Melbourne, OTN Bangla News Desk | 4 May 2025
Summary:
- Labor wins majority government with at least 84 seats.
- Anthony Albanese becomes the first PM to be re-elected since 2004.
- Opposition leader Peter Dutton loses his own seat of Dickson.
- Coalition faces identity crisis after Trump-style campaign fails.
- Labor now faces pressure to act boldly on its large mandate
In a historic and sweeping victory, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been re-elected, becoming the first Australian leader since 2004 to win a second consecutive term. The Australian Labor Party has secured a clear majority, claiming at least 84 seats in the House of Representatives after more than 18 million Australians cast their votes on Saturday.
As of Sunday morning, the Coalition has won only 31 seats, suffering one of its most devastating defeats in decades. Among the biggest shocks was Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s loss in his own seat of Dickson — ending a 24-year political career.
“The opposition has been shambolic,” said ANU Emeritus Professor John Warhurst.
Dutton’s defeat: A political earthquake
“I love this country and have fought hard for it,” Dutton told supporters in Brisbane as he conceded defeat.
“We have been defined by our opponents in this election which is not a true story of who we are, but we will rebuild from here and we will do that because we know our values, we know our beliefs, and we will always stick to them.”
Dutton’s campaign was marred by a series of missteps — policy backflips that confused voters, blunders on cost-of-living issues, and a now-viral moment when he accidentally kicked an AFL football into a cameraman’s head.
“The opposition has been shambolic,” said ANU Emeritus Professor John Warhurst.
Labor’s strategy: steady and silent
While Labor ran a disciplined and resolute campaign, analysts described it as cautious and lacking bold new initiatives. The strategy seemed to rely on allowing voters to form their own judgements about Dutton and the Coalition, rather than aggressively promoting transformative policies.
And it worked.
Coalition’s identity crisis
This defeat forces the Coalition to once again reckon with its political direction. After their 2022 loss, several party insiders had warned against shifting further to the right — raising questions about whether Dutton, often viewed as a hardline conservative, was the right figure to win back moderate electorates.
In the final stretch of the campaign, Dutton leaned heavily into “culture war” territory, with rhetoric and positioning that many observers compared to former US President Donald Trump.
“We have to stop drinking the Kool-Aid from the fire hose and we need to have a serious review,” former Liberal strategist Tony Barry told ABC News. “We delude ourselves that we are just a few tactical devices away from winning an election.”
A mandate for labor — but will they use it?
Albanese’s re-election defied expectations. Just months ago, he was trailing in the polls, hit by frustrations over cost-of-living pressures, the failed Indigenous Voice referendum, and criticism over purchasing a luxury beach home during a housing crisis.
But Australian voters, like those in Canada and elsewhere, appeared to favour stability in uncertain times. Albanese’s “middle-of-the-road” campaign platform has now been rewarded — but it raises a new question: what will Labor do with this mandate?
“Labor can afford to be braver now,” said Amy Remeikis, chief political analyst at the Australia Institute. “They’ve been rewarded for their approach, but the question is: will they actually use their power for real change?”
Key issues: health, housing, climate and reconciliation
In his victory speech, Albanese reiterated promises to make GP appointments more affordable, tackle housing affordability, and do more on climate change. He also reaffirmed his commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Australians:
“We will be a stronger nation when we Close the Gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians,” he said.
