渴望突破

In this version of Charlotte Brontë's novel, Jane Eyre as a young girl is raised as a poor relation in the household of her aunt, Mrs. Reed. As a young woman, Jane is hired by the housekeeper of Thornfield Hall, Mrs. Fairfax, to be a governess for young Adele. The owner of the estate is Mr. Rochester, who is courting the beautiful and wealthy Blanche Ingram. Gradually, Mr Rochester becomes attracted by Jane Eyre's wisdom, kindness and independence and finally falls in love with Jane.

Rudd says he will govern for all-----news from "the Australian"

AUSTRALIA had looked to the future and had decided the nation must move forward, Prime Minister-elect Kevin Rudd said tonight.

Claiming the election win he said Australia had decided to prepare and plan to make the nation a better place – forging a new consensus that put old battles aside and wrote ‘’a new page in Australia’s history’’.

"It is time for us to write this new page in our history – I thank the nation.’’

He called on Australia to seize the opportunity of the future.

He said there was a great privilege and responsibility in assuming leadership, thanking those who had voted for Labor for the first time.

"I will never take their sacred trust for granted,’’ he said.

Mr Rudd said he would be "a prime minister for ‘all Australians’’.

He said he would be a leader for indigenous Australians, migrants, town and country, farmers afflicted by drought and for men and women serving in uniform.

"I will be prime minister for all Australians,’’ he said

"And I make this solemn pledge for the nation I will always govern in the national interest.

"And I will always have my door open to men and women of good will who wish to make this country better.’’

Mr Rudd said all that he had promised over the past year would be his work agenda: an education revolution, boosting the funding of hospitals, tackling climate change, building a first-class broadband network and getting the balance right in the workplace.

He promised to keep the economy strong but ‘’to make sure it delivered for working families as well".

He said he understood it would be a hard task but one he would pursue with vigour.

Mr Rudd sent a message to allies around the world, particularly the United States, as well as Asia and Europe, to work together on the great challenges.

Mr Rudd started his speech by praising Mr Howard’s extensive contribution to public service in Australia despite policy difference and his dignified concession speech.

He said all should celebrate and honour the way that Australians exercised democracy.

"I want to wish Mr and Mrs Howard and their family all the very best for future,’’ he said.

Mr Rudd thanked the electors of Griffith and the Australian Labor Party, which grasps the great mission of pursuing prosperity ‘’without every throwing the fair go out the back door’’.

He praised the ALP for keeping the faith through many defeats.

Mr Rudd made a special thanks to asbestos diseases campaigner Bernie Banton, praising the values he stood for and the support of the trade union movement.

"You stand out as a beacon and clarion call to us all about what is decent and important in life,’’ he said.

Mr Rudd also praised deputy leader Julia Gillard saying ‘’she has been fantastic as the deputy leader of the Labor party she will be fantastic as the deputy prime minister of Australia’’.

Others to be thanked were old school colleagues Wayne Swan, party president John Faulkner, national secretary Tim Gartrell and NSW secretary and now senator-elect Mark Arbib, his chief of statff David Epstein, his deputy Alister Jordan, the rest of the frontbench and the candidates.

Mr Rudd concluded with a thank to his ‘’life partner’’, wife Therese Rein, noting he was married 26 years ago and joined the party 25 years ago, and the rest of his family.

He also remembered his father who died when he young and his mother who died the day before the last election.

"I salute them and the values they delivered their son,’’ he said. 

Earlier flanked by his wife Janette and children, Mr Howard conceded defeat and thanked Treasurer Peter Costello to whom he owed a "special debt".

He accepted full responsibility for the Coalition’s loss and all but conceded the loss of his own seat.

Mr Howard wished Mr Rudd well on the task he had ahead and said the Coalition bequeathed to him a nation that was "stronger and prouder and more prosperous’’ than it was 11 years ago.

He said it was a privilege to have served as prime minister and he thanked the Australian people for that privilege.

"The Australian people are the greatest people on earth and this is the greatest country on earth’’.

He said he had led a government that had paid off debt and restored prosperity, a government that had not shirked hard decisions and a government that was the envy of the world.

He paid thanks to Nationals leader Mark Vaile and his predecessors

But without conceding defeat in his own electorate he gave a strong endorsement for Peter Costello, both as the fiscal steward of the past but also for the future.

"The future of our party is very much tied up with Peter Costello; he is very much our future,’’ he said.

He expressed regrets for those Coalition members who had lost their seats particular Mal Brough the indigenous affairs minister who led the intervention in the Northern Territory. He said he hoped Kevin Rudd would continue to support the action.

Mr Howard thanked the Liberal Party saying it had given him much.

"I accept full responsibility for the Coalition campaign so I therefore accept full responsibility for the Coalition’s defeat in this campaign,’’ he said.

Mr Howard thanked his family particularly his wife Janette.

His daughter Melanie could not be there because she was a bridesmaid at a wedding.

"She told me she had picked the wrong date for the election, I think she was right,’’ he joked.

Mr Howard said he was saddened by the loss but was proud he had been the beneficiary of so much support over many years.

"It has been a tremendous honour opportunity and privilege to have served you,’’ he said.

Mr Howard concluded by saying Australia’s best years lay ahead and wish the new government good fortune.

Peter Costello also conceded a change of government would happen following a national swing of about 5 per cent.

Mr Costello said he believed the Liberal Party was the party which best represented the entrepreneurial spirit and respect for the freedom of the individual.

"I think the Liberal party will be very, very proud of what it has achieved in government over the past 11 and a half years,’’ he said.

The Treasurer said he would be talking to his colleagues, particularly those who had lost their seats.

"The highest form of service in any country is public service,’’ he said.

Mr Costello said he was expecting a swing to him in his seat of Higgins when the postal votes are included, after a 1.9 per cent swing to Labor in the votes lodged today.