Albanese Set to Call Federal Election With May 3 as Earliest Poll Date

May 3 and 10 are emerging as the most likely election dates.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a Cabinet meeting Melbourne, Australia on Feb. 24, 2025. AAP Image/James Ross

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is poised to call the much-anticipated federal election, with May 3 emerging as the earliest possible polling date.

Federal law requires a minimum 33-day campaign period, setting May 17 as the latest possible date.

Speculation about the official announcement intensified after Albanese hinted during a radio interview on Triple M that it would happen “pretty imminently.”

However, he stopped short of confirming a precise date. “I will call it soon. Australians want to get on with it, certainly my caucus colleagues do,” Albanese said on March 27.

Government Fuels Election Buzz

Adding to the pre-election frenzy, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet accidentally posted—and swiftly deleted—a social media update on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting the government had entered caretaker mode, a period where the government stops making major decisions because an election is about to take place.

This only occurs once parliament is dissolved and the election is formally called, amplifying the sense that an announcement is imminent.

Opposition Budget Reply

The timing of the election call coincides with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s response to the federal budget, unveiled by Treasurer Jim Chalmers earlier this week.

Some observers speculated Albanese’s expected election call might aim to overshadow Dutton’s budget reply, where he proposed a temporary cut to the fuel excise.

The Coalition claims this measure would save Australians $14 a week at the petrol pump, contrasting with Labor’s $10-a-week tax cut scheduled for 2027.

Dutton’s proposals reflect the Coalition’s focus on cost-of-living relief, with the excise cut to apply for a year.

Cyclone Alfred Delays Early Election Plans

Initial reports suggested an April election, but Albanese’s plans were disrupted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which caused significant damage in Queensland and northern New South Wales.

During a press conference last week, he confirmed that he had postponed any election announcement to focus on disaster recovery efforts.

“I’ve no intention of doing anything that distracts from what we need to do, and what we need to do is to look after each other at this difficult time,” he said.

By March 24, Albanese acknowledged that the federal election would take place in May, though he kept specific dates under wraps.

The announcement came a day before the government’s 2025 budget, which emphasised targeted tax relief.

As both major parties gear up for campaign season, voters can expect intensified political debates on key issues, including cost-of-living pressures, economic resilience, and disaster recovery efforts.

AAP contributed to the article.