It's Showtime Down Under: Australia's General Election on May 3, 2025
Voting Occurs Today in Australia: Albanese versus Dutton - Essential Topics, Consequences, and Election Process
Get ready for the hotly contested Australian federal election happening on Saturday, the 3rd of May! Over 18 million eligible voters will decide the fate of their next prime minister. results will trickle in as the Electoral Commission starts counting by 6pm Eastern Time (around 1.30pm in India).
Currently, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's ruling centre-left Labor party, which won in 2022 defeating nine years of conservative Liberal-National coalition, is vying to continue its residency at the powerhouse. The incumbent leader of the Liberal-National coalition is Peter Dutton.
Recent polls published in The Australian newspaper suggest a slight lead for the Labor party with 52.5% against the Liberal-National coalition bagging 47.5% under Australia's two-party preferential voting system.
Hot-button topics
Inflation, higher interest rates, housing shortages, and global economic uncertainties triggered by US President Donald Trump's tariff war have been the driving force of campaign discussions.
Annual inflation soared to 7.8% in 2023, after which the central bank raised the benchmark interest rate by a dozen times, peaking at 4.35% in November 2023. The rates are currently at 4.1%, hinting that the worst is over. Yet the shadow of US tariffs remains.
Albanese (62) has continuously vociferated against Trump's tariffs, claiming they are "an act of economic self-harm" and affecting its relationship with the US, a key security ally. negotiations with the White House to avert the 10% baseline tariff on all exports and a 25% rate on steel and aluminium are ongoing.
Another significant concern impacting millennials and Gen Z voters (who will outnumber those aged over 60 during polling) is the housing crisis. Rents are soaring, with Sydney's median house price at a record A$1.19 million ($760,000), making it the world's second-most expensive city to buy a property after Hong Kong. Taxation policies favouring speculation and complex approval processes, land scarcity around key cities are exacerbating the problem [1].
The high stakes
Albanese's Labour party holds a narrow majority of 78 seats in the 151-seat House of Representatives, which forms the government. The Liberal-National Coalition trails behind with 53 seats, with a record 19 members non-aligned to the two major parties.
The emerging trend of drifting away from major parties might bolster independent candidates to hold more influential roles during the results of a minority government [1].
Keep an eye out for the registration of voters above 18, who risk being fined roughly Aus$20 ($13) if they fail to cast their ballots [1]. During the voting process, registered voters rank local candidates in order of preference on their ballot papers, and the one who secures more than 50% of such votes claims the victory. If no candidate manages to surpass the threshold, the one with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are distributed to the person each of those voters nominated as their second preference [1].
Sources:
- “Australia Election Live: PM Albanese's challenge – how the Senate mixes up the maths,” ABC News, 3 May 2025, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-03/australia-federal-election-live-scott-morrison-vs-anthony-albanese/101259018
- “Australia Faces Crucial Election as Cost of Living Squeezes Voters,” Bloomberg, 2 May 2025, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-02/australia-faces-crucial-election-as-cost-of-living-squeezes-voters
- Voters in India will be closely watching the Australian election results, as the outcome could affect the relationship between the two nations, especially concerning Anthony Albanese's stance against US tariffs.
- Despite higher inflation and interest rates, the cattle sport of cricket might face less attention during the election campaign, as economic issues and housing affordability take center stage.
- More than just the prime ministership is at stake in the 2025 Australian election - the fate of influential roles for independent candidates could also dramatically change the political landscape.
- The average Australian voter may find it difficult to afford housing, with Sydney's median house price now over A$1.19 million, making it the second-most expensive city to buy property in the world.
- In order to ensure their vote is counted, Australian citizens who turn 18 years old before the May 3rd election must register for a visa and cast their ballots.
- During the election, voters will rank local candidates in order of preference on their ballot papers, a system that could lead to long counting procedures and potential run-off elections for some seats.
