Australian election too close to call

Less than two weeks before the Australian general election, opinion polls suggest the result is now too close to call, although most still show Prime Minister John Howard’s Government holds a winning lead.

Riding a wave of support generated by the US led response to terrorism, and a tough stance against asylum seekers, Prime Minister John Howard’s conservative coalition entered the November 10 election campaign three weeks ago as the clear favourite.

Labour clawed back some ground in the second week of campaigning, but now the nation’s three most respected national polls taken over the weekend are showing mixed results. Two show Labour support declining slightly while a third put Labour in the lead.

Most analysts now see the election as too close to call, but feel the Government holds a slight edge.

Seeking a third term, Howard is largely running on his record and has staked out counter-terrorism and security as the main issues, arguing voters should stick with his administration at a time of global uncertainty.

Led by Kim Beazley, the opposition Labour Party is trying to focus on domestic issues such as health, education and jobs, where polls suggest it has an advantage over the Government.