5 October 2001, 11:40  Australian PM Calls November Election

Australian Prime Minister John Howard has called a general election for November 10. Howard made the announcement at a press conference following a visit to Governor-General Peter Hollingworth, the representative of Elizabeth II, Australian Head Of State, seeking permission to dissolve Parliament. Analysts say Howard, who is seeking a third-term victory, is looking to ride a wave of nationalist war fever and a growing mood against illegal immigration. Recent opinion polls have Howard's governing coalition ahead in the polls, as the public back his recent handling of the "war on terrorism" and his tough stance against asylum seekers. The opposition Labor Party led in the polls earlier this year.

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