Latham within striking distance, says poll
By Dennis Shanahan
October 9, 2004
LABOR can still snatch the election on preferences with a late shift among wavering voters today, but John Howard has the edge to win his fourth term in office.
Having unveiled billions of dollars in electoral promises over the six-week campaign, the Prime Minister and Mark Latham yesterday both declared the election too close to call, as they appealed to the undecided among the nation's 13 million voters.
Mr Howard asked Coalition supporters considering a protest vote not to "kick" the Government, because it could deliver a Labor victory, while the Labor leader said he would respect the people's judgment.
The leaders faced off as they returned to their home town of Sydney, bumping into each other for an awkward handshake outside a radio studio.
Of the clash, Mr Latham said later there was "no romance in it, we said hello" and they wished each other luck. "I am happy to wish him good luck and hope he has a good day - but not as good as mine."
The leaders' fate is most likely to be decided by a few last-minute changes of mind and Greens preferences in a handful of marginal seats.
According to the last Newspoll survey of the campaign, taken exclusively for The Weekend Australian on Wednesday and Thursday nights, the Coalition's primary vote is at 45 per cent, compared with Labor's 39 per cent - slightly closer than last weekend.
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11019433%255E36275,00.htmlGet the results as they come in, could be awhile before results start coming in, polls have only been open for a couple hours.
http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2004/results/All signs point to a close election, and it would be wonderful to see Howard out on his smug little ass.
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