Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has secured a decisive victory in Australia’s federal election, becoming the first leader since John Howard to win consecutive terms and the first Labor prime minister to do so since Bob Hawke in the 1980s.

With more than 60% of votes counted, Albanese’s center-left Labor Party is projected to increase its majority in the House of Representatives, currently holding 85 seats. The opposition Liberal-National Coalition, meanwhile, suffered a crushing defeat, managing just 41 seats and losing its leader Peter Dutton, who was ousted from his Queensland electorate of Dickson.

“We didn’t do well enough,” Dutton said in a brief concession speech, as party ranks grappled with their worst electoral result in over a decade.

Addressing a jubilant crowd in Sydney, Albanese thanked Australians for their trust and pledged to lead with “clarity, compassion, and unity.” He added, “We will not take your confidence for granted.”

This election centered on economic uncertainty, rising living costs, healthcare strain, and growing anxieties over global instability — including the possible return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency. Analysts credit Albanese’s calm, steady leadership style with reassuring voters amid turbulent times.

Labor’s victory also undercut the influence of the Greens, who saw their parliamentary presence shrink from four MPs to one, as Albanese’s party made gains nationwide.

The result marks a sharp break from a two-decade pattern in Australian politics, where no prime minister had successfully secured a second term since 2004. Albanese’s win suggests a growing public appetite for continuity over disruption.

As the final count continues, attention turns to how the Albanese government will leverage its renewed mandate to tackle housing affordability, inflation, health care reforms, and foreign policy challenges amid an increasingly tense international climate.