Tongans across Australia have joined in celebrations as the Australian Labour Party (ALP) moves closer to forming government following Saturday’s federal election.
Many of the more than 40,000 Tongans in Australia shared photos of Labour leader Anthony Albanese, who is now likely to become Australia’s next Prime Minister after significant swings in New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, and South Australia and a smaller shift in Victoria.
The mood among Pacific communities has been jubilant, with many expressing hope for stronger ties between Australia and the region under a Labour government.
While Labour has not yet secured an outright majority, the party is within reach, and ABC election analyst Antony Green stated he could see no viable path for the Coalition to retain power. If confirmed, Albanese would become the first prime minister elected twice since John Howard, marking a historic moment in Australian politics.
The possibility of a Labour victory has energised progressive voters, particularly in multicultural communities that have long advocated for policies supporting climate action, fair wages, and better support for migrant families.
Early counts show Labour leading or competitive in several traditionally Liberal-held seats, including Banks, Bass, Bonner, Bowman, Braddon, and Deakin. The party is also performing strongly in Forde, Hughes, Leichhardt, McPherson, Menzies, and Petrie. One of the most closely watched contests is in Peter Dutton’s seat of Dickson, where the Opposition Leader is at risk of losing his position—a result that would send shockwaves through the Liberal Party.
Meanwhile, Labour has consolidated its hold on marginal seats, including Aston, Bennelong, Blair, Boothby, Chisholm, Dunkley, Gilmore, Lyons, McEwen, Paterson, and Werriwa.
With over half of polling places reporting first preferences and a third processing preference counts, officials urge caution due to the large volume of early and postal votes still being tallied.
However, the trend strongly favours Labour, and a change in government now appears highly likely. For many in the Tongan-Australian community, the result signals hope for progressive policies on climate action, cost-of-living relief, and stronger engagement with the Pacific. Social media has been flooded with celebratory posts, with some dubbing Albanese a “friend of the Pacific.”
As counting continues, all eyes remain on Dickson—where a potential defeat for Peter Dutton could mark a dramatic end to his political career—and on whether Labor secures an outright majority or governs in a minority or coalition arrangement.
Final results are expected in the coming days, but for now, the mood among Labour supporters, including Australia’s Tongan community, remains one of optimism and celebration.
