In brief
With mandatory voting and a unique preferential system, the country’s political landscape is buzzing with anticipation ahead of the federal election.
Australians will cast their votes in the federal election on May 3, determining who leads the country next and how parliament will be shaped. Voting is compulsory, meaning all citizens over 18 must participate, and quirky traditions like grabbing a "democracy sausage" at polling stations make the day special.The electoral system is different from many countries, and Australians rank candidates in order of preference. If no one secures a majority, the least popular candidates' votes are redistributed until someone does. All 150 seats in the House of Representatives and 40 of the 76 Senate seats are up for grabs, with the major parties being the Labor Party and the Liberal-National coalition.Current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, leading Labor since their 2022 win, is facing off against Peter Dutton, the newly appointed leader of the Liberal-National coalition. Major issues on the ballot include the rising cost of living and housing affordability, making this election particularly important for voters. Results aren't guaranteed on election night, as the vote counting process can take days, keeping everyone on their toes!
