Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has officially called the federal election for 3 May, ending months of speculation over when Australians would head to the polls.
While both major parties have been in unofficial campaign mode for much of the year, Albanese today visited Governor-General Samantha Mostyn to formally request the election, marking the beginning of the official campaign period.
The timing of the announcement follows the federal budget’s release earlier this week and comes just hours after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s budget reply speech on Thursday night, a move analysts say was aimed at overshadowing the government’s economic agenda.
“Over the last few years, the world has thrown a lot at Australia,” Albanese said in his announcement. “In uncertain times, we cannot decide the challenges that we will face, but we can determine how we respond.”
Albanese emphasised Labor’s focus on Medicare and cost-of-living measures, including energy bill relief and childcare support. He positioned his government as having laid “strong foundations” for economic stability and asked voters for their support to continue building on this work. He also warned against the spread of misinformation in the lead-up to the election, highlighting the decline of fact-checking efforts on social media platforms and reports of foreign interference in elections worldwide.
A key election issue will be Labor’s “top-up” tax cuts, set to take effect from July 1st if the government is re-elected.
Labor currently holds a 77-seat majority in the House of Representatives, compared to the opposition’s 53 seats. Albanese has expressed his determination to lead a majority government and serve a full term if re-elected.
The election campaign also unfolds amid concerns over potential U.S. tariffs that could impact key Australian exports like beef and pharmaceuticals. Albanese has been in regular contact with the Trump administration on trade issues, seeking exemptions for Australian industries. Both he and Dutton have pledged to defend the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme against any external pressure to alter Australia’s affordable medication policies.
Peter Dutton launches election campaign with focus on cost of living and home ownership
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton declared this morning that Australia is “going backwards” under the Albanese government, kicking off his election campaign in Brisbane with a strong focus on cost-of-living relief, energy prices, and housing affordability.
Dutton positioned himself as the leader who will “get Australia back on track,” arguing that Labor has failed to control inflation and support struggling households. He criticised Albanese’s planned tax cuts as “out of touch” and pushed his own proposal to halve the fuel excise for 12 months, promising immediate relief at the pump.
Housing was another key pillar of Dutton’s pitch, pledging to improve affordability by cutting migration, restricting foreign investors, and increasing gas supply to lower power costs. He also vowed to be the “Prime Minister for home affordability and accessibility.”
The Opposition leader doubled down on his plan to cut 40,000 public service jobs, claiming it would reduce government waste while protecting frontline services. He also reaffirmed his commitment to nuclear energy as part of a long-term plan to stabilise electricity prices.
With national security emerging as a key campaign issue, Dutton promised increased defense spending and stricter border controls. He also criticized Labor’s handling of inflation, accusing the Prime Minister of being “too weak” to address Australia’s economic challenges.
The election will take place on 3rd May 2025, with both major parties now in full campaign mode as they seek to win over voters.
