Australia: Tony Abbott wins election to become new Prime Minister

New Prime Minister, Tony Abott. 

Tony Abott and his Liberal-National coalition have claimed victory in Australia's general election, bringing an end to 6-years of labor leadership. Mr Abbott has said his top priorities are to abolish a tax on carbon emissions and to stop asylum seekers arriving in the country by boat. He told the Herald Sun that his government would "swiftly implement Operation Sovereign Borders" aimed at "intercepting vessels and turning them around" if they were carrying asylum seekers hoping to live in Australia. He also told the newspaper that his government was poised to "deliver our commitments, starting from day one", but Mr Abbott added that he intended to be a "consultative collegiate Prime Minister". The New leader has also vowed to reduce the country's foreign aid budget by A$4.5bn. The Australian Electoral Commision confirmed on its website that the Liberal-National Coalition had won 88 seats in the House of Representatives, beating Labors  57. Outgoing Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has said he will not stand for the Labor leadership again following his defeat. Mr Rudd had called the election after defeating his rival Julia Gillard in a leadership challenge in June.