HONG KONG -- Australians will go to the polls on Nov. 24 after Prime Minister John Howard staked what's left of his enormous political career and called an election that most analysts believe he will lose, heralding an overhaul of Canberra's political landscape that would shape key policy at home and abroad. The announcement came after Howard made the ritual visit to Queen Elizabeth II's representative in Australia, the Governor General Michael Jeffery, on Sunday, where he requested parliament be dissolved and an election called. Howard is U.S. President George W. Bush's staunchest remaining war ally, and the U.S. leader made a point of expressing his friendship and high regard for the prime minister after they met in Sydney just two months ago.
Howard Under Threat as Australian Election Campaign Takes Off
