Australia's Liberals are not testing the government

Significance

Labor was concerned about losing Dunkley ahead of next year’s general election. However, although the Liberal-Nationals Coalition, the main opposition grouping, managed to increase its vote slightly, it was unable to capitalise on the government’s unconvincing response to high living costs.

Impacts

• Labor remains on course to retain power in 2025 but could lose more of its primary vote to smaller parties.
• Conservative opposition parties will struggle to resolve internal rifts before the election.
• Climate change and energy policies will again be a divisive issue in the build-up to the election, expected in May 2025.