Abbott Wins Australian Election as Rudd Concedes Defeat
Tony Abbott’s Liberal-National coalition won Australia’s election, consigning Kevin Rudd’s Labor party to the shortest stint in power in almost 40 years and ushering in a government pledging to abolish carbon and mining taxes.
“I now look forward to forming a government that is competent, that is trustworthy,” Abbott said in a victory speech to supporters in Sydney. “I pledge myself to the service of this country.” Rudd earlier conceded defeat and quit as Labor leader.
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Tony Abbott, Australia’s prime minister-elect, delivers his victory speech at the Liberal-National coalition’s election function in Sydney. Photographer: Brendon Thorne/Bloomberg
Abbott, 55, wins power after spearheading the attack on Labor’s stewardship of the $1.5 trillion economy and infighting that saw Rudd reclaiming the leadership just 10 weeks ago after he was ousted in a 2010 party coup. Abbott, a former Rhodes scholar and amateur boxer, now faces the challenge of governing as the China-led mining investment boom wanes, crimping tax revenue and driving up unemployment.
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