Scott Morrison’s early budget points to May poll

Government’s 2022 parliamentary sitting calendar slots in a March 29 budget, indicating an election in early May.

Sources close to Scott Morrison say a March election is still a live ­option if the Coalition improves in the polls. Picture: Martin Ollman

Scott Morrison has set up a ­potential May election battle with Labor, leaving the Senate only five days next year to pass contentious legislation including the ­religious discrimination bill.

The government tabled the 2022 parliamentary sitting calendar on Monday, revealing the budget had been pencilled in for March 29, indicating the Prime Minister could head to the polls in the first or second weeks of May.

But with Labor and the ­Coalition expected to begin setting up election campaign headquarters from January, sources close to Mr Morrison said a March election was still a live ­option if the Coalition improved in the polls over the summer break.

With Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese moving to avoid a premature brawl over the ­religious discrimination bill, the government plans to bring on a vote on the legislation this week.

Anthony Albanese is trying to avoid a stoush with the Coalition on ­religious freedoms. Picture: AAP

Labor MPs will meet on Tuesday morning to finalise the party’s initial position on the government’s proposed religious protections, with Mr Albanese expected to push for the legislation to go through the lower house and ­referred to a joint parliamentary inquiry.

The Australian understands Mr Albanese wants to keep the pressure on Mr Morrison over pandemic management, issues with quarantine, establishment of a federal ICAC and internal divisions and not be dragged into a stoush with the Coalition on ­religious freedoms.

Amid concerns that moderate Liberal MPs including Warren Entsch and Trent Zimmerman could cross the floor on a vote in the lower house, senior government sources were hopeful that Labor would help pass the bill on the voices and refer it to an inquiry.

Clashes over details in the bill, including additional protections for gay staff and students, will likely occur when the inquiry ­reports back ahead of parliament resuming on February 8.

After Labor secured a commitment from the government for a joint select committee to run the parliamentary inquiry, Deputy Opposition Leader Richard Marles said Labor remained committed to working with the government to deliver a “bill which prevents discrimination on the basis of religion”.

“We’ve been working with the government and putting forward constructive ideas around this for a long time,” Mr Marles said.

Richard Marles. Picture: David Geraghty

“The bill’s now been introduced into the parliament at last, and what’s important now is that there is a proper inquiry process, and that’s what we’re saying should happen.”

Religious and equality groups ramped up pressure on the ­Coalition and Labor on Monday, with Equality Australia, backed by unions, ACOSS and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, calling for the government to guarantee the bill would not be brought to a vote until after the inquiry holds public hearings considering impacts on vulnerable communities.

RACGP president Karen Price said the doctors’ group was concerned about the potential impact of the bill on the “delivery and access to some women’s health services, and vulnerable groups’ access to health services they need”.

“The proposed law could compound negative community attitudes toward those most vulnerable including minority groups and the LGBTQI+ community, as well as those in rural areas with fewer health services available,” Dr Price said.

Mr Morrison pledged at the 2019 election to legislate religious protections for faith-based groups and individuals after concerns raised after the same-sex marriage plebiscite.

He recently flagged the government would deliver a pre-election budget, following internal lobbying by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who was keen to replicate the success of the April 2 budget held six weeks before the 2019 election.

Opposition Treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers said a March or May poll would make no difference to Labor.

“We’ll be ready for an election at any time fought on skyrocketing costs of living, falling real wages, and working families going backwards,” Dr Chalmers said.