Labor has decisively won the recent federal election, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese poised to lead either a minority or majority government. The Coalition, under Peter Dutton, faced a disappointing outcome.
The early results were broadcast shortly after the polls closed in Western Australia, with 9News predicting Labor’s victory around 8:24 pm. Political editor Charles Croucher confirmed that Labor had secured enough support to win the election.
As the results rolled in, it quickly became apparent that the Liberal Party and their Coalition partners had little chance of obtaining the necessary swings to secure key seats. Early indications suggested that the Coalition’s hopes for a comeback had evaporated, even with pre-poll and postal votes still outstanding.
In contrast, Labor experienced notable swings across various regions, with significant gains reported from areas such as Leichhardt in Far North Queensland to Bennelong in Sydney and Bass in Tasmania. Despite this success for Labor, both major parties noticed a considerable drop in their primary votes, highlighting a significant shift in voter sentiments. More than a third of Australians opted for the Greens, independents, and other minor parties, indicating that the traditional two-party dominance is on the decline.
National affairs editor Andrew Probyn commented that the era of a clear “blue versus red” political landscape is fading, signalling a new chapter in Australian politics. With Albanese set to continue as prime minister for another term, the political landscape appears more fragmented than ever, reflecting changing voter priorities across the nation.