Parliament Resumes: Albanese Rides Newspoll High While Ley Faces Coalition’s Historic Loss

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As Australia’s 48th Parliament convenes on July 22, 2025, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese basks in a favorable Newspoll, while Sussan Ley grapples with the Liberal-National Coalition’s crushing electoral defeat. The Australian Labor Party (ALP) enjoys a strengthened mandate, but the Coalition’s new leader must navigate internal divisions and a diminished presence. This article explores the political dynamics as parliament returns, highlighting the challenges facing both sides.

The latest Newspoll, conducted July 14–19, 2025, shows the ALP leading 54–46% on a two-party-preferred basis, a boost from their May election landslide, where they secured 94 seats in the House of Representatives—the most ever by a single party. Albanese’s net approval rating stands at +5%, a recovery from earlier lows, though critics argue his government’s focus on minor reforms, like a 20% student debt cut, sidesteps deeper issues like housing affordability. “Albanese’s riding a wave, but it’s a shallow one,” said political analyst John Black on Sky News. The ALP’s record number of female MPs, including new faces like Ali France in Dickson, adds to their narrative of renewal, but questions linger about their ability to deliver bold economic change amidst global tariff tensions.

Meanwhile, Sussan Ley, the Liberal Party’s first female leader, faces a daunting task. The Coalition’s 40 seats mark their worst result since 1946, with former leader Peter Dutton losing his seat of Dickson. Ley, elected over Angus Taylor, is under pressure to unify a fractured party, with only six Liberal women in the lower house. “We must reflect with humility,” Ley told ABC News, acknowledging the party’s missteps, including Dutton’s divisive rhetoric, which drew Trump comparisons. Internal tensions persist, with moderates clashing over Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s shift to the Liberals. The Coalition’s failure to renew its agreement with the National Party adds further strain.

As parliament opens, Ley must counter Albanese’s momentum while rebuilding a battered opposition. The ALP’s strong polling masks vulnerabilities, particularly on cost-of-living pressures, which could resurface if reforms falter. Both leaders face a parliament where independents and the Greens, now down to one seat, demand attention, setting the stage for a contentious term.