Anthony Albanese wins second term as Australian PM amid anti-Trump backlash

Albanese becomes first Labor leader since 1990 to secure back-to-back election victories as voters reject Trump-style policies.

Anthony Albanese, Australia’s prime minister, arrives on stage with his partner Jodie Haydon, his son Nathan Albanese, and Foreign Minister Penny Wong at the Labor Party election night event in Sydney, Australia, on May 3, 2025. Photo by Brent Lewin/Bloomberg

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Anthony Albanese has secured a decisive victory in Australia’s federal election, clinching a second term as prime minister in a landslide that defied months of grim polling predictions. The result not only cements his leadership but also marks a significant moment in the nation's political history, making Albanese the first Labor prime minister since Bob Hawke in 1990 to win back-to-back elections.

With almost 90 seats projected for the Labor Party—well above the 76 needed to form a majority—Albanese’s win demonstrates broad national support and a resounding rejection of the Liberal opposition’s Trump-style campaign. His triumph comes just three months after polling data had suggested Labor faced a possible electoral disaster.

On Saturday night, Albanese stood before an exuberant crowd of supporters in Western Sydney to declare victory. His message was clear: Australians had opted for values rooted in the nation’s own traditions, not borrowed ideologies from abroad.

“We do not need to beg or borrow or copy from anywhere else,” Albanese said. “We do not seek our inspiration from overseas. We find it right here, in our values and in our people.” His speech was met with roaring applause, reflecting the public’s endorsement of what he called “the Australian way.”

Liberal Party suffers historic defeat

Peter Dutton, the Liberal Party leader, formally conceded defeat later that evening. In a shocking outcome, Dutton lost his own seat to a Labor challenger, a stunning blow that has left the opposition scrambling for new leadership. His departure marks the end of a bruising campaign for the Liberals, who posted their worst performance in over 80 years.

“We didn’t do well enough during this campaign. That much is obvious tonight and I accept full responsibility,” Dutton told supporters at Liberal headquarters. His comments acknowledged the collapse of a campaign that had leaned heavily on U.S.-inspired rhetoric and policy proposals.

The opposition’s platform—focused on slashing public spending, reducing the size of the civil service, and attacking so-called “woke” agendas—failed to resonate with Australians grappling with cost-of-living pressures. Economic anxiety has dominated political discourse, with voters frustrated over soaring rents, food prices, fuel costs, and electricity bills.

Trump’s influence loomed large over the campaign

Throughout the election season, U.S. President Donald Trump’s influence cast a shadow over Australia’s political landscape. The Liberal Party’s alignment with Trump-style politics became increasingly evident, with policies mirroring the U.S. president’s agenda on tariffs, government cuts, and aggressive diplomacy.

James Paterson, a Liberal senator and party spokesperson, candidly admitted the Trump connection hurt their campaign. “One factor we can all recognise is the Trump factor,” Paterson said. “It was significant.”

This sentiment was echoed by voters on the ground. Irene Kontominas, who cast her ballot for Labor in Sydney’s marginal seat of Fowler, cited Trump’s influence as a factor in her decision. “It’s not enough,” she said of the Liberal campaign. “It’s better the devil you know.”

A global echo: parallels with Canada

Australia’s political upheaval follows a similar trend seen in Canada just days earlier, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party secured an unexpected win. That victory, too, was attributed in part to Trump’s incendiary rhetoric. During the final stretch of the Canadian campaign, Trump mocked Canada, threatened tariffs, and even joked about annexing the country—comments that mobilized voters against rightwing populism.

Wayne Swan, a former Australian Treasurer and senior figure in the Labor Party, drew a direct comparison between the two elections. “It’s a great result for the social democrats around the world,” he said, highlighting how Trump’s international provocations had backfired on his ideological allies.

Albanese's grassroots appeal proved decisive

While Trump loomed as a polarizing figure in the background, Albanese’s success stemmed from a message focused squarely on domestic issues. His campaign emphasized unity, economic stability, and a commitment to social equity. On election day, he broadcast live from the Melbourne Cricket Ground, invoking the symbolism of national identity and sport.

He described the opportunity to win a second term as the “holy grail”—a phrase that captured both the difficulty of the task and the magnitude of his accomplishment.

Crucially, Labor's gains were strongest in suburban districts of Sydney and Melbourne—areas that have borne the brunt of inflation and housing crises. In these electorates, where many residents work remotely, Liberal proposals to force public servants back to the office were deeply unpopular.

Voters punish disconnect on cost-of-living issues

Sajedul Hasan, an accountant and longtime resident of Fowler, summed up the mood of many swing voters. He said Dutton’s tone-deaf remarks during the campaign—particularly his inability to name basic grocery prices in a televised debate—underscored a broader disconnect.

“If you don’t know the price of eggs, how can you represent us?” Hasan asked, pointing to the everyday struggles that dominate voters' concerns.

The disconnect extended beyond economics. The Liberal campaign failed to build trust or offer a compelling vision for the future. By contrast, Labor leaned into a message of continuity and competence—two attributes many voters found increasingly scarce on the global political stage.

What the result means for the future of Australian politics

Albanese's second term not only signals public confidence in his leadership but also reshapes the political landscape in Australia. With a commanding majority in Parliament and a weakened opposition, he has a rare opportunity to implement progressive reforms without the constant threat of obstruction.

Still, challenges remain. The pressures of inflation, global instability, and climate change will test his government's resolve. But for now, the prime minister enjoys a mandate unmatched in recent Australian history.

The rejection of Trump-style politics may also resonate beyond Australia. In an era where populism has redefined global alliances, Albanese's triumph stands as a reaffirmation of traditional democratic values and pragmatic governance.

As voters around the world increasingly weigh the consequences of imported ideologies, Australia’s election offers a cautionary tale—and a hopeful one. By choosing stability over spectacle, and substance over slogans, Australians have redrawn the political map in ways that could inspire democracies far beyond their shores.