Quotes of the Day

Who will win Australia's federal election on Oct. 9? With polls showing the rivals neck and neck, the coalition led by Prime Minister John Howard hopes voters will shy away from the untested Mark Latham, leader of the Labor party, and extend Howard's eight-year record at the helm during a period of prolonged economic prosperity. "Australian families want security, and the greatest security that we can give them is the assurance that their interest rates will be kept as low as possible," Howard, 65, told supporters at a speech in Brisbane last week. But despite the primary focus on issues like health and schools, national security remains a key voter concern. After the Sept. 9 bomb attack on the Australian embassy in Jakarta, Howard reminded voters of his approval of pre-emptive strikes on terrorist bases and announced plans for "flying squads" of Australian police to hunt terrorists in the region, attracting criticism from Malaysia, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. Latham, 43, has pledged to improve airline security and bring Australia's 920 troops in Iraq home by Christmas. But with many voters either opposed to Australia's decision to join the war or uneasy about leaving the fight early, both parties have sought to keep issues of national security out of the headlines. In the race to the finish line, the contenders want to be judged on their strength at home, not overseas.

• Lisa Clausen/Melbourne
• As the Australian election campaign winds up, domestic issues remain at the top of the agenda