Australia: Polls show govt could be 'annihilated'

Australian Prime Minister John Howard today vowed to lead his conservative government to elections this year against a surging opposition, while admitting opinion polls suggest his government will be “annihilated”.

Analysts in Canberra said Mr Howard’s unusual admission that the government faced electoral oblivion was a strategic play with the dual goals of steeling his allies for a tough fight ahead and spooking voters who may be considering switching sides.

The second-longest serving prime minister in Australia’s 106-year history, has shrugged off criticisms that he has outlasted his welcome among voters

He has also ruled out handing power to his more youthful deputy in the ruling Liberal Party, Peter Costello, to lift his 11-year-old government’s popularity before elections expected in October or November.

“I have no desire to do anything other than remain prime minister of my country and leader of my party for as long as the Australian people want that to be the case,” Mr Howard, 67, told Sky News television.

Suffering months of the worst opinion poll ratings since taking power, Mr Howard told politicians figures “suggest we would not just lose, but be annihilated”.