2007 Australian federal election

Election for the 42nd Parliament of Australia July 2016 July 2016 2007 Australian federal election Australia parliamentary no 2004 Australian federal election 2004 2010 Australian federal election 2010 Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 2004–2007 Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 2007–2010 All 150 seats in the House of Representatives 76 seats were required for a majority in the House 40 (of the 76) seats in the Senate 24 November 2007 13,646,539 4.18% 12,930,814 (94.72%)(0.40 pp) First preference 190x190px Kevin Rudd yes 2006 12 4 Australian Labor Party Griffith (Qld) 5,388,184 43.38% 5.74 pp 60 seats 16 83 23 190x190px John Howard yes 1995 1 30 Liberal Party of Australia Liberal–National Coalition Bennelong (NSW)(lost seat) 5,229,024 42.09% 4.62 pp 87 seats 65 22 TPP 52.70% 47.30% TPP swing 5.44 pp 5.44 pp Prime Minister John Howard Liberal/National coalition Subsequent Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Australian Labor Party 400px Results by division for the House of Representatives, shaded by winning party's margin of victory. 400px Senators elected in the 2007 federal election 400px A federal election was held in Australia on 24 November 2007. All 150 seats in the House of Representatives and 40 of the seats in the 76-member Senate were up for election. The election featured a 39-day campaign, with 13.6 million Australians enrolled to vote.Gazetted Enrolment as at 31 October 2007 Australian Electoral Commission 15 November 2007 http://www.aec.gov.au/Enrolling_to_vote/Enrolment_stats/gazetted/2007/10.htm 23 May 2010 The centre-left Australian Labor Party opposition, led by Kevin Rudd and deputy leader Julia Gillard, defeated the incumbent centre-right Coalition government, led by Liberal Party leader and Prime Minister, John Howard, and Nationals leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Mark Vaile, by a landslide. The election marked the end of the 11-year-long Howard-led Liberal–National Coalition government that had been in power since the 1996 election.State of the parties Australia Votes 2007 ABC Online http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2007 25 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071022083323/http://abc.net.au/elections/federal/2007 22 October 2007 live Howard lost his own seat, becoming the first sitting Australian Prime Minister to lose his seat in nearly 80 years. This election also marked the start of the six-year Rudd–Gillard Labor government. Future Prime Minister Scott Morrison, future opposition leader Bill Shorten, and future Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles entered parliament at this election. This would be the last time the Labor Party would win a majority at the federal level until 2022. This remains the most recent election in which both major parties won over 40% of first preference votes. It would also be the last time the Labor Party was ahead of the Liberal–National Coalition in first preference vote until 2025. Rudd became the third Labor leader after World War II to lead the party to victory from opposition, after Gough Whitlam in 1972, Bob Hawke in 1983, and before most recently Anthony Albanese in 2022. Although the Coalition was defeated, the results in Western Australia bucked the national trend. While there was a swing against the Liberal Party and to the Labor Party, which allowed Labor to gain the seat of Hasluck from the Liberals, the Liberals managed to gain the seats of Cowan and Swan from Labor. 3 Key dates Prorogation of 41st Parliament: 12 noon, 15 October15 October 2007 Proclamation Government of Australia http://www.ag.gov.au/portal/govgazonline.nsf/C2592AB524E7B3A0CA2573750007F345/$file/S204.pdf 12 November 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120119142347/http://www.ag.gov.au/portal/govgazonline.nsf/C2592AB524E7B3A0CA2573750007F345/%24file/S204.pdf 19 January 2012 dmy Dissolution of House of Representatives: 12 noon, 17 October17 October 2007 Proclamation Government of Australia http://www.ag.gov.au/portal/govgazonline.nsf/6B2E00A5A0304DEDCA25737700048846/$file/S208.pdf 12 November 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120114192413/http://www.ag.gov.au/portal/govgazonline.nsf/6B2E00A5A0304DEDCA25737700048846/%24file/S208.pdf 14 January 2012 dmy Issue of electoral writs: 17 October17 October 2007 Issue of writs... Government of Australia http://www.ag.gov.au/portal/govgazonline.nsf/443DE0650D78221ACA257377001D52AE/$file/S210.pdf 12 November 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110629165654/http://www.ag.gov.au/portal/govgazonline.nsf/443DE0650D78221ACA257377001D52AE/%24file/S210.pdf 29 June 2011 dmy Close of rolls (if not currently on roll): 8 p.m., 17 October Statement from the Australian Electoral Commission regarding enrolment deadlines for the 2007 federal election Australian Electoral Commission 14 October 2007 http://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Media_releases/10_14a.htm 15 October 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071015150719/http://aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Media_releases/10_14a.htm 15 October 2007 live Close of rolls (if currently on roll and updating details): 8 p.m., 23 October Close of nominations: 12 noon, 1 November Declaration of nominations: 12 noon, 2 November Polling Day: 24 November 2007 Federal Election Timetable Australian Electoral Commission http://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/federal_elections/2007/Timetable.htm 15 October 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071015150734/http://aec.gov.au/Elections/federal_elections/2007/Timetable.htm 15 October 2007 live Federal election 2007 announced Australian Electoral Commission 14 October 2007 http://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Media_releases/10_14.htm 15 October 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071015150714/http://aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Media_releases/10_14.htm 15 October 2007 live Territory senators begin their terms: 24 November 2007 Return of writs: 21 DecemberStephanos Maria http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22960294-12377,00.html Election counting finally over The Australian 13 June 2010 March 2025 medicmedic First meeting of the 42nd Parliament: 12 February 2008http://www.aph.gov.au/house/info/sittings/08sitpa.pdf Parliamentary Sittings 2008 13 June 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090325121653/http://www.aph.gov.au/house/info/sittings/08sitpa.pdf 25 March 2009 New state senators begin their terms: 1 July 2008 Under the provisions of the Constitution, the current House of Representatives may continue for a maximum of three years from the first meeting of the House after the previous federal election. The first meeting of the 41st Parliament after the 2004 election was on 16 November 2004, hence the parliament would have expired on 15 November 2007 had it not been dissolved earlier. There must be a minimum of 33 days and a maximum of 68 days between the dissolution of the House of Representatives and the day of the election.The electoral system Parliamentary Handbook Parliament of Australia http://www.aph.gov.au/library/handbook/elections/index.htm#introduction 12 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071113073927/http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/handbook/elections/index.htm 13 November 2007 live Prime Minister Howard opted for a 39-day campaign. The prime minister of the day chooses the election date and requests the governor-general to dissolve the House and issue the writs for the election. On 14 October, John Howard gained the agreement of the governor-general, Major-General Michael Jeffery, to dissolve the House of Representatives and hold a general election for the House and half the Senate on 24 November 2007.Election looms on 24 November http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/14/1192300571760.html The Age 14 October 2007 22 October 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071016052345/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/14/1192300571760.html 16 October 2007 live During the last term of parliament before the 2007 election, the deadline for new voter enrolment was brought forward from seven working days after the issue of the writ to the same day. When the election was announced, the writ was not issued the next day, but on the following Wednesday. This kept the roll open for three days, during which 77,000 enrolment additions were processed.Peter Brent Brian Costar Voters awake: Australia needs each and every one of you The Age 4 November 2007 http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/03/1193619198618.html 16 November 2007 Pre-election issues right|thumb|Substantial changes to Australia's industrial relations system, known as WorkChoices, were enacted by the government in December 2005 and came into effect in March 2006. Roy Morgan polling in June 2007 reported WorkChoices was a reason for Labor party support, and a fear of union dominance and support for Coalition economic management policy as the biggest reasons behind the Coalition vote.IR Reforms Still Driving Labor Support; Liberal Voters Afraid of Union Dominance Roy Morgan Research 18 June 2007 http://www.roymorgan.com/news/polls/2007/4179/ 7 July 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070627045114/http://www.roymorgan.com/news/polls/2007/4179/ 27 June 2007 dead dmy-all Several big business organisations, including the Australian Industry Group, declined a request from the Prime Minister to run advertisements to counter the union-funded campaign.Coorey Phillip PM's appeal to business shows workplace ads failed: Labor Sydney Morning Herald 5 April 2007 https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/04/05/1175366414240.html 15 April 2007 The share of voters concerned about industrial relations grew from 31 per cent to 53 per cent in the two years to June 2006, with around three-fifths of voters backing Labor's ability to handle the issue over the Liberal Party. A Newspoll released in June 2006 reported health and Medicare were the most important issue for voters; 83 per cent of respondents rated it "very important". Other key issues included education (79 per cent), the economy (67 per cent), the environment (60 per cent) and national security (60 per cent). Taxation and interest rates, key issues in previous campaigns, were rated very important by 54 per cent and 51 per cent respectively. Immigration, a key issue in 2001, scored 43 per cent. The poll showed that voters considered Labor marginally better-placed to handle health and education, and gave the government strong backing on the economy and national security.Importance and best party to handle major issues Newspoll/The Australian 6 June 2006 http://www.newspoll.com.au/image_uploads/0604%20issues.pdf 15 April 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070614034149/http://www.newspoll.com.au/image_uploads/0604%20issues.pdf 14 June 2007 Kevin Rudd promised Labor would introduce a greenhouse gas emission reduction target of 60 per cent by 2050, ratify the Kyoto Protocol and introduce a mandatory renewable energy target (MRET) of 20 per cent by 2020. The Howard government reiterated their position of not ratifying the Kyoto protocol, setting "voluntary aspirational emission reduction targets" and introducing a carbon emissions trading scheme by 2012.Mark Davis 31 October 2007 Rudd's renewable 2020 vision https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/30/1193618883930.html?page=fullpage Sydney Morning Herald 6 December 2007 Labor pledged a $4.7 billion fibre-to-the-node broadband network.Parker Gary Broadband looms as an election issue http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/03/08/1173166895703.html The Age 9 March 2007 22 October 2007 left|thumb|Liberal Party electoral advertising shown on free-to-air and pay TV in 2004. On 7 June in a speech promoting the government's handling of the economy, Treasurer Peter Costello recalled the learner driver slogan of the 2004 election: "This [the economy] is like a highly engineered racing car and I tell you what, I wouldn't be putting an L-plate driver in the cockpit at the moment".Costello warns against economic 'L-plater' http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200706/s1945363.htm ABC News 7 June 2007 22 October 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071014073844/http://abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200706/s1945363.htm 14 October 2007 dead dmy-all August 2007 saw, for the first time during an election campaign, a 0.25-point interest-rate rise to 6.5 per cent by the Reserve Bank, the sixth rise since the last election in 2004. Labor used the news to argue that the Coalition could not be trusted to keep interest rates low, while Costello argued that interest rates would be higher under Labor.Interest rates jump to 6.5pc http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/08/08/1999347.htm ABC News 8 August 2007 22 October 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071014073851/http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/08/08/1999347.htm 14 October 2007 dead In November 2007 interest rates were raised for the sixth time since the 2004 election, to a 10-year high of 6.75 per cent.Scott Murdoch Rates set to hit a 10-year high today The Australian 29 October 2007 http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22716243-20142,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20071109071424/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22716243-20142,00.html dead 9 November 2007 13 November 2007 In response to Labor criticism of the government on the rate rises, Howard stated in August 2007 "[Rudd] can scour every transcript, and I will make them available, of every interview that I gave during that election campaign and he will find no such commitment." In late September, Sudanese Australian Liep Gony was murdered by two white assailants.Windle Joel The racialisation of African youth in Australia Social Identities: Journal for the Study of Race, Nation and Cultur 2008 14 5 553–566 10.1080/13504630802343382 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13504630802343382 14 June 2024 14 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240614122747/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13504630802343382 live subscription Initial off-the-record statements by police officers falsely attributed the murder to gang violence, leading to a press and political storm around so-called African gangs. During this period, Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews criticised Sudanese Australians on various occasions for "not fitting in" and suggested they were disposed towards "un-Australian" violence. As a result of this discourse, the government decided to cut the percentage of refugee visas given to Africans from 70% to 30%. The Queensland Labor Premier, Anna Bligh, described Andrews' criticism of Sudanese as "disturbing". She said: "It has been a long time since I have heard such a pure form of racism out of the mouth of any Australian politician." Labor politician Tony Burke branded Andrews' decision as "incompetent". However, Andrew's actions were applauded by the former One Nation politician, Pauline Hanson. Andrews was accused of helping to fuel assaults of Sudanese. During the controversy one criticism was that Andrews justified his decision based on "concerns raised by the community", however no official report or inquest has been tendered, leading to the conclusion that any 'concerns' were both unofficial, undocumented and possibly belonging to a racially intolerant minority. Andrews defended the system of having refugee quotas against the opinion expressed that intakes of refugees should be variated on the basis of global needs ."Howard John John Howard Questions without notice—Interest Rates Hansard Parliament of Australia http://parlinfoweb.aph.gov.au/piweb/view_document.aspx?ID=2739777&TABLE=HANSARDR 13 November 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110524205623/http://parlinfoweb.aph.gov.au/piweb/view_document.aspx?ID=2739777&TABLE=HANSARDR 24 May 2011 In October 2007, Howard "admitted breaking a promise to keep interest rates at record lows".PM admits breaking rates promise Herald Sun 26 October 2007 http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22653762-5005961,00.html 13 November 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071128074321/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0%2C21985%2C22653762-5005961%2C00.html 28 November 2007 Phillip Coorey Forget interest rates ad, it only ran two nights: PM Sydney Morning Herald 27 October 2007 https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/26/1192941339428.html 13 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071028065058/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/26/1192941339428.html 28 October 2007 liveTranscript: Howard's two-night stand Sydney Morning Herald 27 October 2007 https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/26/1192941339466.html 13 November 2007 During the 2004 campaign, Howard was also cited as giving the same promise, personally, on radio.Michelle Grattan Morton, Adam Battling PM forced onto the defensive The Age 29 October 2007 http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/28/1193555531666.html 13 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071030072944/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/28/1193555531666.html 30 October 2007 live Inflation figures released on 24 October indicated underlying inflation was higher than expected, which resulted in seven of eight financial companies believing there will be an interest rate rise when the reserve bank met in the middle of November, the first during an election campaign.Nicki Bourlioufas 24 October 2007 Prices jump, interest-rate rise coming http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22640212-5005961,00.html Herald Sun 13 November 2007 October 2026 medicmedic Rudd advocated four-year fixed terms for federal parliaments if elected. Howard supported four-year terms but opposed fixed election dates. Any change would require approval by referendum.Phillip Coorey 10 ministers face wipeout: poll warning https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/05/1191091364601.html The Age 6 October 2007 22 October 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071009135403/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/05/1191091364601.html 9 October 2007 live In mid-October, Howard said that if re-elected, the government would hold a referendum on the inclusion a statement of reconciliation in the preamble of the constitution.PM plans reconciliation referendum http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/11/2057292.htm ABC News 11 October 2007 22 October 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071012232933/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/11/2057292.htm 12 October 2007 dead Election campaign Week 1 On 14 October, Howard announced a 24 November election. The Coalition had been trailing Labor in the polls since 2006, and most pundits predicted that Howard would not be re-elected. ABC Online election analyst Antony Green noted the Coalition's numbers were similar to what Labor had polled before losing power in 1996. thumb|Kevin Rudd campaigning with Labor candidate Kerry Rea in Bonner on 21 September 2007. right|thumb|John Howard meeting Maroondah residents, 31 August 2007 Howard's theme concentrated on leadership, stating that the nation "does not need new leadership, it does not need old leadership. It needs the right leadership" He said his government would strive to achieve full employment, which he argued was less likely under Kevin Rudd.PM, Rudd trade blows as campaign begins 14 October 2007 news.com.au http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22581572-5012863,00.html 13 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071013175235/http://news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C22581572-5012863%2C00.html 13 October 2007 dead In response, Rudd also concentrated on leadership, outlining his case for "new leadership". He argued that the government had 'lost touch' with the electorate, and that the Labor Party was best suited to deal with challenges that lie ahead. A Galaxy poll showed a Labor 53–47 per cent Coalition two-party-preferred result, with a 2 per cent gap on primaries,Gerard McManus John Howard narrows poll gap on Kevin Rudd http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22610163-661,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20071020044028/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22610163-661,00.html dead 20 October 2007 Herald Sun 19 October 2007 22 October 2007 and ACNielsen polling reported a 2 per cent swing to the Coalition, reducing Labor's lead to 54–46. Rudd dropped 5 per cent as preferred prime minister. A Newspoll sampling 1,700 voters taken over the weekend prior to the leaders' debate reported a swing to Labor, increasing their two-party-preferred lead to 58 per cent, a rise of 2 points. Labor's primary vote increased 3 points to 51 per cent, and the Liberals decreased by 2 points to 34 per cent. Rudd extended his lead by 2 points to 50 per cent, with Howard down by 2 points to 37 per cent.Newspoll 23 October 2007 The Australian http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/files/newspoll-23oct.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20071025024420/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/files/newspoll-23oct.pdf dead 25 October 2007 13 November 2007 On the first full day of the campaign, Howard and Costello announced a 'major restructuring of the income tax system' with tax cuts worth $35 billion over three years and a tax cut "goal" for the next five years.Rod Cameron Pledge to cut tax 15 October 2007 Sydney Morning Herald https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/15/1192300657771.html 13 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071017012323/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/15/1192300657771.html 17 October 2007 live A few days later, Rudd released his policy which supported the reform measures, however offered education and health tax rebates instead of immediate cuts to the top rate as proposed by the Liberal Party, with a slower progression for the top rate.Sid Marris Rudd details tax policy 19 October 2007 The Australian https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/nation/rudd-details-tax-policy/news-story/05926563ec2b438998bd8c1b0bb8059f https://web.archive.org/web/20071021043141/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22613427-601,00.html live 21 October 2007 subscription 13 November 2007 The Liberals slogan, "go for growth" was launched after announcing the largest tax cut in Australian history.Politics with interest 10 November 2007 The Mercury http://www.news.com.au/mercury/story/0,22884,22734592-5006549,00.html 13 November 2007 October 2026 medicmedicHoward defends 'Go for Growth' slogan 5 November 2007 The Age http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/05/1194117955145.html 13 November 2007 Media and political commentators questioned the suitability of the slogan in the context of rising inflation and interest rates.Rod Cameron Fatal flaw in Liberals' new strategy 10 November 2007 The Age http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/09/1194329514618.html 13 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071110182800/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/09/1194329514618.html 10 November 2007 live During the latter part of the week union influence over the ALP was questioned after the launch of the Liberal party's first campaign ads. Labor responded with commercials attacking the Liberals' campaign as 'smears', which was disputed by John Howard. One of the Liberal Party election commercials was corrected after it incorrectly said Wayne Swan and Craig Emerson had previously been union officials.Unions wasting members money: Brough 10 November 2007 Yahoo! http://au.news.yahoo.com/071017/2/14pc3.html 13 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071023065239/http://au.news.yahoo.com/071017/2/14pc3.html 23 October 2007 Leaders' debate A debate between the Leader of the Opposition and the Prime Minister, under the moderation of the National Press Club, was shown live on ABC TV, the Nine Network, and Sky News Australia at 7.30 pm on 21 October. Rudd had called for a minimum of three debates between himself and Howard, while Howard, who had been rated poorly by studio audiences at past leadership debates, pressed for a single debate. A total of 2.4 million Australians watched the event, with Nine averaging 1.42 million, the ABC averaging 907,000, and Sky News averaging 62,000. The last election debate in 2004 was watched by 1.77 million on Nine and the ABC, while in 2001, average audiences on Nine, Seven and the ABC totalled 2.44 million. Debate watched by 2.4 million 22 October 2007 The Australian http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22626889-5013948,00.html 14 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071022230927/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22626889-5013948,00.html 22 October 2007 dead dmy-allhttp://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/22/1192940948751.html Worm wriggles to top of ratings Cooke Dewi The Age 22 October 2007 22 October 2007 David Speers, Sky News's political editor, moderated the debate which was held in the Great Hall of Parliament House. The debate audience was 400, with the Coalition and Labor each selecting 200. Kevin Rudd argued that the Liberal Party was being influenced by the H. R. Nicholls Society to make further reforms to industrial relations, citing Nick Minchin's speech at the Society's 2008 conference where he told the audience that the Coalition "knew its reform to WorkChoices were not popular but the process of change must continue", Sid Marris Think-tank invite infuriates union 11 October 2007 The Australian http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22567537-11949,00.html 14 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071111212518/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22567537-11949,00.html 11 November 2007 dead dmy-all and that "there is still a long way to go... awards, the IR commission, all the rest of it..."Andrew West Union dominance a danger: PM 15 October 2007 Sydney Morning Herald https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/14/1192300600890.html 14 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071107025311/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/14/1192300600890.html 7 November 2007 live In response to the Liberal Party message that 70 per cent of Labor's front bench was made up of former union officials, Rudd said 70 per cent of Liberal Party ministers were either lawyers or former Liberal Party staffers.Doug Conway And the winner is ... Australian Idol 21 October 2007 news.com.au http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22624945-5005961,00.html 14 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071023035231/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0%2C21985%2C22624945-5005961%2C00.html 23 October 2007 dead dmy On the same day, Peter Costello admitted when questioned that the 70 per cent figure was in reference to union members rather than union officials.http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/21/2065402.htm Costello caught out on Labor's union stats 21 October 2007 ABC Online 1 January 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090113221637/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/21/2065402.htm 13 January 2009 deadhttp://www.abc.net.au/insiders/content/2007/s2065309.htm Insiders – 21/10/2007: Treasurer Peter Costello talks to Insiders – Insiders ABC 21 October 2007 13 June 2010 Rudd said that Howard had "no plan for the future" on tackling climate change. Howard said that a Coalition government would establish a climate change fund after 2011, which would be financed by carbon offsets. Unattributed Howard, Rudd outline aims for government ABC News 21 October 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/21/2065407.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20071023031211/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/21/2065407.htm dead 23 October 2007 The Nine Network, which broadcast the debate as an extended edition of 60 Minutes, used 'the Worm' in its broadcast despite prior objections from the Liberal Party and action from the National Press Club to cease its video feed. As a result, the Nine Network's feed was cut part way into the broadcast, which Nine then replaced with Sky News's coverage.https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/21/1192940903661.html Howard goes on the offensive Davis Mark Sydney Morning Herald 22 October 2007 22 October 2007 The Nine television network's live audience, via the Worm's average, scored the debate 65 to 29 in Rudd's favour,Alexandra Kirk Everyone a winner after leaders' debate 22 October 2007 ABC Online http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/22/2066389.htm?site=elections/federal/2007 14 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071123221053/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/22/2066389.htm?site=elections%2Ffederal%2F2007 23 November 2007 dead with 6 per cent remaining undecided. Both sides, however, claimed victory.Both parties claim debate victory 21 October 2007 news.com.au http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22625345-1702,00.html 14 November 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071123072424/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C22625345-1702%2C00.html 23 November 2007 Nine had a separate group of 80 it said were 'swinging' voters (chosen by McNair Research) in its studio to control 'the Worm'. Steps were taken to ensure equal numbers so as not to taint the Worm. At one point, Peter Costello was asked to cease interjecting.Rudd given nod in close debate 22 October 2007 news.com.au http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22624834-952,00.html 14 November 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071023031645/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0%2C23739%2C22624834-952%2C00.html 23 October 2007 Week 2 Figures released on the Tuesday, showed a stronger than expected underlying rate of inflation of 3 per cent. The Age Inflation indicator edges higher http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/22/1192940970872.html 22 October 2007 29 October 2007 Treasurer Peter Costello argued against an increase in interest rates, saying the Reserve Bank should concentrate on the headline consumer price index (CPI) inflation rate which rose of 1.9 per cent for the period. The Australian Costello talks down rates rise http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22645339-2702,00.html https://archive.today/20121215175215/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22645339-2702,00.html dead 15 December 2012 25 October 2007 29 October 2007 Controversy arose over the Coalition's climate change policy, with The Financial Review citing "government sources" who claimed Turnbull told Cabinet six weeks ago it should sign the Kyoto Protocol. Neither Howard nor Turnbull denied the story. The story said that "internal critics" are claiming Turnbull is "selfishly positioning himself for a Coalition defeat" and a "possible post-poll leadership battle with Treasurer Peter Costello". The story led to claims of major splits in Cabinet. The Adelaide Advertiser Climate splits Libs http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22659795-5006301,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20110813124520/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/climate-splits-libs/story-e6freo8c-1111114740620 dead 13 August 2011 27 October 2007 29 October 2007 Glenn Milne Labor also suffered from mixed messages. Kevin Rudd was compelled to clarify Labor policy on climate change after an interview in which Peter Garrett suggested Labor would sign up to the post-Kyoto agreement at 2012 even if carbon-emitting developing countries did not. Rudd's comments, which he described as having "always been [Labor's] position", saw Labor's policy move closer to Liberal policy, insofar as Labor would ratify the agreement only after persuading all major carbon emitters, developing and developed, to ratify.http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2007/s2076131.htm Rudd discusses Labor Kyoto policy ABC TV The 7.30 Report Kerry O'Brien 29 October 2007http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=311340 Ratify Kyoto to shape future: Labor National Nine News Australian Associated Press 30 October 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120918012557/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=311340 18 September 2012 dmyhttp://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22669296-2,00.html Kevin Rudd forces Peter Garrett into Kyoto backflip news.com.au Staff writers & wires 30 October 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071031040556/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C22669296-2%2C00.html 31 October 2007 dmy Rudd also committed Labor to a target of a 20 per cent reduction in emissions by 2020, a 5-point increase on the Liberal target, assisted by the use of renewable energy, but without the use of coal pollution mitigation, arguing that it would ultimately be a benefit, not a detriment to the economy. Week 3 thumb|Candidates address electors two weeks before polling day in the Division of Chifley. John Howard said the Coalition would not match Labor's promise of 20 per cent renewable energy target. Howard claimed Labor's policy "imposes too many additional costs to industry". Peter Garrett replied that lack of government action has cost jobs.ABC Online Govt won't match Labor's renewable energy target 1 November 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/01/2079365.htm 1 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071101204714/http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/01/2079365.htm 1 November 2007 dead ABC Radio reported that Howard had rejected a 2005 recommendation for higher renewable energy targets by his Environment Minister, but Howard declined to confirm or deny the claim. https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/11/01/1193619008784.html PM rejects ALP's renewable energy target Sydney Morning Herald Australian Associated Press 1 November 2007 The Coalition announced a promise to open 50 new emergency medical centres on Australia if re-elected. Adding to the campaign trend of both major parties criticising their opponent for plagiarism and "me-tooism",October 2008 Labor responded that the government had copied its policy. The Age PM's clinics open all hours Ben Doherty 1 November 2007 http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/01/1193619039118.html 1 November 2007 Peter Garrett was criticised by the Coalition when radio announcer Steve Price revealed Garrett had said to TV presenter Richard Wilkins that, "once we get in we'll just change it all" in reference to copying Coalition policies. Garrett said the comment was made during a "short, jocular and casual" conversation and Wilkins supported Garrett's response, saying that it was a "light-hearted throwaway line".http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22691447-2,00.html Dumping 'me-too' a joke: Garrett news.com.au Australian Associated Press 2 November 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071102161535/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C22691447-2%2C00.html 2 November 2007 dmy Tim Costello, director of World Vision Australia and Peter Costello's brother, criticised Australia's ranking of 19th out of 22 OECD countries for provision of overseas aid, and for government unwillingness to increase its policy of 0.35 per cent of national GDP to match Labor's commitment of 0.5 per cent.http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22690383-5005961,00.html PM, treasurer's brother in foreign aid commitment stoush news.com Australian Associated Press 2 November 2007October 2026 medicmedic Howard said his party planned to lift the rate to 3.5 per cent.http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/02/2080548.htm?section=australia https://archive.today/20130115025123/http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/02/2080548.htm?section=australia dead 15 January 2013 Foreign aid fumble shows PM out of touch: Labor ABC Online ABC News 2 November 2007 Commentators pronounced Peter Costello and Wayne Swan's debate on 30 October as ending in a draw. Costello focused mainly on the government's past record, advocating the need for Australia to build into the future, while Swan said Labor were interested in "investing in people". The Age Costello v Swan: it's a draw 30 October 2007 http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/30/1193618850500.html 30 October 2007 Sarah Smiles https://web.archive.org/web/20071101034549/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/30/1193618850500.html 1 November 2007 live Howard said he believed Costello "creamed" his opponent, while Rudd said Swan did a "fantastic job". ABC Online Costello creamed Swan in debate: PM 30 October 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/30/2076297.htm 30 October 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071101033122/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/30/2076297.htm 1 November 2007 dead Liberal Tony Abbott and Labor's Nicola Roxon debated health at the National Press Club on ABC television. Abbott's character and ministerial capacity were questioned by Roxon for his comments about terminally ill asbestos campaigner Bernie Banton and for arriving 35 minutes late to debate. At the end of the debate, Roxon suggested to Abbott that he "could have arrived on time" if he had "really wanted to", to which Abbott replied "bullshit".http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/31/2077872.htm Abbott ends tough day with 'bullshit' rebuke ABC Online 31 October 2007 14 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071102041243/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/31/2077872.htm 2 November 2007 deadSheepish and tardy: Abbott's sorriest day https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/31/1193618974891.html Phillip Coorey Sydney Morning Herald 1 November 2007Bad Abbotts: insulting a dying man, late for TV, swearing http://www.theage.com.au/text/articles/2007/10/31/1193618975764.html Annabel Stafford The Age 1 November 2007 June 2016 medicmedicTony Abbott's three strikes http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22684035-5006009,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20071102070131/http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22684035-5006009,00.html dead 2 November 2007 Sue Dunlevy The Daily Telegraph 1 November 2007 Former Liberal campaign strategist Sue Cato said "you just don't run late for things like that".Liberal campaign wheels get wobbly http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22688978-11949,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20071103012358/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22688978-11949,00.html dead 3 November 2007 John Lyons 2 November 2007 The Australian 14 November 2007 Abbott apologised to Banton but not to Roxon.Tony Abbott won't apologise for 'bullshit' remark http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22680488-5012863,00.html Lincoln Archer & wires 1 November 2007 news.com.au 1 November 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071203045331/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C22680488-5012863%2C00.html 3 December 2007 dmy Week 4 On 10 November, the Australian Democrats held their campaign launch in Melbourne under the banner of Bring Back Balance, a reference to their central campaign theme of preventing the government from regaining absolute control of the Senate. The Age Defiant Democrats launch campaign 10 November 2007 http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/10/1194329554343.html 14 November 2007 Dewi Cooke The Reserve Bank of Australia adjusted interest rates upwards by another 0.25 per cent, the sixth rise since the last election, to a 10-year high of 6.75 per cent, and the first time the Bank had been changed rates during an election campaign.Interest rate hits 11-year high ABC Online 7 November 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/07/2083766.htm 14 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071109060159/http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/07/2083766.htm 9 November 2007 deadRates set to hit a 10-year high today The Australian 7 November 2007 http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22716243-20142,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20071109071424/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22716243-20142,00.html dead 9 November 2007 14 November 2007 The Coalition said that only the current government had the proper experienced team to manage the economy in future, less prosperous years. The Age Crunch day for Libs on interest rates http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/05/1194117960001.html 6 November 2007 6 November 2007 Tim Colebatch Michelle Grattan https://web.archive.org/web/20071107013656/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/05/1194117960001.html 7 November 2007 live Costello argued that the inflationary reasons for the rate rise were "outside the control of a Government". ABC Lateline Govt says interest rate rises out of its control http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2007/s2082427.htm 5 November 2007 6 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071109223210/http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2007/s2082427.htm 9 November 2007 live In response, Labor accused the Coalition of having "hauled up the white flag in the fight against inflation", saying that they had backflipped from their past statements that they could keep interest rates low. The Age PM moves to soften rates blow, Labor avoids promises http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/04/1194117879108.html 5 November 2007 6 November 2007 Howard stated that he was sorry for the negative consequences for and burden on Australian borrowers,PM says sorry for rate hike ABC Online 7 November 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2007/11/07/2084246.htm 14 November 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090113213003/http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2007/11/07/2084246.htm 13 January 2009 dmy but subsequently denied that this constituted an apology for the rate rise itself.Sorry, no apology: Howard ABC Online 8 November 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/08/2085733.htm 14 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071110183509/http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/08/2085733.htm 10 November 2007 dead On 7 November, Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey and Labor's Julia Gillard debated industrial relations including WorkChoices at the National Press Club in Canberra. Hockey argued that Labor's policy to drop Workchoices was Australia's biggest threat to inflation.Possible rate rise to impact IR debate ABC Online 7 November 2007 http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/07/2083591.htm 14 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071109060130/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/07/2083591.htm 9 November 2007 dead On 8 November, Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull and opposition spokesman Peter Garrett debated environment issues at the National Press Club in Canberra. Garrett criticised the government's record on climate change to which Turnbull responded that Garrett's current claims betray his previous career as a political activist.The Age Climate battle hots up in ministers' debate 8 November 2007 http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/08/1194329377015.html 8 November 2007 Dewi Cooke Week 5 Both major parties had their official campaign launches in Brisbane, Queensland; the Liberal Party on Monday 12 NovemberTony Moore 2 November 2007 Libs to fight 2007 campaign from Brisbane launch Brisbane Times (Fairfax) http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/articles/2007/11/02/1193619132239.html 12 November 2007 and Labor on Wednesday 14 November.Phillip Coorey Libs hope to peel away lead in banana land 1 November 2007 Sydney Morning Herald https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/31/1193618974897.html 12 November 2007 At their launch, the Coalition pledged a rebate for education costs, including private school fees, of all Australian children, totalling $9.4 billion. Under the plan, primary school students would have been eligible for $400, while secondary-school students would have been eligible for $800. Tax cuts worth $1.6 billion over four years were proposed to encourage people to save for first homes, and extra funding of $652 million for child care and $158 million to support carers was promised.Michelle Grattan 13 November 2007 Prime Minister splurges to close poll gap The Age http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/12/1194766590319.html 15 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071115144931/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/12/1194766590319.html 15 November 2007 live The Labor Party promised to spend only a quarter of the $9.4 billion promised by the Coalition, saying it would have a smaller impact on inflation. It accused the Howard government of being "irresponsible". In addition to previous education funding announcements, Rudd promised Labor would provide an additional 65,000 apprenticeships, migrate all schools to new high speed broadband, and provide all year 9–12 students with access to their own computer. A doubling of the number of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships available at a tertiary level was announced, and the party re-iterating its view on climate change and WorkChoices.Jane Holroyd 14 November 2007 Labor's hi-tech poll bid The Age http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/14/1194766717753.html 15 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071116070633/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/14/1194766717753.html 16 November 2007 live The Labor Party released footage on Thursday 15 November to Lateline, showing Tony Abbott addressing a room of people, stating "I accept that certain protections, in inverted commas, are not what they were" in reference to WorkChoices legislation. Referring to award structures, Abbott said in the same footage: "I accept that that has largely gone. I accept that." When questioned, Abbott said he stood by the comments that WorkChoices means "certain protections" are not what they used to be,Abbott stands by workplace comments 16 November 2007 Sydney Morning Herald https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/11/16/1194766907954.html 16 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071118123120/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/11/16/1194766907954.html 18 November 2007 live but denied conceding workers had lost protections. 16 November 2007 Speech video edited, says angry Abbott The Australian http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22768445-12377,00.html 16 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071117150631/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22768445-12377,00.html 17 November 2007 dead dmy-all He said the video released by Labor was a "cut-and-paste job".Video shows Tony Abbott saying job protections lost 16 November 2007 Herald Sun http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22768222-662,00.html 16 November 2007 Gerard McManus https://web.archive.org/web/20071125180056/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0%2C21985%2C22768222-662%2C00.html 25 November 2007 dead A report by the National Audit Office found that the Coalition had been interfering in the $328 million regional grants program, with a bias toward their marginal seats, where projects under the Regional Partnerships Program were apparently approved without proper assessment, or none at all, and that there was an increase in approvals prior to the 2004 election. David Crawshaw 16 November 2007 Audit Office defends report's timing The Australian http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22768774-12377,00.html 16 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071116173337/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22768774-12377,00.html 16 November 2007 dead dmy-allAnnabel Stafford Topsfield, Jewel 16 November 2007 Rort claims: PM looking down the barrel The Age http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/15/1194766869064.html 16 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071116081032/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/15/1194766869064.html 16 November 2007 live Week 6 thumb|Liberal Party banners at polling booths on election day. Newspoll stated Labor's two-party-preferred level was down one point to 54 per cent. Former Liberal Party campaign director Lynton Crosby said that the Coalition was "closing in on Labor" in the final week and could "still win a tight election" on a campaign of defending marginal seats, declaring a win still possible on 48.5 per cent of the two-party-preferred vote.20 November 2007 Coalition 'closing in on win' news.com.au http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22789510-1702,00.html 23 November 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071123030129/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C22789510-1702%2C00.html 23 November 2007 On 20 November, John Howard defended the government's advertising spending in the months prior to the campaign, paid for with public money. The advertising, which covered topics including the controversial "Workchoices", cost $360 million over approximately 18 months.20 November 2007 Howard defends $360m bill Sydney Morning Herald https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/11/19/1195321697345.html 23 November 2007 An article in the 20 November issue of the Herald Sun suggested spending could have been up to $500 million, though this took a broader view of what was included in that sum. Howard was criticised for not revealing documents written by his department about further changes to industrial relations laws in addition to WorkChoices legislation. In response, the government said the proposals had been cancelled, and that WorkChoices would not be expanded upon. The Seven Network failed in attempt to access the documents under Freedom of Information.20 November 2007 No cover-up, no WorkChoices II: Howard ABC Online http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/20/2095289.htm 23 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071121134659/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/20/2095289.htm 21 November 2007 dead thumb|left|Polling at Epping, New South Wales, within John Howard's Electorate Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce said that the possibility of his crossing the floor to support Labor's amendments to WorkChoices remained open, and that he would judge all legislation on its merits, for which he was criticised by Nationals leader Mark Vaile. 21 November 2007 Think again, Barnaby told The Australian http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22794790-5006786,00.html 23 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071128115908/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22794790-5006786,00.html 28 November 2007 dead dmy-all On 21 November, three days before the election, fake pamphlets were distributed in the electorate of Lindsay, which purported to be from an Islamic group. The group was non-existent and the pamphlets thanked the Labor Party for supporting the Bali bombers and encouraged people to vote Labor. Those involved included a member of the Liberals' state executive, Jeff Egan; Gary Clark, husband of retiring MP Jackie Kelly; and Greg Chijoff, the husband of Lindsay candidate Karen Chijoff.22 November 2007 Candidate's husband faces expulsion over flyer scandal ABC Online http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/22/2098121.htm 23 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071124042423/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/22/2098121.htm 24 November 2007 dead Kelly said the incident was a "Chaser-style of prank."22 November 2007 Liberal shame over fake pamphlet Sydney Morning Herald https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/11/22/1195321873077.html 23 November 2007 John Howard condemned the pamphlet.22 November 2007 I didn't mastermind fake Lib pamphlet Sydney Morning Herald https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/11/22/1195321902285.html 23 November 2007 Egan and Greg Chijoff were immediately expelled from the Liberal Party a day before John Howard's address to the Australian Press Club;21 November 2007 Kelly's husband linked to misleading flyers ABC Online http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/21/2097484.htm 23 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071123120157/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/21/2097484.htm 23 November 2007 dead although, Egan denied any wrongdoing. After the election Greg Chijoff, Clark and a third man were fined over the scandal, as the pamphlet were considered electoral material that required an authorisation disclosure statement. It also lead to a breakdown in the Chijoff marriage. Citing a clause of the Constitution that states parliamentarians are not permitted to hold an "office of profit under the crown", government frontbencher Andrew Robb said that up to 13 Labor candidates standing in the election may be ineligible for nomination. According to Robb, a "search of public records" indicated that the 13 candidates may have still been employed by government agencies, boards or offices, and that the Liberal Party may consider legal challenges to their election. According to Labor Senator Penny Wong, all Labor's candidates were eligible to stand, and that the Liberals had obtained the information from outdated websites.21 November 2007 Libs predict candidate 'limbo' The Age http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/21/1195321822861.html 23 November 2007 Election day was Saturday 24 November. Television coverage Election night was covered extensively by three of the Australian free-to-air networks, from the National Tally Room: ABC Television, the Nine Network and the Seven Network. Network Ten and SBS Television included brief updates and news bulletins through the night, but not to the other networks' extent. Sky News offered extensive coverage on Pay TV. David Knox Election Night: Who's Got What http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2007/11/election-night-whos-got-what.html blog TV Tonight 9 November 2007 9 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071114064612/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2007/11/election-night-whos-got-what.html 14 November 2007 live Seven went with a new election coverage team for 2007, led by Sunrise hosts David Koch and Melissa Doyle, who were assisted by journalist Mark Riley and game show host Andrew O'Keefe. Special guests included Liberal politicians Joe Hockey, Jackie Kelly, Andrew Robb and former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett, Labor politicians Tanya Plibersek, Mark Arbib and former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie, and National politician Barnaby Joyce. The broadcast was watched by 967,000 viewers, coming second after the ABC.TV ratings winners (ABC) and losers (Nine) https://web.archive.org/web/20071218150246/http://www.crikey.com.au/Election-2007/20071125-Election-coverage-Ratings-winners-and-losers.html 18 December 2007 , Crikey Nine's coverage was hosted by journalist Ray Martin and political editor Laurie Oakes. Special guests included Labor politicians Senator Robert Ray and Shadow Treasurer Wayne Swan, Liberals Michael Kroger and Communications Minister Helen Coonan. The broadcast was watched by 763,000 people and came third among the free-to-air networks doing full election count coverage. The ABC's coverage was hosted by Kerry O'Brien, Tony Jones and Antony Green. Special guests included Senator Nick Minchin (Finance Minister), representing the Coalition, and Julia Gillard (Deputy Labor Leader). The ABC provided live crosses to key electorates around Australia. The broadcast was watched by 1,112,000 viewers and was the most watched election coverage. Sky News Australia's coverage was hosted by David Speers in Sydney with Helen Dalley at the tally room in Canberra. Guests included former prime minister Bob Hawke, former Labor Leader Kim Beazley, former Liberal Leader John Hewson, and current members in Parliament, including Brendan Nelson and Concetta Fierravanti-Wells from the Liberal Party, Natasha Stott Despoja from the Democrats, Christine Milne from The Greens and Stephen Conroy and Tony Burke from the Labor Party. Party strategists Bruce Hawker and Lynton Crosby analysed the figures from the Sky News Centre in Sydney. Schedule Sky News Australia http://www2.skynews.com.au/onair/schedule/schedule.aspx 23 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071024103604/http://www2.skynews.com.au/onair/schedule/schedule.aspx 24 October 2007 Ten News covered the results in a special news bulletin airing about 10:30 pm. Anchored by Bill Woods and Paul Bongiorno in Canberra, and featuring Sandra Sully with Kevin Rudd in Brisbane, Deborah Knight with John Howard in Sydney, and Helen Kapalos with Peter Costello in Victoria. The network had heavily advertised that they would be airing The Empire Strikes Back as an alternative to the coverage on the other networks. SBS aired a results bulletin at 9:30 pm, anchored by Stan Grant alongside Canberra correspondent Karen Middleton. Opinion polling left|thumb|300px|Two party preferred polling since the previous election by Newspoll 1993–2007 (as published in The Australian newspaper), ACNielsen 1996–2007 (as published in Fairfax newspapers), Roy Morgan 1996–2007 and Galaxy 2004–2007. left|thumb|300px|Preferred-prime-minister polling since the previous election by Newspoll 1987–2007 (as published in The Australian newspaper) and ACNielsen 1996–2007 (as published in Fairfax newspapers). Roy Morgan, Newspoll, ACNeilsen and Galaxy timegraph polling showed Labor leading the Coalition in opinion polling from mid-2006 onward. On several key questions, Labor increased its lead after Rudd assumed the Labor leadership from Kim Beazley, at which point Rudd also assumed the lead as preferred prime minister. While Labor was ahead in opinion polling, Howard had led Beazley on this question by a wide margin. According to Australian political analyst Adam Carr, WorkChoices was one of five key reasons for "...a change of heart by the decisive sectors of the electorate". The new industrial relations program, Carr said, angered the "Howard battlers" – the traditional Labor voters who had supported Howard for most of the last 11 years – because they saw it as a direct attack on their livelihood.http://psephos.adam-carr.net/countries/a/australia/commentary4.shtml Adam Carr's guide to The 2007 Australian federal election. Hubris and Nemesis: Five reasons why the Coalition will lose 19 November 2007 psephos.adam-carr.net ACNielsen polling in March 2007 had Rudd's personal approval rating at 67 per cent, which made him the most popular opposition leader in the poll's 35-year history,Phillip Coorey Ruddslide: polls shows Labor increasing its lead https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/03/11/1173548022964.html Sydney Morning Herald 12 March 2007 12 March 2007 with Newspoll (News Limited) 2PP polling the highest in its history at 61%. The largest 2PP election result for the ALP in its history was at the 1943 election on an estimate of 58.2 per cent. A weighted collaboration of all polling since Rudd assumed the ALP leadership shows an average Labor 2PP figure of 57 per cent compared with the Coalition's 43 per cent,John Stirton 15 October 2007 Measuring the public mood – do numbers ever lie? http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/15/1192300611904.html The Age 12 November 2007 and Rudd's consistent outpolling of Howard as preferred prime minister, something not achieved under previous leaders Mark Latham, Kim Beazley or Simon Crean. By the time the writs were issued, the Coalition was well behind Labor in opinion polling, which election analyst Antony Green believed to show Labor winning government "in a canter". According to Green, this was a nearly exact reversal of the run-up to the 1996 election. The Coalition was running ahead of Labor in two-party opinion polling for much of 1995 and 1996, however the mantle of preferred prime minister regularly switched between Howard and Paul Keating.http://polling.newspoll.com.au.tmp.anchor.net.au/cgi-bin/polling/display_poll_data.pl?url_caller=&mode=trend&page=show_polls&question_set_id=1 Opinion Polls Newspoll 13 June 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303135154/http://polling.newspoll.com.au.tmp.anchor.net.au/cgi-bin/polling/display_poll_data.pl?url_caller=&mode=trend&page=show_polls&question_set_id=1 3 March 2016 dead http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2007/guide/summary.htm Election Summary – Federal Election 2007 – ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) ABC 13 June 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100531024048/http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2007/guide/summary.htm 31 May 2010 live Possums Pollytics, an anonymous weblog, stated that due to the uneven nature of the swings, where safe Liberal seats were swinging up to 14.6 per cent with safe Labor seats swinging around only 4.1 points, the Labor party stood to potentially end up with a maximum of 106 of the 151 lower house seats.Possums Pollytics http://possumcomitatus.wordpress.com/ 12 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071030193105/http://possumcomitatus.wordpress.com/ 30 October 2007 live Polling consistently showed that the economy and national security were the Coalition's strong areas. In August 2007 an Ipsos poll showed 39 per cent of voters thought Labor was a better economic manager, compared to 36 per cent for the Coalition, with 25 per cent undecided.Government shrugs off poll https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/08/26/1188066918904.html Sydney Morning Herald 26 August 2007 22 October 2007 The morning of the election announcement, a special Sun-Herald Taverner survey of 979 people across New South Wales and Victoria had been released, indicating a Labor 2PP of 59 per cent, with the 18- to 29-year-old category voting at 72 per cent.Kerry-Anne Walsh PM's enemies: The young and the restless https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/13/1191696235752.html Sydney Morning Herald 13 October 2007 22 October 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071015041454/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/13/1191696235752.html 15 October 2007 live The fortnightly Newspoll was released the day after the election was called, showing the 2PP remaining steady at Labor 56–44 Liberal. Howard increased his Preferred PM rating up one per cent to 39 per cent, while Rudd increased his rating up one per cent to 48 per cent. On the day after the election was called, Centrebet had odds of 1.47 on Labor, with 2.70 on the Coalition.Tim Colebatch Where the election will be won and lost http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/15/1192300612363.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 The Age 15 October 2007 22 October 2007 Halfway through the campaign, with no overall change in the polls, saw Centrebet odds for Labor shorten to 1.29, with the Liberals on 3.60.2 November 2007 Punters rush to back Labor Sydney Morning Herald https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/11/02/1193619090632.html 2 November 2007 Centrebet odds two days out from the election were at 1.22 for Labor, with 4.35 for the Coalition. Newspoll a week out from the election of 3,600 voters in 18 of the Coalition's most marginal seats revealed an ALP 54–46 Coalition 2PP, a swing to Labor of 6–9 per cent. A uniform swing would see 18–25 seats fall to Labor, The Australian said.17 November 2007 Coalition falls further behind: Newspoll The Age http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/17/1194767000940.html 23 November 2007 Former Labor number-cruncher Graham Richardson, who news.com.au (News Limited) claims to have correctly picked the winner of every election for the past three decades, tipped Kevin Rudd and Labor to win with a 6–7 per cent two-party-preferred, 20-seat swing.21 November 2007 Richardson tips Labor landslide news.com.au http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22795737-29277,00.html 23 November 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071122144908/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C22795737-29277%2C00.html 22 November 2007 The election-eve Newspoll and Galaxy poll reported the ALP on a 2PP of 52 per cent, Roy Morgan on 53.5 per cent, with ACNielsen on 57 per cent. Seven News reported that TAB had updated their odds for the election, with Labor having safe odds of $1.20 and the Coalition an outside chance on $4.60. Sky News-Channel 7-Auspoll exit polls on election day of 2,787 voters in the 31 most marginal seats suggested a 53 per cent two-party preferred figure to Labor, 53 per cent to Labor in Bennelong, and 58 per cent to Labor in Eden-Monaro.Exit poll predicts Labor win Australia Votes 2007 ABC Online 24 November 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/24/2100160.htm?site=elections/federal/2007 25 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071126110432/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/24/2100160.htm?site=elections%2Ffederal%2F2007 26 November 2007 dead Key issue questions swung Labor's way.First sign:Exit polls show 53–47 win to Labor Live news 24 November 2007 http://www.livenews.com.au/Articles/2007/11/24/Exit_polls_look_good_for_Labor 25 November 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071125215054/http://www.livenews.com.au/articles/2007/11/24/Exit_polls_look_good_for_Labor 25 November 2007 Newspaper endorsements NewspaperPublisher Endorsement The AdvertiserNews Limited Liberal Party of Australiahttps://www.crikey.com.au/2007/11/23/election-07-the-newpapers-choice-this-time-round/ Election 07: The newpapers' choice this time round Crikey 23 November 2007 29 November 2018 The AgeFairfax Media No endorsement The AustralianNews Limited Australian Labor Party The Australian Financial ReviewFairfax Media Liberal Party of Australiahttps://www.afr.com/politics/federal/how-the-afr-called-each-federal-election-20220510-p5ak0n How the AFR called each federal election The Australian Financial Review 18 May 2022 15 March 2025 20 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220520022334/https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/how-the-afr-called-each-federal-election-20220510-p5ak0n live The Canberra TimesFairfax Media Australian Labor Party The Courier-MailNews Limited Australian Labor Party The Daily TelegraphNews Limited Australian Labor Party The ExaminerFairfax Regional Media Liberal Party of Australia The Herald SunNews Limited Liberal Party of Australia The MercuryNews Limited Australian Labor Party Northern Territory NewsNews Limited Australian Labor Party The Sydney Morning HeraldFairfax Media Australian Labor Party Candidates and seats Candidates of the 2007 Australian federal election Results thumbnail|Results of the election in the House thumbnail|Results of the election in the Senate House of Representatives Results of the 2007 Australian federal election (House of Representatives) Australia yes Post-election pendulum for the 2007 Australian federal election Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 2007–2010 Popular vote var(--background-color-interactive) 600px 410px Labor Australian Labor Party 43.38 Liberal Liberal Party of Australia 36.28 Greens #10C25B 7.79 National National Party of Australia 5.49 Family First Family First Party 1.99 Christian Democrats Christian Democratic Party (Australia) 0.84 Democrats #F4940D 0.72 CLP #ff9933 0.32 Other #777777 3.18 Two-party-preferred vote var(--background-color-interactive) 600px 410px Labor Australian Labor Party 52.70 Coalition Coalition (Australia) 47.30 Parliament seats var(--background-color-interactive) 600px 410px Labor Australian Labor Party 55.33 Coalition Coalition (Australia) 43.33 Independents Independent (politician) 1.33 thumb|upright|The front page of the Sunday Territorian the day after the election, announcing Rudd's win At 8.00 pm, the first personality to call the election was former Labor Prime Minister Bob Hawke on Sky News.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yti6XOuXw4 https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/8yti6XOuXw4 2021-12-22 live Bob Hawke calls the election: Sky News 24/11/2007 Sky News Australia 24 November 2007 13 June 2010 At 10.29 pm AEST, approximately two hours after the last polls in Western Australia closed, Liberal deputy leader Peter Costello conceded that the Coalition had lost government. At 10.36 pm, John Howard delivered a speech at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth to concede defeat. At 11.05 pm, Kevin Rudd delivered his victory speech. Labor won 83 of the 150 seats in the incoming House of Representatives.Labor sweeps to victory ABC Online http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/24/2100247.htm 25 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071125044627/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/24/2100247.htm 25 November 2007 dead This represented a 23-seat swing to Labor.Changing Seats. Australia Votes 2007 ABC News http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2007/results/changingseats.htm 25 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071125025532/http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2007/results/changingseats.htm 25 November 2007 live The Liberals won 55 while the Nationals won 10, with two seats retained by Independents. Labor finished with a 52.70 per cent two-party-preferred vote, a 5.44-point swing from 2004. On preferences, 79.7 per cent of Green votes flowed to Labor, 60.3 per cent of Family First votes flowed to the Coalition, with 62.5 per cent of Democrat votes flowing to Labor.http://results.aec.gov.au/13745/website/HouseStateTppFlow-13745-NAT.htm Two-party-preferred preference flow: AEC Australian Electoral Commission 13 June 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100721114756/http://results.aec.gov.au/13745/website/HouseStateTppFlow-13745-NAT.htm 21 July 2010 live Considering two-party estimates going back to the 1949 election, the swing to Labor in 2007 was the fourth-largest two-party-preferred swing, behind John Curtin and Labor in 1943 on 7.9 per cent, Malcolm Fraser and the Coalition in 1975 on 7.4 per cent, and Gough Whitlam and Labor in 1969 on 7.1 per cent. The swing was the largest since 1983, when full preference counting was introduced to create an exact two-party figure, and the largest swing to occur in the absence of a recession, political or military crisis.https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/opinion/swings-or-roundabouts/news-story/d7883285c962b316707250609712cae4 Swings or roundabouts Steketee Mike The Australian 12 January 2008 16 17 March 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080206123138/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23039394-25072,00.html 6 February 2008 subscription live dmy-all Western Australia went against the national trend, with the Liberals suffering only a 2.14-point swing against them – lower than all except Tasmania and the ACT – but yet gaining one net seat. The weaker Labor performance was attributed to the strong economy and voters' unwillingness to do anything which might risk their present prosperity – a sentiment played to by Liberal campaigning strategies – and also the behaviour of union officials Kevin Reynolds and Joe McDonald who had made headlines during the campaign.http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23259390-5013565,00.html https://archive.today/20120911154445/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23259390-5013565,00.html dead 11 September 2012 How the west is winning Hewett Jennifer 23 February 2008 30 The Australian 16 March 2008 As of 2024, The 2007 election was the last time the National party received over 5% of the vote for the House of Representatives. Senate Results of the 2007 Australian federal election (Senate) Australia yes Members of the Australian Senate, 2008–2011 Labor and the Coalition won 18 seats each in the half-Senate election. The Greens won three seats, with Independent Nick Xenophon being elected on primary votes alone. This took the 76-member Senate total to 37 Coalition, 32 Labor, 5 Green, 1 Family First, and 1 Independent. With a majority being 39 senators, when the new Senate met after 1 July 2008, the balance of power was shared between Xenophon, Family First's Steve Fielding and the five Greens. Xenophon, although reported as left-of-centre,http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/17/1192300859185.html Recognise these men? They may hold balance of power The Age 18 October 2007 1 January 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090113225432/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/17/1192300859185.html 13 January 2009 live indicated plans to work closely with the renegade National, Senator Barnaby Joyce.http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/20/2123813.htm Xenophon, Joyce in early Senate talks ABC Online 20 December 2007 1 January 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090113212757/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/20/2123813.htm 13 January 2009 dead If sufficient Coalition senators voted for government legislation, support from the crossbench was not required. Xenophon's election was at the expense of a Liberal candidate, without his presence the Coalition would have held enough Senate seats to block legislation.Antony Green http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2011/09/can-the-coalition-win-control-of-the-senate-through-a-half-senate-election.html Can the Coalition win Control of the Senate through a Half-Senate Election? Australian Broadcasting Corporation 2011-09-01 2016-07-30 Compared to the previous Senate, the Greens gained one (losing Kerry Nettle in NSW but gaining Sarah Hanson-Young in SA and Scott Ludlam in WA), a new Independent was elected (Xenophon), and Labor gained four seats. The Coalition lost two, and the Democrats lost all four of their seats. The informal rate of 2.55 per cent ties with the 1993 election as the lowest informal rate in the Senate since federation. The introduction of the group voting ticket at the 1984 election saw the number of informal votes drop dramatically. Defeat of the Prime Minister Prime Minister John Howard lost his own seat of Bennelong, in Northern Sydney, to Labor candidate and former journalist Maxine McKew, becoming the second sitting prime minister, and the third party leader, since Federation to be defeated in his own electorate. Prime Minister Stanley Bruce and National Party leader Charles Blunt lost their seats in 1929 and 1990 respectively. Howard had held the seat since 1974, and it had been in Liberal hands ever since its creation in 1949. However, successive redistributions, along with demographic change, had made the once safe Liberal seat much friendlier to Labor; much of the area was represented by Labor at the state level. Howard's two-party majority was four percent, putting it right on the edge of seats that Labor would likely take in the event it won. Late on election night, when conceding Labor had won government, Howard also acknowledged the likelihood he had lost Bennelong to McKew, though he and McKew agreed the margin was "very tight".Jason Koutsoukis Rudd romps to historic win The Age 25 November 2007 http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/24/1195753376406.html?page=fullpage 25 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20151023233556/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/24/1195753376406.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 23 October 2015 live; Rudd turns a new page for Labor ABC Online http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/25/2100405.htm 25 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071126141827/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/25/2100405.htm 26 November 2007 dead He had been ahead by thin margins for most of the night, never leading by more than 0.2 percentage points.http://results.aec.gov.au/13745/website/HouseDivisionDop-13745-105.htm Distribution of Preferences in Bennelong Australian Electoral Commission 13 June 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100721114751/http://results.aec.gov.au/13745/website/HouseDivisionDop-13745-105.htm 21 July 2010 live Howard had been 206 votes ahead of McKew on the first count, and finished 2.8 percentage points behind McKew on the estimated two-party vote. Bennelong (Key Seat) Australian Broadcasting Corporation 25 November 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2007/guide/benn.htm 25 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071124164309/http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2007/guide/benn.htm 24 November 2007 live McKew declined to claim victory at first, saying that the seat was on "a knife edge,"Bennelong too close to call, says McKew news.com.au AAP 25 November 2007 https://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/bennelong-too-close-to-call-says-mckew/news-story/c4ba5e6a601c9970853c942142f56583 https://web.archive.org/web/20090309101125/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C22817877-29277%2C00.html 9 March 2009 25 November 2007 live while the Australian Broadcasting Corporation listed Bennelong as a Labor gain on election night, and ABC election analyst Antony Green said there was "no doubt" McKew had won.Jacob Greber McKew Set to Win Howard's Seat, First Leader to Lose Since 1929 Bloomberg 25 November 2007 https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=aGXSeHDsgEio&refer=australia 26 November 2007 On 29 November, Rudd named McKew as a parliamentary secretary (assistant minister) to be appointed on 3 December,http://news.smh.com.au/rudds-first-ministry-mixes-old-and-new/20071129-1dlk.html Rudd's first ministry mixes old and new – Breaking News – National – Breaking News Sydney Morning Herald 29 November 2007 13 June 2010 and on 1 December, McKew claimed victory.new.yahoo.com; AAP Maxine McKew claims victory in Bennelong 1 December 2007 http://au.news.yahoo.com/071130/2/154pb.html Seven News 1 December 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071213102147/http://au.news.yahoo.com/071130/2/154pb.html 13 December 2007 live Although counting was incomplete at the time, with several postal and absentee ballots outstanding, it was expected that Howard would not win enough of the votes to retain his seat.http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/Labors-women-shine-tonight-99E85?OpenDocument https://web.archive.org/web/20120215090133/http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/Labors-women-shine-tonight-99E85?OpenDocument 15 February 2012 Labor's women shine Barrie Cassidy Business Spectator 24 November 2007; http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=328124 Winners and Losers Liz Hayes Tara Brown Peter Overton Nine Network 60 Minutes 25 November 2007; http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23229905-662,00.html Revealed: the moment John Howard accepted he was beaten https://web.archive.org/web/20080218082125/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0%2C21985%2C23229905-662%2C00.html 18 February 2008 Gerard McManus Herald Sun 18 February 2008 dead; http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/howard-likely-to-lose-seat/1092485.html Howard likely to lose seat Jonathan Dart The Canberra Times 25 November 2007 dead https://archive.today/20070803012452/http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/howard-likely-to-lose-seat/1092485.html 3 August 2007 McKew finished with a primary vote of 45.33 per cent, and a two-party-preferred vote of 51.40 per cent, a 5.53-point swing from 2004. Howard lost on the 14th count due to a large flow of Green preferences to McKew. This swing was within the redistributed boundaries after the 2004 election.Bennelong Australia Votes 2007 ABC Online 25 November 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2007/guide/benn.htm 25 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071124164309/http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2007/guide/benn.htm 24 November 2007 live Three other Howard ministers were defeated – Mal Brough, Gary Nairn and Jim Lloyd. Seats changing hands The following table indicates seats that changed hands from one party to another at this election.Changing Seats Australia Votes 2007 ABC Online http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2007/results/changingseats.htm 21 December 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071226220537/http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2007/results/changingseats.htm 26 December 2007 live It compares the election results with the previous margins, taking into account the redistribution in New South Wales and Queensland. As a result, it includes the newly created electorate of Flynn, and the existing Parramatta, which was retained by Labor despite becoming a notional Liberal seat due to boundary changes. The table does not include Gwydir, which was abolished in the redistribution; Macquarie, which was reclassified from safe Liberal to marginal Labor and was subsequently won by Labor; or Calare, the seat of Independent MP Peter Andren, which was reclassified as a National seat by the redistribution and was won by the National Party. Seat Pre-2007 Swing Post-2007 Party Member Margin Margin Member Party Bass, Tas  Liberal Michael Ferguson 2.63 3.63 1.00 Jodie Campbell Labor  Bennelong, NSW  Liberal John Howard 4.13 5.53 1.40 Maxine McKew Labor  Blair, Qld  Liberal Cameron Thompson 5.69 10.17 4.48 Shayne Neumann Labor  Bonner, Qld  Liberal Ross Vasta 0.51 5.04 4.53 Kerry Rea Labor  Braddon, Tas  Liberal Mark Baker 1.13 2.57 1.44 Sid Sidebottom Labor  Corangamite, Vic  Liberal Stewart McArthur 5.32 6.17 0.85 Darren Cheeseman Labor  Cowan, WA  Labor Graham Edwards 0.78 2.49 1.71 Luke Simpkins Liberal  Dawson, Qld  National De-Anne Kelly 9.99 13.20 3.21 James Bidgood Labor  Deakin, Vic  Liberal Phil Barresi 4.97 6.38 1.41 Mike Symon Labor  Dobell, NSW  Liberal Ken Ticehurst 4.84 8.74 3.90 Craig Thomson Labor  Eden-Monaro, NSW  Liberal Gary Nairn 3.27 6.67 3.40 Mike Kelly Labor  Flynn, Qld  National notional – new seat 7.72 7.88 0.16 Chris Trevor Labor  Forde, Qld  Liberal Kay Elson 11.52 14.43 2.91 Brett Raguse Labor  Hasluck, WA  Liberal Stuart Henry 1.82 3.08 1.26 Sharryn Jackson Labor  Kingston, SA  Liberal Kym Richardson 0.07 4.49 4.42 Amanda Rishworth Labor  Leichhardt, Qld  Liberal Warren Entsch 10.26 14.29 4.03 Jim Turnour Labor  Lindsay, NSW  Liberal Jackie Kelly 2.92 9.70 6.78 David Bradbury Labor  Longman, Qld  Liberal Mal Brough 6.75 10.32 3.57 Jon Sullivan Labor  Makin, SA  Liberal Trish Draper 0.93 8.63 7.70 Tony Zappia Labor  Moreton, Qld  Liberal Gary Hardgrave 2.83 7.58 4.75 Graham Perrett Labor  Page, NSW  National Ian Causley 5.47 7.83 2.36 Janelle Saffin Labor  Parramatta, NSW  Liberal notional – Julie Owens 0.83 7.71 6.88 Julie Owens Labor  Petrie, Qld  Liberal Teresa Gambaro 7.45 9.50 2.05 Yvette D'Ath Labor  Robertson, NSW  Liberal Jim Lloyd 6.87 6.98 0.11 Belinda Neal Labor  Solomon, NT  Country Liberal Dave Tollner 2.81 3.00 0.19 Damian Hale Labor  Swan, WA  Labor Kim Wilkie 0.08 0.19 0.11 Steve Irons Liberal  Wakefield, SA  Liberal David Fawcett 0.67 7.26 6.59 Nick Champion Labor  Members listed in italics did not contest their seats at this election. Aftermath First Rudd Ministry Shadow Cabinet of Australia 2010 Australian federal election The Labor caucus met on Thursday 29 November 2007 to confirm the First Rudd Ministry, which was sworn in on 3 December.25 November 2007 Rudd pondering make-up of his team ABC News http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/25/2100605.htm 25 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071125214910/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/25/2100605.htm 25 November 2007 dead In a departure from Labor tradition, the ministry was selected by Kevin Rudd as the prime minister, rather than by Caucus.30 November 2007 The Kev and Julia show https://web.archive.org/web/20121102194012/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/29/1196037074769.html?page=fullpage 2 November 2012 The Age Michelle Grattan Michelle Grattan http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/29/1196037074769.html?page=fullpage 30 November 2007 Given John Howard's personal defeat, the Liberal Party began the process of choosing a new leader. The morning after the election, Peter Costello, the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, and long regarded as Howard's natural successor, stated that he would not run for Liberal leadership.26 November 2007 No more follow the leader as Costello calls it quits Decision 07 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064924/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/11/25/1195975870432.html 4 March 2016 The Sydney Morning Herald Sherrill Nixon https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/11/25/1195975870432.html 26 November 2007 The day before the ballot, former Health Minister Tony Abbott withdrew from the leadership after initially indicating he would stand.28 November 2007 Abbott out of Liberal leadership race 2007 Federal Election ABC Online http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/28/2104095.htm?site=elections/federal/2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20090113223041/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/28/2104095.htm?site=elections/federal/2007 dead 13 January 2009 28 November 2007 The leadership ballot was held on Thursday 29 November. The previous Defence Minister Brendan Nelson and former Environmental Minister Malcolm Turnbull both stood for the leadership.26 November 2007 Nelson v Abbott v Turnbull Decision 07 https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/11/26/1195975911281.html 26 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071201110708/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/11/26/1195975911281.html 1 December 2007 live Former Education Minister Julie Bishop contested the deputy leadership position,28 November 2007 Bishop defends 'dead' WorkChoices 2007 Federal Election ABC Online http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/28/2104003.htm?site=elections/federal/2007 28 November 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071202092114/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/28/2104003.htm?site=elections%2Ffederal%2F2007 2 December 2007 dead as did Andrew Robb and Christopher Pyne. Brendan Nelson was elected leader by 45 votes to 42, and Julie Bishop was elected deputy leader.30 November 2007 Backroom deal from the west takes doctor to the top The Age http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/29/1196037074766.html?page=fullpage 30 November 2007 Tony Wright A Newspoll survey taken after the Liberal leadership change revealed a preferred-prime-minister rating of Rudd 61 per cent to Nelson 14 per cent, with Turnbull twice as popular as Nelson.http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22865699-601,00.html?from=mostpop Gimme a break, pleads 'Dr 14 per cent' The Australian 13 June 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20080203073954/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22865699-601,00.html?from=mostpop 3 February 2008 dead dmy-all Newspoll's subsequent polling saw new Newspoll records set, at 70 per cent for the best rating for preferred prime minister, to 9 per cent for the worst rating for preferred prime minister, with the next poll results revealing another record of 73 to 7 per cent. A new two party preferred record was also set, at 63 to 37 per cent Labor's way. Post-election, ALP secretary Tim Gartrell commented on pre-election campaign billboard ads featuring a picture of John Howard stating "Working families in Australia have never been better off", which looked like Liberal Party advertisements, were actually paid for by the Labor Party.https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/11/30/1196394622537.html Don't let this fresh face fool you – National Sydney Morning Herald 1 December 2007 13 June 2010https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/09/28/1190486568278.html A great lump of irony clobbers Howard from behind – Opinion Sydney Morning Herald 28 September 2007 13 June 2010 Liberal leader Brendan Nelson declared that the Liberal Party had listened and learned from the Australian public and declared WorkChoices "dead".http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/19/2123199.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20071221160217/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/19/2123199.htm dead 21 December 2007 Nelson declares WorkChoices dead ABC Online 1 January 2009 In 2008, former ministers Peter McGauran, Alexander Downer, and Mark Vaile resigned from parliament, sparking Gippsland, Mayo, and Lyne by-elections. The Lyne by-election resulted in independent Rob Oakeshott being elected, reducing the total number of Coalition seats to 64. Bradfield and Higgins by-elections were held in December 2009. In September 2008, Malcolm Turnbull replaced Brendan Nelson in a leadership spill, and Barnaby Joyce replaced CLP Senator and Nationals deputy leader Nigel Scullion as leader of the Nationals in the Senate, and moved the party to the crossbenches. Joyce stated that his party would no longer necessarily vote with their Liberal counterparts in the upper house.http://news.smh.com.au/national/nationals-wont-toe-libs-line-joyce-20080918-4isw.html Nationals won't toe Libs' line: Joyce – SMH 18/9/2008 Sydney Morning Herald 18 September 2008 13 June 2010Nicola Berkovic http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24363515-5013404,00.html Leader Barnaby Joyce still a maverick: The Australian 18/9/2008 The Australian 18 September 2008 13 June 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20090411170657/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24363515-5013404,00.html 11 April 2009 dead dmy-all + The disproportionality of the lower house in the 2007 election was 10.28 according to the Gallagher Index, mainly between the Labor and Green Parties.Party Vote % Seat % Difference Diff. Squared Australian Labor Party 43.38 55.33 11.95 142.8025 Liberal 36.28 36.66 0.38 0.1444 The Greens 7.79 0.00 7.79 60.6841 The Nationals 5.49 6.66 1.17 1.3689 Independent 2.22 1.33 0.89 0.7921 Family First 1.99 0.00 1.99 3.9601 CDP Christian Party 0.84 0.00 0.84 0.7056 Democrats 0.72 0.00 0.72 0.5184 CLP - The Territory Party 0.32 0.00 0.32 0.1024 One Nation 0.26 0.00 0.26 0.0676 Citizens Electoral Council 0.22 0.00 0.22 0.0484 Liberty and Democracy Party 0.14 0.00 0.14 0.0196 Socialist Alliance 0.08 0.00 0.08 0.0064 Climate Change Coalition 0.08 0.00 0.08 0.0064 DLP - Democracy Labor Party 0.05 0.00 0.05 0.0025 Conservatives for Climate and Environment Incorporated 0.03 0.00 0.03 0.0009 Socialist Equality Party 0.03 0.00 0.03 0.0009 What Women Want (Australia) 0.03 0.00 0.03 0.0009 The Fishing Party 0.02 0.00 0.02 0.0004 Non-Custodial Parents Party 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.0001 Non Affiliated 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.0001 Total 211.23 Halved 105.62 Sqrt 10.28 See also Climate change in Australia Divisions of the Australian House of Representatives Electoral system of Australia List of political parties in Australia Notes References External links Official Parliament of Australia – Election Timetable Australian Electoral Commission Australian Senate 2007 ballot papers and preference flows Media ABC Online: 2007 Federal Election The Crikey Guide to the 2007 Election Unofficial Sites AustralianPolitics.com: 2007 Federal Election The Poll Bludger – Federal Election 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070701013217/http://www.pollbludger.com/category/federal-election-2007/ 1 July 2007 OzPolitics – Australian Federal Election 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070429135902/http://www.ozpolitics.info/guide/elections/fed2007/ 29 April 2007 Adam Carr's Guide to the 2007 Federal Election Possums Pollytics Simon Jackman's 2007 Election Analysis Australia Votes 2007 TrendLines Research's International Seat Projection Charts Federal Federal election Category:Federal elections in Australia Category:November 2007 elections