Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, seeking re-election in a tight race, is a pragmatic leader who pledged to end divisions but was set back by the failure of a referendum on Indigenous people and the headwinds of global inflation.

Issue of cost of living, climate change, and managing record immigration are going to be key issues on voters' minds in Australia while casting their votes on May 3.

The government faces the unenviable prospect of being the first which fails to win a second term in almost 100 years.