SYDNEY — Australians began casting ballots Tuesday in early voting for the upcoming federal election, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s center-left Labor Party maintaining a modest lead over the conservative opposition led by Peter Dutton.
According to the Australian Electoral Commission, early and postal voting have surged in recent years, with as many as 50% of eligible voters expected to cast their ballots before the official election day on May 3.
The launch of early voting comes at a turbulent time for the opposition. Dutton, leader of the Liberal Party, has faced public backlash for policies reminiscent of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. Among them was a proposal to eliminate tens of thousands of public sector jobs and require federal employees to return to in-person work full time—plans he later dropped following criticism.
Labor’s support has steadily risen since January, when the party trailed Dutton’s coalition by six points. Recent polling by Newspoll shows Labor ahead by four points when votes from minor parties are redistributed under Australia’s preferential voting system.
Despite the momentum, Albanese struck a cautious tone during a Monday press conference. “There’s no complacency from my camp,” he said. “This election is certainly up for grabs.” He referenced the 2019 federal election, when early predictions of a Labor win were upended by a last-minute Liberal victory.
Campaigning paused briefly on Tuesday following the death of Pope Francis at age 88, as party leaders offered tributes and postponed major events.
Albanese and Dutton are scheduled to face off in a final televised debate later Tuesday evening, marking a critical opportunity for each to sway undecided voters before election day.
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