Anthony Albanese has reignited debate about the timing of the Federal election with a seemingly innocuous statement during a press conference on Friday.
During an announcement of a new $843 million fund in the next Federal budget to support Indigenous communities, the Prime Minister managed to triggered fresh speculation of a May election rather than an earlier poll.
Mr Albanese unveiled the $842.6m injection of fresh financing over six years for services including policing, women’s safety, education and alcohol harm reduction while visiting the Northern Territory’s Alice Springs, which has been shaken by a crime wave in recent years.
Labor says the landmark deal struck with the NT authorities and the Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory (APO NT) creates certainty for over 570 jobs, including 278 for First Nations Territorians, and boost health and child development services in remote communities.
The strategy aimed to “close the gap” between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, Mr Albanese said.
“Australians believe in the fair go. The task before us is to build a future in which all Australians have access to the same opportunities,” he added.
But his comments during a press conference that the additional funding would be assured in “a line item when we hand down our Budget,” has launched a new round of speculation that an April election has been ruled out.
The Federal Budget is scheduled to be presented to Parliament on March 25 unless an April election is called. The dates of April 12 and May 17 have been strong contenders in the Canberra rumour mill, although only the Prime Minister knows the date of the poll.
On Friday, the Australian Financial Review reported that Labor’s business forum subscribers had been invited to budget night events on March 25, with tickets to mingle with Mr Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers at a drinks reception and dinner going from $1,500 to $5,000.
However, Labor sources said attempts to peg an election date on the Prime Minister’s words should be treated with a high degree of caution, pointing out that the Budget will be prepared and carried forward regardless of whether it is publicly presented in parliament.
Any future Government would have the right to rescind lines of the Budget but would actively have to overturn the $843m Northern Territory pledge.
Asked on ABC on Friday whether she was preparing a Budget submission or if there would be an early election call, Housing Minister Clare O’Neil said work was carrying on as normal.
“Every good government minister is always ready with their budget submissions,” she said. “But I don’t know the answer your [election] question. There’s only one person with the answer, and that’s the big boss.”
Coalition sources also refused to speculate on the date and said the Opposition would be ready whenever it was called.
https://thewest.com.au/politics/federal-politics/federal-election-2025-anthony-albanese-drops-clue-election-date-might-be-later-than-thought–c-17643095
