Cyclone Alfred: Anthony Albanese cautioned on election call

Anthony Albanese has not ruled out calling an election despite South East Queensland and northern NSW facing their worst cyclone in 50 years.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not ruled out calling an election in the next seven days despite South East Queensland and northern New South Wales set to be hit by the worst cyclone in 50 years.

But Mr Albanese was adamant his focus was on governing in “lock-step” with Queensland and NSW as he used a whistlestop visit to Brisbane to finalise federal government disaster arrangements – including childcare subsidies and Army assistance.

His plans to travel to Perth on the weekend have been scuttled, with Mr Albanese to stay on the east coast.

Expectations had been building toward the election being called on Sunday, which would make Mr Albanese the first prime minister in Australia to call people to the polls in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.

“I know I get asked every day for the last year about election time, I’m focused on governing,” Mr Albanese said.

“I’m here working with Premier (David) Crisafulli, absolutely in lock-step. There is no political parties here, there are no borders between New South Wales and Queensland, just Australians working together.”

Former Deputy Premier Cameron Dick said the decision to potentially call an election this Sunday is likely to “weigh very heavily” on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s mind.

Mr Dick told Peter Fegan on the 4BC Breakfast show that he will leave that decision to the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks while Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and Premier David Crisafulli look on. Picture: Adam Head

“I have to leave that to the PM, it is a difficult time,” Mr Dick said.

“You know, it looks like we could be possibly still even be dealing with the cyclone.

“The thing is just sitting off the coast, menacing us, and has not made a decision yet whether it’s going to come towards the coast, and when it’s going to hit us, so we could still be in the grips of that.

“So I think that’s going to weigh very heavily in the Prime Minister’s mind, that’s my view, as it would for any First Minister.

“Let’s see what the cyclone brings, let’s see what Alfred serves up for us, and then I’m sure the Prime Minister will take that into his calculations as to whether or not he calls an election this Sunday.”

Mr Albanese vowed to provide whatever resources were required for areas in the firing line of Cyclone Alfred.

The army has been activated, with a helicopter dispatched to Bundaberg and Coffs Harbour in preparation for the worst of the cyclone.

A delivery of 250,000 sandbags from federal reserves was also expected from Wednesday.

Mr Albanese also announced childcare gap fees for families would be waived and the number of allowable absences made unlimited until the disaster emergency was over.

“This is a rare event to have a tropical cyclone in an area that is not classified as part of the tropics here in South East Queensland and northern New South Wales, that is why this preparatory work is so important,” he said.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said he would be surprised if the election was called this Sunday or Monday for April 12.

“There will be people waiting for waters to reside, there will be swiftwater rescues … and some people will have lost everything,” he said.

“That’s the reality of these weather events, and to go to election at that stage, at that time, I think the Prime Minister would have a tin ear to do that.”

Mr Albanese said his decision to fly to Brisbane on Tuesday night had been made at the last minute, and he had spent his time in meetings with Mr Crisafulli ahead of the cyclone making landfall.

“Premier Crisafulli and I, at risk of damaging both of our careers, get on pretty well. And you can do some things face-to-face,” he said.

“That’s the way I deal with people. And we made the decision to come here – we only really decided (on Tuesday) – we confirmed that we get together … and then I wanted to attend to make sure that I was comfortable that all of the Commonwealth support was in place.”

Originally published as Cyclone Alfred: Anthony Albanese cautioned on election call