Australian prime minister Julia Gillard predicted a close contest in August elections despite a respected opinion poll today showing her centre-left government gaining popularity.

AUSTRALIAN prime minister John Howard made a last-ditch appeal to family voters yesterday as polls showed his conservative government facing near-certain election defeat on November 24 in the wake of interest rate hikes.

Australia’s prime minister admitted today that his country’s commitment to the Iraq war was unpopular, but said he was willing to sacrifice his government over the issue at the ballot box this year.

Most Australians would support their country severing its constitutional ties with Britain if Prince Charles becomes king, according to survey results published today.