Australia Recession Risk Flagged in Rudd Rhetoric Shift: Economy

Kevin Rudd is ditching the optimism of his predecessor and selling himself as the best leader to steer Australia through a downturn as Chinese demand wanes.

The new prime minister, who ousted Julia Gillard last week as the ruling Labor party headed toward a landslide election loss, is channeling his ex-boss Ross Garnaut in flagging that the end of a China-led mining boom could lead to a recession. He’s highlighted the dangers posed by a slowing China in at least five statements and warned policies advocated by his opponent Tony Abbott would result in British-style contraction.