August 21st, 2010
10:40 AM ET

Australians cast ballots in 'cliff-hanger'

[Updated 10:40 a.m. ET] The final outcome of Australia's national elections could be in the balance for several days as results from Saturday's polling were "too close to call," said Prime Minister Julia Gillard, the Labor Party incumbent, in an address Saturday night to her supporters in Melbourne.

Opposition candidate Tony Abbott told cheering supporters Saturday night that his Liberal-National coalition "was back in business" after voting in Australia was too close to call a winner. "The Australian people have responded to the policies we took forward to the election," Abbott said.

[Updated at 7:57 a.m. ET] Polls closed Saturday in Australia's federal election, a hotly contested race that will decide the next leader of the country.

With more than 63 percent of the votes counted, the Labor Party of Prime Minister Julia Gillard was leading with 51 percent of the vote, while the Liberal-National coalition of Tony Abbott had 49 percent, according to results posted online by the Australian Electoral Commission.

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Filed under: Australia • World
soundoff (3 Responses)
  1. Jennifer

    I just saw your story about what schools are having to do in this "new" economy. It's appalling and inexcusable. If we can send millions - and in the case of war, billions - to other countries, we can afford to give teachers and students what they need. I hear constant complaints about how our education system is not up to par. Well, the politicians and leaders of this country need to wake up and stop blaming students and teachers. The answer is right in front of them!

    August 21, 2010 at 11:36 am | Report abuse |
  2. Eleanor Hodges

    I don't feel it is safe for our President and his family to know every time they take a vacation and every place they are staying.
    ing. Hiis whereabouts should be top secret. Where is HIS SECURITY to bllab all. PLEASE STOP! THERE ARE TOO MANY NUTS OUT THERE.

    August 21, 2010 at 5:31 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Blancspot

    Interesting take by blancspot on this story:

    http://ws.blancspot.com/blancspot_web/public/landing/article.php?a=699

    August 23, 2010 at 3:21 am | Report abuse |
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