Australia is set for a federal election on May 3, with a closely contested race anticipated between the two major political parties.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, leading the Labour Party, declared the election date from Parliament House on Friday, as his government seeks to defend its slim majority.
Opinion polls indicated a narrow gap between Labor and the opposition Liberal-National coalition, raising the likelihood that the next government may need to collaborate with independents or minor parties.
These smaller groups collectively secured a record share of the vote in the last election, making them influential in determining the country’s leadership.
The campaign is expected to center on cost-of-living concerns, a pressing issue for many Australians.
Labour is striving to avoid an historic loss, as no single-term government has been voted out in nearly a century.
At a press conference on Friday morning, Albanese reaffirmed his commitment to addressing economic pressures.
His government has already outlined policies such as expanding free healthcare, reducing student debt, and implementing tax cuts. He warned that electing his opponent, Peter Dutton, would be a regressive step for the nation.
“It was always going to take more than three years to clean up 10 years of mess,” Albanese said, referencing the previous coalition government, which Labor defeated in 2022.
He emphasized that this election presents Australians with a clear decision, “This election is a choice between Labor’s plan to keep building or Peter Dutton’s promise to cut.”
Albanese framed his campaign as one of “hope and optimism,” contrasting it with what he described as Dutton’s approach, which he said would be “all about fear.”
Dutton, leader of the Liberal-National coalition, countered this narrative by arguing that Australia cannot afford another three years under Labour.
Speaking shortly after the election announcement, he posed a question to voters: “The question Australians need to ask is: Is our country better off today than three years ago?”
According to Dutton, Labour’s decisions have intensified financial struggles for Australians, who are “doing it tough and they need help.”
He pledged to restore economic stability through cost-cutting measures, a reduction in government spending, lower immigration, and policies aimed at making fuel and energy more affordable.
Meanwhile, the Greens—who made historic gains in the last election—urged voters to support them in order to hold Labor accountable, particularly on environmental and housing issues.
Party leader Adam Bandt dismissed the major parties’ platforms, stating: “Minority government is coming. And with the major parties’ offering about as attractive as a dead fish, you can see why.”
Voter concerns in this election span across multiple pressing issues, with the rising cost of housing and groceries, healthcare access, and increasing anxiety over immigration and crime dominating discussions.
While climate action was a focal point of the last election, it remains a significant consideration for many Australians.
Australia’s political landscape is traditionally shaped by the two dominant parties, Labour and the Liberal-National coalition.
To secure a majority government, a party must win at least 76 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives, where the prime minister holds office.
Albanese, one of Australia’s longest-serving politicians, assumed power after a turbulent period of leadership changes that saw six different prime ministers in just eight years. He campaigned on a message of unity and integrity, vowing to “end the climate wars” that had defined previous administrations.
His government enacted stronger emissions reduction targets and introduced measures to cap carbon output from major polluters, though experts argue that further action is necessary.
However, one of Albanese’s most ambitious proposals, enshrining constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the Voice to Parliament, was overwhelmingly rejected in a 2023 referendum.
Economic headwinds have also posed a challenge for his leadership, as global conditions have worsened inflation and living costs. These same economic pressures have contributed to the downfall of multiple incumbent governments worldwide in the past year.
Further scrutiny arose last year when it was revealed that Albanese had purchased a A$4.3 million ($2.9 million, £2.2 million) cliffside home amid Australia’s ongoing housing crisis, sparking criticism.
If Labour loses, it would mark the first time since 1931 that a government has been ousted after just one term.
Dutton, a former Queensland police officer, has been in parliament for over two decades, serving in senior ministerial roles overseeing health, immigration, defense, and home affairs.
He built a reputation as a staunch conservative, playing a key role in Australia’s hardline asylum policies and the political downfall of former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
While he has been known for his opposition to same-sex marriage, diversity initiatives, and the Voice referendum, Dutton has recently attempted to soften his public image, insisting that his tough reputation does not accurately reflect who he is.
