Agaknya orang luar yang kurang sreg, harus kecewa dulu. Salam, RM (Straits Times interactive on Sunday) OCT 10, 2004 TOP OF THE NEWS Aussie PM Howard wins fourth term By Stephanie Gartelmann
AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister John Howard, buoyed by a booming economy, won a historic fourth term in office yesterday with a strong showing at the polls. With more than 70 per cent of the 13 million votes counted last night, the official Australian Electoral Commission gave his Liberal-National coalition 52.4 per cent support to Labor's 47.6 per cent. This was an improvement over the 2001 election results for the ruling coalition, which won 51 per cent of the votes then to Labor's 49. Mr Howard told cheering supporters here last night: 'I am truly humbled by this extraordinary expression of confidence in the leadership of...the coalition.' His rival, Mr Mark Latham, conceded defeat as he told downcast party members in western Sydney that while they fought hard, 'tonight is not our night'. The ruling coalition held 82 seats in the 150-seat Parliament, but an Australian Broadcasting Corp forecast put its likely new majority as high as 87 seats, with Labor down by four to 60. Both parties had promised tax cuts for high-income earners, increased medical and education spending and US$1 billion (S$1.7 billion) child-care packages. Mr Howard's coalition offered a stronger emphasis on supporting private education and small business, while Labor promised to increase support for low-income individuals and families. The essential similarities saw many voters undecided until election day. But Mr Howard's record, particularly his stewardship of the economy, appeared to be the deciding factor for many voters. 'In the end the Australian people have recognised the economic and security benefits the Howard government has brought them,' Industry and Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane told Reuters. Many Australians are enjoying gains from a buoyant stock market and a hot property market; interest rates are relatively low and jobs are plentiful. Mr Howard, 65, is seen by voters as bland but safe. The 43-year-old Mr Latham is lively on the stump but, with just 10 months into the job as Labor leader, is considered to be lacking in experience. His criticism of Mr Howard's Iraq policy and his push for closer ties with Asia failed to sway voters. Said Mr Alan Murphy, a 58-year-old transport contractor: 'Liberal means stability.' A record 1,421 candidates competed for 150 seats nationwide. Among the winners last night was millionaire Malcolm Turnbull, often mentioned as a potential successor to Mr Howard. Anti-immigrant politician Pauline Hanson failed in her bid for a Senate seat. Another loser was Greens candidate Andrew Wilkie, a government analyst who quit in protest against Australia's involvement in the Iraq war. He lost to Mr Howard in the Sydney seat of Bennelong. Mr Howard's victory ensures that Australian troops will remain in Iraq. Mr Latham wanted Australia's 850 troops serving there home by Christmas. US President George W. Bush, facing a ballot next month, yesterday congratulated Mr Howard on having 'won a great victory'. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> $9.95 domain names from Yahoo!. Register anything. http://us.click.yahoo.com/J8kdrA/y20IAA/yQLSAA/BRUplB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> *************************************************************************** Berdikusi dg Santun & Elegan, dg Semangat Persahabatan. Menuju Indonesia yg Lebih Baik, in Commonality & Shared Destiny. www.ppiindia.shyper.com *************************************************************************** __________________________________________________________________________ Mohon Perhatian: 1. Harap tdk. memposting/reply yg menyinggung SARA (kecuali sbg otokritik) 2. Pesan yg akan direply harap dihapus, kecuali yg akan dikomentari. 3. Lihat arsip sebelumnya, www.ppi-india.da.ru; 4. Posting: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 5. Satu email perhari: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 6. No-email/web only: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 7. kembali menerima email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ppiindia/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
