Prime Minister Albanese leaves door open for election call in cyclone aftermath

The election campaign could kick off as early as this weekend despite a looming cyclone, with the Prime Minister refusing to rule out the move.

Anthony Albanese has left open the possibility of calling an election in the immediate aftermath of Cyclone Alfred, after repeatedly refusing to rule out starting the campaign despite the threat to homes and lives in Queensland’s south-east and NSW’s north.

Despite speculation that a mooted campaign kick-off for this weekend could be delayed by the category two cyclone, Mr Albanese on Thursday steadfastly refused to rule out making the call in the coming days.

“I’m (not) focused on...votes, I’m focused on lives. I’m focused on Australians and Australians showing our character at this difficult time. That’s my focus,” Mr Albanese said.

Sky News’ Kieran Gilbert quizzed the Prime Minister if he would see the governor general to trigger an election this weekend “(if) people are cleaning up houses and whatever else”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and National Emergency Management Agency Deputy Coordinator-General, Joe Buffone hold a media briefing in the National Situation Room (NEMA) in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The Prime Minister pivoted multiple times across Thursday when asked if he’d rule out calling an election in the aftermath of the cyclone.

“These are questions that have been asked this week, this month, last month...they have been asked for a long period of time,” Mr Albanese said.

“This is a reason why we need four year fixed terms to provide certainty.”

Earlier on Thursday, Mr Albanese again refused to rule out calling the election this weekend or early next week despite the cyclone being scheduled to hit the east coast on Friday evening.

“As much as some people here are focused on something else, I’m focused on the needs of Australians. This isn’t a time to for party politics. I’m just focused on doing my job and governing, and that’s something I’ve been focused on since the 23rd of May, 2022,” he said

Opposition leader Peter Dutton earlier this week said the Prime Minister would have a “tin ear” if he called an election in the wake of the cyclone.

Originally published as Prime Minister Albanese leaves door open for election call in cyclone aftermath