Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to secure victory in the country’s general election on Saturday, as indicated by media projections, in a contest influenced by economic concerns and US President Donald Trump’s trade policies.
With 40 per cent of votes counted, ABC’s election analyst Antony Green said the numbers were pointing clearly toward a Labor victory. “It’s a big swing that’s on at the moment. I can’t see how it turns around,” Green noted. “This could be a big win for Labor. But it’s certainly a win.”
Projections showed Labor leading in 70 seats—just six short of the 76 required for a parliamentary majority—while the Liberal-National Coalition held leads in 32 constituencies. Another 25 seats remained undecided in early tallies.
Voters were faced with a choice between the incumbent, 62-year-old Albanese, and conservative challenger Peter Dutton. As Australians cast their ballots, the country’s electoral rituals were on full display—from traditional “democracy sausages” at polling stations to voters turning up in swimwear after a morning dip.
The influence of Donald Trump loomed large over the campaign, with international observers watching closely to see if his protectionist trade policies would shift voting patterns. Albanese had sharply criticised Trump’s tariffs, labelling them harmful to global trade, while Dutton, who once called Trump a “big thinker” with “gravitas,” attempted to distance himself amid voter unease. “Donald Trump is as mad as a cut snake, and we all know that,” said 59-year-old Brisbane voter Alan Whitman.
Albanese told Channel Seven that he was aiming to build on his 2022 victory. “The holy grail is back-to-back wins that we’re aiming for today,” he said. “I’ll leave nothing on the field over the next three years if I’m re-elected as Australia’s prime minister.”
Dutton, despite trailing in opinion polls, remained defiant. He had earlier suggested that “quiet Australians” could deliver a surprise result, and when questioned about his political future, he said, “I am 54. I am still very young, and I’ve just got a burning passion for this country.”
Polling booths opened on the east coast at 8:00 am local time (2200 GMT), followed by western cities and territories. Of the 18.1 million registered voters, roughly half had cast their ballots early. With compulsory voting in place, turnout traditionally exceeds 90 per cent, with non-voters fined Aus$20 (US$13).
The campaign centred on starkly different economic and environmental visions. Albanese focused on renewable energy, housing, and healthcare investment. In contrast, Dutton pledged to curb immigration, strengthen policing, and steer Australia toward nuclear power, proposing US$200 billion for reactors in place of expanding renewables.
Economic discontent was a central issue, with many Australians voicing concern about rising living costs, especially food and fuel prices. In Brisbane, several voters said their top worry was household affordability.
The 36-day campaign also featured some light-hearted moments. Albanese made headlines when he fell backwards during a rally, while Dutton accidentally hit a cameraman with a football—images that went viral during the heated contest.
