From outback to Antarctica, Aussies go to polls

Sep 2, 2013

From outback to Antarctica, Aussies go to polls

From the frozen Antarctic to the dry and remote outback, millions of Australians will cast their ballots Saturday in an election that poses logistical challenges in a continent-sized country. Voting is compulsory and a record 14.7 million Aussies are registered to make their mark ...

Aug 24, 2013

Australian coalition ahead of Labor: poll

Australia’s opposition Liberal-National coalition has widened its lead over the Labor government in an opinion poll, signaling leader Tony Abbott may replace Kevin Rudd as prime minister after the Sept. 7 election. Support for the coalition rose to 53 percent on a two-party preferred ...

Aug 22, 2013

Main parties snub Big Tobacco money

Australia’s ruling Labor Party pledged Thursday to ban tobacco firm donations if returned to office and the opposition followed suit, ordering an end to campaign funds from the industry. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said that, if re-elected Sept. 7, Labor would amend the Electoral ...

Aug 17, 2013

Rudd's Labor may lose seven marginal seats

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is on the brink of defeat in next month’s national elections, with a poll indicating that his ruling Labor Party will lose seven of the eight most marginal electorates. An analysis of the seats, four of which are held ...

Abbott unveils tough policy for refugees

Aug 16, 2013

Abbott unveils tough policy for refugees

Tony Abbott, the conservative front-runner who looks set to become Australia’s next prime minister, declared that “this is our country” as he unveiled a tough new temporary visa policy Friday that would strip boat people of basic rights. Abbott, who opinion polls show is ...

Aussie opposition regains poll lead

Aug 10, 2013

Aussie opposition regains poll lead

Australia’s opposition has regained the lead over Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s government, with 52 percent of respondents in an opinion poll published Saturday saying they will support the coalition in the Sept. 7 national election. The ruling Labor Party had a 48 percent share ...

Rudd faces battle as campaign starts

Aug 5, 2013

Rudd faces battle as campaign starts

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Monday launched the first day of Australia’s election campaign with a raft of funding pledges as a poll showed support slumping and the Murdoch press urged voters to “kick this mob out.” Rudd on Sunday named Sept. 7 as ...

Abbott: use military on boat people

Jul 25, 2013

Abbott: use military on boat people

Australia’s conservative opposition unveiled plans Thursday for a military-led response to repel boat people, branding the problem a “national emergency” after the government declared a radical new policy aimed at crippling people smuggling. With tens of thousands of asylum seekers risking their lives on ...