Australia votes: Key issues, candidates, and what’s at stake? | World News
Australians are heading to the polls today to elect their next federal government after a campaign that began with delays. The 2025 election was originally expected to be held on April 12. However, a cyclone disrupted the government’s plans, prompting Prime Miner Anthony Albanese to reschedule it.
Campaigning was repeatedly overshadowed global news events, including Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff announcements and the death of the Pope. Long weekends and Easter holidays further diverted attention, contributing to one of the quieter federal campaigns in recent hory.
Australian PM Anthony Albanese, center, and his son Nathan after voting as Albanese’s partner Jodie Haydon watches at a polling booth in his electorate in Sydney. (AP Photo)
“It has been hard to cut through… but the major parties have lost the trust of the voters which has amplified their problems of communications,” said John Warhurst, Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University’s School of Politics, as quoted the BBC. “The government has been timid and the opposition has been shambolic.”
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Who are the contenders?
At the center of today’s vote is a choice between two key figures:
Prime Miner Anthony Albanese, leader of the center-left Australian Labor Party (ALP), is seeking re-election after first coming to power in 2022.
Peter Dutton, leader of the conservative Liberal-National Coalition, is contesting his first election as opposition leader.
Albanese, a veteran of nearly three decades in parliament, once enjoyed strong popularity but now faces criticism over his handling of sensitive topics such as housing, Indigenous issues, and rising concerns about antisemitism and Islamophobia.
People arrive at a polling booth in Brisbane, Australia. (AP Photo)
Dutton, a former miner for defence and home affairs, is seen as a hardline conservative. He brings significant political experience but also carries a reputation for polarising stances on immigration and social policies.
While Australians don’t vote directly for a prime miner, the leader of the party that commands a majority in the House of Representatives forms the government.Story continues below this ad
Key issues driving the vote
Cost of living:A primary concern for voters is the soaring cost of living. Inflation has driven up prices of essentials—eggs rose 11% last year according to AP data, and rent increases are biting hard. Though inflation is now slowing, the Albanese government has struggled to convince Australians that it has delivered adequate relief.
Housing affordability and healthcare strain:Housing affordability remains a flashpoint, with multiple Australian cities ranking among the world’s least affordable. Both major parties have proposed housing reforms but differ on execution. Australia’s universal healthcare system is also in crisis. Staff shortages and rising costs are causing many Australians to delay or skip treatment. Both sides have pledged billions to bolster the system.
Energy and climate:Energy policy and Australia’s transition from fossil fuels are starkly dividing the two parties.
China and US relations:The next government must navigate an increasingly fraught geopolitical environment. China remains Australia’s top trading partner, yet is seen as a strategic threat. Donald Trump’s new tariff regime also looms large.
Australian Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton stands with his sons, Tom and Harry and his wife Kirilly as he votes in his electorate in Brisbane, Australia. (AP Photo)
Australia’s compulsory voting system
Voting in Australia is compulsory, and failure to vote without valid reason results in a A$20 fine. The system has been in place since 1924 and results in one of the highest voter turnouts globally—over 90% in the 2022 federal election.
Elections are held on Saturdays, with employers required to allow workers time to vote. An election day tradition involves enjoying a “democracy sausage” from local fundraising stalls near polling booths.
A man holds a sausage sandwich outside a polling booth in Dayboro Queensland, Australia. (AP Photo)
Australia uses a preferential voting system. Voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate secures an outright majority, the least popular candidates are eliminated and their votes redributed until someone reaches 50%.
Parliament math: Who needs what?
All 150 seats in the House of Representatives and 40 of 76 Senate seats are up for grabs. A party needs 76 seats to form a majority.Story continues below this ad
Labor currently holds 78 seats. But with one seat abolished in redricting, a loss of just two could cost it the majority. The Coalition holds 57 seats and would need to gain at least 19 to govern outright—many of them seats it lost to independents in 2022.
A party needs 76 seats to form a majority. (AP Photo)
When will we know the results?
Preliminary counting begins immediately after polls close tonight. Real-time updates will be available on the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website. While unofficial results are often clear the evening, official certification can take days or weeks due to hand-counting of nearly 18 million ballots—including postal and overseas votes.
(With inputs from BBC, AP)
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