Australians will cast their final votes Saturday in a national election campaign dominated by cost-of-living concerns that\u2019s being closely watched abroad for signs of a Donald Trump-inspired swing against conservative candidates. <\/p>\n
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of the Labor Party is facing off against Peter Dutton\u2019s center-right Liberal Party, which is promising to get the country \u201cback on track\u201d after three years in opposition. <\/p>\n
Pre-election opinion polls firmed in Labor\u2019s favor, but Australia\u2019s preferential voting system and the declining dominance of the two major parties makes it difficult to predict who\u2019ll make up the 150-member House of Representatives. <\/p>\n
Observers will be examining the results for signs of blowback against Australia\u2019s conservative candidates from US President Trump\u2019s whirlwind 100 days in office \u2013 after comparisons were drawn between Dutton\u2019s policy offerings and those of the US leader. <\/p>\n
Another center-left prime minister, Mark Carney of Canada \u2013 which like Australia is a G20 and Commonwealth nation, as well as US ally \u2013 recently scored an election win widely chalked up to anti-Trump sentiment. <\/p>\n
In Australia, almost half of the 18 million registered voters cast their ballots before election day, and the remainder are expected to attend voting centers to comply with compulsory voting laws, with the threat of fines for no-shows. <\/p>\n
Polling centers on election day often resemble a series of small community fairs, taking advantage of the guaranteed flow of customers by selling what\u2019s known as \u201cdemocracy sausages\u201d \u2013 a sausage, sauce, and maybe onions, on a slice of white bread. <\/p>\n
The tradition began decades ago but in recent years has become more organized with an online map built by volunteers showing where voters can find a ballot box with a barbecue. <\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody has to show up to vote. As long as you\u2019re showing up anyway, why not connect with the community through the fair-like atmosphere of a sausage sizzle and whatever other fundraisers are available on the day,\u201d said Alex Dawson from the Democracy Sausage Team. <\/p>\n
Over the last five weeks, the two major parties have been locked in a battle for votes, using the promise of tax cuts, rebates and other relief measures aimed at easing a cost-of-living crisis. <\/p>\n
Australian elections tend to focus on domestic issues \u2013 housing, health and the economy \u2013 but this one has been influenced by international events. <\/p>\n
Albanese called the election in late March, just before Trump announced his \u201cLiberation Day\u201d tariffs, sending global markets into a tailspin. <\/p>\n
As with almost all other US allies, Australia was not spared from the tariffs, something Albanese criticized as \u201cagainst the spirit of our two nations\u2019 enduring friendship.\u201d <\/p>\n
On the campaign trail, the incumbent government has presented itself as a steady pair of hands as the initial hit to stocks broadened into fears of an impending global recession. Now, Labor says the Australian economy is turning the corner, pointing to a recent fall in inflation to 2.9%, the lowest since December 2021. <\/p>\n