Why Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is planning to call the federal election date now

While the PM is coy about when he will visit the Governor-General, rumours are swirling. But before any Liberals say “not fair”, there’s also a whiff of payback in the timing of Labor’s strategy.

ANALYSIS: Anthony Albanese couldn’t hide his delight as he rose in parliament to defend Labor’s income tax cuts for working Australians — savings the Coalition has vowed to repeal.

“Labor is the party of lower taxes,” the Prime Minister declared.

It’s the election-eve gift few Labor strategists could have hoped for in their wildest dreams.

The split on tax has left Opposition leader Peter Dutton exposed, and while he still has plenty of time to announce more cost of living alternatives, modern elections with lots more early voters tend to reward those who start big.

The Coalition may prove right in having deduced the two cuts, worth $5 a week from July 2026 rising to $10 the year after, will not be enough to woo voters who want relief now.

But pledging that a Dutton-lead government will take the cut away has gifted Labor a potent attack line for the next five weeks.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Albanese’s plan to call the election the morning after Mr Dutton’s budget in reply speech undoubtedly pulled focus from the opposition leader’s big chance to combat the tax cut narrative.

But before any Liberals cry “no fair” there’s also a whiff of payback in the timing of Labor’s strategy.

In 2022, some two hours before Mr Albanese, then-opposition leader, was due to step up to deliver his final budget in reply speech, an even bigger disruption came along.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison had agreed for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelesensky to address a special joint sitting of parliament late that same afternoon.

Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The speech, mere weeks after Russia had illegally invaded his country, was compelling television and forced Mr Albanese to share the limelight on what should have been his own final big pitch to voters before the election was called a week later.

The prospect of Labor launching out of budget week straight into an election in 2025 had always been a possibility the Coalition were factoring in.

Despite what will inevitably prove a truncated media cycle for his speech, the Liberals are happy so far with the reception to their early announcement of a halving of the fuel excise.

They’re less concerned about Labor’s tax attacks, because as Mr Dutton has said, he believes his plan is better.

Now it’s up to voters to let both sides know which one they agree with.

Originally published as Why Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is planning to call the federal election date now