By Gouri Satya, Sr. Journalist

I am in Australia during the country’s recent general elections. Just across the street from where I am staying on Blackburn Road in Glen Waverley is the Office of Labour MP Dr. Carina Garland.

She represents the Division of Chisholm, part of Monash City in Melbourne. Glen Waverley is a highly sought-after suburb, known for its quality infrastructure, schools and connectivity.

Glen Waverley’s infrastructure further drives its real estate boom, with housing prices surging over 200 percent. The area is well-connected, with Syndal Rail Station and the nearest bus stop just five minutes away.

Glen Waverley Secondary College, one of the most preferred schools in the region, is close to Glen Waverley Station, the next station after Syndal. Shops and amenities are within walking distance. Opposite Syndal Station is a Sri Lankan-Indian-Asian grocery store, the Elephant House.

The Glen Mall, frequented by the younger crowd, adds to the area’s appeal. There are a few Indian restaurants. This easy access to transport, education, and multicultural businesses fuels rising property values.

Chisholm has an electorate of over 100,000, with a notably diverse population — around 30 percent are Chinese-Australians, the largest concentration in any Australian electorate. The suburb is also home to a large number of Sri Lankans, Koreans and Indians, including many Kannadigas.

Garland was re-elected in the just-concluded federal election, defeating Katie Allen of the Liberal Party. Interestingly, despite its strategic location, the MP’s Office is usually quiet, with little visible footfall, unlike our crowded MP Offices.

Here, electioneering is quite different from the vibrant, noisy campaigns in India. It is subdued, relying heavily on electronic media, print coverage and signboards outlining candidates’ performances and promises. Voting is conducted online, significantly reducing paper waste. Voting centres and postal vote options are also provided.

Labour won a convincing majority, securing 85 seats — well over the 76 needed to form the Government. The Liberal Party has managed 36 seats, while the Greens have drawn a blank, and others have taken 10.

Labour held a 55 percent share versus 45 percent for the Liberals — a swing of 2.8 percent in Labour’s favour. Official vote counting won’t conclude for days, but it’s clear that the Labour government is set to dramatically increase its majority, with swings towards them in almost every area.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese retained his seat with a huge margin over the Greens candidate, Hannah Thomas. On the other hand, for Liberal leader Peter Dutton, it was a major shock. He lost the Queensland seat he had held for 24 years.

Key election issues included the rising cost of living, particularly housing affordability and access to healthcare. The Coalition Liberals promised tax rebates of half on petrol, cheaper energy, support to first home buyers, and improvements to the public healthcare system. But the ‘Trump effect’ played a big, disastrous part.

Albanese assurances included wage growth, a 20 percent off on student debt, an average cut of tax rates by 2,500, 150 dollars off on power bills, cheaper medicines and stronger Medicare.

Liberals’ leader Dutton was seen as Australia’s Trump. His campaign — marked by proposals to cut jobs, end work-from-home flexibility and implement harsh immigration and public sector policies — was widely seen as too extreme.

Critics likened it to a “Trump-style” conservatism and Dutton’s last-minute backflips only added to perceptions of inconsistency. It was described as an “awkward and inconsistent campaign.” They rejected him and his proposals. They ousted him from Parliament.

Community sentiment echoed these concerns of the voters. The Indian Link, a widely circulated community monthly, had conducted a pre-election survey among Indian Australians, who now form nearly 4 percent of Australia’s population.

The results showed 43.48 percent support for Labour, 27.33 percent for the Liberal Coalition, 12 percent for the Greens, and 7 percent for Independents. A striking 70 percent backed Albanese as Prime Minister.

The survey’s headline read: “Steady as she goes — Voters say keep things as they are.” That forecast has come true. Vote counting continues at a slow pace, but the trend is clear: Australia has chosen continuity and moderation over polarisation.

Camp: Blackburn Road

Glen Waverley

Melbourne, Australia