CANBERRA, Aug 4 (Reuters) – Australian Prime Minister Kevin
Rudd called a general election on Sunday for Sept. 7, six weeks
after he toppled former leader Julia Gillard in a party-room
vote, ending a turbulent three years in power for the minority
Labor government.
He announced the election date in an email to supporters.
Rudd, who was dumped by his centre-left party in June 2010,
has generated a spike in public support since he returned but
conservative opposition leader Tony Abbott is still favourite to
win power.
Rudd’s Labor government could fall with the loss of just one
of the 150 seats in parliament. His government currently holds
71 seats, the opposition 72, with one Green and six independent
cross benchers.
Abbott’s opposition has promised to scrap a 30 percent tax
on coal and iron ore mine profits, and scrap a A$24.15/tonne
carbon tax, if he wins power.
(Reporting by James Grubel; Editing by Paul Tait)
