Overview

• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor Party holds a slim lead in polls, with projections suggesting a possible majority of up to 85 seats in the 151-seat House of Representatives.
• The Liberal Party, led by Peter Dutton, faces challenges in gaining traction, with predictions indicating potential losses and its worst electoral result since 1946.
• Voters are prioritizing domestic issues such as high living costs, housing affordability, and economic insecurity over climate and foreign policy concerns.
• Geopolitical tensions, including U.S. tariffs under President Trump and Chinese military exercises near Australia's coast, frame the broader context of the election but are unlikely to significantly sway voters.
• The rise of Teal Independents increases the likelihood of a hung parliament, with these candidates potentially holding the balance of power if neither major party secures a majority.