Australian PM Rudd concedes election defeat

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd votes at St Paul’s Anglican Church, East Brisbane for his seat of Griffth, on September 7. AFP

SYDNEY—Australia’s Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Saturday conceded election defeat to conservative challenger Tony Abbott, and wished his rival well.

“A short time again I telephoned Tony Abbott to concede defeat at this national election,” he said at a party function in Brisbane.

“As prime minister of Australia, I wish him well in the high office of prime minister of this country.”