Anthony Albanese wins in landslide

Anthony Albanese of the Labor Party has redefined expectations by winning re-election as Australia’s Prime Minister in a significant victory.

Although official vote counts will take days to finalize, Albanese’s center-left government is set to expand its majority after the conservative Liberal-National coalition faced a considerable defeat across the country.

“Today, the Australian electorate has made a choice reflecting our values: for fairness, for the aspiration and potential of all; for the resilience to face challenges and compassion towards those in need,” Albanese stated.

Peter Dutton, the coalition leader who lost his seat after 24 years, accepted “full accountability” for the party’s defeat and extended an apology to his colleagues.

In light of the election results, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have expressed eagerness to strengthen their bilateral ties with Australia.

Cost-of-living issues, prominently healthcare and housing affordability, dominated the five-week campaign, while international relations, particularly concerning Donald Trump, also played a critical role.

Many perceived Dutton as the Australian equivalent of Trump, a narrative that did not resonate well with voters, despite his attempts to dissociate himself from such comparisons regarding immigration, public sector funding, and relations with China.

Labor experienced favorable swings in many areas – a rare achievement for a second-term government in Australia, making Albanese the first Prime Minister in over 20 years to secure consecutive election victories.

The party’s success has also reversed a trend of voters moving away from the major parties, notable in the previous election of 2022.

According to projections by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Labor is on track for 86 seats, the Coalition approximately 40, and the Greens Party one or two seats. Additionally, minor parties and independents are leading in nine constituencies.

This marks a nine-seat gain for Labor and a significant decline in support for the Greens, though most “teal” independents have retained their positions in conservative urban electorates.

This shift is striking considering the conditions earlier in the year, with Albanese’s approval ratings at record lows amid global economic challenges, intense national debates, and rising governmental discontent.

In his victory speech on Saturday night, Albanese addressed several crucial topics, including migration, climate action, and energy policies.

He reiterated commitments to enhance healthcare accessibility, particularly GP services, to make homeownership attainable for more Australians, and to better tackle climate issues and safeguard the environment.

Importantly, he pledged to prioritize reconciliation for Indigenous communities: “Our nation will grow stronger as we Close the Gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.”

This is a subtle nod to one of the most defining moments of Albanese’s term—the unsuccessful Voice referendum of October 2023, aimed at acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the constitution and establishing a parliamentary advisory body for them.

Australia remains the only Commonwealth nation yet to sign a treaty with its Indigenous populations.

The Voice was a pivotal aspect of Albanese’s agenda and also represented his significant setback, having faced overwhelming rejection after a protracted national discussion fraught with division and tension.

Indigenous Australians have conveyed to the BBC a sense of neglect by policymakers since.

Albanese also grappled with balancing reactions to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, raised concerns after acquiring a luxury beach property during a housing crisis, and, like many global leaders, faced challenging economic conditions.

Having faced declining poll numbers, Albanese was perceived largely as an underdog entering the election, at risk of falling prey to the “incumbency curse”—a phenomenon where struggling governments are ousted after one term.

Conversely, Dutton appeared set for a significant political resurgence—on the verge of resurrecting his party from its most substantial defeat in 70 years back to power within a single term.

It has been nearly a century since a first-term government has failed to secure re-election, yet, as Emeritus Professor John Warhurst from the Australian National University noted: “Dutton started the campaign in a favorable position; it was essentially his to lose.”

Instead, Dutton now oversees a humiliating party loss, including his own defeat in the Dickson electorate to Labor’s Ali France.

“I have great love for this nation and have fought tirelessly for it,” Dutton told supporters in Brisbane as he acknowledged his defeat.

“We have been characterized by our opponents in this election, which does not reflect the true story of our identity. However, we will rebuild from this point, grounded in our values and beliefs.”

His campaign faced numerous challenges, including policy reversals that led to confusion, missteps on vital topics like cost-of-living, and a memorable incident where he accidentally struck a cameraman with an AFL ball.

“The opposition’s performance has been chaotic,” remarks Prof. Warhurst.

Conversely, while the government ran a disciplined campaign, they appeared cautious. Analysts suggest their strategy primarily centered on letting voters evaluate Dutton and his party, rather than putting forward bold or compelling policies.

And this perspective resonated with voters throughout the campaign.

As the Coalition begins its process of recovery and the selection of its new leader, it must reassess its direction.

In the previous election, analysts and several party members warned against shifting further right. They questioned whether Dutton—a controversial figure perceived by many as a hardline conservative—was suitable for regaining support, especially in areas where they lost significantly.

After a campaign that briefly delved into culture wars and arguably adopted “Trump-like” tactics, the Coalition will need to reexamine its roadmap and find new answers if it wishes to remain competitive.

“We need to stop drinking the Kool-Aid and have a genuine review… to continue deluding ourselves that we are merely a few strategies away from winning an election is futile,” asserted former Liberal strategist Tony Barry in a statement to the ABC.

Meanwhile, Labor must define its objectives with the substantial mandate granted by the electorate.

Albanese’s “incumbency curse” ultimately turned into an advantage, as global uncertainties appeared to steer voters in countries like Canada toward stability. Similarly, Australia has opted for continuity.

Labor adopted a “centrist approach” with its policies but can now afford to be bolder, notes Amy Remeikis, chief political analyst at the Australia Institute think tank.

“This was their path to victory, and it has proved beneficial. The central question is, ‘Will Labor make effective use of its power?’”