Labor has been announced the winners of the 2022 federal election and will now go on to form a government.
The country has chosen Anthony Albanese as Australia’s 31st Prime Minister. The Labor party leader has ended the Coalition’s almost decade-long reign.
Appearing on stage at the Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL with partner Jodie Haydon, Albanese addressed his supporters and the nation.
“Tonight the Australian people have voted for change. I am humbled by this victory. And I am honoured to be given the opportunity to serve as the 31st Prime Minister of Australia,” he said.
“My Labor team will work every day to bring Australians together. And I will lead a government worthy of the people of Australia. A government as courageous and hard-working and caring as the Australian people are themselves.”
“My fellow Australians, it says a lot about our great country that a son of a single mum who was a disability pensioner, who grew up in public housing down the road in Camperdown, can stand before you tonight as Australia’s Prime Minister,” he said.
Polls predicting a Labor win have turned out to be accurate, with the party picking up seats in almost all states and territories.
Scott Morrison has officially conceded the election, confirming he has reached out to Albanese to congratulate him on his landslide victory.
Appearing on stage in Sydney, Morrison wished the incoming Prime Minister the very best.
“Tonight, I have spoken to the Leader of the Opposition and the incoming Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. And I’ve congratulated him on his election victory this evening,” he said.
“On a night like tonight, it is proper to acknowledge the functioning of our democracy. I have always believed in Australians and their judgement and I’ve always been prepared to accept their verdicts and tonight they have delivered their verdict and I congratulate Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party and I wish him and his government all the very best,” he said.
“Now there are many votes still to count, that is true. There are many pre-polls and postles that will still come in. But I believe it’s very important that this country has certainty. I think it’s very important this country can move forward.
Morrison will now step down as Prime Minister after his party suffered a bitter blow. However, he plans to remain as a Member for Cook. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has also lost his seat of Kooyong, along with Liberal Tim Wilson. Both of these seats were won by Climate 200 independent candidates.
Morrison’s decision to step down will trigger a party vote which will see a new leader take over at the next party conference.
Voting for the Senate is yet to be concluded, but the AEC has said that results should be expected soon.
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