Melbourne: Conservative Tony Abbott has
"restored" the Liberal Party and potentially "destroyed" a
first term Labor government, former premier John Howard said
today as opposition coalition appeared to be charging past the
ruling party of Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
"And his (Abott) performance in this campaign...and
it's not for me to make any declarations or predictions at
this stage, but it's clear that he has undermined and
potentially destroyed a first term Labor Government and that
is a tremendous achievement, and I am very proud of him.
And I know millions of Liberals around the country are
very proud of him," Howard was quoted as saying by Hearld Sun.
Howard said it's not his place to give a prediction,
but claims Abbott has brought the Liberal Party back from the
dead. Meanwhile, counting would continue in a nail-biting
election finish which many predict will end in a hung
Parliament.
Australian Electoral Commission said 85 per cent of
the total vote in ordinary ballots were expected to be counted
tonight.
Spokesman Phil Diak said counting will finish at
midnight (AEST), but because of the time difference in Western
Australia (WA) information will continue to be put into the
system until 2am (AEST). Counting will resume tomorrow,
according the reports.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, August 21, 2010, 23:10