Pollsters tipped a hung parliament or a narrow Labor win – but election night flipped the script. In a stunning electoral triumph, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stormed to a second term, becoming the first Labor PM since Bob Hawke to win back-to-back elections and the first since John Howard to do so overall. With up to 90 seats in the House of Representatives likely, it’s a victory only Labor’s True Believers dared to hope for.
The result signals a sweeping shift in Australian politics. The Coalition was decimated in key urban and suburban areas. Not only did Labor outperform the Coalition’s primary vote, but non-major parties and independents now command a larger share of the vote than the Coalition itself. The Coalition now holds just eight of Australia’s 89 metropolitan seats. Put simply, it is a devastating loss that has many party insiders scratching their heads.
Meanwhile, the Greens and Teals, who were once poised to hold the balance of power in a hung parliament, saw their hopes dashed, leaving them as bystanders in the next Parliament. The Greens’ representation in the House shrank dramatically, going from four to no seats, while the Teals are projected to secure only four of their original seven seats – far from the game-changing presence they had hoped for.
One thing is certain: Albanese is a master of the campaign trail. His victory has reshaped the political landscape – but whether he can govern effectively in the years ahead remains to be seen. Expectations will be high, and the political stakes have never been greater. Can Albo meet the challenge? Only time will tell.
Top talking points
📊Projected majority: The Albanese government has secured majority government following the 2025 Federal Election, with 90 seats confirmed.
🗳️Election results: Despite predictions of a hung parliament or a narrow win, Labor secured a 2.5 per cent swing from its 2022 result, leading the Coalition 54.5–45.5 on a two-party preferred basis.
🎤Speeches: Mr Albanese delivered[Video] his election victory speech in Sydney, while Mr Dutton conceded[Video] defeat in Brisbane.
📞Congratulatory calls: Mr Albanese received congratulations from US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
📍Seats too close to call: Contests remain[Paywall] undecided in Ryan (QLD), Bendigo (VIC), Monash (VIC), Flinders (VIC), Calwell (VIC), Bradfield (NSW), Bean (ACT), Longman (QLD), Bullwinkel (WA), Kooyong (VIC), Fremantle (WA), and Menzies (VIC).
Making headlines this week
Crossbench shake-up
The election has significantly reshaped the House crossbench. The Greens have lost key strongholds in Griffith, Brisbane and Melbourne, with Ryan still in play. Teal independents are holding ground in four seats – Wentworth, Warringah, Mackellar, and Curtin – while other high-profile contests in Bradfield and Kooyong are leaning toward the Coalition. Elsewhere, the Teal independent Zoe Daniel has lost her seat of Goldstein, with former Liberal member Tim Wilson re-gaining the seat following his defeat at the 2022 Federal Election.
Meanwhile, long-standing independents including Bob Katter, Andrew Wilkie, Helen Haines, Dai Le and Rebekah Sharkie are expected to return to Canberra in the 48th Parliament.
Senate dynamics shift
With improved performances in Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales, the Albanese government is projected to grow its Senate presence from 24 to 28 seats. While the government still falls short of a Senate majority, it is now likely to require only Greens support to pass legislation – streamlining its path compared to the previous term, when backing from three crossbench Senators was needed.
Leadership in flux
Following the loss of his seat in Dickson, Mr Dutton will exit federal politics, prompting a leadership contest within the Liberal Party. Angus Taylor and Dan Tehan have emerged as likely contenders, while Andrew Hastie has ruled himself out. Sussan Ley has confirmed she will run for the leadership of the Liberal Party. The Greens also face a leadership transition, with Adam Bandt losing the seat of Melbourne and the party’s future direction now under discussion.
Things to watch
🔁Ministerial reshuffle: While key senior ministers – Penny Wong, Jim Chalmers, Katy Gallagher and Don Farrell – will stay in their portfolios, the Prime Minister has flagged a broader post-election reshuffle. Attention now turns to who might be elevated or moved as the government resets for a new term.
⚖️ Leadership contests: With both the Liberal Party and the Greens heading into leadership transitions, the outcomes will be critical in shaping their policy direction, tone and strategy in the 48th Parliament.
Household spending dips and advice reform progresses
The ABS released household spending data showing a 0.3 per cent decline in March, after five months of growth. Queensland experienced the largest drop at 1.3 per cent, largely due to the impact of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Consultation has closed on Treasury’s draft legislation to improve access to affordable and quality financial advice. This follows the release of the next tranche of the government’s financial advice reforms. Separately, Sarah Proudfoot has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, following her acting tenure since February.
Trade talks broaden, tourism investment lifts off
Mr Albanese is reportedly considering removing[Paywall] Australia’s luxury car tax to support negotiations on an Australia-EU Free Trade Deal, with a goal of boosting agricultural exports to European markets. A similar proposal was made to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aimed at trade diversification away from the US.
The government has announced a $24.2 million investment in airport border services across the country, with a focus on biosecurity and capacity upgrades to support growth at Perth Airport. Qantas will recommence direct flights from Perth to Johannesburg and Auckland.
Regional development and drought response in focus
The National Farmers’ Federation is urging the government to prioritise drought relief in South Australia and Victoria. It also seeks a response to the Regional Investment Corporation’s review within the first 60 days of government, and for an extension of the Corporation’s loan capacity beyond June 2026.
The South Australian Government has opened consultation on the Mining Act 1971 to better align with other resources-focused legislation and reduce land banking. In Queensland, new initiatives include rail cost relief for phosphate producers, access to copper tailings at Mt Isa Mines, and support for the Eva Copper Project.
Digital regulation and streamlined state planning
The Office of the eSafety Commissioner has opened an Expression of Interest process to identify participants for upcoming consultation on age assurance technologies for social media. Expressions of interest close on 18 May, and the process aims to help inform national standards for verifying the age of social media users.
At the state level, governments are moving to accelerate infrastructure approvals. The Queensland Government has passed a suite of planning amendments to fast-track Games venues, village developments and transport infrastructure ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. In New South Wales, the government passed the Environment Planning and Assessment Amendment Bill 2025, aiming to reduce red tape and streamline the State Significant Development application process.
Rural health advocacy and regional initiatives
The National Rural Health Alliance is urging the re-elected government to act immediately on longstanding inequities in rural health care. It is calling for implementation of a fully funded National Rural and Remote Health Strategy, arguing that rural communities continue to experience poorer health outcomes and shorter life expectancy. The Alliance is also pushing for a purpose-built rural health system, rather than adapting metro-centric models.
In New South Wales, the government has renewed a $2.5 million investment in a Lung Health Mobile Clinic for regional workers, supporting early detection of dust-related diseases, including asbestosis, silicosis and mesothelioma. Meanwhile, the Victorian government has announced it will build a new specialist hospital for women and children in Melbourne’s Biomedical Precinct. The project will be fast-tracked under the Development Facilitation Program and will expand clinical, teaching and research capacity alongside the Royal Women’s Hospital.
In case you missed it...
📺Independent candidate Zoe Daniel celebrating a win on election night before ultimately losing the seat of Goldstein to Liberal Tim Wilson.