What Australian women want the new Prime Minister to know.

Anthony Albanese will become the country's 32nd Prime Minister.

After early swings to Labor, Albanese became the first prime minister to win back-to-back elections in 21 years.

With counting still underway, it is not yet clear whether Labor will form a majority government. However, Peter Dutton, leader of the Coalition, will lose his seat of Dickson in suburban Brisbane, after a substantial swing to Labor candidate Ali France.

When we polled the Mamamia community, Australian women had one passionate, recurring message for the incoming government: "Do better. Be bold."

This collective cry for change is hardly surprising given the frustratingly policy-light campaign, which was marked more by "moments". Moments such as our leaders not knowing the cost of eggs, back-flipping on work from home policies and debates around the need for Welcome to Country ceremonies.

Here are five core issues 1,200 Australian women want genuine action on over the next four years, plus their direct messages to the incoming prime minister.

Listen: Labor's Landslide Victory & What Happens To The Liberals Now? Post continues below.

1. Cost of living crisis

Families are drowning under the weight of impossible bills, with 69 per cent of respondents telling us cost-of-living was the top election issue.

And it's not surprising.

Although inflation has eased to 2.4 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024 – down from 2.8 per cent in the third quarter – households are still feeling the pinch and are calling for more action.

"The supermarkets must be held accountable for the cost-of-living crisis. They make huge amounts of profits at the expense of their customers."

"The cost of living is unsustainable. We are a two-government-worker household with one child — home owners with a mortgage. The costs of food, utilities, transportation and insurances is crippling. Help. Please."

2. Crumbling health and hospital system

Women and families are fighting for essential care in an overwhelmed system. 60 per cent of surveyed respondents said the system needs to be fixed.

More funding is needed across the board, with readers emphasising the need for cheaper health services.

"A healthy public is a happy public. The healthcare system and healthcare workers are broken. The system needs reform and funding ASAP!"

"Free healthcare is important to keep hospitals from being overloaded."

"Increase funding for Medicare, so more doctors can do bulk billing."

Anthony Albanese on his promises for women's health. Article continues below.

3. Climate change

The future our children will inherit hangs in the balance — climate change ranked third in the issues of concern with 45 per cent.

"Act on climate like your children's lives depend on it. Because they do."

"We need to lead by example on climate".

"Please, please address climate change and stop mining fossil fuels in Australia. We are out of time to stop the negative impacts but we can still try to mitigate the worst of them."

4. Housing affordability

The Australian dream is slipping away from an entire generation, and 40 per cent of respondents said this should be a key priority to be fixed.

"Housing should be a human right not a privilege."

"Housing is a human right. We need public housing and we needed it 30 years ago. A 20+ year wait for "emergency" public housing is an absolute joke and an embarrassment."

"Be brave and think of future generations and housing affordability. Stop pandering to the rich."

5. Domestic and family violence epidemic

Women continue to die as a result of domestic and stranger violence, and 37 per cent of the Mamamia community said this issue drove their voting decision in 2025.

It's been 37 days since the election was officially called, and in those few short weeks, seven Australian women lost their lives, according to Sherele Moody's Australian Femicide Watch. A total of 24 women have been killed in 2025.

"Women's bodies should be their choice. Focus on changing boys' and mens attitudes towards women and you'll reduce women's deaths and domestic violence."

"It's time there was real equality for women. We will be marching in the streets unless we see meaningful action on growing violence against women."

"Remember what this country is about. Freedom to live your life without fear and hatred from others."

Listen to Anthony Albanese on Mamamia's No Filter. Post continues below.

The message from Australian women to Parliament House transcends partisan politics — it's about human urgency.

Beyond changing nameplates, they demand fundamental change behind closed doors. As political theatre gives way to reality, a chorus of mothers, daughters and sisters rises, asking not for promises but for tangible action that lightens their load, protects the vulnerable, and secures a future worth inheriting.

Feature image: Mamamia.