Rudd outlines Australian vision
Sunday, 25 Nov 2007 10:22
Kevin Rudd outlines political agenda for Australia after winning general election
Australian prime minister-elect Kevin Rudd has said his government will focus on global warming after accepting victory in the country's general election.
Incumbent prime minister John Howard, who has ruled the country for over a decade, conceded defeat to his rival yesterday as results indicated a crushing victory for the opposition.
In a speech to supporters, Mr Rudd said: "Today the Australian people have decided that we as a nation will move forward.
"To plan for the future, to prepare for the future, to embrace the future and together as Australians to unite and write a new page in our nation's history."
Mr Rudd vowed for "action and action now on climate change and water".
During his campaign the Labour leader had vowed to sign the Kyoto Protocol, a move the previous administration refused to take. He has also promised to pull out Australia's 500 troops from Iraq – an initiative likely to disturb the US which is a close ally.
Mr Rudd declined to comment on whether he had discussed a pull-out with the US president George Bush in phone conversations held after winning the polls. However, he emphasised that close relations with the superpower would remain a priority.
The 50-year-old, who is a fluent Mandarin speaker, stated that climate change was a "key focus" of other conversations with UK prime minister Gordon Brown and the Indonesian head of state. The island of Bali is set to host an important conference in December where world leaders will attempt to reach a consensus on measures to tackle climate change.
Meanwhile, Mr Howard may become the first sitting premier in 78 years to lose his parliamentary seat as votes are counted in his constituency of Bennelong.
Results are due in the next few days and a former television newscaster, who interviewed the leader many times, is seen as favourite for the position.