Canberra - Liberal Tony Abbott swept to victory on Saturday over incumbent Prime Minister Kevin Rudd as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) called a clear win for the conservative in national polls, with nearly 21 per cent of the vote counted.
The ABC predicted Abbott's Liberal/ National coalition will win 90 seats in the 150-seat lower House of Representatives, while Labor will take 58.
“The coalition is on a pretty secure 74 seats already. On that basis they're going to get a majority. I think we can say the government has been defeated.”
Several senior Labor figures conceded defeat to Abbott as results flooded in on Saturday evening. At 13%, Defence Minister Stephen Smith told ABC: “The government will be defeated tonight.”
Health Minister Tanya Plibersek conceded defeat shortly afterwards, telling ABC that her government’s loss was no longer in doubt. “I am a cautious person by nature, but I think that it’s pretty clear it’s a matter of the size of the victory” she said.
Opinion polls and an early exit poll also predicted a resounding win for the Liberals.
A coalition victory would mean an end to six years of centre-left Labor Party rule. The party has been marred by relentless infighting that left the public frustrated and disillusioned.
