Australia To Hold National Election On May 3

Australia is heading for a federal election on May 3. The date was announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, whose Labor Party will be defending a small majority. The federal election comes as Australia grapples with issues including the high cost of living and rising US tariffs. Housing affordability will also be a key issue. The election contest is mainly between the left-leaning Australian Labor Party and the conservative Liberal-National coalition.

“Because of the strength and resilience that our people have shown, Australia is turning the corner. Now on 3 May, you choose the way forward,” said Anthony Albanese, as quoted by CNBC. In the 2022 federal election, the Labor Party achieved a majority, bringing an end to the Liberal-National coalition's nine-year tenure. Both parties are currently in a close race, according to recent opinion polls.

The election outcome will decide the next prime minister of Australia and the composition of the national parliament. Voting is mandatory for all citizens over 18. According to a BBC report, nearly 18 million people are registered to vote in the upcoming election. Voters will rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote in the first tally, the votes from the least popular candidates are then reallocated, and that process is repeated until a candidate wins a majority.