Australian Spotlight

After 11 years in the back seat, Australia's Labor Party is itching to take the wheel of government again. Four times in a row voters have rejected Labor in favor of John Howard's conservative coalition. But with a shiny-blond new leader, Kevin Rudd, trouncing Howard in popularity polls, Labor has a real chance to deprive the P.M. of a fifth term. A few days after Howard called an election for Nov. 24, betting markets were offering $2.60 for a government win; $1.50 for Labor.

But few pundits are prepared to write off the P.M. just yet — or the political acumen that has helped make the conservatives seem the country's natural party of government. A confident-looking Howard launched the final campaign of his 33-year career with a bang, announcing a $34 billion tax-cut bounty — the result, he said, of the sound economic management that has brought the nation unprecedented prosperity and near-full employment.

Rudd, whose tightly managed campaign began the moment he became Labor leader last December, has stressed his economic conservatism. Accused of copying government policies, he listed five "fundamental differences": Labor's plans to moderate recent workplace reforms, pump money into health and education, ratify the Kyoto Protocol, and pull troops from Iraq.

But what Rudd, 50, is selling most is change — the NEW LEADERSHIP blazoned on Labor's billboards. "My central appeal is that we need new leadership with fresh ideas," he said. Howard, 68, stressed his government's experience and willingness to act on principle rather than opinion polls. "We don't need old leadership, we don't need new leadership. We need the right leadership," he said. Both leaders are prepared to fight hard — "down to the wire," Rudd said. But as the campaign revs up, it's Mr. New who seems to be in the driver's seat.