Damon Mcknight
The most recent Australian federal election was held in May 2025, resulting in the re-election of Anthony Albanese, the leader of the Labor Party. Albanese's victory marked the first time in decades that an Australian prime minister had secured a second term. The Labor Party's success in the 2025 election built on its gains in the 2022 election, where it defeated the incumbent Liberal-National coalition, led by Scott Morrison, and ended the Coalition's 22-year dominance in Australian politics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Election | 3 May 2025 |
| Winner | Labor Party |
| Leader of the Winning Party | Anthony Albanese |
| Seats Won by Labor Party | 94 |
| Seats Won by Coalition | 27-28 |
| Seats Won by Greens | 10-11 |
| Seats Won by One Nation | 4 |
| Seats Won by Jacqui Lambie | 1 |
| Seats Won by David Pocock | 1 |
| Seats Won by Independents | 3 |
| Total Seats in House of Representatives | 151 |
| Total Seats in Upper House | 76 |
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What You'll Learn
The Labor Party won the 2025 Australian federal election
On Saturday, May 3, 2025, Australia held a federal election to elect members of the 48th Parliament of Australia. All 150 seats in the House of Representatives were up for election, along with 40 of the 76 seats in the Senate. The Labor Party, led by Anthony Albanese, won the election in a landslide, securing 94 seats in the House of Representatives—the highest number of seats ever won by a single political party in an Australian election. This was the first time that an incumbent Australian government served a full first term and won a second term with an increased majority and a swing towards it.
The Labor Party's victory was unexpected, as pre-election opinion polls had predicted a narrow win for Labor or a minority government. The election marked the fourth time in Australian history that a government secured at least ninety seats in the House of Representatives, and the first time this was achieved by a Labor government. Labor's success was attributed to a well-disciplined campaign that focused on the domestic issues that were voters' top concerns, including cost-of-living concerns, healthcare, and housing. Climate change was also a prominent issue, with natural disasters such as floods, bushfires, and cyclones impacting the country in the lead-up to the election.
The opposition Liberal–National Coalition, led by Peter Dutton, suffered a significant defeat, losing multiple seats once considered secure, including Dutton's own seat in Dickson, Queensland, which he had held for 24 years. The Liberals won just two of the 400+ metropolitan election-day booths across the seven Adelaide-based seats and were reduced to only a handful of seats in major cities. The election results indicated a rejection of the Liberals' perceived similarities to former US President Donald Trump, particularly on cultural issues and certain policy ideas.
The Labor Party's increased majority in the Senate will strengthen Prime Minister Albanese's position and allow him to pass legislation without relying on independents or third-party members of Parliament. Albanese's own faction within the Labor Party, the Labor left, has gained seats and will likely have more cabinet positions. This decisive victory for Labor will likely influence the direction of Australian politics and the policies of the Liberal Party, which will need to rethink its message and leadership.
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Anthony Albanese is the first prime minister to win back-to-back elections in 20 years
Anthony Albanese, the current Prime Minister of Australia, has made history by becoming the first prime minister to win back-to-back elections in over 20 years. Albanese, a member of the Labor Party, successfully secured a second term in the 2025 federal election, a feat that no prime minister had achieved since John Howard in 2004.
Albanese's victory defied the "'incumbency curse", a global trend where struggling constituents have been voting out governments after a single term. Facing economic challenges, tense national debates, and growing government dissatisfaction, Albanese's re-election was considered a remarkable turnaround. His victory is attributed to his ability to stabilise ties with China, reconcile with France, and address climate change concerns in the Pacific.
The Labor Party's success in the 2025 election also tempered a trend of voters abandoning the two major parties, as seen in the 2022 election. Labor gained seats across the country, increasing its majority in the House of Representatives. This marked a significant increase in support for the Labor Party, which had previously held a razor-thin majority of 77 seats.
Albanese's personal background and humble upbringing have also been highlighted as factors in his political career. Raised in social housing by a single mother on a disability pension, Albanese has frequently reminded the public of his roots. His focus on creating a better future and addressing issues such as the cost of living likely resonated with voters, contributing to his back-to-back election wins.
The 2025 federal election results demonstrate a shift in Australia's political landscape, with voters choosing stability and continuity by re-electing Albanese as their prime minister. Albanese's victory serves as a testament to his leadership and the support for his policies, solidifying his place in Australia's political history as the first prime minister in two decades to secure consecutive electoral victories.
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The Liberal-National Coalition suffered a defeat
The Liberal-National Coalition, led by Scott Morrison, suffered a defeat in the 2022 Australian federal election. The Coalition had previously formed a government after winning 77 seats in the House of Representatives in the 2019 election, while the Labor Party claimed 68 seats and remained in opposition.
However, in the 2022 election, the Labor Party made significant gains. The Greens also won a seat in every state, increasing their representation in the Senate to 12 seats overall. The Coalition's seat count decreased, and they lost their majority in the House of Representatives.
The defeat of the Liberal-National Coalition can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, Scott Morrison, who served as Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party during the Coalition's term, faced criticism for his handling of certain issues. For example, he was criticised for his response to the vaccination rollout and testing regime during the COVID-19 pandemic and for holidaying in Hawaii during the Black Summer bushfires.
Additionally, the Coalition's campaign strategies may have played a role in their defeat. Some political analysts criticised the Liberals' campaign, suggesting that not enough policy work had been done. The Coalition's association with certain policies and figures, such as comparisons to Trump, may have also impacted their performance in the election.
The defeat of the Liberal-National Coalition in the 2022 Australian federal election highlights the dynamic nature of Australia's political landscape and the importance of adapting to the needs and priorities of the Australian people.
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The Greens Party lost seats
The Greens Party in Australia has faced a mixed performance in recent elections, with some gains but also significant losses.
In the 2022 federal election, the Greens celebrated a historic "greenslide" in Queensland, winning three seats, two from the Liberals and one from Labor. This brought their total number of seats in the Senate to 12, the party's largest-ever representation.
However, in the 2025 federal election, the Greens lost three seats, including the seat of their leader, Adam Bandt, in Melbourne. Bandt conceded defeat after a tight electoral vote count that lasted several days. The Greens' nationwide primary vote also decreased slightly, dropping by almost one percentage point compared to 2022, though they maintained the same number of Senate seats.
The Greens' losses have been attributed to various factors, including changes in electorate boundaries and a shift in voter preferences. Some voters who previously supported the Greens may have switched to Labor to prevent a conservative candidate from winning. Additionally, the Greens have been criticised for legislative obstruction and over-promising but under-delivering on their campaign promises.
Despite these losses, the Greens still maintain a significant level of support, with a nationwide primary vote of over 12% in 2025. They hold the balance of power in the Senate, making them pivotal to Labor's legislative success.
The Greens' performance in the 2025 election has prompted the party to reflect on its strategy and seek a new direction and leadership.
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The Nationals ended their coalition agreement with the Liberals
The 2025 Australian federal election results indicate a significant increase in the Labor government's majority, with swings in their favour in almost every area. Anthony Albanese has been re-elected as the country's Prime Minister, securing a second term. He defeated the opposition leader Peter Dutton of the centre-right Liberal-National coalition.
The Nationals have decided to end their coalition agreement with the Liberals. This decision has been described as a "hardest political decision" by Nationals leader David Littleproud, who informed newly elected Liberal leader Sussan Ley of the split. The Nationals will not hold any opposition roles, and this decision has been deemed disappointing by Ley.
The Nationals' decision to break the Coalition has been influenced by policy disagreements with the Liberals, particularly regarding climate and energy. Littleproud emphasised the need to focus on the Australian people and work towards regaining important policy pieces. The Nationals had demanded the inclusion of specific policies in the coalition agreement, such as competition laws, nuclear power, and a proposed regional Australia future fund. However, Ley wanted the agreement to focus on the architecture of the Coalition rather than policy demands.
This is not the first time the Coalition has broken down, with previous splits occurring in 1972 and 1987. Despite the break, Littleproud expressed respect for Ley and the Liberals, stating that the Nationals will continue to work constructively with them. He also left the door open for a potential reconciliation before the next federal election, acknowledging the longstanding partnership between the two parties.
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Frequently asked questions
Anthony Albanese's left-leaning Labor Party won an outright majority in the House of Representatives, taking 84 seats to the Coalition's 47.
Since the first national elections, Australia has had a two-party system. The Labor Party was the most successful party during the first 50 years of Federation, governing for approximately 15 years. The Liberal Party of Australia has been the dominant force since its formation, winning its first election in 1949 and staying in power for 22 years.
The Democratic Labor Party, the Australian Democrats, the NDP, the Greens, the Free Trade Party, the Anti-Socialist Party, the Commonwealth Liberal Party, the Nationalist Party, the United Australia Party, the Country Party, the National Country Party, Centre Alliance, Katter's Australian Party, the Jacqui Lambie Network, and One Nation have never formed a government.
The Liberal–National Coalition, led by Scott Morrison, won 77 seats in the House of Representatives.
