Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to call the federal election on Friday for a polling day in early May, according to Labor sources. This decision comes amidst speculation in Canberra that Albanese could visit the governor general to capitalize on momentum from Tuesday’s federal budget and draw attention away from Peter Dutton’s budget reply speech on Thursday night.
Albanese is anticipated to call the election for either May 3, 10, or 17, with the earliest date being more widely expected. This move is seen as an effort to shift focus from Dutton’s budget reply speech, where he will outline his alternative vision for the country, including commitments like halving the fuel excise for 12 months.
Labor MPs and strategists believe the government has gained momentum over the past month with several significant announcements, while negative headlines surrounding the Coalition’s messaging and Dutton’s actions have fueled internal unease about the opposition’s strategy. Opinion polls continue to suggest a hung parliament after the election, potentially leading to negotiations with the crossbench to form a minority government.
In a surprising turn of events, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet briefly published and quickly deleted a post on social media stating that the government was “now operating in accordance with caretaker conventions, pending the outcome of the 2025 federal election.” This post was said to be published mistakenly and swiftly taken down.
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