By Alice Williams | May 3, 2025 | Nbprime
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to secure a second term after leading Australia’s center-left Labor Party to a projected reelection win in the 2025 federal election. The outcome marks a dramatic turnaround from just months ago, when Albanese was trailing in the polls and faced political backlash following the defeat of the Indigenous Voice referendum in 2023.
A key factor in Labor’s resurgence has been growing voter frustration over former U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed trade tariffs, which affected Australia’s aluminum and steel exports. Analysts say the return of Trump-style politics, echoed by opposition leader Peter Dutton, ultimately backfired in a country that values political moderation and economic stability.
With roughly 30 percent of votes counted, Labor appeared poised to maintain government, though it remained unclear whether it would secure an outright majority or require support from independents or smaller parties. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation projected that Dutton would lose his seat in Brisbane’s north—a stunning collapse for the conservative Liberal-National Coalition.
Dutton’s campaign, marked by late policy shifts and controversial proposals including restrictions on remote work and anti-immigration messaging, drew comparisons to Trump’s culture war playbook. Nicknames like “DOGE-y Dutton” and “Temu Trump” gained traction online and hurt his public image.
“The Trump factor has clearly been a drag,” said one Liberal senator, while analysts noted that voters appeared to reward Albanese’s steadier, more restrained style of leadership. His campaign, which focused on expanding Medicare, improving housing affordability, and avoiding divisive rhetoric, struck a chord with Australians weary of global instability and domestic political drama.
International relations also loomed over the election. Australia finds itself balancing between its largest trading partner, China, and its key military ally, the United States. As geopolitical tensions mount, Albanese will now face the challenge of navigating U.S.-China rivalry while advancing his domestic agenda.
Despite a relatively subdued campaign style, Albanese showed confidence in the final stretch—campaigning in Dutton’s own electorate and appearing on a podcast popular among younger voters. His victory, while expected in the campaign’s final days, remains notable in a political era where few prime ministers have achieved a second term.
“This is a validation of steady leadership,” said political analyst Sean Kelly. “He turned his weaknesses into strengths—he’s not flashy, but he’s consistent. And that’s what voters wanted in uncertain times.”
