Australia's opposition party vows fierce fight in election

The July 2 poll is tipped to be a tight race, and could see the ruling coalition be turfed out of office

SYDNEY: Three years after being ousted from power following a tumultuous period of infighting in which two prime ministers were deposed, Australia's opposition Labor said Sunday it was ready to return to Canberra ahead of national elections.

The July 2 poll is tipped to be a tight race, and could see the ruling Liberal-National coalition become the first government in more than eight decades to be turfed out of office after one term.



Such a result would see Labor leader Bill Shorten become Australia's fifth prime minister in six years -- a further illustration of the "revolving door" leadership that has marked the nation's politics in recent times.

"Today my team and I offer ourselves as a new government dedicated to Australia's oldest aspiration -- a fair go all round," 49-year-old Shorten told 500 cheering supporters at his party's official campaign launch in the Western Sydney suburb of Penrith.

"There is always someone willing to write Labor off -- and they are always wrong."

While Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull came to power in September last year with high personal ratings after defeating his predecessor Tony Abbott in a Liberal coup, internal party divisions and poorly handled debates about reforms have dented support for the 61-year-old.

The decline in public support follows poor polling under Abbott and opens the door for Labor and minor parties to win marginal seats across Australia, where voting is compulsory for adults.



Both the major parties are pledging to boost the economy, with subdued wages growth and high costs of living placing pressure on some communities as the nation shifts away from mining-driven expansion.

Shorten on Sunday announced tax cuts for small businesses, while emphasising support for the party's traditional policy areas of improving health and education.

He also sought to highlight his party's support for same-sex marriage and action on climate change, as smaller parties on the left such as the Greens threaten to lure away Labor voters.

"Only Labor will lead an Australia with prosperity for everyone who works and prosperity that works for everyone," the former union chief added in front of a red banner with the slogan "We'll put people first".



He stressed that Turnbull, a multi-millionaire former banker, would only be taking care of the big end of town.

Turnbull has campaigned on the Liberal Party's long-time platform of sound economic management, announcing billions in tax cuts for individuals and businesses.

His party is set to officially launch its campaign next Sunday, also in Sydney which is home to numerous marginal seats.