And in that final moment, that is where the win was boiled down – it was a repudiation against the Trump style of politics the Coalition boiled its campaign down to. And we were right to call that out and also point to people not wanting it. We didn’t flinch when it came to the late claims of poll surges on that, and for that, I am proud.

We said that the question would be majority or minority Labor and we were right. But we underestimated the swing. It will come down as more of the postal/pre poll votes come in, but it is absolutely clear that people did not want what the Coalition was offering.

The teals all look like being re-elected with at least one more in their number and Dai Le and it looks like Andrew Gee will also be returned.

The Greens are having a bad night – attacked by both major parties, it appears to have played a role. And it seems, maybe some of the parliamentary negotiating tactics haven’t played off.

We will see more in the senate as that count starts in the coming days.

But at this point, it appears a Labor majority.

Will they do something with that power? Finally?

A very big thank you to the team at the Australia Institute with not only trusting me with this little project, but backing it in and being so generous with their expertise. They absolutely knocked it out of the park and made this blog stand out among the noise.

To all the people in the back who you don’t hear from that often, but without whom the blog would not function. Thank you. You’re amazing.

And of course, to you – the thousands and thousands and thousands of you who came along to see what this experiment would be like. I am completely blown away by how many of you joined – and stuck around and watching the numbers jump up has just humbled me completely. We will keep making little changes and improving things like comments, but we will keep going. Because you help us to.

The fight for a better Australia isn’t over. It has only just begun. So for now, take a break. Regroup. Onwards.

And as always – take care of you. Ax

My fellow Australians, Australians have chosen the Australian Labor Party as their government. Our government will choose the Australian way, because we are proud of who we are and all that we have built together in this country. We do not need to beg or borrow or copy from anywhere else. We do not seek our inspiration from overseas.

We find it right here in our values and in our people.

Tomorrow, we dedicate ourselves to your service. We renew the great responsibility and the opportunity of government and with pride and purpose, optimism and determination, with faith in the fair go and faith in each other, we return to the work of building Australia’s future.

Thank you all.

Ali France gets a massive, massive cheer when Albanese singles her out.

His family gets a thank you and so does Jodie:

I am so grateful for your support, your friendship and your love. You make me so happy. Which matters. You have my heard, I love you and I look forward to living our lives together.

Albanese pulls out his Medicare card:

Because, this card… this card is not Labor Reid or Liberal blue, it is green and gold. It is a declaration of our national values in our national colours. Medicare belongs to all Australians and together, will make it stronger for all Australians.

He thanks Richard Marles and there is muted applause.

He thanks Penny Wong and there is cheers of PENNY PENNY PENNY

Jim Chalmers and Katy Gallagher also get a massive cheer, as does Jason Clare. Tony Burke gets one too

Albanese:

We must value every Australian and Labor will govern for every Australian. Every Australian who wants a fair go at work, fair wages, fair wages for their work and the right to disconnect when they are done with work.

Every Australian who deserves the security of a roof over their head or dreams of owning their own home, every woman who wants her contribution to our economy and society to be valued equally, every parent who wants their child to get the best start in life with cheaper childcare and with fair funding for every student in every school.

Everyone who counts on the National Disability Insurance Scheme. We will be a government for every Australian who wants to train or retrain for new skills and a good job, at public TAFE. Every Australian who works hard for the life changing opportunity of higher education, and wants 20% cut for their student debt.

Every Australian who knows … that climate change is a challenge, we must act together to meet for the future of our environment. And the fact that renewable energy is an opportunity that we must work together to seize for the future of our economy.

We will be a government that supports reconciliation with First Nations people. Because, we will be a stronger nation when we Close the Gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. And, friends, we will be a government that relies and helps every Australian who relies on Medicare

Albanese:

I make this solemn pledge. We will not forget that we will never take it for granted, repaying your trust will drive a government each and every day of the next three years — our government. The promise we took to the election was shaped by the Australian peoples parities and our government will dedicate the next three years to making a positive difference to your lives.

And, to your future.

…Together we are turning a corner and together we will make our way forward, with no-one held back and no-one left behind.

Albanese:

At election time candidates and parties are asked to make a choice. The nature of our democracy and the role of the media who serve it, it is based on differences. But the people of Australia have made the clear choice, let us reflect on what we have in common because no matter who you voted for, no matter where you live, no matter how you worship or who you love, whether you belong to a culture that has known and cared for this great continent for 65,000 years or you have chosen our nation as your home and enriched our society with your contribution, we are all Australians.

So let all of us work together to build our national unity on the enduring foundations of fairness, equality and respect for one another. My fellow Australians, I know the world has thrown a lot in our country over the past three years. I know so many of you have worked hard in the face of significant challenges, and I know there is still much more to do to help people under pressure. That is why it means so much that in these uncertain times, the people of Australia have placed their trust in Labor once again.

Including so many Australians who had voted Labor for the first time.

Anthony Albanese says he spoke to Peter Dutton. There are boos and Albanese stops them:

I thank him, no. No. What we do in Australia is we treat people with respect.

I thank Peter for his generous words at the end of what has been a very hard fought campaign, and I want to take this opportunity to wish Peter and Kiriilly and their family all the best for their future.

Anthony Albanese:

And I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet…

And I pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging today and every day.

Today, the Australian people have voted for Australian values. For fairness, aspiration and opportunity for all.

For the strength to show courage in adversity and kindness to those in need.

And Australians have voted for a future that holds true to these values, a future built on everything that brings us together as Australians and everything that sets our nation apart from the world. (APPLAUSE) in this time of global uncertainty, Australians have chosen optimism and determination.

Australians have chosen to face global challenges the Australian way, looking after each other while building for the future.

And to serve these values, meet these challenges, these these opportunities, and build that better and stronger future, Australians have chosen a majority Labor government.

There are chants of ALBO ALBO ALBO as he takes another drink of water.

“I think the Australian people have got the name,” he says.

Anthony Albanese is taking to the stage with his partner Jodie Haydon and son Nathan.

There are cheers of ALBO ALBO ALBO and he doesn’t shush them like he did in 2022. He takes a drink of water and says:

My fellow Australians… (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) Serving as your Prime Minister is the greatest honour of my life. And it is with a deep sense of humility and a profound sense of responsibility that the first thing that I do tonight is to say thank you to the people of Australia for the chance to continue to serve the best nation on earth.