Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been re-elected as the country’s leader, becoming the first in decades to secure a second term.

With some 70.8% of the seats already counted, the ABC puts Labor on track to finish with 85 seats – far above the 76 seats needed, giving it a comfortable majority.

The Opposition Liberal National Coalition is expected to win 36 seats and the Independents stand at 10.  Meanwhile, Peter Dutton, leader of the conservative Liberal party, has conceded defeat.       

Before the dissolution of parliament, Labor had a razor-thin majority of 77 seats. It is a remarkable turnaround for Albanese, 62, whose popularity was at record lows at the start of the year as Australians grappled with a cost of living crisis and challenges in healthcare and housing.     

After the victory, Anthony Albanese told supporters at Labor headquarters in Sydney last night that serving as Prime Minister is the greatest honour of his life.