Albanese re-elected as PM in historic win as Dutton loses seat
In a stunning twist, opposition leader Peter Dutton not only failed to unseat Albanese, but also lost his own seat of Dickson in Brisbane, a result unprecedented in Australian federal politics.
No federal opposition leader has ever been defeated in their home electorate during an Australian general election until now.
The upset leaves the conservative Liberal-National coalition in disarray and temporarily leaderless, marking a dramatic rebuke of Dutton's campaign and leadership.
Albanese's victory makes him the first Australian prime minister to win re-election since John Howard in 2004.
'Tonight the Australian people have voted for stability,' Albanese told supporters.
Meanwhile, Dutton's ouster in Dickson ends the veteran Queensland MP's two-decade parliamentary career. Having held the seat for 20 years, Dutton conceded defeat to Labor candidate Ali France.
Former PM John Howard called Dutton's defeat 'a harsh lesson' for the Liberal Party.
Coalition figures have already begun speculating on a leadership successor, with Nationals senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price remarking that 'everything has to be considered going forward.'
Political analysts say the election outcome reflects voters' desire for continuity amid years of turmoil in Australian politics.
Melissa Clarke, a veteran ABC News political reporter, said Australians 'have endorsed the prime minister's steady approach' after a long period of instability.
'This is a prime minister being re-elected after election after election of Australia either changing government or parties themselves changing their leaders,' Clarke said.
'He has been criticised for not being adventurous enough, for not taking big enough steps in reform, but his belief has always been that Australians are looking for a steady hand.'
This year's election featured a unique development in the Australian electorate: a surge of New Zealand-born voters.
For the first time, hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders living in Australia were eligible to vote in a federal election, thanks to a recent citizenship pathway reform.
An estimated one million NZ-born residents (around 4% of the eligible vote) made use of a new fast-track to Australian citizenship.
The reform, implemented by the Albanese government in 2023 with support from former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern, reversed decades-old restrictions.
Albanese hailed the move as strengthening the bond between the two countries.
Albanese told 1News Kiwi voter participation 'enriches our democracy and reflects the close ties between our countries.'
Albanese's triumph and Dutton's defeat will reshape Australia's political landscape.
For Albanese, the win provides a personal mandate to solidify his agenda. He signalled that 'steady and serious leadership' will continue to define his approach.
The Liberal Party, meanwhile, faces a moment of reckoning.
Dutton's resignation triggers a leadership contest, with contenders like Sussan Ley, Josh Frydenberg, and David Littleproud mentioned. The next leader will need to modernise the party's image and policies to regain urban voters' trust.
As the dust settles, Australians have made history.
'Strength and stability,' Albanese said in his victory speech, 'that's what we promised, and that's what we will deliver.'
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