Conservatives ousted by Labor Party in Australia
SYDNEY — Australia's Labor Party was set to end almost a decade of conservative rule as the government was swept away in Saturday's election by a wave of support for candidates who campaigned for more action on climate change and who may hold the balance of power.
Partial results showed that while Labor had made small gains, Prime Minister Scott Morrison's Liberal-National coalition had been punished by voters in Western Australia and affluent urban seats.
The Greens and a group of so-called “teal independents,” who campaigned on policies of gender equality and tackling climate change, put on a strong showing, tapping voter
anger over inaction on the environment after some of the worst floods and fires to hit Australia.
“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,” said Morrison.
Albanese said he wanted to unite the country and “end the climate wars.”
“People want to come together, look for our common interest, look toward that sense of common purpose.”
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 60 per cent of the vote counted, Labor had 72 seats and Morrison's coalition 55. Independents and the Greens held 11, the Australian Broadcasting Corp projected. A further 13 seats were in doubt.