polls for most of the year.
Analysts say Mr Howard has opted for a long election fight to give himself a chance of overhauling Labor's lead.Analysts say Mr Howard has opted for a long election fight to give himself a chance of overhauling Labor's lead.
Economy pledgesEconomy pledges
In the opening salvos of the campaign, the ruling coalition announced a five-year plan for tax cuts worth A$34bn (£15bn).In the opening salvos of the campaign, the ruling coalition announced a five-year plan for tax cuts worth A$34bn (£15bn).
Mr Howard said this was part of his "go-for-growth strategy" and would encourage more people to join the workforce.Mr Howard said this was part of his "go-for-growth strategy" and would encourage more people to join the workforce.
AUSTRALIAN ELECTION More than 13.5m of Australia's roughly 21m people are registered to voteElectors will choose candidates for all 150 seats in the lower House of Representatives and 40 of the 76 seats in the upper house, the SenatePM John Howard has led the conservative Liberal-National party coalition to four election wins since 1996 and is seeking a final termKevin Rudd is taking the centre-left Labor Party to the polls for the first time as leaderElection issues to be the economy, environment and war in Iraq Profile: John Howard Profile: Kevin RuddAUSTRALIAN ELECTION More than 13.5m of Australia's roughly 21m people are registered to voteElectors will choose candidates for all 150 seats in the lower House of Representatives and 40 of the 76 seats in the upper house, the SenatePM John Howard has led the conservative Liberal-National party coalition to four election wins since 1996 and is seeking a final termKevin Rudd is taking the centre-left Labor Party to the polls for the first time as leaderElection issues to be the economy, environment and war in Iraq Profile: John Howard Profile: Kevin Rudd
Correspondents say Mr Howard has alienated many voters by opposing the Kyoto protocol, and introducing labour laws making it easier for employers to hire and fire workers.Correspondents say Mr Howard has alienated many voters by opposing the Kyoto protocol, and introducing labour laws making it easier for employers to hire and fire workers.
Seeking to tackle the climate change issue, the prime minister launched a campaign on video-sharing website YouTube.Seeking to tackle the climate change issue, the prime minister launched a campaign on video-sharing website YouTube.
On the video, he promises a climate change policy that "balances our obligation to reduce gas emissions with the need to keep our economy growing".On the video, he promises a climate change policy that "balances our obligation to reduce gas emissions with the need to keep our economy growing".
Mr Rudd is committed to signing up to the Kyoto agreement and devising an exit strategy for Australian troops from Iraq.Mr Rudd is committed to signing up to the Kyoto agreement and devising an exit strategy for Australian troops from Iraq.
He has also pledged sweeping reforms to health, education and the controversial labour laws.He has also pledged sweeping reforms to health, education and the controversial labour laws.
The centrepiece of his campaign is a call for "new leadership".The centrepiece of his campaign is a call for "new leadership".
He said the "greatest risk" to the country was that Mr Howard's coalition would be returned to power, and nothing would change.He said the "greatest risk" to the country was that Mr Howard's coalition would be returned to power, and nothing would change.
Mr Rudd's party needs an unprecedented swing to gain the extra 17 seats he needs for an overall majority in the country's 150-member House of Representatives.Mr Rudd's party needs an unprecedented swing to gain the extra 17 seats he needs for an overall majority in the country's 150-member House of Representatives.