Anthony Albanese has called for four-year parliamentary terms as he faced questions about the date of the next election.
It comes as a Roy Morgan poll on Tuesday showed the Albanese government facing a wipeout – with the Coalition ahead 53 per cent to Labor’s 47 per cent on a two-party-preferred basis.
Mr Albanese was asked by Sunrise host Michael Usher on Tuesday about when he plans to hold the next election, amid growing speculation among the major parties that April 12 is firming as his potential pick.
‘(The date) will be May 17 or before,’ the Prime Minister responded.
‘We should have four-year fixed terms, like they do in most states and territories, to avoid these games.’
But any change to how long prime ministers serve in parliament would require a successful referendum – something the government would be loath to do after the failure of its Indigenous Voice referendum.
The next federal election must be held by the date Mr Albanese nominated this morning, but can be held earlier should the prime minister want to go to the polls sooner.
Mr Albanese has previously said he wanted to serve his full term as prime minister, but can choose any Saturday between now and May 17.
Hinting at an imminent election, he is this week touring battleground electorates in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia.
Anthony Albanese has called for four-year parliamentary terms as he faced questions about the date of the next election on Sunrise
Sunrise host Michael Usher confronted Albanese with stark economic realities, including rising energy costs, as fresh polling shows Labor behind the coalition
He will begin Tuesday in Rockhampton, Central Queensland, before heading north to Cairns and west to Mount Isa.
Cost-of-living pressures will be a key issue during the election, as pain felt by households whittles down the government’s approval ratings.
Usher confronted Mr Albanese with some stark figures about the economy under his government.
‘You need about $1 million to afford a house. Energy prices have gone up 14 per cent in the last 12 months,’ he said.
‘General insurance costs are up 16 per cent. There is no guarantee of a rate cut. Petrol is sitting around $2 a litre.
‘Iron ore is down and the dollar is weak. What are you worried about with the economy?’
Mr Albanese attributed economic challenges to global factors, such as inflation, but said the economy is moving in the right direction under Labor.
Mr Albanese attacked Peter Dutton’s $330 billion nuclear reactor proposal
He also highlighted the government’s achievement of two consecutive budget surpluses.
‘We have real wages increasing, that is wages are increasing by more than inflation in the last four quarters,’ Mr Albanese said.
‘But we understand and are certainly not complacent about it.
‘That is why at each and every opportunity we have looked for ways to address cost of living, to address those pressures that are on families whilst putting that downward pressure on inflation.’
But Usher warned Mr Albanese that voters were not convinced.
‘You’re going to have to pull some fast levers to convince the electorate that they’re feeling better off because most people feel like they’re going backwards,’ he said.
Mr Albanese said people would have been worse off under the Coalition.
He also attacked Opposition leader Peter Dutton’s $330billion bid to set up seven nuclear reactors.
‘Under the Coalition, we will go backwards, under Peter Dutton and things will cost more,’ he said.
‘The only plan they have put forward is for nuclear reactors that will cost $1,200 for every Australian.’
