Bill Shorten

Australian elections drive Manus Island refugees to despair and suicide

Prime Minister Scott Morrison's re-election is likely to translate into tougher immigration laws and the repealing of 'Medevac' bill that would ensure seriously ill refugees are flown to mainland Australia for treatment.

Australia's prime minister set to form majority government

Coalition returns to power in a stunning result, after opinion polls and odds-makers tipped the opposition Labor Party to win. The outcome ranks as Australia's biggest election upset since 1993, when Labor prime minister Keating returned to power.

Australia's ruling coalition elected to surprise third term

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in his victory speech dubs his surprised election win as a "miracle".

Polls tighten as Aussie leaders make final campaign pitches

A closely watched poll showed Labor was going into Saturday's election with a slight advantage.

Australian prime minister announces May 18 election

The election will pit Bill Shorten, a former labour union leader who has presented himself as the alternative prime minister for the past six years, and PM Scott Morrison, a leader who the Australian public is still getting to know.

Australian party accused of asking US gun lobby for money

Australia's nationalist One Nation party allegedly sought millions of dollars from the US gun lobby and discussed weakening the country's strict gun control laws with the US National Rifle Association, Al Jazeera reported.

Scott Morrison becomes Australia's 30th prime minister

The former treasurer in Malcolm Turnbull's government was sworn in as the country's prime minister after he defeated Peter Dutton in a vote to lead the Liberal Party.

Australia’s deputy PM wins by-election to get back into parliament

Australia’s Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce will return to parliament after he lost his seat over a dual citizenship crisis last month. His win will bring relief to the government which lost its slim parliamentary majority over the crisis.

Australia's plan to ban re-entry of refugees who arrive by sea at risk

Opposition Labor Party says it will not support legislation to this effect. Conservative Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull earlier announced a proposal to prevent genuine refugees from returning to the country under any circumstances.

Australia unlikely to see same-sex marriage legislation soon

Opposition Labor Party refuses to support a public vote on gay marriage which it argues should be passed by the parliament without further delay. However, the government has no plans to legislate on the issue without a referendum.

Australia's PM declares victory, Labor concedes defeat

Malcolm Turnbull, Australia's Prime Minister, declares victory on Sunday eight days after polls close, while the Labor party concedes defeat following a tight race.

No clear victor in Australian elections

The exceptionally close vote has left Australian Prime Minister Turnbull's party needing support of independents and minor parties.