Australians start voting in general elections as pope’s death overshadows campaigning
Associated PressAPR 21
Labor Leads Polls as Australian Election Enters Final Days
Above: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shakes hands with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton on April 27, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Image copyright: Dan Peled/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Liberal/National Coalition narrative
Despite being widely viewed as Australia's weakest leader in decades, a thoroughly uninspiring Anthony Albanese might ride to victory solely on the tidal wave of anti-Trump sentiment sweeping democratic nations. Just as Canada's lackluster Liberals triumphed, Labor will prevail not through merit but through fierce public rejection of Trump's bullying politics contaminating right-wing parties worldwide.
Australian Labor Party narrative
Resolute, steady, and sharpened by a turbulent first term, Anthony Albanese now towers as the only leader equipped to anchor Australia through uncertain times. In contrast to chaos, he offers calm. While Peter Dutton flounders in a fog of confusion and policy collapse, Albanese stands poised to win again — not by chance, but by clear purpose, preparation, and principled leadership.