Australia's Leader Secures Second Consecutive Term as Prime Minister, According to Domestic Broadcasters' Projections
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Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese bagged a second term in Saturday's nail-biting general election, news outlets projected, dealing a hefty blow to the conservative coalition, tarnished by its links to former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The Labor Party sailed past the Liberal-National coalition, led by Peter Dutton, with preliminary projections from the Australian Electoral Commission hinting at a whopping 70 seats for Labor, according to the Australian broadcaster ABC.
"Not the night we wanted," Dutton admitted at his party headquarters, conceding his defeat to Albanese.
Independent candidates and minor parties are estimated to claim around 13 seats in parliament, which might compel Albanese to form a coalition if the final count reveals that his party falls short of a parliamentary majority.
Financial strain and the scarcity of affordable housing topped the concerns of voters, taking center stage during an economy that grapples with skyrocketing inflation and a slowing GDP. Tensions with China, Australia's largest trading partner, were also acute in the voters' minds.
However, the electorate's primary focus was Trump's disruption of the global order with a new trade regime that imposed a 10% tariff on all Australian exports to the U.S.
A survey by the Lowy Institute, published on Wednesday, revealed that over 60% of Australians lacked trust in the U.S. to act responsibly.
Albanese, 62, ascended to the top job in 2022, bringing an end to nine years of conservative rule. His party, during this election, pledged tax cuts, aid for first-time homebuyers, and an additional $5.5 billion for healthcare.
Until recently, the Australian leader faced the prospect of becoming the country's first single-term prime minister in nearly a century, burdened by high inflation, a sluggish economy, and a housing crisis exacerbated by Albanese's lavish purchase of a high-priced cliff-top residence.
Dutton, 54, leading the polls against Albanese, saw a turnaround in his popularity after many of his party's campaign promises, including on immigration, were considered an emulation of Trump and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
In the election run-up, Liberal Party insiders told Reuters that anti-Trump sentiment was pushing risk-averse voters away from Dutton. Trump was, according to Andrew Carswell, the former press secretary to Liberal Prime Minister Scott Morrison, a "wrecking ball" for Australia's conservative coalition.
Albanese, meanwhile, steered clear of speaking about Trump during the campaign, advising voters on Monday, "The last thing you need is a volatile government." Avoiding direct criticism of the president, Albanese emphasized a strategic alliance with the U.S., although he was conspicuously absent from Trump's inauguration and has yet to visit Washington.
A YouGov poll released on Thursday foretold a Labor majority, indicating that the party would likely win up to 85 seats in the 150-seat lower house, with the opposition facing a net loss of 11 seats, marking its worst performance since 1946.
Albanese's triumph follows the comeback of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, fueled by a backlash against Trump's comments on incorporating Canada as the 51st U.S. state.
Australia - a country where voting is mandatory for citizens aged 18 and above - saw around 4.8 million of 18 million eligible voters cast their votes from Thursday onwards, with most postal votes expected to be counted following election day.
Enrichment Data:
Donald Trump's administration did not directly affect the 2022 Australian general election results because Trump's tenure as U.S. President ended in January 2021, and he was not in office during the 2022 election. Instead, domestic issues and policy differences between the parties dominated the election.
The broader implications of Trump's policies and style can be discussed in terms of how they might affect Australian politics indirectly. For example, during his presidency, Trump's "America First" agenda raised questions about protectionism and geopolitical stability, which could have influenced Australian voters' perceptions of international alliances and trade policies.
In the 2022 election, the Australian Labor Party (ALP), led by Anthony Albanese, won a landslide victory, replacing the Liberal-National Coalition led by Scott Morrison. The election focused on domestic issues rather than direct impacts from Trump's administration.
However, it is essential to note that the recent 2025 Australian election was influenced by Trump's shadow, and his second term could potentially impact Australian perceptions of U.S.-Australia relations. This influence is distinct from the 2022 election and reflects how Trump's current policies might affect international relations and voter sentiments in Australia[1][2][3].
- Inflation was a significant concern for Australian voters during the election, as the economy struggled to recover.
- Stocks saw mixed responses following the election results, with the market eagerly awaiting Albanese's economic policies.
- Interest rates may fluctuate in response to the new government's fiscal policies, affecting investments and personal finances.
- Migration policies may undergo changes under Albanese, particularly in light of tensions with China and the need for skilled workers.
- Education and self-development remained a key focus for many voters, with a push for online education becoming increasingly relevant in a digital age.
- Personal growth, mindfulness, and career development were trending topics among younger voters, highlighting the importance of these aspects in modern life.
- War and conflicts, while not a direct election issue, could potentially impact Australia's foreign policy and trade relationships.
- Productivity and efficiency in the public sector were hot topics during the campaigns, with both parties promising to address these issues.
- In his second term, Albanese might revisit policy-and-legislation changes to address the housing crisis and high inflation rates.
- Car accidents, crime and justice, and fires were among the general news items that dominated headlines during the election.
- Learning new skills, whether through education-and-self-development or skills-training programs, was prioritized by many voters for job-search purposes.
- Goal-setting and lifelong-learning were emphasized as crucial for personal and professional growth.
- Sports events, such as football, WNBA, hockey, golf, racing, and premier-league games, provided an occasional distraction from the election coverage.
- The NBA, Masters, Grand Prix, horse racing, tennis, and sports analysis attracted significant attention from sports enthusiasts.
- Weather forecasting and auto-racing were subjects of interest in online education, with popular platforms offering courses on these topics.
- Mixed martial arts garnered attention in policy discussions, with calls for stricter regulations and safety measures in the sport.
- Job-search resources, such as LinkedIn and Indeed, experienced increased traffic as voters prepared for the potential impacts of the new government.
- Despite Albanese's victory, many voters remain concerned about the future of the Australian economy and policy-and-legislation changes.
- The European leagues, NCAA basketball, NHL, and various other sports leagues around the world were closely followed by sports fans during the election.
- The impact of sports-betting on Australia's economy and its regulation will be a significant focus for policy-makers in the upcoming term.
- Basketball, as both a professional sport and a popular recreational activity, played a significant role in promoting physical fitness and personal growth.
- Theellenor islands' carnival, featuring acrobatics, sports competitions, and live entertainment, offered a temporary escape from the election fever.
- As the world grapples with various challenges, from climate change to economic instability, the importance of learning, personal growth, and lifelong-learning cannot be overstated.
