Australia Election 2025: Vote Counting Begins as Race Enters Final Phase

Tight Race as Vote Counting Begins

With Australia’s federal election in full swing, vote counting is underway as polling stations across the nation close. The election is being closely monitored for its potential to reshape the country’s political future. The Senate, the upper house of Parliament, is seeing 40 of its 76 seats contested. As the ballots are tallied, the results will provide significant insight into the next direction for Australia’s leadership and policies.

Polling officially ends at 6 pm local time, but due to Australia’s multiple time zones, voting times vary across the country. In states like New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland (AEST), polling closes at 08:00 GMT, while in South Australia and the Northern Territory, voting wraps up at 08:30 GMT. The final ballots will be cast in Western Australia, where polling ends at 10:00 GMT.

Highlights:

• Vote counting begins with polling stations closing at different times across Australia.

• 40 of the 76 Senate seats are contested in the election.

• Early voting tallies will offer a strong indication of results, but full results will take longer.

Julian Assange’s Endorsement of Prime Minister Albanese

In a rare political endorsement, Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, publicly supported Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ahead of the election. Assange, who has been in the spotlight for years due to his extradition case, praised Albanese for his efforts in securing his release. Referring to the Prime Minister as “Albo,” Assange highlighted the consistency with which Albanese kept his promises regarding Assange’s freedom.

In a statement shared by Assange’s brother Gabriel Shipton, Assange emphasized that Albanese’s commitment had outstripped that of any other politician or public figure. Despite Albanese being in opposition at the time, Assange said that the Prime Minister had followed through on his promise after taking office, proving his dedication to the cause.

Highlights:

• Julian Assange endorses Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his support in securing Assange’s freedom.

• Assange commends Albanese’s follow-through on his promises despite political opposition.

Dutton’s Confidence in a Change of Government

On the campaign trail, Peter Dutton, leader of the Liberal Party, expressed confidence that Australians would reject the current government. Speaking outside a polling booth in Brisbane, Queensland, Dutton remarked, “I believe Australians have seen through this ineffective government and cannot afford another three years of the same.” The Liberal Party is hoping to secure a shift in leadership, with Dutton positioning himself as an alternative to Prime Minister Albanese’s policies.

Highlights:

• Peter Dutton confident that voters will reject the current government.

• Dutton speaks of the Liberal Party’s plan for a change in leadership.

Election Details: House of Representatives and Senate

This federal election sees 150 lower house seats and 40 Senate seats up for grabs. To form a majority government in the House of Representatives, a party needs to win at least 76 seats or negotiate with independents or smaller parties for support.

The voting system used in the election operates on a preferential voting model. Voters are required to rank candidates in order of preference, unlike the first-past-the-post system used in other nations. If no candidate secures more than 50% of the first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their ballots are redistributed until a majority is achieved.

In the Senate, a minimum number of preferences must be indicated, but not all candidates need to be ranked.

Highlights:

• 150 House seats and 40 Senate seats contested in the 2025 election.

• Preferential voting system requires voters to rank candidates in order of preference.

• A majority government requires 76 seats in the House of Representatives.

Energy and Defence Policies: Issues in Election Debate

In addition to the election results, defence and energy policies are significant points of contention between the major political parties. With rising regional security concerns, both Labor and the Coalition support increased defence spending, but they differ in their strategic priorities and international partnerships.

On energy policy, young Australians are pushing for a 100% renewable energy grid by 2030. The Labor Party supports this vision, aiming for 82% renewable energy by the same year, primarily focusing on solar and wind energy. In contrast, the Coalition proposes the creation of seven government-funded nuclear power plants starting in 2035—a slower transition that critics argue does not address immediate climate needs.

Highlights:

• Defence policy focuses on increasing spending but with different strategies and international partnerships.

• Energy policy debate: Labor backs renewable energy, while the Coalition proposes nuclear power plants for 2035.