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Australians set to choose leader Australians vote to choose leader
(about 2 hours later)
Voters are preparing for a general election which will decide the fate of Australia's second-longest serving prime minister, John Howard. Voting has begun in Australia in a general election which will decide the fate of Australia's second-longest serving prime minister, John Howard.
The Liberal leader, in power for 11 years, is bidding for an historic fifth term. But opinion polls suggest he will be defeated by Labor's Kevin Rudd.The Liberal leader, in power for 11 years, is bidding for an historic fifth term. But opinion polls suggest he will be defeated by Labor's Kevin Rudd.
The opposition needs a huge swing to gain them the 16 seats required to form a majority government.The opposition needs a huge swing to gain them the 16 seats required to form a majority government.
The first polling stations open at 0800 on Saturday (2100 GMT on Friday). Participating in elections is compulsory under Australian law.
Participation in elections is compulsory under Australian law, and more than 13.5 million people are expected to vote. More than 13.5 million people are expected to vote.
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 are the economy, environment and war in Iraq Profile: John Howard Profile: Kevin Rudd Voters' panelAUSTRALIAN 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 are the economy, environment and war in Iraq Profile: John Howard Profile: Kevin Rudd Voters' panel
But on the last day of campaigning, Mr Howard, 68, rallied supporters by proclaiming that the election was still winnable. On the last day of campaigning, Mr Howard, 68, rallied supporters by proclaiming that the election was still winnable.
"I believe that there is a bit of a tide coming back. I sense it in the streets," he told Australian radio."I believe that there is a bit of a tide coming back. I sense it in the streets," he told Australian radio.
The man he has to beat, 50-year-old former diplomat Kevin Rudd, has been out in front throughout the election campaign.The man he has to beat, 50-year-old former diplomat Kevin Rudd, has been out in front throughout the election campaign.
On the final day of his campaign, Mr Rudd said his Liberal rival had lost touch with working families.On the final day of his campaign, Mr Rudd said his Liberal rival had lost touch with working families.
Labor has sought to capitalise on the government's refusal to sign the Kyoto protocol on climate change.Labor has sought to capitalise on the government's refusal to sign the Kyoto protocol on climate change.
Mr Howard has campaigned on his record of sound economic management.Mr Howard has campaigned on his record of sound economic management.
The BBC's Nick Bryant, in Sydney, says Mr Howard has had a career full of unlikely comebacks - but rescuing this election would be by far the most remarkable.The BBC's Nick Bryant, in Sydney, says Mr Howard has had a career full of unlikely comebacks - but rescuing this election would be by far the most remarkable.
This is not Australia's first internet election but it is its first YouTube election Nick Bryant BBC News in Sydney Read Nick's thoughts in full This is not Australia's first internet election but it is its first YouTube election Nick Bryant BBC News in Sydney Read Nick's thoughts in full
On Friday, three separate polls put Mr Rudd in the lead, but with greatly differing margins.On Friday, three separate polls put Mr Rudd in the lead, but with greatly differing margins.
An AC Nielsen poll put Labor 14 points ahead, while a Morgan survey put the figure at nine points. A Galaxy poll gave Mr Rudd's party a four-point lead - the best figure for the ruling coalition in months.An AC Nielsen poll put Labor 14 points ahead, while a Morgan survey put the figure at nine points. A Galaxy poll gave Mr Rudd's party a four-point lead - the best figure for the ruling coalition in months.
Labor needs a swing of 4.8% of the vote to capture the seats it needs to form a government.Labor needs a swing of 4.8% of the vote to capture the seats it needs to form a government.
Analysts have suggested the race could come down to results in key marginal constituencies, including Mr Howard's own seat in Bennelong, Sydney.Analysts have suggested the race could come down to results in key marginal constituencies, including Mr Howard's own seat in Bennelong, Sydney.