Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Albanese wins Australian election, Dutton loses seat

Anthony-Albanese-Reuters

Albanese’s win came after a campaign focused on economic concerns. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

AUSTRALIA’s prime minister Anthony Albanese won the national election on Saturday, with his Labor Party on course for a strong majority. His opponent, opposition leader Peter Dutton, lost his seat.

According to national broadcaster ABC, Labor had secured 85 seats in the 150-member parliament. Dutton’s coalition held 41, other parties had nine, and 15 seats were undecided.


“Today the Australian people have voted for Australian values. For fairness, aspiration and opportunity for all,” Albanese said in his victory speech.

“In this time of global uncertainty, Australians have chosen optimism and determination.”

Albanese’s win came after a campaign focused on economic concerns. He has pledged to invest in renewable energy, address the housing crisis, and improve healthcare. Dutton had proposed cutting immigration, lifting the ban on nuclear energy, and reducing the public service.

Supporters of the Labor Party gathered in Sydney, celebrating with drinks and chanting Albanese’s nickname, “Albo,” as results were announced on television.

Former US president Donald Trump was a point of discussion during the six-week campaign. Albanese criticised Trump’s tariffs, calling them “economic self-harm” and “not the act of a friend.” Dutton said he would “in a heartbeat” challenge any world leader, including Trump, to protect Australia’s interests.

Some analysts said Albanese’s leadership style appealed to voters during a time of instability. “In times of instability, we expect people to go back to a kind of steady incumbent,” Sydney politics lecturer Henry Maher told AFP.

Before results were announced, there was speculation about Dutton’s future. “We didn’t do well enough during this campaign. That much is obvious tonight and I accept full responsibility,” he told supporters in his concession speech.

Voters across Australia cast their ballots in large numbers. Voting is compulsory in the country, with fines of Aus$20 for non-participation, leading to turnout above 90 per cent. Many voters took part in the traditional polling day activity of eating barbecued sausages, while others arrived in swimwear after early morning swims.

Some voters cited concerns over Dutton’s praise of Trump. “I mean, Donald Trump is as mad as a cut snake, and we all know that,” said voter Alan Whitman, 59. “And we’ve got to tiptoe around that.”

Rising prices for essentials such as milk, bread, power and fuel were also major concerns. “The cost of living – it’s extremely high at the moment… Petrol prices, all the basic stuff,” said Robyn Knox, a human resources manager in Brisbane.

The campaign lasted 36 days and included some unscripted moments. Albanese fell backwards off the stage at a campaign rally, while Dutton accidentally hit a cameraman with a football.

Albanese said on Saturday, “Our government will choose the Australian way. We do not need to beg, or borrow, or copy from anywhere else. We do not seek our inspiration from overseas.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Albanese, calling Australia a “valued ally, partner, and friend of the United States.” He added that Washington looked forward to working with the new government to “advance our common interests and promote freedom and stability in the Indo-Pacific and globally.”

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi also congratulated Albanese. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, quoted by state agency Xinhua, said Beijing was ready to work with Australia’s new government for a “more mature, stable and productive” partnership.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv “sincerely values Australia’s unwavering support and its principled stance on ending Russia’s war.”

(With inputs from agencies)

More For You

Minouche Shafik

Shafik served as deputy governor for markets and banking at the Bank of England between August 2014 and February 2017.

Reuters

Starmer appoints Minouche Shafik as chief economic adviser in reshuffle

Highlights:

  • Minouche Shafik named chief economic adviser to Keir Starmer.
  • Darren Jones moves into Downing Street role; James Murray replaces him.
  • Wider reshuffle includes changes in Starmer’s private office and communications.
  • Appointment comes ahead of a budget expected to include further tax rises.

Prime minister Keir Starmer has named Minouche Shafik, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, as his chief economic adviser. The appointment comes as he looks to strengthen his team ahead of what is expected to be a difficult end to the year.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi putin

Before their formal meeting, Putin offered Modi a ride in his Aurus limousine.

X/@narendramodi

Six key takeaways from the SCO summit

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi met Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

Modi pressed for ending the Ukraine conflict at the earliest, reaffirmed India’s long-standing ties with Russia, and discussed trade and border issues with Xi.

Keep ReadingShow less
Afghanistan earthquake

Afghan volunteers and Taliban security personnel carry an earthquake victim evacuated by a military helicopter from the Nurgal district of Kunar province onn September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

Afghanistan earthquake kills more than 800, thousands injured

A MAJOR rescue operation was underway in Afghanistan on Monday after a powerful earthquake and several aftershocks destroyed homes in a remote mountainous region, killing more than 800 people, according to Taliban authorities.

The quake struck just before midnight and was felt as far as Kabul and in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ganpati festival

The Ganpati festival celebrates Ganesha as the god of new beginnings, and the god of wisdom and intelligence. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Hindu community centre in London damaged in fire after Ganapati Visarjan event

A HINDU community centre in east London caught fire on Saturday evening, causing major damage to the building. The London Fire Brigade brought the fire under control and confirmed that no injuries were reported.

The incident took place at the Shree Sorathia Prajapati Community Centre on Cleveland Road in Ilford, which had been decorated for a Ganapati Visarjan event attended by members of the Hindu community.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi ,Xi & Putin

Narendra Modi talks with Vladimir Putin and Xi jinping ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre in Tianjin on September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

SCO declaration slams Pahalgam attack, calls for united action on terror

Highlights:

  • SCO condemns terror attack in Pahalgam and echoes India’s stance on “double standards”.
  • Leaders call for justice for perpetrators of attacks in Pahalgam and Balochistan.
  • Declaration criticises Israeli military strikes in Gaza causing civilian casualties.
  • SCO stresses UN’s central role in global counter-terrorism strategy.

THE SHANGHAI Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and agreed with India’s position that “double standards” in tackling terrorism are not acceptable.

Keep ReadingShow less