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Election Victory for Anthony Albanese
Supporters of Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrate at a Labor Party event in Sydney on May 3, 2025, after local media projected his party’s victory in the federal election. — Reuters
SYDNEY: On Saturday, Anthony Albanese secured a landmark second term as Australia’s Prime Minister, marking a stunning comeback against a once-prominent conservative opposition, largely driven by voter anxieties surrounding the influence of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Peter Dutton, leader of the Liberal Party, acknowledged his defeat and the loss of his own seat, paralleling the recent fate of Canada’s conservative party leader, who faced a similar election setback attributed to Trump’s sway.
At Labor’s election night festivities in Sydney, cheers erupted as Albanese proclaimed a majority government victory. Labor’s Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, celebrated, stating, “This is a historic win. Albanese has achieved one of the greatest political successes since our federation.”
Expressing her overwhelming emotions, 54-year-old Labor supporter Melinda Adderley remarked that the results were "absolutely unbelievable."
With this victory, Albanese becomes the first Australian Prime Minister in 20 years to win consecutive terms. The Australian Electoral Commission’s early tallies indicated a commanding 55.94% to 44% lead for Labor over a coalition of the Liberal and National parties.
Dutton reached out to Albanese to extend his congratulations. "We did not perform adequately in this campaign, and I take full responsibility," he stated in a televised address. He also spoke to Labor’s victorious candidate in his long-held seat of Dickson, commending her success.
"We allowed our opponents to define us during this election, which does not reflect who we truly are," Dutton said, affirming his commitment to rebuild the conservative party.
The Trump Factor
Voter concerns regarding rising living costs and the unpredictable policies of Donald Trump notably influenced the election results, according to various opinion polls.
Jacinta Price, a Liberal Senator from the Northern Territory, commented, “If you throw enough dirt, some will stick,” referencing her party’s slogan intended to echo Trump’s “Make America Great Again.”
“You made this election about Trump,” she asserted during an appearance on ABC Television. Dutton had previously mentioned appointing Price to a government efficiency ministry, further heightening comparisons to Trump’s strategies.
“Losing Peter Dutton is a substantial loss,” Price lamented.
Opposition spokesperson Senator James Paterson defended the conservative campaign, which he believed was significantly impacted by Trump’s reputation. “It was a devastating outcome for conservatives in Canada… I suspect the Trump effect influenced our results here as well,” he told ABC.
Just a few months prior, in February, the Liberals led in the opinion polls as constituents pointed fingers at the government for escalating living costs and exorbitant housing prices.
As ballot counting commenced, Labor’s Chalmers noted that the government had faced significant challenges going into late 2024, but a strong campaign from Albanese, combined with policy responses to financial concerns and the Trump effect, turned the tide.
"The economy shifted from a weakness to a strength—the interest rate cuts played a crucial role," he mentioned to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The central bank reduced rates in February, marking a reversal after 13 consecutive hikes that had burdened households with increased mortgage payments.
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