Was Labor's ambitious program the cause of its shock defeat?

SBS Italian

Devastated Labor volunteers watch on as the election result plays out on television. Source: AAP

The federal elections saw the Coalition confirmed, despite all the polls favoring the Labor Party. The government is in view of the absolute majority in the Lower House, while Labor, even if it were to win all the seats still in the balance, could not reach the threshold that would allow it to govern.

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Published 20 May 2019 11:25am

Updated 20 May 2019 12:10pm

By Marco Lucchi

Source: SBS

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The federal elections saw the Coalition confirmed, despite all the polls favoring the Labor Party. The government is in view of the absolute majority in the Lower House, while Labor, even if it were to win all the seats still in the balance, could not reach the threshold that would allow it to govern.

An illustrious victim of this poll is former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, defeated in his Warringah seat by independent Zali Steggall. Labor meanhwoile, is looking for a new leader, after Bil Shorten announced he is stepping down. For an analysis of the outcome we spoke with Australian politics expert, Paul Scutti.