Howard expected to triumph in Australian election

Over 12.5 million Australians have gone to the polls in a General Election that could give Prime Minister John Howard a third term in office.

Last minute opinion polls show that Howard is likely to snatch victory in a close race.

A swing of just 0.8% is needed for the current Liberal-National Government to be toppled in favour of the Labour Party.

Howard has made his policy of turning away refugees trying to enter Australia illegally in boats one of the central issues in the campaign, along with his support for the US-Led strikes in Afghanistan.