John Howard

Members of Howard's Liberal/National coalition said the government's strong economic record had clearly tipped the balance against the Labor Party and its 43-year-old leader, Mark Latham.

Howard's victory ensures that Australian troops will remain in Iraq. Latham wanted the country's 850 troops serving in and around Iraq home by Christmas.

The election attracted international attention because Australia's two Iraq war allies soon face elections, the United States on Nov. 2 and Britain in May or June.

But voters focused more on domestic concerns such as interest rates during the campaign rather than Howard's unstinting support for key ally the United States or Labor's preference for closer ties with Asia.

Howard's coalition held 82 seats in the 150-seat Parliament after the 2001 election, but Australian Broadcasting Corp. forecasts put the government's likely new majority as high as 87 seats, with Labor likely to drop back four to 60.

The Japan Times Weekly: Oct. 16, 2004
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