Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s centre-left Labour Party has secured a second consecutive term in office, winning Australia’s federal election on Saturday. The victory comes as opposition leader Peter Dutton of the conservative Liberal Party lost his parliamentary seat, a major blow to the party’s campaign.

Addressing supporters following the win, Albanese said, “Today the Australian people have voted for Australian values. For fairness, aspiration and opportunity for all. For the strength to show courage in adversity and kindness for those in need.”

With counting still underway, preliminary results indicate that Labour is likely to maintain a majority in the newly adjusted 150-seat House of Representatives, ensuring it can govern without the need for coalition support. The previous parliament had 151 seats, but this has been reduced through redistribution.

Albanese becomes the first Australian leader since John Howard in 2004 to win back-to-back federal elections.

Dutton, who had led the opposition since 2022, conceded defeat and took responsibility for the party’s poor performance. “We didn’t do well enough during this campaign, that much is obvious tonight, and I accept full responsibility for that,” he said.

The election campaign was dominated by concerns over the rising cost of living, inflation, and energy policy. Both major parties acknowledged that Australians are experiencing a cost of living crisis, but proposed different solutions. The Liberal Party promised to slash public sector spending, pledging to eliminate over 20% of government jobs. Labour, meanwhile, focused on welfare support and housing assistance.

Labour also mocked Dutton’s economic stance with the nickname “DOGE-y Dutton,” drawing comparisons to former U.S. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s hypothetical Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

On climate policy, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. However, the Liberal Party advocated for nuclear energy as a key solution to lowering power prices—a contentious issue, given Australia currently has no nuclear power infrastructure.

Social welfare was another major theme, with Foodbank Australia reporting that 3.4 million households faced food insecurity in the past year. Labour highlighted this figure in its campaign as evidence of the need for greater government support.

On the international front, the Albanese government pointed to improved relations with China, including the lifting of trade barriers worth approximately 20 billion Australian dollars annually.

Both parties promised new measures to help first-time homebuyers enter the property market amid soaring housing prices.

With Labour securing another term, Albanese’s government now looks to build on its first three years in office, focusing on economic recovery, housing affordability, and energy transition.

U.S. President Donald Trump marked the first 100 days of his second term with a defiant speech in Michigan, declaring it the “most successful” start to any presidency despite recent declines in public approval and mounting criticism over his policies.

Speaking for 90 minutes in front of a raucous crowd in Macomb County, Trump focused heavily on immigration, federal bureaucracy, and the judiciary, while brushing aside concerns over falling poll numbers. The president’s address came as approval ratings have dipped below 40 percent, with critics pointing to concerns over deportations, economic volatility, and administrative overreach.

Trump showed a video depicting the deportation of men to a high-security prison in El Salvador, which was met with cheers. He used the moment to double down on his controversial use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport suspected Venezuelan gang members—an effort that has faced legal challenges in U.S. courts.

“We cannot allow a handful of communist, radical-left judges to obstruct the enforcement of our laws and assume the duties that belong solely to the president of the United States,” Trump declared. “Nothing will stop me in the mission to keep America safe again.”

Trump also touted the work of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new agency led by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. The department has faced backlash for sweeping cuts to federal programs and job losses across several agencies. Critics have accused the administration of acting without proper legal authority, but Trump portrayed the efforts as a crackdown on entrenched bureaucracy.

“After a lifetime of unelected bureaucrats stealing your pay checks, attacking your values and trampling your freedoms, we are stopping their gravy train,” Trump said. “We’re telling thousands of corrupt, incompetent and unnecessary deep state bureaucrats: ‘You’re fired!’”

Despite his self-praise, recent polling shows widespread skepticism. According to recent surveys, only about 4 in 10 Americans approve of his performance. Immigration policies, in particular, have proven divisive, with roughly half the country believing the president has “gone too far” with deportations. His economic approval also dipped following tariff announcements earlier this month that rattled stock markets.

Outside the Michigan venue, protesters gathered with signs reading “100 Days of Lies” and “Trump is Destroying Our Democracy,” highlighting the continued polarization surrounding the Trump presidency.

“Donald Trump has achieved the unthinkable: he’s brought America to the brink of implosion,” said Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin in a statement. “On the world stage, he’s made us into a joke. On the home front, he’s made us weak.”

Despite the criticism, Trump told supporters his administration had only “just gotten started.”