HOWARD'S LAST PITCH
Howard has campaigned on his economic credentials, with the Australian economy recording 17 years of growth and record low unemployment. He warns a future Labor government would be dominated by former trade unionists and would wreck the economy.
In a last pitch to voters, Howard warned on Friday that Australia would fundamentally change if his government is dumped.
"If you believe that our country is fundamentally heading in the right direction you should not vote for a change of government," Howard said at his final news conference.
"Because if you change the government, you will change the fundamental direction of this country. It always happens."
Rudd, a Mandarin-speaking former diplomat, has promised an education revolution and to overturn controversial labour laws championed by Howard. A Labor win would also see Rudd forge closer ties with China.
Labor needs to win 16 more seats to win office. Bookmakers have also priced in a Labor win, with a Rudd victory paying A$1.20 for a $1.00 bet, compared to A$4.60 for a Howard victory.
Howard also spent his final day of the campaign distancing himself from fake anti-Muslim leaflets distributed by his supporters in a key Sydney seat.
The leaflets could damage the government's chances of re-election, even in Howard's own seat where migrant voters fear his government harbours xenophobic beliefs underpinning a tough anti-boatpeople policy, which detains illegal arrivals.
"I knew nothing about it. It angered me," Howard said on Friday, referring to the leaflets. "It's no way representative of my views or that of people in the Liberal Party," he said.
Whatever happens on Saturday, the election will be Howard's last. Howard, 68, has promised to retire and hand power to his deputy, Treasurer Peter Costello, in about two years.
($1=A$1.15)
