Anthony Albanese claimed victory as the first Australian prime minister to clinch a second consecutive term in 21 years on Saturday, as final vote counts confirmed a decisive mandate for his center-left Labor Party and a dramatic collapse of the conservative opposition.
Albanese’s victory makes him the first Australian prime minister to win re-election in two decades, and he will begin his second term with at least 85 seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives, according to the most recent estimates. This represents a rare expansion of power for a governing party at a second election—a clear vote of confidence from the electorate.
Addressing supporters in Sydney, Albanese stated: “Australians have chosen to face global challenges the Australian way, looking after each other while building for the future. We do not need to beg or borrow or copy from anywhere else. We do not seek our inspiration overseas. We find it right here in our values and in our people.”
Peter Dutton concedes and loses seat
Opposition leader Peter Dutton, whose Liberal-National Coalition suffered historic losses, conceded both the national election and his own seat—marking a stunning political fall. Dutton had held his Queensland seat for 24 years, and his loss is the first time a federal opposition leader has failed to win re-election and retain their seat simultaneously.
“I accept full responsibility for our campaign’s shortcomings,” Dutton said. “We didn’t do well enough. And for that, I am deeply sorry.”
“Our Liberal family is hurting across the country tonight,” Dutton said. “We’ve been defined by our opponents in this election, which is not the true story of who we are, but we’ll rebuild from here.”
Dutton’s Trump-influenced platform—marked by aggressive public sector cuts, a proposed nuclear energy buildout, and sharp rhetoric on immigration—alienated centrist voters and drew heavy criticism from across the political spectrum.
Trump politics rejected at the Ballot Box
Labor’s campaign strategy emphasized the contrast between Albanese’s “Australian way” and what it painted as a “Trumpian” alternative offered by the opposition. Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull described Dutton’s platform as “very Trumpian,” warning that Trump was “the mood music that had a very big influence on how people perceived” the Liberal-National Coalition.
Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price further fueled the comparison after reviving the “Make Australia Great Again” slogan and acknowledging she had worn a MAGA hat, though she later dismissed the symbolism as media distraction. “You made it all about Donald Trump,” she told the ABC. “We really couldn’t care less.”
But voters appeared to care. A RedBridge-Accent poll revealed 48% of Australians listed Trump-related uncertainty as a top concern, reinforcing the rejection of U.S.-style populism.
Cost-of-Living Crisis central to Labor’s appeal
While foreign influence loomed large in the campaign narrative, it was economic anxiety that drove voters to the polls. High inflation, spiking rents, and surging food prices dominated the five-week campaign. Foodbank Australia reported 3.4 million households experienced food insecurity last year—a sobering figure for a nation of 27 million.
The Reserve Bank of Australia, having cut its cash rate to 4.1% earlier this year, is expected to reduce it further at its May 20 meeting to spur economic recovery amid global uncertainty. Labor’s approach of steady, targeted economic support contrasted with the Coalition’s promise of cutting more than 41,000 public service jobs and rolling out nuclear power stations—Australia currently has none.
Global leaders welcome Albanese’s re-election
The re-election of Albanese drew swift praise from allies. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the enduring Australia-U.S. alliance, saying: “Our shared values and democratic traditions provide the bedrock for an enduring alliance and for the deep ties between our peoples.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed the sentiment, highlighting the strength of transnational progressive cooperation: “The U.K. and Australia are as close as ever. I know we’ll continue to work together on our shared ambitions.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Albanese’s victory offered an opportunity to “deepen cooperation” between the EU and Australia, noting, “Europeans and Australians are not just friends — we’re mates.”
A mandate for a distinctly Australian future
With the dust now settled and counting complete, Albanese’s victory stands as both a personal and political triumph. Once seen as a vulnerable incumbent amid global economic turbulence, he now commands one of the most secure second-term mandates in recent Australian history.
“In this time of global uncertainty, Australians have chosen optimism and determination,” he said. “Our government will choose the Australian way because we are proud of who we are.”
As Labor prepares for its second term, the message from voters is clear: Australia’s future lies not in imitation of foreign ideologies, but in strengthening its own democratic foundations.