Australian General Election rivals neck and neck as election day looms

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11033157

Australia election rivals neck and neck

Labor Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Liberal Leader Tony Abbott

Campaigning in Australia's national elections has entered its last day with the two main parties neck and neck. An opinion poll suggested the governing Labor Party had lost its narrow lead to be tied with the opposition coalition. Julia Gillard, Australia's first female prime minister, is facing a fight to the finish with centre-right coalition leader Tony Abbott. Ms Gillard became prime minister in June after ousting her predecessor, Kevin Rudd.

But correspondents say she faces a backlash at the ballot box over a range of issues including the way she replaced Mr Rudd and her policy direction on climate change. According to the survey by Newspoll for The Australian newspaper on Friday, voters were split 50-50 between the two main parties. A Newspoll survey on Monday had put Labor at 52% and the Liberals at 48%. However, most analysts still expect Labor to hang on to power for a second three-year term with a narrow majority.

In the run-up to Saturday's poll, Mr Abbott - who leads the Liberal Party - vowed to campaign non-stop for 36 hours to woo more voters away from Labor. Welsh-born Ms Gillard has warned that the election will be "a real cliffhanger". Before taking office, she had been Kevin Rudd's deputy and her sudden leadership challenge in June stunned many Australians. The challenge came as the Labor Party's popularity was sliding in opinion polls. Mr Rudd surrendered without a fight after realising his support among government colleagues had collapsed.

I do hope Mr Abbott wins, Gillard is to the left for a start, believes in man-made global warming whereas Abbott thinks its arguments for are 'crap' which is helpful I guess as recent polls in Austrialia showed that the majority now do not believe in man made global warming. PM Gillard also sparked debate recently by stating that she wants to stop moving Austrialia to a Republic status (in other words, deposing Queen Elizabeth II as head of state and replacing with a politician).

Anybody in Austrialia who has any thoughts?
Are you a supporter of the monarchy and its continuation (if you are in a Commonwealth country)?

[Caution]

I'm unsure of the monarchy. Obscene amounts of money is spent on them (private jets, yacht's and the rest) while everyone is supposed to be watching their pockets, but it would be even worse if a politician was the Head of State.

[Robbie]

I've been following the election quite closely, and I really would like Abbott to win. John Howard was a legend and wasn't afraid of being branded 'racist' or being politically correct.

[Josh]

Seats needed for majority = 76

Australian Labour Party = 72
Liberal National Party = 71

As of right now. Talks of hung parliament.

[Jordy]

Quite interesting that both the UK and Australia have hung parliaments within months of each other when they previously hadn't had any for decades.

Seems like her gamble didn't pay off as she'll be forming a coalition but I have a lot of respect for the woman. It takes a brave and worthy politician to call a snap election like that. Which is more than can be said for the ball-less politicians over here. Gordon Brown dithered about a snap election and then chickened out, and of course David Miliband always had the capability to throw out Gordon Brown but he was too chicken to put his political career on the line for his party. Those two cowards I have no respect for.

[Josh]

Quite interesting that both the UK and Australia have hung parliaments within months of each other when they previously hadn't had any for decades.

Seems like her gamble didn't pay off as she'll be forming a coalition but I have a lot of respect for the woman. It takes a brave and worthy politician to call a snap election like that. Which is more than can be said for the ball-less politicians over here. Gordon Brown dithered about a snap election and then chickened out, and of course David Miliband always had the capability to throw out Gordon Brown but he was too chicken to put his political career on the line for his party. Those two cowards I have no respect for.

Julia Gillard only called a quick election so she could say, she wants to be an elected PM. That's the only reason.

[Catzsy]

Well they seem to be running around like headless chickens trying to get the independents and greens to support them. Could be an interesting outcome. As far as Australia having the queen as it's head if the majority of the people want to get rid of the monarchy then I guess that is the fair outcome. It's a big modern country that should be able to choose it's own destiny.

[Alkaz]

People say that our Monarchy cost us X amount of million pound each year and we should get rid of them. I think for something which draws in so many tourists and is part of our English heritage and has been for a thousand years or more I really think that what ever they cost us is a price we should pay. I don't hear of anyone coming from any other country in the world to come and see some MP's duck island. With so many things from Eurovision to the European Union costing us as a country ridiculous amounts of money I think if you want to throw away good money like that then it might as well be on our Monarchy and we should all be proud of it. I hate the idea that Australia want to become a republic with a President, I think its awful that anyone would even suggest it.

I read somewhere a while ago, the Royal family cost us in one year £35m however the Queens personal estates turned over a profit of almost £150m which went to the government.

[Robbie]

I love this election, been quite interesting so far. Ive followed Australian politics for a while so it's been easier for me to follow what going on

[Caution]

People say that our Monarchy cost us X amount of million pound each year and we should get rid of them. I think for something which draws in so many tourists and is part of our English heritage and has been for a thousand years or more I really think that what ever they cost us is a price we should pay. I don't hear of anyone coming from any other country in the world to come and see some MP's duck island. With so many things from Eurovision to the European Union costing us as a country ridiculous amounts of money I think if you want to throw away good money like that then it might as well be on our Monarchy and we should all be proud of it. I hate the idea that Australia want to become a republic with a President, I think its awful that anyone would even suggest it.

I read somewhere a while ago, the Royal family cost us in one year £35m however the Queens personal estates turned over a profit of almost £150m which went to the government.

The tourists come to see the buildings, not the people.