PROFILE - Anthony Albanese, ‘man of the match’ in Australian general elections

ISTANBUL

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declared victory following a strong lead in Saturday's general election results, suggesting that he has secured a historic second consecutive term in office for the ruling Labor Party, something no one has accomplished in the past 20 years.

The 62-year-old Labor Party leader pledged to "repay trust" to his voters "every day" as he prepares to begin his second term in office after the electoral authority announces the final results.

The official count of total votes has yet to be released, although estimates by state-run media gave Labor close to 85 seats, well above the minimum 76 required.

Labor trounced the opposition coalition of conservative Liberal and National parties in the general elections, securing a 2nd consecutive term in government.

Over 18 million Australians were eligible to vote in the federal election, which saw political parties campaigning on biting economic challenges and foreign policy issues, particularly with US President Donald Trump shaking up global politics.

The 190 seats were up for grabs, including 150 in the House of Representatives and 40 in the Senate.

It was also the first time in Australian politics that opposition leader Peter Dutton, known for his anti-Muslim bigotry, lost his own seat.

Ali France, who defeated Dutton in his third attempt for the Dickson parliamentary seat, received special mention in Albanese's emotional victory speech.

Albanese, the ‘man of the match’

Albanese was born in 1963 to a single mother of Irish descent. He was first elected at the age of 33 in 1996 and has continued to win until May 2022, when he became Australia's 31st prime minister.

He led the first Labor government to rule the country since 2013.

Albanese grew up in public housing in Camperdown, Sydney's inner-west suburb.

He attended St. Joseph's Primary School in Camperdown and St. Mary's Cathedral College in central Sydney before enrolling at the University of Sydney, where he received a degree in economics.

Albanese also had a two-year stint with the Commonwealth Bank.

Shortly after his mother died, he began looking for his father, Carlo Albanese, whom he had met in Italy.

Albanese became involved in Labor politics in the early 1980s, following in his mother's footsteps.

He began working as a research officer for a party politician named Tom Uren, who later became Albanese's political mentor.

Albanese also served as president of Young Labor in New South Wales from 1985 to 1987 and then as senior policy adviser to New South Wales Premier Bob Carr from 1995 to 1996.

Although Australia is well-known for its world-class cricket team, Albanese is a passionate rugby fan.

Albanese, a Catholic, has defended the free health care system and is regarded by many as a "working-class hero."

Albanese, one of Australia's longest-serving lawmakers, rose to the rank of senior minister when Labor took power in 2007.

"Albanese has been a proficient as well as a lucky general," wrote Paul Strangio, Emeritus Professor of Politics at Monash University.

The "second term," Strangio stated in his latest write-up for the Australian media outlet, "will test whether he (Albanese) can make the transition from a solid to a weather-making prime minister."