Australia’s Labor party topples ruling conservatives as ccccc

SYDNEY: Prime Minister Scott Morrison conceded defeat in a national election on Saturday (May 21) after a “difficult night” for his conservative government.

“Tonight, I have spoken to the leader of the opposition and the incoming prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and I have congratulated him on his election victory,” Morrison said at a televised speech in Sydney.

He added that he would stand down as leader of the Liberal party. Morrison’s capitulation ends eight years and nine months in power for his conservative coalition. He became prime minister in 2018 after several leadership changes.

Partial results showed Morrison’s Liberal-National coalition had been punished by voters in Western Australia and affluent urban seats in particular.

Albanese, speaking as he headed to his party celebrations, said he wanted to unite the country.

“I think people want to come together, look for our common interest, look towards that sense of common purpose. I think people have had enough of division, what they want is to come together as a nation and I intend to lead that.”

"The Australian people have voted for change. I am humbled by this victory," he told cheering supporters in Sydney after Prime Minister Scott Morrison conceded defeat.Albanese vowed to make Australia a renewable energy "superpower", give indigenous people a voice in national policy-making, and make equal opportunity for women a national priority.

Albanese recalled his childhood, brought up by a single mother in Sydney public housing.

"My mother dreamt of a better life for me. And I hope that my journey in life inspires Australians to reach for the stars," the 59-year-old said.

"I want Australia to continue to be a country that no matter where you live, who you worship, you would love, or what your last name is, that places no restrictions on your journey in life."In results so far, Labor had yet to reach the 76 of the 151 lower house seats required to form a government alone. Final results could take time as counting of a record number of postal votes is completed.

With 55 per cent of the vote counted, Labor had 72 seats and Morrison’s coalition 52. Independents and the Greens held 11, the Australian Broadcasting Corp projected. A further 16 seats remained in doubt.

A strong showing by the Greens and a group of so-called “teal independents”, who campaigned on policies of integrity, equality and tackling climate change, means the makeup of the new Parliament looks set to be much less climate-sceptic than the one that supported Mr Morrison’s pro-coal mining administration.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg conceded it would be “difficult” for him to hold the long-held Liberal seat of Kooyong in Melbourne to an independent newcomer in one of the biggest hits to the government. “Labor is 72 and needs 76 seats to govern. There are 11 members of the crossbench, most of whom support action on climate change,” said ABC election analyst Antony Green in a live broadcast. —AFP