Labor will boost its numbers in the next parliament with a stronger majority in a second term, as the coalition look set to crash to one of the party’s worst results in its history.
Swings to the Albanese government across several states and many electorates deep in Liberal heartland will see Labor govern in its own right.
Among the gains was Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s seat of Dickson in Queensland.
It’s the first time an opposition leader has lost their seat in a federal election.
Conceding defeat, Mr Dutton said the election was not the result the coalition was after and accepted full responsibility for the party’s loss.
“We didn’t do well enough during this campaign, that much is obvious tonight,” he told party supporters in Brisbane.
“I’ve always wanted in public life for the best for our country and the best for every Australian.
“It’s an historic occasion for the Labor Party, and we recognise that.”
Mr Dutton has called Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following the election loss to congratulate him.
With the election win, Mr Albanese is the first prime minister since John Howard to win back-to-back elections.
Large swings came to the government in formerly Liberal safe seats in Queensland, while upticks in support came in NSW, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said voters had comprehensively rejected the policies of the coalition under Mr Dutton’s leadership.
“The nuclear stuff was bad for Peter Dutton. He made an egregious error on the Sunday night of the final week, saying he would be comfortable having a nuclear reactor in his suburb,” he told ABC.
Coalition campaign spokesman James Paterson admitted anger from voters against US President Donald Trump had been a drag on support for right-wing parties.
“One fact I think we can all acknowledge and recognise is the Donald Trump factor. It was devastating in Canada for the Conservatives where the Canadian Conservative leader lost 20 points over the course of a few months,” he told ABC, referring to the country’s recent election.
“That has been a factor here.”
Dr Chalmers said the prime minister was set to enter the pantheon of Labor heroes with the election win.
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