Albanese Secures Historic Second Term Amid Voter Anger Over Trump’s Influence

Australia’s Anthony Albanese secured a historic second term as Prime Minister on Saturday, achieving a dramatic comeback against once-resurgent conservatives, fueled by voters’ concerns regarding US President Donald Trump’s influence. Conservative Liberal party leader Peter Dutton conceded defeat and the loss of his seat, mirroring the fate of Canadian conservatives whose election loss days earlier was also attributed to a Trump-related backlash. Supporters at Labor’s election party in Sydney celebrated Albanese’s victory, cheering and embracing as he declared Labor would form a majority government. “This is a win for the ages,” Labor Treasurer Jim Chalmers told ABC. Albanese “has pulled off one of the great political victories since federation.” The incoming results were “absolutely unbelievable,” Labor supporter Melinda Adderley, 54, said through tears at the election party. Albanese is set to become the first Australian Prime Minister to win consecutive terms in two decades. Early results published on the Australian Electoral Commission website showed Labor leading the Liberal and National parties coalition, 55.94%-44% on a two-party preferred basis. Dutton confirmed he had called Albanese to congratulate him. “We didn’t do well enough during this campaign. That much is obvious tonight, and I accept full responsibility for that,” Dutton said in a televised speech. He also mentioned speaking with Labor’s candidate in his former seat of Dickson, congratulating her on her victory. “We have been defined by our opponents in this election which is not the true story of who we are,” Dutton said, pledging the conservative party would rebuild. Trump Comparisons Cost-of-living pressures and concerns about US President Donald Trump’s volatile policies were key issues for voters, according to opinion polls. “If you sling enough mud it will stick,” said Liberal Senator for the Northern Territory Jacinta Price, whose comments that her party would “make Australia great again” drew comparisons to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan. “You made it all about Trump,” she told ABC. Dutton had proposed appointing Price to a ministry of government efficiency, echoing Trump’s policies. “Losing Peter Dutton is a huge loss,” she added. Opposition Liberal Party spokesman, Senator James Paterson, defended the conservative campaign, citing the “Trump factor” as a negative influence. “It was devastating in Canada for the conservatives… I think it has been a factor here, just how big a factor will be determined in a few hours’ time,” he told ABC. The Liberals had led in opinion polls as recently as February, with voters blaming the government for cost-of-living and housing pressures. As vote counting began, Labor’s Chalmers attributed their comeback to Albanese’s strong campaign, policies addressing cost-of-living concerns, and the “Trump effect.” “The economy became a positive from a negative – the interest rate cut was part of the story,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The central bank’s February rate cut, on the eve of the election, reversed 13 prior increases that had burdened households with rising mortgage repayments.