Australia’s Anthony Albanese has secured a historic second term as Prime Minister, pulling off a dramatic comeback against the once-resurgent conservatives, driven by voters’ concerns over the influence of US President Donald Trump.
Peter Dutton, leader of the conservative Liberal Party, conceded defeat — along with the loss of his own seat — mirroring the fate of Canada’s conservatives and their leader, whose recent electoral loss was similarly linked to a backlash against Trump.
Supporters at Labor’s election celebration in Sydney erupted in cheers and embraced each other as Mr. Albanese declared victory, announcing that Labor would form a majority government.
“This is a win for the ages,” said Labor Treasurer Jim Chalmers to ABC. He praised Mr. Albanese for “pulling off one of the great political victories since federation.”
Mr. Albanese is poised to become the first Australian Prime Minister to win consecutive terms in two decades.
Early results released by the Australian Electoral Commission showed Labor leading a coalition of the Liberal and National parties, with 55.94% to 44% on a two-party preferred basis.
Mr. Dutton stated that he reached out to Mr. Albanese to congratulate him.
“We didn’t perform well enough in this campaign. That is clear tonight, and I accept full responsibility for that,” Mr. Dutton remarked in a televised address.
He also communicated with Labor’s candidate in the district of Dickson, which he had represented for two decades, congratulating her on her success.
“We have been defined by our opponents in this election, which does not reflect our true identity,” Mr. Dutton stated, vowing that the conservative party would work towards rebuilding.
Top voter concerns included cost-of-living pressures and apprehensions surrounding Mr. Trump’s unpredictable policies, as indicated by opinion polls.
“If you fling enough mud, it will stick,” commented Liberal Senator for the Northern Territory, Jacinta Price, whose statement that her party would “make Australia great again” drew comparisons to Trump’s own ‘make America great again’ slogan.
“You made it all about Trump,” she said on ABC, as Mr. Dutton announced plans to appoint Ms. Price to a ministry focused on government efficiency, echoing several of Trump’s policies.
“Losing Peter Dutton is a significant setback,” she added.
Peter Dutton of the conservative Liberal Party lost his seat.
Opposition Liberal Party spokesman, Senator James Paterson, defended the conservative campaign, attributing its struggles to “the Trump factor.”
“It was devastating for conservatives in Canada… I believe it impacted us here as well; the extent of that impact will be clearer in a few hours,” he told ABC.
The Liberals had been ahead in opinion polls as recently as February, as voters expressed dissatisfaction with the government over rising living costs and housing expenses.
As counting continued, Labor’s Chalmers remarked that the government had been “in all sorts of trouble” by late 2024, but regained traction due to Mr. Albanese’s robust campaign, policies addressing cost of living concerns, and the Trump effect.
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“The economy turned from a negative to a positive — the interest rate cut played a significant role,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
The central bank reduced rates in February, just before the election was announced, reversing a trend of 13 rate hikes that had increased mortgage repayments for households.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin congratulated Mr. Albanese on his electoral victory.
He noted that the bonds between Ireland and Australia are “as strong as ever,” and expressed eagerness to collaborate with Mr. Albanese in “strengthening those ties and tackling global challenges.”
