In brief
With a distinctive electoral system that requires mandatory participation and preferential voting, Australians are poised to decide their next government. Current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faces off against opposition leader Peter Dutton, while cost of living and housing affordability dominate the agenda.
On May 3, 2024, Australians are set to participate in their first federal election since 2022, where they will vote to select the next prime minister and determine the composition of the country’s parliament. Australia’s voting system is known for its distinct features and quirky traditions. Voting is compulsory for all eligible citizens over the age of 18, with around 18 million individuals registered to vote. Australians employ a preferential voting system different from the First Past the Post method used in the UK and the US. In this system, voters rank candidates based on their preferences. If no candidate secures over 50% of the votes initially, the least popular candidates are eliminated, and their votes are redistributed until someone achieves a majority.This election will see all 150 seats in the House of Representatives and 40 out of 76 Senate seats contested. The two primary political parties are the left-leaning Australian Labor Party and the conservative Liberal-National coalition. A party must win at least 76 seats in the House to obtain a majority government. If this is not possible, they may seek support from minor parties or independent representatives. In the last federal election, Australia saw a significant increase in votes for minor parties and independents, with one in three Australians opting for candidates outside the major parties.Currently, the Labor Party holds a majority with 78 seats in the House after its notable victory in 2022, which marked a historic defeat for the Liberal Party. However, should Labor lose just two seats in the upcoming election, it would lose its majority. The coalition needs to win 19 seats to regain its foothold, aiming to reclaim losses from independent candidates.The election pits incumbent Prime Minister Anthony Albanese against Peter Dutton, the new leader of the Liberal-National coalition. Albanese, who has been in parliament for nearly 30 years, enjoyed initial popularity but faces scrutiny over his management of contentious issues like housing and immigration. Dutton, a seasoned politician with a controversial reputation on social matters, is contesting his first election as opposition leader.Voters are primarily concerned with the rising cost of living, exacerbated by inflation and steadily increasing prices for essentials. The Albanese administration has implemented policies aimed at alleviating some financial strain, including medication cost controls, tax cuts, energy rebates, and housing assistance. However, interest rates have risen 13 times since May 2022, complicating the financial landscape and impacting homeowners and borrowers.As for the results, Australians are accustomed to knowing the outcome by election night. Though the Australian Election Commission will offer an “indicative count” during the day, it will only declare official results when confident that no further changes to the tally can occur. This often varies as uncounted votes can delay final announcements.
