By Parker McKenzie
Australians overwhelmingly voted for action on climate change and the establishment of an integrity commission in the 2022 federal election, as the Liberal Party was routed around Melbourne and the nation in traditionally safe seats.
Labor Leader Anthony Albanese was sworn in as the Prime Minister on Monday 23 May, as he prepared to travel overseas to meet with leaders from Japan, India and the United States for his first foreign trip.
During his victory speech on Saturday 21 May, Mr Albanese said he would commit to the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full.
“I say to my fellow Australians, thank you for this extraordinary honour. Tonight, the Australian people have voted for change,” he said.
“It says a lot about our great country that a son of a single mum who was a disability pensioner, who grew up in public housing down the road in Camperdown can stand before you tonight as Australia’s prime minister.”
The Liberal Party’s blue-ribbon seats were besieged by a wave of independent candidates as they suffered a -5.7 per cent swing nationally. The Labor Party’s primary vote held relatively strong with only a -0.5 per cent swing against them, propelling them to government. At the time of printing, the Labor Party has won 72 seats in the Lower House, which may potentially increase to 77 if results from marginal seats are favourable to them.
The Labor Party’s success is the first time an opposition party has won an election while suffering a swing against them in primary votes.
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison stood down as Leader of the Liberal Party once it was confirmed his government wouldn’t return to power on election night.
“It’s a difficult night for Liberals and Nationals around the country, as nights like this always are. They are humbling but so is victory,” Mr Morrison said.
“Tonight I have spoken to the leader of the opposition and incoming Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and I have congratulated him on his electoral victory this evening.”
Around inner-city and suburban Melbourne, the Liberal Party saw once safe seats fall to independents, with former-federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg being defeated by Dr Monique Ryan in Kooyong and former ABC reporter Zoe Daniel defeating Tim Wilson in Goldstein.
The Liberal Party has lost at least 16 seats after the six-week election campaign. Traditionally Liberal seats in the east of Melbourne, including Casey, Deakin and Aston all saw a swing against the incumbents.
The Greens Party gave their best performance yet at an election, winning at least three seats in the House of Representatives. The party saw a 1.5 per cent increase in their primary vote and could hold the balance of power in the senate.
12 independents were elected to the House of Representatives with the majority being women, as moderate Liberal MPs in traditionally-safe electorates in Sydney such as Wentworth and North Sydney were defeated by climate and integrity focused outsiders.
