Federal Election 2022: May 14 most likely date, Morrison to call poll ‘within weeks’

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will call an election imminently, with one sign pointing to the most likely date Australians will be heading to the polls.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has confirmed Australia’s worst kept secret: that the Prime Minister will call an election “within weeks”, as May 14 firms as a likely election date.

Multiple sources have confirmed the Australian Electoral Commission has booked out halls for voting on May 14, although it traditionally books out multiple dates to cover all contingencies.

Labor Party strategists believe the Prime Minister will call the election for May 14 next week.

Speaking today at a pre-budget press conference, Mr Frydenberg confirmed the Prime Minister will call on the Governor-General to dissolve parliament in April.

“In just a matter of weeks, the Australian people will go to the polls,’’ the Treasurer said.

“They will face a clear choice between a coalition led by Scott Morrison that has delivered one of the fastest economic recoveries anywhere in the world and has a plan for the future, and a Labor Party which puts all those gains at risk.”

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The federal election will likely be called for May 14, Labor strategists believe. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer.

The options the Prime Minister now has for a May election are May 7, May 14 and May 21.

One alternative is the Prime Minister could call the election next week for a shorter five-week campaign for May 7.

There has to be at least 33 days between an election being called and the day of the poll.

In turn, this means the last day Mr Morrison can ask the Governor-General to call the election is April 18.

Australia’s federal government is voted in for three-year terms, which means an election must take place by Saturday May 21, 2022, at the absolute latest.

The Prime Minister must call the election by April 18 at the latest. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison starts the election race as the underdog, behind in the polls and with Labor retaining a two-party preferred lead of 55-45.

Labor starts the campaign on 69 seats and needs to win a net seven seats to elect a Speaker and form a government.

The Coalition holds 76 seats and it needs to hold its own seats and gain some seats to balance out any Labor wins if it is to retain government.

According to the polls, Anthony Albanese could become the next Prime Minister of Australia. Picture Emma Brasier

Mr Frydenberg also confirmed the petrol excise will be slashed in tonight’s budget in a “temporary and targeted” way to deliver cost-of-living relief for motorists.

News.com.au understands the petrol excise changes will come into force from midnight but may take a few days to show up when you fill up your tank.

”If you’re a family who needs your car to get to and from work to drop your kids at school, if you’re a tradie who is busy getting about a daily job, you are seeing the higher price for petrol and what it’s doing to your take home pay.

”And so what we will be seeking to do in this budget is provide cost of living relief for those Australians that are paying higher prices at the bowser.”