SYDNEY, May 3 — Australians headed to the polls on Saturday for a national election that, according to recent surveys, appears to lean in favor of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Labor Party. While many voters are calling for change, growing concerns over U.S President Donald Trump’s unpredictable policies have taken center stage in shaping public opinion.
Although both the ruling Labor government and the opposition Liberal-National coalition focused their campaigns on easing the country’s cost-of-living pressures, growing global instability much of it linked to the unpredictable economic moves from the U.S—emerged as a top concern among many voters throughout the election period.
Economic Concerns Take Center Stage
In a televised interview from Melbourne on election morning, Prime Minister Albanese highlighted what he sees as progress under his leadership, declaring that his center-left government had laid “really strong foundations” for the nation’s economy. “We have real wages going up, we have inflation going down,” he stated confidently before heading to his electorate in Sydney to vote.
The election followed an intensive five-week campaign in which Albanese promised to tackle housing affordability and improve the country’s public healthcare system during a potential second term in office. His message, focused on stability and incremental reforms, resonated with many voters concerned about rising rents, mortgage pressures, and the availability of health services.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Peter Dutton also began his day in Melbourne, a strategic location in the campaign, before traveling back to Queensland, his home base. After casting his ballot in his Brisbane electorate, which he holds by a narrow margin, Dutton told reporters he was hopeful. “I think a lot of quiet Australians have come out today to support the coalition,” he said, striking a tone reminiscent of earlier conservative campaigns that emphasized traditional values and fiscal restraint.
Dutton’s policy platform has centered on reducing immigration levels and cutting thousands of public service positions, moves he claims will reduce the strain on government resources and bring the budget into balance. However, critics within the Labor Party have worked to portray him as a mirror image of populist American leaders, particularly President Donald Trump, whose economic actions have stirred unease among Australian voters.
The Global Factor and Voter Sentiment
The vote also comes on the heels of a surprising political turnaround in Canada, where the ruling Liberal party returned to power in a major political comeback, partially fueled by voter backlash to Trump-era trade rhetoric, including provocative comments about Canada’s sovereignty. Australian strategists believe similar sentiments have spilled over, with many citizens wary of leadership styles that echo Trump’s combative and often chaotic approach.
Despite his attempts to distance himself from such comparisons, Dutton has faced increasing scrutiny over his past alignment with conservative figures who advocate for smaller government and aggressive spending cuts. His previous standing in the polls began slipping after the U.S. introduced new tariffs, including a 10% duty on Australian exports—a move that hit local businesses and farmers hard, despite Australia being a longstanding U.S. ally.
Read More About the Tariffs Here
Throughout the day, Australians cast their ballots at thousands of polling stations across the country. As one of the world’s few democracies with compulsory voting, the turnout is always high, and this year was no exception. Even before the official opening of the polls at 8 a.m., more than 8 million out of 18 million eligible voters had already voted through early or postal ballots. Voting closed at 6 p.m., varying slightly by region due to time zones.
At many local voting centers, the familiar scent of sausage sizzles filled the air as volunteers cooked up traditional election day barbecues. In the coastal neighborhood of Bondi, beachgoers arrived to vote in their swimwear, including the classic “budgy smugglers”—a light-hearted symbol of Australia’s relaxed yet politically engaged culture.
Among the voters was 41-year-old engineer Ben McCluskey, who shared his optimism about a potential second Labor term. “I’m slightly positive. Hopefully, it’s going to be a minority government and the Greens get a balance of power,” he said.
Lucy Tonagh, a 28-year-old childcare worker from the same area, said economic pressures were front and center in her decision. She expressed that her top worries are the rising cost of living and the state of childcare, emphasizing the need for more educators and fairer wages.
In Canberra, 49-year-old Matthew Smith, who has backed the Liberal Party for most of his life, shared that he decided to support an independent candidate in this election. He explained that in recent years, Peter Dutton’s approach has shifted toward a more populist style, drawing comparisons in his mind to Donald Trump. Smith added that the party no longer represents the values it once did for him.
While analysts caution that Trump’s role in the Australian election has been indirect, they agree that his policies and public image have contributed to a general climate of caution among voters. Albanese’s steady messaging, combined with Dutton’s perceived missteps—such as his brief call to restrict public servants from working remotely—further cemented this sentiment.
According to the final Newspoll before election day, Labor holds a narrow lead over the Liberal-National coalition at 52.5% to 47.5% under the preferential voting system. Still, a hung parliament remains possible, with minor party and independent candidates playing a potentially decisive role through preference deals.
As Australia awaits the final count, the electorate’s verdict will soon reveal whether a desire for continuity or a call for conservative change will shape the nation’s immediate future—both at home and in its approach to a shifting global landscape.