Australians Head to Polls Amid Cost-of-Living Crisis and Global Scrutiny

Australians are making their final votes this Saturday in a pivotal national election, heavily influenced by concerns over the rising cost of living. This election is garnering international attention for potential shifts reminiscent of Donald Trump’s impact on the political landscape, particularly affecting conservative candidates.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, representing the Labor Party, is contending with Peter Dutton of the center-right Liberal Party, who pledges to steer the nation “back on track” following three years as the opposition.

Albanese cast his vote in his secure Labor seat of Grayndler in Sydney early Saturday afternoon, accompanied by his son Nathan, fiancée Jodie, and their dog Toto.

Dutton, along with his family, voted in Brisbane’s Dickson electorate, where he holds a narrow lead of 1.7%. Labor is optimistic about their contender, Ali France, potentially ending Dutton’s two-decade parliamentary run.

While pre-election polls nationally lean toward Labor, the variables in Australia’s preferential voting system, combined with the diminishing influence of major parties, create an uncertain forecast for who will fill the 150 seats in the House of Representatives. Analysts are keeping a close watch for any backlash against conservative candidates in Australia, possibly echoing sentiments seen after President Trump’s initial period in office, given the parallels between some of Dutton’s policies and those of the former U.S. leader.

A recent victory by Canada’s center-left Prime Minister Mark Carney—another G20 member, Commonwealth nation, and ally of the U.S.—was largely attributed to anti-Trump sentiments, similar to what some anticipate could happen in Australia.

Close to half of the 18 million registered voters in Australia have already cast their votes before election day, and the rest are expected to head to the polls in adherence to compulsory voting laws, facing fines if they don’t participate.

Polling stations often double as mini community fairs, offering the well-known “democracy sausages”—sausages served with sauce and onions on a piece of white bread—to the steady stream of voters.

This custom, rooted in history, has become more sophisticated in recent times, including an online volunteer map pinpointing where voters can find barbecue-equipped polling places.

With the mild autumn weather, some voters enjoyed a swim in the ocean on Saturday morning, with sights of swimmers at Bondi Beach in Sydney heading to vote, still in their swimwear.

Global Impact

During the last five weeks, the main political parties have vied for votes with promises of tax cuts, rebates, and other measures to counteract the growing cost-of-living crisis. Although Australian elections typically emphasize domestic issues like housing, health, and the economy, this time international developments have had a significant impact.

Albanese announced the election late in March, shortly before Trump implemented his “Liberation Day” tariffs, which upset global markets. Australia, like most U.S. allies, was affected by these tariffs, which Albanese condemned as “contrary to the spirit of our nations’ enduring friendship.”

On the campaign trail, the current government has portrayed itself as a stable leadership as the initial stock market scare escalated into fears of a looming global recession. Labor now argues the Australian economy has turned a corner, pointing to a recent drop in inflation to 2.9%, a level unseen since December 2021.

Dutton consistently attributes inflationary challenges to the Labor government, questioning whether citizens feel “better off than they were three years ago.” Both parties propose making home ownership easier for first-time buyers, by reducing the minimum deposit required or offering tax breaks on mortgage payments—both tactics that experts predict will likely inflate housing prices.

Appeal to Young Voters

For the first time, young Australians will surpass older generations in numbers, with analysts predicting their votes will further weaken the two-party system, drawing more support for minor parties and independent candidates. The race for young voters has been intense on social media, marking this election as “dramatically different” from previous ones, according to Andrea Carson, a political communication professor at La Trobe University in Melbourne.

Instagram and TikTok “are really taking over some of the space that was occupied by Facebook,” Carson noted. However, the lack of regulation requiring truthfulness in political advertisements has allowed parties and third-party groups to say whatever they wish about opponents. Many electorates, including the fiercely contested Wentworth in eastern Sydney, have been inundated with flyers and signs featuring personal attacks. The Australian Electoral Commission noted in April that it “cannot and has never been able to regulate truth.”

Observers are eagerly awaiting to see if “Teal” candidates—independents backed by climate-focused campaign Climate 200—secure more seats this year. The Teals were significant in the last election three years ago when Australians ousted the Liberal-National Coalition after nine years, in what was dubbed Australia’s “climate election.” This year, 35 Teal candidates are running as independents with a common agenda of advocating integrity, gender equality, and stronger climate action.

In 2022, the new Labor government pledged to net-zero goals and commenced initiatives to reduce carbon emissions in a nation where wealth is significantly derived from fossil fuels. Though they have accelerated renewable energy projects, they’ve faced backlash for approving new coal and gas endeavors.

The Liberal Party has offered nuclear power as a solution to energy demands, proposing to construct seven taxpayer-funded nuclear plants over the next decades. Yet, this time, Labor has held back from promising any heightened climate action, despite environmental activists confronting leaders on their campaign routes. “When will you listen to young people?” one protestor demanded from Albanese during an April 8 press conference about increased mental healthcare funding.

For candidates who’ve strived tirelessly to make their voices heard amidst competing electoral campaigns, this Saturday might become a prolonged, nerve-racking evening. Western polls close at 6 p.m. (6 a.m. ET) with results anticipated within hours—provided one of the major parties garners a sufficient majority. Additionally, 40 out of 76 Senate seats are on the line, with senators reaching the end of their six-year terms potentially being replaced.