Australia’s PM Albanese Wins 2nd Term, Rejects Trumpism/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been reelected, securing a rare second term while expanding his Labor Party’s parliamentary majority. Albanese’s win marks the first back-to-back government re-election in 21 years and comes amid criticism of opposition leader Peter Dutton’s Trump-style policies. Key issues in the campaign included inflation, energy, and housing.
Australia Election 2025 Quick Looks:
- Anthony Albanese wins second 3-year term as PM
- First back-to-back re-election for a PM since 2004
- Labor projected to increase majority in Parliament
- Peter Dutton loses his seat after 24 years
- Opposition criticized for mirroring Trump-style politics
- Inflation, cost of living, and energy dominated campaign issues
- Australia faces housing crisis, food insecurity, and economic strain
- Central bank expected to cut rates again in May
Deep Look: Albanese Wins Second Term in Australia, Expands Labor’s Majority Amid Cost of Living Crisis
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese clinched a decisive victory Saturday, becoming the first Australian leader in over two decades to win a second consecutive three-year term — a feat that defies the usual pattern of second-term seat losses.
Albanese used his victory speech in Sydney to contrast his vision with that of conservative opponents and foreign influences.
“Australians have chosen to face global challenges the Australian way,” Albanese declared. “We do not need to beg or borrow or copy from anywhere else.”
The center-left Labor Party is now on track to expand its narrow majority in the 151-seat House of Representatives, defying the typical second-term electoral slump.
Opposition Crumbles: Dutton Loses Long-Held Seat
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who had served in Parliament for 24 years, conceded both his defeat and that of his conservative Liberal-National coalition. His campaign had faced heavy criticism for aligning with the ideology of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Labor dubbed him “DOGE-y Dutton”, a jab at the opposition’s embrace of far-right populism and its own version of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, pledging to slash over 20% of public sector jobs.
Inflation and Energy Top Voter Concerns
The election was defined by skyrocketing living costs, with both major parties acknowledging the nation’s cost of living crisis.
- Foodbank Australia reported that 3.4 million households faced food insecurity last year
- Many Australians skipped meals or feared running out of food
While both parties support a net-zero emissions target by 2050, their strategies differ:
- Labor supports renewable energy through wind and solar
- Dutton’s coalition proposed nuclear power, backed by seven government-funded reactors
Labor warned that nuclear projects would require slashing essential public services.
Economic Signals: Rate Cuts on the Horizon
To ease economic pressure, the Reserve Bank of Australia reduced its benchmark cash rate in February to 4.1%, the first sign that financial conditions were beginning to improve.
A further rate cut is expected at the May 20 board meeting, aimed at spurring investment amid global economic uncertainty — particularly the market instability stemming from Trump’s renewed tariff policies in the United States.
Generational Shift Shapes Voter Base
This election marked a generational turning point in Australian politics:
- Millennials and Gen Z voters now outnumber Baby Boomers
- Parties tailored housing policies and homebuyer assistance to address young voters’ struggles
- First-home buyers face historically high real estate prices in urban areas
Both parties attempted to appeal to younger Australians, offering proposals aimed at tackling housing affordability and easing property market barriers.
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