Labor Takes Australian Elections

New Aussie PM faces inflationary risks in boom times

(NEWSER) - New Aussie PM Kevin Rudd inherits a booming economy, but that doesn't mean it's going to be an easy ride for his center-left government, the Wall Street Journal warns. Demand for Australia's natural resources is feverish and inflation is already uncomfortably high. Rudd has vowed to pump about $48 billion into benefits and tax cuts for Australians, which could seriously overheat the already torrid economy. More»

Likely winner of Saturday's election will take troops from Iraq

(NEWSER) - Australians elect a new government this Saturday, and polls foresee the fall of John Howard, the once-invincible prime minister who has served for 11 years. Kevin Rudd, the Labor Party leader 20 years Howard's junior, has promised to withdraw Australian troops from Iraq and to "shift up a gear" as the Australian economic miracle recedes. With days to go, Howard continues to warn that a Labor win would slow the country's economic boom. More»

(NEWSER) - Prime Minister John Howard, trailing in national polls after 11 years in office, set national elections today for Nov. 24. Howard will run on the nation’s current economic boom, Reuters reports. His opponent, Labor leader Kevin Rudd, says he'll pull Australian troops out of Iraq, though domestic issues are expected to dominate at the polls. More»

Gillard fends off Rudd bid to regain power

(NEWSER) - Julia Gillard has fought off a challenge from the man she ousted in 2010 and will remain as leader of the Labor Party and prime minister of Australia. She beat Kevin Rudd 71 votes to 31 in a leadership ballot, ending months of political strife that saw Rudd resign as foreign minister last week . Rudd—who warned that keeping Gillard in charge would doom the party to certain defeat in elections next year—said it was time for the party to heal its wounds. More»

Kevin Rudd in leadership rift with Prime Minister Julia Gillard

(AP) - Australia's foreign minister resigned today in a bitter rift with Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who may poll party lawmakers next week on who should lead the country. Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd announced his resignation during a news conference in Washington, where he was visiting on official business, and he said the relentless speculation that he planned to seize power from Gillard had become a distraction. "I can only serve as foreign minister if I have the confidence of Prime Minister Gillard and her senior ministers," Rudd said. More»