Australia's Prime Minister John Howard says he is "humbled" after winning a fourth term in office. While the election was largely fought on domestic issues, it was also watched abroad because of divisions over Iraq.
Mr Howard vowed to keep Australia's 850 troops in the Gulf indefinitely, whereas Mr Latham said he would withdraw them by Christmas.
What does Mr Howard's victory mean for Australia? Did you vote in the election? What do you think of the outcome?
This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.
The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:
As a first time voter who once had optimism for her country, I am utterly ashamed to be Australian today. Howard has run a campaign fortified by self-centred priorities and scare tactics which the average ignorant voter does not understand, but is intimidated by: namely, the economy and interest rates. What hurts me most about is that we have chosen this; we have forgotten the untruths and the mistakes that have typified the past 9 years. I was 10 when Howard got in; by the time he finishes this fourth term, I will be 22. If this is what the majority of this nation wants, then I must wonder when my fellow Australians relinquished compassion and social justice in favour of ignorance, oblivion and blind self absorption.
Mira, Australia
 |  Looks like I will remain in political exile for another 4 years  |
Looks like I will remain in political exile for another 4 years. Howard's win was based on two main factors, fear (first Asian immigration then unnecessary wars) and secondly luck (inherited economic reforms, low national debt and a resources boom). But what has he changed? Howard will probably be remembered for the same reasons as his mentor Menzies; another ice age of conservative policy stagnation.
GDP, London, UK
The re-election of Mr. Howard is a vindication of his country's policy in Iraq and the War on Terror. Congratulations to Mr. Howard and the Australian people. Unlike those in Spain, the Australian people are not going to run and hide from the terrorists. With the election of President Bush this year and the re-election of Mr. Blair next year - all free people around the world should cheer and our enemies will sigh.
Sam, Ferndale, Michigan USA
Having lived in Australia for the last 4 years, I am disappointed but not surprised on hearing of Howard's win. The country is not all "Ramsay Street" and "Home and Away", under the Liberal (sic) government; I have seen a basic and continuing disregard for human rights of Refugees, East Timor's natural resources, and Australia's own indigenous population. I understand that economic stability is important but the loss of empathy and humanity that once made Australia great is the saddest cost of all. One only has to look at how Australia's closet neighbours view Australia compared to how the Australian government perceives Australia, to calculate the real cost of Americanisation.
Si, London, UK
I think Australians were right in re-electing Mr. Howard. It's weird that Mr. Latham chose to forget the Second World War and what the Anglo-partnership achieved. He should remember also that the road to glory is usually full of stone, if not rocks. Mr. Latham is acting like those "coalition" members who turned tail at the first sign of trouble with the Madrid bombings.
I. Augustine Udeh N., Puebla, Mexico
Yet another election result achieved through untruths, greed and fear. Australia is speeding towards the economic and political model of the USA and it scares me silly. When the day arrives that the average Australian cannot afford basic medical attention without over priced health insurance maybe we will wonder why this government was re-elected. A very sad time indeed.
Nick, London, UK (formerly Newcastle, NSW)
Someone said that Australia has among the best health and education systems in the world. True. John Howard, however, can't take credit for either of those things. They've been in place since Whitlam. Howard is soulless and arrogant whose record on human rights and the environment is absolutely abysmal. This result sickens me and makes me embarrassed by my countrymen.
Mark McInnes, London, UK (ex-pat)
Mr Howard is a brilliant politician and superb electoral strategist. He has persuaded about 51% of the electorate to ignore the Iraq debacle, ignore his economy with the truth regarding refugees and children overboard, ignore his biased funding of rich private schools, ignore his opposition to Medicare etc etc. He threw money at the voters and then managed to cast doubts on Labor's fiscal management. He ran a scare campaign on interest rate rises under Labor when every economist in the country agrees that international events will be the main factor in any increase.
Neil, Adelaide, South Australia
John Howard has made mistakes and lacks compassion for those who are struggling, particularly people with disabilities and/or on a low income. I think however he is the better man to lead the country but hope he doesn't become arrogant or even less compassionate as a result of another win
Joanne, Sydney, Australia
I voted for Labor in the election. However, this was mainly due to discontent with Howard's right wing Foreign Policy than a warming to Mark Latham. It appears Australians will continue to have to check their passport should they wish to travel throughout the world for another four years...
Aaron Peeters, Sunshine Coast, Australia
It was always a choice between the proven success of Howard and the potential disaster of Labor. Therefore there was never any choice at all for those who care about Australia's future.
Geoff, Sydney
If Latham had won office, I might have considered moving to Iceland. As it is, I'm so pleased common sense prevailed.
Fiona, Melbourne, Australia
As an outside observer, I'm delighted for the Australians; allying myself with the blessings of another term for Howard, while enlisting the criticism of the anti-war camp. Mistakes were made in Iraq. Granted. However, if you cannot see the wisdom in removing Saddam, it is time for you to seek out one of the many laudable paperbacks in publication that will explain it to you. Take no insult. Kudos to the Aussies for getting it right, and our heartfelt thanks for sticking your neck out for your friends.
Mark Simkiss, Philadelphia, USA This sort of result will continue to be repeated until challengers realise what's really important to the Australian people. Issues such as Tasmanian forests, troops in Iraq, truth or otherwise about WMDs may be important but only to a small proportion of the population. The greater majority care more about the economy and taxation and are far more socially conservative than most politicians care to give them credit for.
Peter, Sydney, Australia
Well done John Howard. I used to vote Labor but this man has my support. A plain speaking straightforward gentleman who will stand up for Australia and do what he believes is right. A man who understands ordinary Australians - the people who pay their taxes, work hard, want the best for their children and drive at the speed limit, in short the backbone of our country.
Ex pat Australian, UK
Very depressing result - another four years of dishonest politics from Howard and his repulsive gang. Does no one in this country care about the children in prison camps, the clear felling of ancient forests in Tasmania, the invasion of Iraq in the footsteps of the vile Bush or the rights of the indigenous people of Australia. The election was based on greed, fear and lies- no vision for the future at all
Julie McCann, Fremantle, West Australia
The victory of the Liberal-National coalition shows that economic stability means more to the average voter than vague promises of social reform or wild spending promised by Labour. As centre-right Government, the coalition accords with economic pragmatism and efficiency, and they were rewarded in the polls for that.
Dr Noel Cox, New Zealand
As a first time voter having moved to Australia six years ago. I can only say how disappointed I am that Howard has won a fourth term. Labour has not learnt any lessons from previous elections that the Liberal Party will lie and distort the truth to stay in power. As in the UK under Thatcher and then Major the Australian electorate is naive and becoming progressively more self centred in looking for the short term gains rather than long term stability and a decent and more equal life for all its citizens.
Di Hurd, Queensland, Australia
Deeply disappointed that Howard won. I marched in the anti war demonstrations and it shocks me that of the thousands of people who marched, more stayed in their living rooms and supported Howard. A sad day for Australia.
David Thomas, Brisbane, Australia With John Howard it wasn't a matter of liking him but respecting his ability to run our country. I'm proud to be in a country that will vote for a person like John Howard. Not charismatic in looks or personality but judged on more important issues and attributes!
Michael, Melbourne, Australia
This election result was an absolute disgrace and as an Australian, I'm deeply disappointed. We have confirmed that we are just a nation of people that is willing to compromise basic principles for the sake of having nice houses, cars, and other materialistic possessions. Irregardless of having sustained a strong economy, this PM and his cronies did not deserve to be re-elected for one reason - for knowingly misleading the Australian public about Iraq and sending our troops to take part in an illegal war.
Mark S, Sydney, Australia
This is not good. John Howard is nothing more than a puppet of George W. Bush. This will only serve to reinforce the policies of Bush and make the world a worse place.
Wil Holden, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
No leader should be in power for more than ten years.
Don Cox, Middlesbrough, UK
| Great result! A strong economy makes a strong country. |
Great result! A strong economy makes a strong country. Australia is in excellent shape socially, morally and economically. This is all thanks to Howard and his team who have unparalleled experience. The increased majority is still a surprise but a good one. I still await the outcome of my own seat of Kingston which has been deemed too close to call, Labor had seen it as a safe bet.
Dave, Adelaide John Howard's victory means better economic performance than under Mark Latham. I was actually in the national tally room for the start of the results, but it was too nerve-wracking! I was glad to get home and watch an amazing victory unfold on TV.
Anthony, Canberra, Australia
John Howard has won again with an increased majority. What don't people understand about this? Most Australians clearly want him running the country.
Justin, London, England
Howard promised everything to everybody in this election and was believed. The electorate ignored the many former Liberal heavyweights, senior diplomats and military chiefs who condemned him and his policies, particularly his over-close alliances with the US. Once again Australians have responded to scare tactics about interest rate increase under Labor and have voted with their hip pocket.
Mick Brown, Australia
The simple fact that we have all learned over decades of experience is that you cannot trust Labor with money. Every time they get their hands on the purse strings they spend like there is no tomorrow.
Greg, Sydney Australia
What a miserable day. Maybe this will put to bed once and for all the conceit we Aussies have about our "egalitarianism", about our respect for the little guy, the battler. No, we're each of us holed up in our suburban fortresses with one eye on the interest rates and another on the neighbour's tree, making sure it doesn't cross that fence line. Iraq? The environment? Public schools? Nah, not my problem, mate.
Grahame, New York, US (formerly Sydney)
| They respect what he and his government have achieved |
It seems that Australians have voted with their heads. While Mark Latham may have been the media's darling, John Howard's record in office counts for a lot more. People may or may not like the man at a personal level, but they respect what he and his government have achieved. Personally, I thought Mark Latham was an "all-talk" candidate. Long on criticism, short on solutions - short on ability and short on experience.
Nigel, London I saw it coming, but I'm disappointed. I'm sure many people who voted for him only did so because he was the only politician they knew anything about, such is the political education of many Australians. Interest rates are likely to rise anyway, no matter who ended up coming out on top.
Al, Sydney, Australia
I can't believe that Aussies should be upset at Labor's loss - are they blind? All our states are governed by Labor governments - look at the mess they have created, at least in New South Wales. They have totally lost the plot - and you wanted more of the same in the Federal Government? Congratulations Mr Howard, I have never been happy about your decision to go to war, but to have attempted to punish you today would be punishing myself and I was not prepared to do that - call me selfish.
Maria, Sydney, Australia
Forget Iraq: this election was about tax and interest rates and was reduced to a battle between chartered accountants. That's what politics in Australia has become.
John Simpson, Townsville, Australia John Howard returned. This is great for Australia - and with an increased majority. So much for a potentially close election. The Australian Labor Party is a shambles - again they had nothing worthwhile to offer and the voting public recognised this by avoiding them in droves.
Chad, Bondi, NSW
A very disappointing result for Australia. With more deregulation of workplace relations, and other policies that give the powerful people in society even more power, we can see a greater gap between the poor and the rich. A balance must be maintained, and the Liberals have had more than enough time running our country, it should be time to let Labor even things out a bit.
John MacGillivray, Perth, Australia
My sympathies go to all Australians! You must feel as we did in '92 when the UK's Conservatives won for the fourth time in a row - incredibly depressing. But I've never met an Australian who likes Howard - how come he won again?
John, Leeds, UK
This was an extraordinary election in which Mr. Howard displayed his skill as a tactician. The attention of the electorate was skilfully directed away from issues like the Iraq War, our diminished standing in the world at large, our weak response on the environment, towards issues like interest rates, which cause great anxiety in our mortgage ridden society.
James Dunn, Australia
A clear disaster for non-mortgaged Australians. Howard and the Liberals will now aim to dismantle the Medicare health system and sell Telstra in his bid to Americanise the Australian political and economic systems. The Labour party and other minor parties were let down badly by the NSW, VIC mortgage belts, all of which are heavily leveraged. The vain hope that interest rates will not rise and the promises made by Howard and his party obviously had some effect. It is expected that as the US economy dips later this year, owing to crude oil prices, the mortgage belt in Australia will pay the price for their political opportunism.
John Martin, Perth, West Australia The Liberals' economic policies have helped maintain low interest rates. The fear of increased interest rates under Labor (of more concern than ever with average house prices up by 2 to 3 times), ensured that Labor always faced an impossible victory. Other issues such as Iraq and terrorism were of secondary importance.
Garry Hornby, Brisbane, Australia
I think what many Australians do not realise and appreciate is that our health and education systems are among the best in the world. However, thank goodness the majority do appreciate what they have and John Howard and the Liberal party have today been returned to govern for another term. Congratulations.
Beattie, Perth, Australia
| Let's hope this isn't an omen for the coming US election |
A sad day for this great country. We have proved yet again that farsighted policies cannot be sold to the short-sighted and selfish majority of the Australian electorate. Let's hope this isn't an omen for the coming US election.
Chris, Melbourne, Oz I'm also very unhappy with Howard's re-election. I just can't understand why Labor did so badly on election day. Australians can say goodbye to Medicare, Tasmanian forests, national ownership of Telstra, good public education and an independent foreign policy.
Edward, Perth, Australia
According to the latest results, John Howard is almost certain to win. As an Australia, this makes me feel very sad. Howard will only benefit the rich and the business, not the poor. University fees will skyrocket and Medicare will be destroyed. A sad day for the public of Australia.
Mark, Brisbane, Australia
I'm devastated. I was desperately hoping for a new start with Latham. Howard is tired and his policies are tired. His foreign interaction is an embarrassment. My big hope for this election was that we'd be able to send a message to the rest of the world that we did not support Howard's actions with regards to Afghanistan and Iraq, and we would not tolerate ignoring the United Nations. Well.. I tried.
Danielle McCarney, Perth, Western Australia
Well it was expected, 3 more years of Howard. I think it's time Labor looked at its policies and the people they are getting to run. It's time for a real change but it's not going to happen this election.
Mark Lugg, Brisbane, Australia
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