September 18, 2013

Tony Abbott was sworn in as Australia’s prime minister today. Earlier this month, Abbott, the leader of the Liberal Party, defeated Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, the leader of the Australian Labor Party, in federal elections. (Contrary to its name, the Liberal Party is a center-right political party.)  In remarks released before the swearing-in ceremony, Abbott said, “Today is not just a ceremonial day. The Australian people expect us to get straight down to business and that’s exactly what this government will do.”

Tony Abbott (The Office of Tony Abbott MHR)

Abbott ran on a platform that included promises to repeal Australia’s controversial carbon tax; end illegal immigrants entering the country; and place the national budget on a sound footing for a “believable surplus.” Abbott said the repeal of the carbon tax, which he argued had boosted energy taxes and cost jobs, would become his first legislative effort. To replace the tax, he plans to offer government subsidies to businesses and farmers to lower their carbon emissions. The new government also plans to eliminate the position of science minister, two government agencies that dealt with climate change, and a program that offers government loans for the development of “green” technologies.

Abbott’s government also plans to “stop the boats”–that is, impose strong measures to prevent people seeking asylum from entering Australia from Indonesia. Among these measures are plans to force vessels carrying refugees to return to Indonesia when safe to do so and allow asylum seekers already in Australia to obtain only temporary visas that must be regularly renewed.

Political observers noted that Abbott may face difficulties in getting his legislative program enacted by Parliament. Although his coalition won a majority of seats in Australia’s lower house, the control of the Senate remains uncertain as vote counting continues. If the Liberals’ total falls short, Abbott will be forced to work with other parties to pass legislation.

Additional World Book articles:

• Australia 2010 (a Back in Time article)
• Australia 2012 (a Back in Time article)

September 10, 2013

Tony Abbott, the leader of Australia’s Liberal Party, has claimed victory for the Coalition in federal elections. The Coalition consists of the Liberal Party and the National Party. (Contrary to its name, the Liberal Party is a center-right political party.)  Abbott defeated Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who became prime minister in June, after ousting then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard as leader of the Australian Labor Party. Rudd had also served as prime minister from 2007 to 2010.

Tony Abbott  (The Office of Tony Abbott MHR)

The Coalition will hold 91 seats in the next Parliament, compared with the Labor Party’s 54 seats. “From today, I declare that Australia is under new management and that Australia is once more open for business,” stated Abbott, repeating his election pledges–the repeal of a controversial carbon tax; an end to illegal immigrants entering the country; and an effort to place the national budget on a sound footing for a “believable surplus.”

Additional World Book articles:

• Australia 2010 (a Back in Time article)
• Australia 2012 (a Back in Time article)