Australians will vote on October 9 in an election pitting the conservative government against centre-left Labor, with national security and the economy as major issues.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard announced the decision on Sunday after his meeting with Governor-General Michael Jeffery, the representative of the Queen and the head of state. China Radio International reported Monday.

His eight-year-old old government has got strong challenges from the Labor party and its new-generation leader, Mark Latham.

Opinion polls have shown the government running neck-and-neck with Labor on primary votes.

Howard is banking on his government's impressive economic record and strong stand on national security, which included sending troops to Iraq and Afghanistan to support America.

Latham has pledged to make truth in government, along with domestic issues such as health and education, a main election issue.

The election could have been held as late as April 16 next year but Howard intends to rely on the strong economic record to gain advantage in an earlier election.

Source: CRIENGLISH.com