REUTERS/Hollie Adams
May 3, 2025
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese secured a historic second term in office on Saturday, leading the center-left Labor Party to a clear majority in a national election marked by voter concerns over domestic policy and the influence of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Labor Achieves Majority as Conservatives Suffer Defeat
With over 90% of votes counted, projections by the Australian Electoral Commission and Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) indicate Labor is expected to secure between 80 and 85 seats in the 150-member House of Representatives—enough to form a majority government. The opposition Liberal-National coalition is projected to win around 41 seats, with the remainder going to independents or still too close to call.
Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton conceded both the national race and his own long-held seat of Dickson, marking a dramatic personal and political defeat. “We didn’t do well enough during this campaign, and I accept full responsibility,” Dutton said during his concession speech.
Albanese: “We Do Not Seek Our Inspiration from Overseas”
Addressing supporters in Sydney, Albanese described the outcome as a reaffirmation of Australian values and national self-reliance:
“We do not need to beg or borrow or copy from anywhere else. We do not seek our inspiration from overseas. We find it right here in our values and in our people,” he said.
He emphasized that Australians had voted for “fairness,” “courage in adversity,” and “kindness to those in need.”
Albanese becomes the first Australian prime minister in two decades to win consecutive terms.
The ‘Trump Factor’ and Voter Sentiment
Analysts and senior Labor figures cited a widespread voter backlash against policies and rhetoric seen as mimicking Donald Trump’s political style. Cost-of-living concerns and fears about instability in global trade—exacerbated by Trump’s recent foreign policy stances—ranked high among voter priorities.
Liberal Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, whose invocation of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan drew criticism during the campaign, remarked: “You made it all about Trump.” Price had been a proposed appointee to a Dutton-led government and lamented his loss as a “huge blow.”
Senator James Paterson acknowledged that the “Trump factor” had negatively impacted conservative candidates, paralleling recent conservative losses in Canada attributed to similar dynamics.
International Reaction
World leaders responded swiftly to Albanese’s re-election:
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Australia as “a valued ally,” emphasizing continued cooperation.
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer noted strong bilateral ties and reaffirmed commitment to the AUKUS defense pact.
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Albanese on his “emphatic mandate,” describing it as a sign of public confidence in his leadership.
Labor’s Political Comeback
Labor Treasurer Jim Chalmers admitted the government had been struggling at the end of 2024 but credited Albanese’s campaign performance and focus on economic issues for the turnaround. “This is a win for the ages,” Chalmers said, calling it “one of the great political victories since federation.”
At Labor’s election night celebration in Sydney, the mood was jubilant. Supporters cheered, cried, and embraced as results confirmed the party’s extended mandate.
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