Polls opened nationwide at 8 a.m. local time as Australians head to the polls for the 48th federal election. Over 7,000 polling places operated by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) will welcome voters until 6 p.m., when counting begins.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s center-left Labor Party is bidding for a second term, while Peter Dutton’s conservative Coalition seeks to return to power after previous stints from 1996–2007 and 2013–2022. With mandatory voting for more than 18 million registered citizens, turnout is set to be substantial—and a global indicator of civic engagement.
Record participation is already visible: 5.67 million early votes cast in person and 1.52 million postal ballots returned by Thursday—nearly 40% of the electorate. Overseas voters have unprecedented access too, with 111 AEC centers across 83 countries—more than any prior election—underscoring Australia’s global diaspora influence.
As ballots are counted, the world watches whether continuity or change will define Australia’s next government—and how it will shape policy on climate action, trade partnerships, and regional stability.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
