(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-09-17 16:22

The government has been shaken by a mounting challenge from the Labor Party under the leadership of Rudd. A Sydney Morning Herald poll this week gave Labor a 57 to 43 percent lead.

Howard, who is standing for a fifth election, last week pledged not to serve a full term as prime minister if re-elected - his first indication of a possible retirement after 11 years in office.

Labor said Howard's standing in the polls could actually improve because of the turmoil within the Liberal Party.

"He's a man who's been under pressure, a man the majority of his senior colleagues have come to and said, It's time to go. He's forced, unwillingly out of himself, an admission about retirement," Deputy Labor leader Julia Gillard said.

"I think Australians watching that very painful episode might reward him with a little bit of a sympathy card," she told Australian television.

Howard can call an election for any Saturday between now and January 19 but has promised the national poll will be held before the end of the year.

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