In a whirlwind of campaigning, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton found themselves proclaiming underdog status ahead of the general elections. Albanese, who heads the center-left Labor Party, traversed the eastern states, visiting Queensland, Victoria, and Tasmania. Meanwhile, Dutton, the leader of the conservative Liberal-National Coalition, spent his final campaign hours in South Australia and Western Australia.
Albanese highlighted the historical context, noting the challenge of leading a party to consecutive victories since John Howard did so as a conservative in 2004. Howard’s lengthy stay in power ended in 2007, marking a significant political shift when he lost his parliamentary seat. Reflecting on this, Albanese remarked on the challenge that lies ahead with many voters still undecided, emphasizing the daunting task at hand to capture back-to-back victories.
On the flip side, Dutton displayed optimism about swaying the uncertain voters. In Australia, the obligation to vote often results in last-minute decision-making among those without a firm candidate choice. Dutton expressed that as an underdog, his coalition might benefit from a protest vote, a sentiment he has articulated prior, positioning his coalition as a surprising contender.
This election marks a historical shift in voter demographics, with younger generations overtaking Baby Boomers, those born between the post-war period and 1964. Both political factions have pledged to address the housing affordability crisis troubling potential first-time home buyers.
Energy policies stand out as a major differentiator between the campaigns. The opposition’s plan involves constructing seven nuclear power plants funded by the government, anticipated to be operational by 2035. Their strategy intends to fill the transitional energy gap left by aging coal plants with gas-fired electricity.
Conversely, the Labor Party is committed to ensuring that 82% of Australia’s energy grid relies on renewable resources like solar and wind power by 2030, reducing dependence on gas. They have criticized the coalition’s alleged intent to finance their nuclear ambitions by slashing public services and jobs, equating the move to cuts reminiscent of strategies promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The coalition has also faced scrutiny regarding slogans echoing Trump’s campaign. Jacinta Nampijnpa Price, an opposition senator tasked with potential public service reductions, claimed innocence in echoing Trump’s “Make America Great Again” rhetoric, despite using a similar phrase “make Australia great again.”
Dutton took to affirming the coalition’s fiscal responsibility, promising debt reductions and better economic management under his party’s governance. Emphasizing a greater control over inflation, he aims to manage the economy to help alleviate the economic hardships facing Australian families.