Australian Election Results: ‘DOGE’ Candidate Defeated Amid ‘Trump Factor’

Labor has won re-election in Australia following a resurgence with voters thanks to the “Trump factor,” says a key opposition figure.

It is still unclear if Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will win a majority over his DOGE supporting rivals, but an opposition spokesperson conceded the conservative campaign was negatively affected by the American president, adding: “I think it has been a factor here.”

Early in the campaign, Albanese’s center-left Labor Party was lagging behind the opposition in polls, reflecting frustration with a deepening cost-of-living crisis and ever-increasing housing prices.

Incumbent Albanese was competing with the opposition Liberal-National Coalition, headed by conservative Peter Dutton, who had said he would replicate Trump’s DOGE, with a ministry of government efficiency, according to Reuters.

Why It Matters

Australia’s 2025 election results will shape the country’s direction on critical issues such as the cost of living, climate policy, housing, and immigration. All 150 seats in the House of Representatives and 40 of the 76 seats in the Senate are being contested.

Political commentators are monitoring the election to see if U.S. President Trump’s tariff policies would hinder conservatives, as occurred in Canada with the election of Mark Carney as prime minister.

What To Know

Labor has won the election and will form the next government—either as a majority or in a minority—according to Australia’s national broadcaster, the ABC.

According to ABC, Labor is projected to win 85 seats, while the Liberal-National Coalition is projected to win 39, while 9 seats will go to independents and other parties. So far, the Greens are projected to not pick up any seats. 76 seats are needed to win and form a government. However, 17 seats are still in doubt.

The Australian Electoral Commission’s projections gave Albanese’s ruling center-left Labor Party 70 seats and the conservative opposition coalition 24 seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives, the lower chamber where parties need a majority to form governments. Unaligned minor parties and independent candidates appeared likely to win 13 seats.

Meanwhile, Liberal-National Coalition leader Peter Dutton has lost his seat of Dickson, in Brisbane, to Labor’s Ali France.

“We didn’t do well enough in this campaign… I accept full responsibility for that. Earlier on I congratulated the Prime Minister and wished him all the very best. He should be proud of what he’s achieved,” he said in his concession speech.

He also acknowledged Labor Party’s Ali France. “She will do a good job as a local member,” he said.

“It’s been a great honor to be leader of this amazing party for these past three years. There are good members, good candidates who have lost their seats and their ambitions. I’m sorry for that. We have an amazing party. It will rebuild.”

Opposition Liberal Party spokesman, Senator James Paterson, defended the conservative campaign, which he also said was negatively affected by “the Trump factor”. “It was devastating in Canada for the conservatives … I think it has been a factor here, just how big a factor will be determined in a few hours’ time,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

“Trump had a massive effect in changing people’s perception of risk,” election analyst Tony Barry told the ABC.

What Are the Key Issues for Voters?

The cost of living emerged as the dominant issue for voters, with 81 percent of Australians saying it would influence their decision at the ballot box, according to a February 2025 Mood of the Nation survey. Rising prices on essentials such as groceries, energy, and fuel have placed mounting pressure on households across the country.

Closely tied to cost pressures is housing affordability, as property prices continue to soar and rental shortages persist. For many Australians, especially younger and lower-income voters, the dream of homeownership has become increasingly out of reach.

Healthcare also remains a pressing concern, with voters highlighting long hospital wait times, overcrowded facilities, and rising out-of-pocket expenses. These challenges have underscored public demand for increased funding and meaningful reform to ensure access and equity in the health system.

Though less dominant, immigration and population growth have gained traction as concerns, particularly in relation to housing and infrastructure stress. While not a top-tier issue for most, its growing salience suggests it could influence outcomes in marginal electorates.

On energy and climate policy, both major parties support achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, but differ sharply on how to get there. Labor has pledged to reach 82 percent renewable energy by 2030, while the Coalition has proposed building seven government-owned nuclear power plants by the mid-2040s, setting up a stark policy divide.

Meanwhile, Dutton had proposed slashing the federal education department as part of his pledge to sack 41,000 public servants, a move Labor has described as being pulled “from the DOGE playbook”.