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| 2007 Australian federal election | |
|---|---|
| Election name | 2007 Australian federal election |
| Country | Australia |
| Type | parliamentary |
| Previous election | 2004 Australian federal election |
| Previous year | 2004 |
| Next election | 2010 Australian federal election |
| Next year | 2010 |
| Election date | 24 November 2007 |
| Seats for election | All 150 seats of the House of Representatives and 40 of the 76 seats in the Senate |
| Turnout | 94.88% |
2007 Australian federal election was held on 24 November 2007 to elect members of the House of Representatives and half of the Senate of the Parliament of Australia. The contest ended more than eleven years of federal leadership by the Howard ministry under John Howard and resulted in a victory for the Australian Labor Party led by Kevin Rudd, who became Prime Minister and formed the Rudd ministry. The election shaped Australian policy debates on issues including the Iraq War, climate change, and industrial relations.
The election followed the 2004 electoral cycle after the 2004 Australian federal election and occurred during prime ministership of John Howard, leader of the Liberal Party of Australia in coalition with the National Party. The opposition was the Australian Labor Party, led by Mark Latham until 2005 and subsequently by Kim Beazley and then Kevin Rudd. Key events preceding the poll included the 2005 Cronulla riots aftermath, international developments like the 2006 Lebanon War and the Sparrowhawk debates about troop deployments to the Iraq War, domestic inquiries such as the Children Overboard affair aftermath, and policy disputes over the WorkChoices industrial relations package and the Emissions Trading Scheme proposals. Internal leadership changes in both the Liberal Party of Australia and the Australian Labor Party influenced strategic positioning ahead of the contest.
The election date, 24 November 2007, was set under provisions of the Constitution of Australia and the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, with writs issued by the Governor-General of Australia on advice of the Prime Minister of Australia. Voting was compulsory under Australian law and administered by the Australian Electoral Commission. The system used was full-preferential voting for the House and single transferable vote (proportional representation) for the Senate. Redistributions and casual vacancies were governed by the Australian Electoral Commission and the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 provisions on malapportionment and representation.
Major parties contesting included the Australian Labor Party led by Kevin Rudd, the Liberal Party of Australia led by John Howard, and the National Party of Australia led by Mark Vaile. Minor and crossbench parties featured the Australian Greens under Bob Brown, the Family First Party, the Australian Democrats, and independent MPs such as Peter Andren and Andrew Wilkie. High-profile candidates and strategists included Tony Abbott, Julie Bishop, Kim Beazley, Wayne Swan, Peter Costello, and Tanya Plibersek, each associated with portfolios or electorates that became focal points during the campaign.
The campaign was dominated by debates over the WorkChoices industrial relations reforms, climate policy tied to the proposed Emissions Trading Scheme, national security in the context of the Iraq War, and integrity issues following the Children Overboard affair. Advertising by the Liberal Party of Australia and the National Party of Australia featured endorsements from figures like Peter Costello and attacks on Kevin Rudd's policies, while the Australian Labor Party ran a message of change with slogans promoted across media such as Sky News Australia and Australian Broadcasting Corporation coverage. Televised leaders' debates between John Howard and Kevin Rudd drew attention to personal performance, and policy announcements from the Treasurer of Australia and shadow ministers shaped media narratives. Third-party campaigning by the Australian Greens and advocacy groups on climate and refugee policy also influenced public discourse.
Opinion polls conducted by firms such as Newspoll, ACNielsen, Morgan Polling, and Roy Morgan Research showed a swing against the incumbent coalition and rising support for the Australian Labor Party. Two-party-preferred estimates tracked by the Australian Electoral Commission and reported in outlets like The Australian and The Sydney Morning Herald projected a Labor majority as preferences from minor parties like the Australian Greens flowed. Betting markets, electoral analysts from institutions such as the Grattan Institute and commentators like Paul Kelly provided further projections that signalled a change of government prior to polling day.
The Australian Labor Party secured a decisive victory, winning a majority in the House and increasing its representation in the Senate. Labor unseated prominent coalition ministers including Peter Costello and Alexander Downer in individual contests and captured key marginal electorates such as Bennelong and Goldstein shifts. The final two-party-preferred swing delivered Labor a clear majority, and the result was confirmed by the Australian Electoral Commission's count and distribution of preferences. Minor parties including the Australian Greens increased their Senate vote share, altering the balance of power in the upper house.
Following the count, Governor-General of Australia Michael Jeffery accepted the resignation of John Howard and commissioned Kevin Rudd to form a government, inaugurating the Rudd ministry with sworn-in ministers such as Wayne Swan as Treasurer and Lindsay Tanner in key portfolios. Leadership changes occurred in the Liberal Party of Australia, with Brendan Nelson later assuming leadership. Legislative priorities for the new government included withdrawal of Australian forces from Iraq War combat roles, implementation of Emissions Trading Scheme policy work, and repeal of the WorkChoices legislation. The electoral outcome reshaped party dynamics ahead of subsequent electoral contests, affected ministerial careers, and influenced Australia’s international engagements with partners like the United States, China, and members of the Pacific Islands Forum.