Anthony Albanese is set to call the election on Friday after months of speculation about the date when millions will head to the polls.
Doing so on would steal attention from Opposition leader Peter Dutton’s budget reply speech on Thursday night.
Labor insiders said the Prime Minister is set to go to Governor-General Sam Mostyn’s home in Canberra on Friday morning to ask her to dissolve parliament.
Mr Albanese had been due to make the journey to Yarralumla earlier this month to call and election for April 12, but that plan was derailed due to Cyclone Alfred.
Mr Dutton’s budget-in-reply speech in parliament on Thursday was thought likely to reveal the Coalition’s policies on housing, migration and gas supply.
But such policy details would get lost in Friday morning online, TV and radio coverage if everyone is talking about the federal election date being announced.
More to come…

Anthony Albanese (pictired) is set to call the election on Friday after months of speculation about the date when millions will head to the polls