Australian PM Albanese to Call Election “Imminently” as May Deadline Looms

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has indicated he will call a national election “imminently,” with the constitutional deadline of May 17 fast approaching for electing a new parliament, Al Jazeera reports.

“It will be in May, I can guarantee that. And it will be called pretty imminently,” Albanese told radio station Triple M on Thursday. “I’m not calling it today but I will call it soon. I think that Australians want to get on with it.”

Multiple reports from major Australian newspapers, including The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian, suggest that Albanese is scheduled to meet with Governor-General Sam Mostyn in Canberra on Friday to formally request the dissolution of parliament and trigger the election.

As Governor-General, Mostyn represents the United Kingdom’s King Charles – Australia’s official head of state – and must authorize the election call.

The Australian has reported that the election is likely to be held on May 3, though Albanese’s office has not confirmed this date.

With the election looming, Albanese’s Labor Party has been unveiling various measures aimed at addressing voter concerns, particularly those related to the high cost of living.

On Tuesday, the government announced a budget including two new rounds of tax cuts totaling 17.1 billion Australian dollars ($10.7bn). The cuts would provide an average income earner with a tax reduction of 268 Australian dollars ($170) in the fiscal year ending June 2027, and 536 Australian dollars ($338) the following year. These cuts, while welcome, are less substantial than the 1,654-Australian-dollar ($1,044) tax relief implemented during the current fiscal year.

Meanwhile, opposition Liberal-National coalition leader Peter Dutton has also presented his pre-election promises. He has pledged to cut the fuel excise tax by half, describing it as “real, immediate relief” that could save families with a single car 750 Australian dollars ($473) over a year.

Dutton stated that the fuel excise tax reduction would be implemented immediately upon taking office, if elected prime minister, and would remain in effect for 12 months.