Elections in Australia: The most important questions and answers

Australia is facing a crucial parliamentary election. On Saturday, more than 18 million eligible Australians will elect a new parliament – ​​thus deciding not only the future of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, but potentially the political direction of the entire country. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, a politician whose conservative policies and proximity to Trump's role models could initiate a significant shift to the right, is vying for power.

It is a fateful election – for Australia and perhaps also for democracy in the Pacific region. The most important questions and answers about the election.

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Australia faces a crucial decision: Will the country stick to Albanese's social democratic course – or will it pursue an increasingly populist, economically liberal agenda under Peter Dutton? The foreign policy situation is particularly explosive: While the US, under Donald Trump, is imposing new tariffs, China is conducting military tests off Australia's coast. Domestically, economic concerns dominate: exploding living costs, a housing shortage, and an unsettled middle class.

Albanese ran in 2022 with the promise of a "new Australia" – ecologically sound, socially just, and reconciling with Indigenous peoples. Some progress has been made: improved relations with China, the return of political prisoners like Julian Assange, and multi-billion dollar relief packages for families and low-income earners. But his government disappointed many, particularly in climate protection – for example, by approving new coal projects despite ambitious emissions targets. A severe blow was the failure of the "Voice to Parliament" referendum, with which Albanese sought to recognize the Indigenous population.

Peter Dutton, a former police officer and long-time minister, represents a hard-line, conservative approach: less migration, less government, more national interests. Critics call him "Temu-Trump" – a reference to his proximity to Trump's political style and the low-cost image of the Chinese online retailer Temu. Dutton wants to cut approximately 41,000 public sector jobs (he has since backed away from this figure), build nuclear power plants, and drastically reduce migration. His proximity to controversial mining magnate Gina Rinehart, who openly advocates pro-Trump positions, also made headlines.

Despite geopolitical tensions – such as those caused by Trump's tariffs or China's military maneuvers – foreign policy is not dominating the election campaign. Both candidates are clearly positioning themselves: Albanese criticizes the US tariffs as "unfriendly," Dutton warns of Chinese aggression, but at the same time tries not to alienate voters of Chinese descent. Despite all this, the voting decisions of the citizens have little influence on foreign policy.

Clearly, the cost of living is a concern. Rising rents, expensive energy, interest rate shocks after twelve interest rate hikes – many people feel economically left behind. Albanese is countering with social programs, debt relief, and investments in housing. Dutton is promising tax breaks, cheaper gasoline, and nuclear power. Climate policy, on the other hand, is largely at a standstill – the issue played a central role in the last election, but this time it was pushed aside by the crisis mode.

Albanese's Labor Party is currently leading in the polls. Should Albanese lose, he would be the first prime minister in almost 100 years to be voted out of office after only one term. At the same time, Dutton's pro-Trump stance is causing growing skepticism – the term "Trump backlash" is making the rounds. How decisive this factor will be remains to be seen. A political stalemate, a so-called "hung parliament," is also quite possible. If this were to happen, both Labor and the Liberal Conservatives would be dependent on smaller parties and independent parliamentarians, the so-called "Teals."

Australia is a key state in the Pacific region—closely militarily tied to the United States and economically intertwined with China. A stable, predictable government is crucial for many partner states. If Dutton wins, the tone is likely to shift toward national interests and geopolitical rigor.

Climate policy also threatens a regression. If Albanese wins the election, Australia will remain on a moderate, multilateral course for the time being.

Australia has one of the highest voter turnouts in the world—not least due to compulsory voting. Around 18.1 million of its 27 million residents are eligible to vote, and most will cast their ballots.