Sydney, 3 May 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has won a second term in office as his Labor Party soared to victory in the parliamentary election on Saturday, according to media projections.

The Australian broadcaster ABC showed images of Labor Party supporters cheering loudly just a few hours after the polls closed, as media forecasts showed the party on track to comfortably secure the 76 seats needed for an absolute majority in the 150-member lower house of parliament.

"It means so much that in these uncertain times, the people of Australia have placed their trust in Labor once again," the 62-year-old said to thunderous applause in his victory speech.

"In this time of global uncertainty, Australians have chosen optimism and determination," Albanese told his supporters.

Albanese's challenger, Peter Dutton, who leads the conservative coalition of Liberals and Nationals, conceded defeat in a speech to party members.

"We didn't do well enough during this campaign, that much is obvious tonight, and I accept full responsibility for that," he said.

Dutton said he had congratulated Albanese on his victory by telephone. "It's an historic occasion for the Labor Party and we recognize that," he said.

Dutton, a former interior and defence minister, lost his own parliamentary seat, which he had held for some 20 years.

He floundered during the election campaign partly due to controversial statements and his closeness to the US administration.

Among other things, Dutton had announced plans to lay off more than 40,000 civil servants and ban remote working for public service employees, before backing down from these positions due to increasing criticism.

Both contenders had promised to ease financial pressure on the population in an election campaign that was dominated by the high cost of living and the acute shortage of affordable housing.

The Electoral Commission said more than 8 million eligible voters, some 45%, had cast their ballots either by post or early voting before election day.

Albanese has been prime minister since 2022, when he replaced Scott Morrison and the Liberal Party-led coalition. His victory makes him the first prime minister in more than 20 years to win re-election.

Photo: epa