Australian election on Nov. 10

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, OCT. 5. The Australian Prime Minister, Mr. John Howard, today announced that general elections to elect a new Parliament will be held on November 10. Mr. Howard's decision, which was widely expected, comes at a time when his Liberal coalition is riding high. The Prime Minister too is ahead of his main rival, Mr. Kim Beazley of the Labour party, and is favourite to return to power.

``I called on His Excellency the Governor-General and advised a dissolution of Parliament so that general elections can take place on the 10th of November,'' Mr. Howard said at a press conference in Canberra today. The Prime Minister, whose Government took a ``tough'' stand against refugees in August, was able to push Labour behind in the polls following the ``popular'' position it took not to allow asylum-seekers to land in Australia.

The current ``war against terrorism'' and Australia's decision to back America to the hilt is also seen by political analysts as something which will benefit Mr. Howard in the elections.

``This is a time, of course, to choose strength and purpose and stability over the alternative,'' Mr. Howard, who has been Prime Minister for five-and-a-half years, stated. He also refuted Opposition allegations that he would not serve as Prime Minister for a full term if elected again. ``I have never been more committed to winning an election or a political campaign in my life. ...I have said in the past that I'd think about my future when I reached the age of 64 (in 2003),'' Mr. Howard was quoted as saying.

Following the announcement of the election date, Mr. Beazley said: ``I've never felt myself better qualified for this position at any time in my life than I feel it now.''

Mr. Beazley, who starts of as the underdog in the election, said he could deal with the current international economic conditions as Prime Minister. ``I find that the current international economic circumstances are no problem for me to handle, either in political terms or administrative terms... .these are matters well within my experience,'' he said.

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Section  : International
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