MELBOURNE, Australia — Anthony Albanese has secured a second consecutive term as Australian Prime Minister, a feat not achieved in 21 years. He suggested his government’s success in increasing its majority was due to not emulating the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
“Australians have chosen to address global challenges in a uniquely Australian way, supporting each other while planning for the future,” Albanese said to his supporters in Sydney.
“We don’t need to imitate or rely on other countries. Our inspiration comes from our own values and people,” he added.
Albanese’s center-left Labor Party had labeled opposition leader Peter Dutton, of the conservative Liberal Party, as “DOGE-y Dutton,” accusing him and his party of mirroring Trump and his approach to government efficiency.
Dutton conceded that his coalition of conservative parties had lost the election and that he had also lost the parliamentary seat he had held for 24 years.
Dutton’s situation is similar to that of Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre, who lost his seat after Trump’s trade war against Canada. Poilievre was previously considered a frontrunner to become Canada’s next prime minister, potentially returning the Conservative Party to power after a decade.
Analysts suggest that mirroring Trump’s policies shifted from a political advantage to a disadvantage for Australian conservatives after Trump implemented global tariffs.
Trumpet of Patriots, a minor party inspired by Trump’s policies, received only 2% of the vote, despite an advertising budget funded by mining magnate Clive Palmer that surpassed those of the major parties.
Zareh Ghazarian, a politics lecturer at Monash University in Melbourne, questioned the impact of the “DOGE-y Dutton” label on the election outcome.
“We can’t be certain, but I doubt it had a significant effect,” Ghazarian said. “This is a major victory for Labor and a significant rejection of the Liberal Party.”
U.S. congratulates Albanese on re-election
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Albanese on winning a second three-year term.
“Australia is a valued ally, partner, and friend of the United States. Our shared values and democratic traditions form the basis of a strong alliance and deep connections between our people,” Rubio stated.
“The United States looks forward to strengthening its relationship with Australia to advance our shared interests and promote freedom and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and worldwide,” he added.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a fellow center-left leader, also congratulated Albanese on his victory.
“The U.K. and Australia are closer than ever, demonstrating that long-distance friendships can be very strong,” Starmer said. “I know that we will continue to collaborate on our shared goals, including trade, investment, and energy, working to improve the lives of working people in both the U.K. and Australia.”
Labor previously held a slim majority of 78 seats in the 151-seat House of Representatives, the lower house where governments are formed.
Australian governments are typically elected for a second term but are expected to lose seats. However, Labor is on track to increase its majority in this election.
High prices are a major election issue
Energy policy and inflation were central to the campaign, with both parties acknowledging a cost of living crisis.
The Liberal Party attributed inflation and rising interest rates to government overspending, promising to cut over 20% of public service jobs to reduce spending.
While both parties agreed on achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, Dutton advocated for nuclear power over renewable energy, such as solar and wind, as a more cost-effective energy source.
Labor argued that Dutton’s plan to build seven government-funded nuclear generators would necessitate cuts to essential services. Australia currently has no nuclear power plants.
Opposition senator Jacinta Nampijnpa Price, who would have overseen the elimination of 41,000 public service positions under Dutton, gained attention last month when she told supporters her government would “make Australia great again.”
Echoes of Trump
Price later told reporters she didn’t recall using the phrase, which is reminiscent of the Republican slogan “Make America Great Again.”
Price, who admitted to being photographed wearing a MAGA cap “jokingly at Christmas time,” accused the media of focusing on Trump during the election campaign.
“You made it all about Donald Trump,” Price told Australian Broadcasting Corp. “We are not concerned with how Donald Trump governs America. We are concerned with how Australia is being governed under the Albanese government.”
The election occurred against the backdrop of a cost of living crisis, as described by both sides of the political spectrum.
Foodbank Australia reported that 3.4 million households in the country experienced food insecurity last year, meaning people were skipping meals, eating less, or worried about running out of food.
The central bank reduced its benchmark cash interest rate by 0.25% in February to 4.1%, indicating that the worst of the financial difficulties may have passed. Another rate cut is widely expected at the bank’s next board meeting on May 20 to stimulate investment amidst international economic uncertainty caused by Trump’s tariff policies.
—Lavalette reported from Perth, Australia
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