Via the BBC:  Australia election: Tony Abbott defeats Kevin Rudd

Australia’s opposition has crushed the governing Labor party in a general election that has returned the Liberal-National coalition to power for the first time in six years.

Early projections show Labor winning 55 seats compared with the coalition’s 91.

Liberal leader Tony Abbott said he looked forward to forming a competent and trustworthy government.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd earlier admitted defeat and said he would not stand again for the Labor leadership.