Voters in Australia cast ballots, focusing on Trump-like political figures and escalating cost-of-living issues

Down Under's 2025 Poll: Albanese vs Dutton - A Battle for Change and Stability

It's election time again in Australia, and this Saturday marks the start of the national vote-a-thon. And if the polls are correct, incumbent labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to triumph over his conservative rival, Peter Dutton.

With mandatory voting in place, polling booths are now open from 8 to 6, although a staggering 8 million of the 18 million eligible voters have already made their voices heard before Saturday.

Around the globe, estimations point to roughly 80,000 Aussie expats prepared to cast their ballots at voting stations set up in 83 countries, according to the foreign affairs department.

Albanese's campaign message is clear: his Labour government has established solid ground in its first term and now requires another to push through on crucial policies such as enhancing housing affordability and reinforcing Medicare. His party's plan includes investments in renewable energy, measures aimed at helping first-time buyers, and strategies designed to keep housing costs in check.

"We've established sturdy foundations during this term, and it's time to keep scoring victories for Australia," Albanese declared in Melbourne, as quoted in a transcript.

On the other hand, Dutton, who chose Melbourne as his campaign launchpad in several crucial swing seats, encourages voters to back the Liberal-National Coalition, asserting it will bring Australia back on track.

As for Medicare, neither party has shed light on specifics thus far, but the campaign focuses on addressing economic pressures, including healthcare availability amid inflation. Even so, both politicians face criticism for proposing modest relief to help combat rising living expenses.

The 2022 election may have failed to fully address housing affordability concerns, as incoming policy efforts encountered obstacles in the way of comprehensive reforms. The issues surrounding housing affordability resurface in the 2025 election, courtesy of accelerating rent increases and a diminishing housing supply.

The growing dissatisfaction towards major parties has given rise to support for independent candidates and the Greens. The latter advocates aggressive measures to lower housing prices. Both parties' proposals lean towards assisting first-time buyers but fall short of tackling the rental market crisis head-on, potentially leaving middle-income earners in a precarious position.

The average weekly rent for apartments currently stands at around A$566, which requires an income of roughly A$130,000 to afford. Furthermore, there is an increasing trend for voters to lean towards smaller parties making bold claims about tackling housing issues and cost-of-living concerns.

While healthcare-related policies are not clearly defined, discussions revolve around addressing economic pressures, including healthcare access amid inflation. Both parties promise fiscal responsibility but critics argue that their proposals do not offer adequate relief for Australians grappling with rising costs.

As the election approaches, both Albanese and Dutton have highlighted their policies, with Albanese focusing on enhancing housing affordability and reinforcing Medicare.
During the campaign, the cost of living, including healthcare and housing, has become a pressing issue, with voters looking for substantial changes in policy and legislation.
Over in Melbourne, general news and political debates have been centered around practical solutions for the mounting issues related to health, affordability, and war-and-conflicts' impact on the economy.
Apart from the major parties, independents and the Greens have gained support as they propose more aggressive measures to tackle housing affordability and cost-of-living concerns.
Adequate diplomacy will be essential as countries negotiate policies related to healthcare and housing, considering the current economic pressures and the ongoing challenges posed by war-and-conflicts.