Australian Leaders Court Chinese-Australian Voters Ahead of Federal Election:

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had a special rendezvous on Easter Monday with Wong Penny, the Foreign Minister of Australia. The two dined at the Golden Lily restaurant in Box Hill, Melbourne which has a substantial number of China-born residents. It was reported that their table was laden with Chinese delicacies. This was done as a strategy to win over a crucial voting demographic before the federal elections scheduled for May 3, 2023.

Even though the election focus was the rising cost of living within the country, foreign policy tended to steal the limelight focus. Australian's unwavering tradition to strengthen security relations with the United States, while struggling to maintain strong trade ties with China, is becoming increasingly difficult now with the growing unpredictability of Donald Trump’s protectionist policies.

During an interview with the Financial Times, Ryan Neelam from the Lowy Institute said: “The key part of the debate is how Australia charts a path with our key security allies at a time when Australians see an ongoing threat from China."

Chinese-Australian Voters May Influence the Outcomes of the Elections.

Australian voters, Chinese or not, have become increasingly sensitive on matters of foreign relations, and Dutton has made it point to target them. Canada’s Chinese relations tend to make headlines every now and then while Dutton seeks to secure these voters in suburbs of Sydney and Melbourne. Despite the controversies surrounding Australia, both Albanese and Dutton have made it a point to ease any agitations the public may have toward the government.

During the elections in 2022, Chinese-Australians played a crucial role in aiding the Labor Party during their campaign which shifted the focus strongly on China-Australia relations.

As per Osmond Chiu of Per Capita, "The coalition attempted to make national security the primary focus, but in 2025, it is more about the US. It’s a different dynamic.”

Dutton, who used to be the ‘prepare for war’ hawk, has recently taken on a more conciliatory tone, calling himself “pro-China.” That changed while attending a campaign function in Box Hill, where he announced a commitment of A$250,000 towards the sponsoring of future Lunar New Year celebrations in a bid to win over Chinese-Australian goodwill.

Foreign Affairs and Domestic Backlash at the Same Time Favoring

The Trump administration’s controversial policies of imposing high tariffs on Chinese imports and strained relations with major allied countries is a worry for Australian voters. According to a poll conducted by Lowy Institute cited by the Financial Times, 41% of respondents trusted Albanese more than Dutton, who only garnered 29% when it came to foreign policy.

Albanese's government has maintained a cautious approach towards China, but at least relations have improved to the extent that China has removed tariffs on essential Australian imports like coal, wine, and lobsters. The ongoing situation with China’s military maneuvers in close proximity to Australian territories and the contentious issue of Chineses ownership of the Port of Darwin still causes uneasiness.

Specialists like Chiu are of the opinion that the Chinese-Australian electorate has the potential to single-handedly influence whether the next government comes into power with an absolute majority or ends up being a minority government.