Australia’s Liberal Party Secures Election Upset

By Julian Hayda
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to party supporters flanked by his wife, Jenny, second left, and daughters Lily, right, and Abbey, after his opponent conceded in the federal election in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, May 19, 2019. Australia’s ruling conservative coalition, lead by Morrison, won a surprise victory in the country’s general election, defying opinion polls that had tipped the center-left opposition party to oust it from power and promising an end to the revolving door of national leaders.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to party supporters flanked by his wife, Jenny, second left, and daughters Lily, right, and Abbey, after his opponent conceded in the federal election in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, May 19, 2019. Australia's ruling conservative coalition, lead by Morrison, won a surprise victory in the country's general election, defying opinion polls that had tipped the center-left opposition party to oust it from power and promising an end to the revolving door of national leaders. Rick Rycroft / AP Photo
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to party supporters flanked by his wife, Jenny, second left, and daughters Lily, right, and Abbey, after his opponent conceded in the federal election in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, May 19, 2019. Australia’s ruling conservative coalition, lead by Morrison, won a surprise victory in the country’s general election, defying opinion polls that had tipped the center-left opposition party to oust it from power and promising an end to the revolving door of national leaders.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to party supporters flanked by his wife, Jenny, second left, and daughters Lily, right, and Abbey, after his opponent conceded in the federal election in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, May 19, 2019. Australia's ruling conservative coalition, lead by Morrison, won a surprise victory in the country's general election, defying opinion polls that had tipped the center-left opposition party to oust it from power and promising an end to the revolving door of national leaders. Rick Rycroft / AP Photo

Australia’s Liberal Party Secures Election Upset

By Julian Hayda
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Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison secured another term in office after national elections last Saturday. His victory came as a surprise to many pollsters, who had by and large showed Morrison’s political bloc trailing the opposition Labor Party in the lead-up to the election. With Morrison at its helm, Australia is expected to make little progress in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and to continue with its tough approach to asylum seekers, thousands of whom have been held in Pacific Island camps. Morrison has previously expressed admiration for President Trump, and Trump congratulated Morrison on the election results via Twitter. Joining us for analysis of Morrison’s upset victory is Rachel Withers. Withers is a writer and producer based in Mexico and New York, covering tech, culture and all things Australia. On Monday, her article titled “What the Bloody Hell Just Happened in Australia?” was published in Slate.