Prime Minister Scott Morrison Defeated By Anthony Albanese In Australian Election

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Melbourne, Australia in this photo taken February 11, 2022. (Antara/Reuters/Darrian Traynor)

JAKARTA - Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison conceded defeat in Saturday's election and the opposition Labor Party is set to end nearly a decade of conservative rule, likely thanks to support from independents campaigning on climate policy.

Cumulative results show that while Labor has had a slight advantage, Morrison's Liberal-National coalition has been left out by voters in Western Australia.

The Greens and a group of so-called "teal" independents, who campaign for policies on integrity, gender equality, and tackling climate change, are showing strength, dispelling voter anger over inaction on climate change in the wake of Australia's worst floods and fires.

The new parliament seems less climate-skeptic than the one that backed Morrison's pro-coal mines government.

"Tonight, I have spoken with the leader of the opposition and the upcoming prime minister Anthony Albanese. I congratulate him on his victory tonight," Morrison said as he said goodbye as party leader as reported by Antara.

Albanese said he would unite the country.

"I think people want unity, seek common interests, look towards a common goal. I think people are divided enough, what they want is to be united as a nation and I am determined to lead that."

According to current results, Labor has yet to reach 76 of the 151 lower house seats needed to form a self-government. Final results will take some time when the postal vote count is complete.

With a vote count of 55 percent, the Labor Party won 72 seats and the Morrison coalition 52 seats. The Independents and the Greens won 11 seats, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Meanwhile, the other 16 seats are still unknown.

Labor is ahead in opinion polls before the Australian election, although surveys show the Liberal-National government narrowed the gap in the final session of the six-week campaign.