Anthony Albanese will serve a second term as Prime Minister and the major parties headquarters have reacted to the news in starkly contrasting ways.
Pictures have streamed out of both parties’ election headquarters this evening with a stark contrast between the two sides.
At Labor headquarters in Sydney, Albanese’s supporters burst into applause and chanted after the party secured victory at a lightning pace on Saturday night.
People could be seen, arms around each other, coming together in raucous applause.
Beers were reportedly flowing at Labor HQ with Albanese-branded cans, 7News reported.
Some Labor supporters could be seen refilling their drinks as the results were announced while they waited for the Prime Minister to arrive from Kirribilli House.
Meanwhile at the Coalition’s headquarters in Brisbane, Dutton’s supporters stood in silence.
People could be seen with glum frowns, some in tears, as the reality of the loss appeared to sink in over a quiet 30 minutes.
Labor supporters’ reaction to the election victory was raucous at the headquarters in Sydney
But Liberal supporters were silent as the disappointing results came in, leaving some in tears
Volunteers, party members and supporters at the Liberal’s headquarters lingered in the room awaiting what was next.
Dutton spent the night fighting for his political future in his seat of Dickson before losing to Labor’s Ali France in Brisbane.
After the news broke across the country, the Opposition Leader travelled to Liberal headquarters to give his concession speech.
Despite the sadness in the minutes after the news of the loss broke, Dutton was still greeted with cheers from supporters as he gave his concession speech.
The Liberal leader was flanked by his sombre family as he spoke to the full room.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has left The Lodge around 8.45pm en route to Labor’s headquarters to make a victory speech.
Party members and supporters lingered in the room awaiting what was next
The Liberals’ headquarters in Brisbane was silent as results from the polls rolled in
There was a significantly more joyful atmosphere as Labor supporters chanted with joy
Daily Mail Australia’s political editor Peter van Onselen was the first in the country to call the election as Labor surged ahead of the Coalition both with the party vote and number of seats won.
‘In a stunning result Peter Dutton looks like losing his seat of Dickson,’ PVO said.
‘No opposition leader has lost their seat at an election since the arrival of the two party system. John Howard – Peter Dutton’s mentor – lost his seat of Bennelong at the 2007 election, but that was as PM.
‘The Liberals are going to have to start the search for a new leader.’
On the other side of Brisbane former Queensland Labor leader Steven Miles was seen celebrating France’s victory surrounded by supporters.
The crowd, wearing Labor merchandise, could be seen embracing each other
Beers were reportedly flowing at Labor HQ with Albanese-branded cans, 7News reported
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Michaelia Cash, told 7News that she was not ready to count her leader out yet but used the time to sing Dutton his praises.
‘Peter Dutton has been a phenomenal leader,’ she said.
‘He held a marginal seat since 2001. He was outstanding as a minister in an opposition government.
‘I’m going to wait until the last vote is counted to rule him out.’
