With the next federal election due to be held at the end of May, speculation has been rife for months about the chosen date.
The clearest clue so far came on Monday, when Labor insiders said an election was likely on April 12, and Anthony Albanese wanted to get the Western Australian election out of the way first.
The WA state election will be held on March 8, which would allow voters in the west to go five weeks between the two elections.
Calling a federal election in early March would allow the Labor government to avoid reducing the federal budget scheduled for March 25.
Although the two previous budgets showed surpluses, the next one is expected to show federal coffers in deficit.
Although interest rates have remained stubbornly high during Labour’s almost three years in power, the Government hopes for an interest rate cut before the next election.
More to come…
With the next federal election due to be held at the end of May, speculation has been rife for months about the chosen date. Anthony Albanese is pictured with Transport Minister Catherine King.