Australians do not change their federal government as a matter of habit. Since the Menzies era, there have been just five changes of government. All of which makes the sixth change all the sweeter for prime minister-elect Tony Abbott. Unlike the wretchedly inconclusive 2010 election, this time round democracy was served swiftly: the Coalition won a thumping lower-house majority, and is expected to have about 90 seats in the new House of Representatives. For outgoing prime minister Kevin Rudd and Labor, the electorate's strong endorsement of the Coalition provides little solace apart from the fact it could have been far, far worse - especially in Queensland and western Sydney. Labor is expected to have around 57 lower-house seats.
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