Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defied political gravity to secure a second term, delivering a thumping defeat to `Australia's Trump' Peter Dutton’s Liberal-National Coalition.
In one of the most decisive federal election results in recent memory, Labor is projected to win at least 85 seats in the House of Representatives — an increase of nine — while the Coalition is on track to collapse to around 40. It’s the first time in over 20 years that an Australian prime minister has been returned with a larger majority.
In an interesting comparison, earlier this week, the governing Liberal Party in Canada retained power in an election which at the beginning of the year seemed to be easily in the Conservative’s grip. Behind this stunning turnarounds was: US President Donald Trump.
“Today, the Australian people have voted for Australian values — for fairness, aspiration and opportunity for all,” Albanese said in his victory speech on Saturday night. “They’ve chosen unity over division, progress over stagnation, and hope over fear.”
The result marks an astonishing turnaround for Albanese, who entered the election with record-low approval ratings after a bruising first term marred by a cost-of-living crisis, a failed Indigenous Voice referendum, and growing voter frustration.
Australian voters delivered a clear message: they wanted stability and steady leadership in uncertain global times. Labor’s disciplined and cautious campaign focused on healthcare affordability, housing access, and climate policy — all resonating with voters weary of economic stress and political theatrics.
In contrast, opposition leader Peter Dutton suffered a personal and political catastrophe. The 54-year-old former defence minister not only failed to lead his party back into power but also lost his Queensland seat of Dickson after 24 years in Parliament — a humiliating blow that symbolised the election outcome.
His party, however, faces a painful reckoning. Dutton’s campaign was widely criticised for being erratic, inconsistent, and lacking a coherent economic message. A series of policy reversals, particularly on public sector job cuts and working-from-home arrangements, left voters confused. His comments on nuclear energy and defence spending also failed to gain traction.
Adding to the damage was Dutton’s hardline rhetoric and perceived embrace of “Trump-style” politics. His alignment with culture war issues and support from far-right figures — including One Nation — alienated centrist voters in key urban electorates.
Images of Coalition figures wearing “MAGA”-style caps and calls for sweeping public service cuts stirred unease. Attempts to walk back controversial policies came too late to repair the damage.
Labor, meanwhile, benefited from a cautious but clear pitch: maintain economic discipline, tackle household pressure points, and offer a steady hand. Albanese’s vow to make GP appointments more affordable, expand housing access, and protect the environment struck a chord — particularly with suburban and regional voters.
Significantly, the election also halted the trend of declining support for the major parties. Labor not only regained ground lost in 2022 but also fended off most of the “teal” independents and saw minimal gains for the Greens.
It was a bitterly disappointing night for the Coalition, which now faces its weakest parliamentary representation in decades. Senior Liberals are already calling for a full review of the party’s direction, warning that the embrace of hard-right politics has failed.
Despite the victory, Albanese faces challenges ahead. Expectations are now higher, and his second-term government will be under pressure to deliver on its promises and be bolder in addressing national issues.
The prime minister acknowledged this in his speech, pledging to push ahead with climate action, health reform and reconciliation with First Nations people — despite the crushing defeat of last year’s Voice referendum.
“We will be a stronger nation when we close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians,” he said.
For now, Labor celebrates a historic victory and a second term that few predicted just months ago. But for the opposition Coalition, the rebuilding starts from its lowest point in a generation — and without its leader.
