SYDNEY: Australia’s Anthony Albanese claimed a historic second term as Prime Minister on Saturday, in a dramatic comeback against once-resurgent conservatives that was powered by voters’ concerns about the influence of US President Donald Trump.
Peter Dutton, leader of the conservative Liberal party, conceded defeat and the loss of his own seat – echoing the fate of Canada’s conservatives and their leader whose election loss days earlier was also attributed to a Trump backlash.
Supporters at Labor’s election party in Sydney cheered and hugged each other as Albanese claimed victory and said Labor would form a majority government.
“This is a win for the ages,” Labor Treasurer Jim Chalmers told ABC. Albanese “has pulled off one of the great political victories since federation.”
The results coming in were “absolutely unbelievable”, Labor supporter Melinda Adderley, 54, said through her tears at the election party.
Albanese would be the first Australian prime minister to win a consecutive term in two decades.
The Australian Electoral Commission website published early results showing Labor ahead of a coalition of the Liberal and National parties, 55.94%-44% on a two-party preferred basis.
Dutton said he had phoned Albanese to congratulate him.
“We didn’t do well enough during this campaign. That much is obvious tonight, and I accept full responsibility for that,” Dutton said in a televised speech.
He also said he had spoken to Labor’s candidate in the seat of Dickson he had held for two decades, and congratulated her on her success.
