Australia expels Conservatives after nine years and Albanese to become PM

Australia’s Labor Party was set to end almost a decade of conservative rule as the government was swept away in Saturday’s election by a wave of support for candidates who campaigned for more action on climate change and may hold the balance of power.

Partial results showed that while Labor had made small gains, Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s Liberal-National coalition had been punished by voters in Western Australia and affluent urban seats in particular.

Albanese, speaking as he headed to his party celebrations, said he wanted to unite the country and “end the climate wars”. I think people have had enough of division, what they want is to come together as a nation and I intend to lead that.”