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Rudd sets new Australian agenda Rudd sets new Australian agenda
(about 1 hour later)
Australia's Prime Minister-elect Kevin Rudd has outlined his priorities after winning a sweeping general election victory over outgoing PM John Howard.Australia's Prime Minister-elect Kevin Rudd has outlined his priorities after winning a sweeping general election victory over outgoing PM John Howard.
Mr Rudd said he would overturn a number of his predecessor's policies, signing the Kyoto Protocol and withdrawing Australian troops from Iraq. Mr Rudd said he would overturn a number of his predecessor's policies, such as signing the Kyoto Protocol and pulling Australian troops out of Iraq.
He also promised to attend next month's UN climate change summit in Bali.He also promised to attend next month's UN climate change summit in Bali.
Meanwhile, Peter Costello - nominated by Mr Howard to succeed him as conservative leader - refused the post. Meanwhile, Peter Costello - Mr Howard's nominated successor - has turned down the post of opposition leader.
The BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney says that Australia's conservatives are wounded and fractured and it could take them years to recover from this election defeat.The BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney says that Australia's conservatives are wounded and fractured and it could take them years to recover from this election defeat.
With just over 75% of ballots counted, Mr Rudd's Labor has 53% of the vote and Mr Howard's conservative coalition 46.5%.With just over 75% of ballots counted, Mr Rudd's Labor has 53% of the vote and Mr Howard's conservative coalition 46.5%.
Mr Howard is seriously in danger of losing his own seat of Bennelong in the suburbs of Sydney. US visit
New faces US President George W Bush - a close ally of Mr Howard - was among world leaders to congratulate Mr Rudd on his election victory.
Mr Rudd, a former diplomat, is almost 20 years younger than Mr Howard. AUSTRALIAN ELECTION More than 13.5m of Australia's roughly 21m people registered to voteElectors 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 (above) has led the conservative Liberal-National party coalition to four election wins since 1996Kevin Rudd is taking the centre-left Labor Party to the polls for the first time as leaderElection issues: The economy, environment and war in Iraq class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1883547.stm">Profile: John Howard class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7043713.stm">Profile: Kevin Rudd class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7110621.stm">Election in pictures In a statement Mr Bush said he looked "forward to working with this new government to continue our historic relationship".
AUSTRALIAN ELECTION More than 13.5m of Australia's roughly 21m people registered to voteElectors 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 (above) has led the conservative Liberal-National party coalition to four election wins since 1996Kevin Rudd is taking the centre-left Labor Party to the polls for the first time as leaderElection issues: The economy, environment and war in Iraq class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1883547.stm">Profile: John Howard class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7043713.stm">Profile: Kevin Rudd class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7110621.stm">Election in pictures Mr Rudd, a former diplomat, is of the same mind, says the BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney, but his plans for a phased withdrawal of 500 Australian combat troops from Iraq may put those close ties to the test.
The Labor leader does however support the military campaign in Afghanistan and plans to visit the United States early next year.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown also congratulated Mr Rudd and welcomed the incoming prime minister's pledge to sign up to the Kyoto Protocol on capping greenhouse gas emissions.
In his first news conference since his election, Mr Rudd promised "action and action now" on climate change.In his first news conference since his election, Mr Rudd promised "action and action now" on climate change.
He said he looked forward to meeting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono after receiving his invitation to the Bali conference.He said he looked forward to meeting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono after receiving his invitation to the Bali conference.
Mr Rudd promised to name his new cabinet by the end of the week, with one of his key appointments expected to be Julia Gillard as Deputy Prime Minister. 'New page'
If appointed, Ms Gillard will be the first woman ever to hold the position. Mr Rudd promised to name his new cabinet by the end of the week, with one of his key appointments expected to be Julia Gillard as deputy prime minister.
In his victory speech on Saturday, the Labor leader said: "Today the Australian people have decided that we as a nation will move forward." If appointed, Ms Gillard will become the first woman to hold the position.
Funniest moment of the campaign? For me it came in Bondi Junction, when I ran into Bob Hawke Nick Bryant Read Nick's blog
In his victory speech on Saturday, the Labor leader said: "Today the Australian people have decided that we as a nation will move forward.
"To plan for the future, to prepare for the future, to embrace the future and together as Australians to unite and write a new page in our nation's history.""To plan for the future, to prepare for the future, to embrace the future and together as Australians to unite and write a new page in our nation's history."
The swing to Labor is so far more than 6% and analysts say the party is on course for a clear majority in the 150-seat parliament for the first time since it lost to Mr Howard in 1996.The swing to Labor is so far more than 6% and analysts say the party is on course for a clear majority in the 150-seat parliament for the first time since it lost to Mr Howard in 1996.
Our correspondent says this is a humiliating defeat for Mr Howard and a day Labor has waited many years to see.Our correspondent says this is a humiliating defeat for Mr Howard and a day Labor has waited many years to see.
Its supporters are hoping Australia will become more compassionate under Kevin Rudd, he says.Its supporters are hoping Australia will become more compassionate under Kevin Rudd, he says.
Labor's environment spokesman, Peter Garrett, told the BBC Australia was on the brink of fundamental change. The party's environment spokesman, Peter Garrett, told the BBC Australia was on the brink of fundamental change.
"Australians have decided that they are going to throw out a government that has been delinquent on climate change, that has tried to recast our industrial relations laws, and which hasn't shown any capacity to measure up to the challenges of the 21st Century.""Australians have decided that they are going to throw out a government that has been delinquent on climate change, that has tried to recast our industrial relations laws, and which hasn't shown any capacity to measure up to the challenges of the 21st Century."
Allies Howard blow
The pledge to pull 550 combat troops from Iraq in a phased withdrawal will concern the US, although the White House congratulated Mr Rudd on his victory.
"The United States and Australia have long been strong partners and allies and the president looks forward to working with this new government to continue our historic relationship," its statement read.
HAVE YOUR SAY After too many years I can finally hold my head up and be proud to call myself Australian again Anne, Brisbane Send us your comments
Mr Rudd stressed Australia would retain its close alliance with the US. However correspondents say relations may turn cooler.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown also congratulated Mr Rudd and welcomed the incoming prime minister's pledge to sign up to Kyoto.
In his concession speech, Mr Howard said: "This is a great democracy and I want to wish Mr Rudd well.In his concession speech, Mr Howard said: "This is a great democracy and I want to wish Mr Rudd well.
HAVE YOUR SAY After too many years I can finally hold my head up and be proud to call myself Australian again Anne, Brisbane Send us your comments
"We bequeath to him a nation that is stronger and prouder and more prosperous than it was eleven and a half years ago.""We bequeath to him a nation that is stronger and prouder and more prosperous than it was eleven and a half years ago."
There were few moments of cheer for the Liberals.There were few moments of cheer for the Liberals.
Former political journalist, Maxine McKew, is close to removing Mr Howard from Bennelong and make him the first sitting PM to lose his seat for 78 years. Former political journalist, Maxine McKew, is close to removing Mr Howard from Bennelong and make him the first sitting prime minister to lose his seat for 78 years.
Voters in Bennelong have elected Mr Howard in 13 consecutive elections over 33 years.Voters in Bennelong have elected Mr Howard in 13 consecutive elections over 33 years.
Mr Rudd is expected to be sworn in as prime minister next week.Mr Rudd is expected to be sworn in as prime minister next week.