Labor has a sizeable lead in opinion polls over the centre-right coalition led by Mr Howard, who has been in office for 11 Labor launches Australia poll bid ...
Australia unveils immigrant tests ... years.

Mr Howard, 68, argues that Australians would be gambling with prosperity if they elected a Labor government.

But analysts say there appears to be broad support in Australia for change.

Both candidates will spend the next five days campaigning all over the country before polling day on Saturday.

'Quiet expectation'

In recent weeks Mr Howard has promised a greater focus on jobs, childcare, education and affordable housing.

On Sunday, the prime minister said he had a "quiet expectation" that he would defy the opinion polls with a win, and emphasised his economic credentials.

"As we enter the last week of this campaign, there's only one issue that really counts above all else - and that is who is better to manage this very prosperous economy that we have," he said.

Mr Rudd, meanwhile, has also pledged to reform health, education and controversial labour laws introduced by Mr Howard.

The 50-year-old former diplomat has targeted two issues that resonate with many Australians - promising to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on climate change and pull Australian combat troops out of Iraq.

Labour needs a net gain of 16 seats to form a government, and recent polls indicate this could well be within its grasp.

The BBC's Nick Bryant, in Canberra, says that while John Howard is famed for his political escapology and for making last-gasp comebacks, this time he is leaving it very late.

(BBC)

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