Australia’s 2025 Election: A Closer Look
Australia’s 2025 election began with a false start, as a cyclone forced the government to reschedule the preferred date from April 12 to May 3. Despite this setback, the campaign has been marked by a series of announcements, including health reforms, fuel tax cuts, and proposals to address the housing crisis. However, the campaign has been marred by the influence of Donald Trump’s tariffs scheme and the need to navigate the Easter holiday and Pope’s death.
The election is between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his rival Peter Dutton, both of whom may need to form a government by securing the support of independent MPs or minor parties. Here’s everything you need to know about Australia’s 2025 vote.
Who are the frontrunners for prime minister?
Australia has two major parties: the Australian Labor Party and the Liberal-National coalition. Anthony Albanese, who has been the prime minister since 2022, is running for re-election. Known for his handling of housing, Indigenous affairs, antisemitism, and Islamophobia, Albanese has faced pressure in recent times. His challenger, Peter Dutton, has been head of the Liberal-National coalition since their 2022 defeat. Dutton, a staunch conservative, has experience in important ministerial portfolios but has also been controversial on social issues.
What are the key issues in the Australian election?
The cost of living is a major concern for many voters. Since the 2022 election, inflation has pushed up prices of everyday essentials like food and utilities, leaving many households feeling stretched. The Albanese government has implemented policies aimed at providing relief, such as keeping medication costs down and offering tax cuts, energy rebates, and rental assistance. However, the government has raised interest rates 12 times since Albanese was elected, putting additional pressure on borrowers and those with mortgages.
Housing affordability is also a key issue, with several Australian cities among the most expensive in the world for homebuyers. Australia’s universal healthcare system, now struggling due to staff shortages and soaring costs, is another major concern. Both parties have promised billions in additional funding to fix it. Global issues, including the US President Donald Trump’s tariffs and trade war with China, are also on voters’ minds.
How does Australia’s voting system work?
Australia’s voting system is unique and quirky. Voting is mandatory for all citizens over 18, and picking up a "democracy sausage" – a barbecued sausage typically served on bread and sold at polling booths – is an election day custom. The country uses a preferential voting system, where candidates are ranked in order of preference. If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote in the first tally, the votes from the least popular candidates are redistributed, and that process is repeated until someone secures a majority.
In races for the House of Representatives, voters are required to mark a preference down for every single candidate listed on the ballot in their area. In Senate races, voters only need to mark down a designated number of preferences.
What do the parties need to do to win?
In this election, all 150 seats in the House of Representatives will be up for grabs, as well as 40 of the 76 seats in the Senate. One party needs to win at least 76 seats in the House to form a majority government. If it cannot do that, it must try to win support from minor parties or independent MPs. Labor formed a majority government after winning the 2022 election, which delivered the biggest loss for the Liberal Party since its inception. As it stands, Labor has 78 seats in the House of Representatives, while the coalition has 57, with minor parties and independents splitting the remainder. With one House seat abolished, Labor will be stripped of its majority in parliament if it loses just two seats. In order to form a government in its own right, the coalition will need to win 19 seats, likely including many of those it lost to independent candidates during the 2022 vote.
When will we know the results?
Once polls close, counting begins right away and results are updated in real time on the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website – in what is known as an unofficial preliminary counting. Historically, Australians will know who forms government on election night based off this, and the result will usually be called by media commentators, election experts, or even the candidates themselves. Official results can take days or even weeks to come, as the AEC has to go through a rigorous counting process, counting approximately 18 million ballot papers by hand, including postal and overseas ballot papers.
Reference : https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c626e935llwo
