Election 2022: Scott Morrison backs himself to make extra campaign week count

Scott Morrison feels he’s not only better in a campaign than Albanese but is also better prepared for the tough questions that come during a campaign. Picture: AFP

Scott Morrison always said he’d go full term - well a May 21 election is as full a term as it is possible to go and not run the risk of impinging on constitutional law.

The Prime Minister has taken the Coalition government to the last hurdle and the last throw of the dice.

Anthony Albanese and Morrison have both set out fairly direct pitches to the people: with Labor saying its “time for a change” from a tired old government that’s run out of puff and the Coalition simply saying “don’t risk it” at a time of global and national uncertainty about everything from the Covid 19 pandemic, the global economy and security exemplified by the war in Ukraine.

The leaders have both made it clear they are each going to target the other as a point of differentiation on character and leadership because both sides have minimal policy differences because of Labor’s small-target strategy.

Anthony Albanese at the Sydney Royal Easter Show with partner Jodie Haydon and farmer James Kemp. Picture: Monde Photography

Apart from always wanting to go full term - despite there being positive opportunities at the end of last year and more wriggle room for the Government - Morrison’s other consideration for May 21 - a six week instead of the standard five week campaign - is that he considers himself a better campaigner than Albanese.

According to the polls the election campaign is Morrison’s only hope for re-election because he is starting so far behind.

But he came from behind last time, after Labor underestimated him and overestimated the impact of the removal of Malcolm Turnbull as prime minister and Liberal leader, and campaigned well and without pause.

Morrison feels he’s not only better in a campaign than Albanese but is also better prepared for the tough questions that come during a campaign that are directed to the prime minister and alternative prime minister.

Part of Albanese’s tactic has been to keep out of the main media spotlight and concentrate on local campaigns and FM radio but the next six weeks will make that impossible.

Whether another week is enough to turn the tide for the Coalition remains to be seen but Morrison is prepared to put everything on the campaign - after all he didn’t really have a choice of date and or the outcome of the election.