And, despite the stupidity of other industrialized nations, we will continue to refuse to sign the treaty that would severely damage our economy without placing the same demands on China and India.SYDNEY, Australia — Labor Party leader Kevin Rudd swept to power in Australian elections today, ending an 11-year conservative era and promising major changes to policies on global warming and the Iraq war.
The win brought a humiliating end to the career of outgoing Prime Minister John Howard of the Liberal Party, who became Australia's second-longest serving leader -- and who had appeared almost unassailable as little as a year ago.
In a nationally televised concession speech, Howard announced he had phoned Rudd to congratulate him on "a very emphatic victory."
"I accept full responsibility for the Liberal Party campaign, and I therefore accept full responsibility for the coalition's defeat in this election campaign," Howard said.
Howard faced further potential humiliation. The voting results in his own district were on a knife edge, and he was in real danger of becoming only the second sitting prime minister in 106 years of federal government to lose his seat in Parliament...A new government is unlikely to mean a massive change in Australia's foreign relations, including with the United States -- its most important security partner -- or with Asia, which is increasingly important for the economy.
One of the biggest differences will probably be in Australia's approach to climate change. Rudd has made the issue his top priority and promised to immediately sign the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas emissions.
When he does, the United States will stand alone as the only industrialized country not to have signed the pact.
Howard has been a good and worthy friend to America. This new guy, previously described has "having a handshake like a girl" and was videotaped eating his own earwax (ewwwww!) will be trouble for Australia.
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