PM John Howard concedes defeat in general election

(24 Nov 2007)
No Access Australia
1. Various of John Howard, Australian Prime Minister walking through hotel reception amongst supporters at Sofitel Wentworth Hotel
2. John Howard on stage waving to Liberal Party supporters
3. Various of Howard on stage with wife and two sons and one of his son's girlfriend
4. SOUNDBITE (English) John Howard, Australian Prime Minister:
"Please, my fellow Australians, a few moments ago I telephoned Mr Kevin Rudd and I congratulated him and the Australian Labor Party on a very emphatic victory. This is a great democracy and I want to wish Mr Rudd well. He assumes the mantle of the 26th prime minister of Australia and I want to say there is no prouder job in the world that anyone can occupy than being prime minister of this country."
5. Wide of Howard at podium
6. SOUNDBITE: (English) John Howard, Australian Prime Minister saying:
"I also want to say this, that I accept full responsibility for the Liberal party campaign and therefore I accept full responsibility for the coalition's defeat in this election campaign. The only other thing that I want to say that the Liberal Party of course will need to choose a new leader and I wish that person whoever it is and I have indicated very clearly from my early remarks who I believe it should be. I believe the future of our party does lie very much with Peter Costello and others who will come in behind him. The Liberal party will have a process of rebuilding to undertake."
7. Various of Howard and family leaving the stage and being greeted by party supporters
STORYLINE
Prime Minister John Howard conceded defeat Saturday in Australian national elections and looked very likely to be pushed completely out of Parliament.
As Labor Party leader Kevin Rudd swept to victory in the prime ministerial race, results showed Howard at risk of losing his parliamentary seat representing his home electorate of Bennelong to rival candidate Maxine McKew, a charismatic former television journalist recruited to oust the 68-year-old leader.
"This is a great democracy and I want to wish Mr Rudd well. He assumes the mantle of the 26th prime minister of Australia and I want to say there is no prouder job in the world that anyone can occupy than being prime minister of this country," Australian Prime Minister John Howard said in his speech conceding defeat.
Howard also took responsibility for his party's resounding defeat.
"I accept full responsibility for the Liberal party campaign and therefor I accept full responsibility for the coalition's defeat in this election campaign, " he said.
With more than 70 percent of votes counted in Bennelong, Howard trailed McKew by a narrow margin.
Unless he resigns beforehand, a handful of absentee votes could determine whether Howard retains his place in the legislature - an astonishing situation for one of Australia's longest-serving and most successful politicians.
Whatever the result in Bennelong, this election was Howard's last.
Earlier this year, he announced that he would retire before the end of his term and hand power to his deputy, Peter Costello - opening another front of attack for the opposition, which said a vote for Howard was a vote for the less popular Costello.
"I believe the future of our party does lie very much with Peter Costello and others who will come in behind him the Liberal party will have a process of rebuilding to undertake," Howard said.

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