Australia has elected its first Labor government in almost a decade and Anthony Albanese as prime minister, ousting Scott Morrison’s coalition.
Mr Albanese told jubilant supporters that Australians had “voted for change”. However it is still unclear whether he can secure a majority.
The centre-left leader vowed to bring people together, invest in social services and “end the climate wars”.
Mr Morrison thanked the “miracle of the Australian people” after conceding.
In perhaps the greatest twist, the election saw large support for Greens and independent candidates – many running on climate platforms.
They could wield greater influence if Labor fails to secure 76 lower house seats to govern in its own right. Late on Saturday it had 72 seats to the Liberal-National Coalition’s 55, the ABC projected.
Mr Albanese said it was an “extraordinary honour” to lead the country as he emerged to rapturous applause at Labor’s victory party in Sydney.
“My Labor team will work every day to bring Australians together. And I will lead a government worthy of the people of Australia,” he said.
Mr Albanese, 59, began by acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, reiterating his commitment to hold a referendum on a Voice to Parliament – an Indigenous advisory body – during his three-year term.
He went on to refer to his own humble beginnings as the “son of a single mum who was a disability pensioner, who grew up in public housing”.
After his speech, Mr Albanese told the BBC’s Shaimaa Khalil he strongly supported the Aukus defence alliance with the US and UK, and hoped to be a world leader on climate action.
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