Australia’s center-left Labor Party appears on course to retain power, with early projections from major media outlets suggesting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is likely to secure a second term in office.
While counting continues, initial results point to a nationwide swing toward Labor, indicating the party may cross the threshold of 76 seats needed to hold a majority in the 150-seat House of Representatives. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Sky News both reported favorable trends for Labor, with the conservative Coalition—led by opposition leader Peter Dutton—falling short of the numbers needed to take power.
If the projections hold, Albanese will become the first Australian Prime Minister in two decades to win consecutive elections, a feat last achieved by John Howard in 2004. The result would also reflect voters’ preference for continuity during a time of international instability, particularly following Donald Trump’s return to the White House in the United States.
Labor’s likely victory comes just days after Canada saw a shift toward its own Liberal Party under Mark Carney, signaling a potential regional trend of center-left governments gaining ground amid global uncertainty.
Albanese campaigned on maintaining economic stability, addressing cost-of-living pressures, and continuing moderate climate and social policies. His government faced criticism over issues such as housing and Indigenous affairs, but many voters appear to have chosen familiarity over change.
As the vote count continues, all eyes remain on the final seat tallies, but early indicators suggest Australians have given Labor a renewed mandate to lead.