Early election speculation hits a fever pitch as Albanese announces Tasmania candidates, deflects WA clash

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The next federal election could be a little earlier than expected. Campaign-style events in marginal seats, and a conversation between the Prime Minister and the Premier of Western Australia are fuelling speculation of a poll in March.

Transcript

00:00It looks like an election campaign.

00:09And it sounds like an election campaign.

00:12It's great to be back here in beautiful Devonport.

00:16In just 90 minutes, Anthony Albanese hit two key Tasmanian electorates, announcing a new

00:22candidate in Braddon.

00:23We will fight each and every day for the interests of this local community.

00:30A short flight and a new tie later, another new candidate in Lyons.

00:35Rebecca White is a person of conviction.

00:38The campaign vibes are fuelling election speculation, like the possibility the PM could call a poll

00:45as soon as January, with a little help from a friend in the West.

00:49The PM and I talk about a range of issues and one of the issues was about the timing

00:55of the election.

00:56WA's election is on March 8, but the PM has asked the question as to whether that might

01:02be flexible, to make way for a federal poll instead.

01:06If there's a secret discussion or a deal going on with the WA Premier, I think the PM should

01:11be open about it.

01:13The election, I've said the whole way through, will be in 2025, it will be called April or

01:20before, but I'm focused on governing.

01:24The election is due in May, but an earlier poll might be tempting.

01:28It would avoid a budget and a long line of forecast deficits to follow Labor's two surpluses.

01:33And with a growing pile of stalled bills in the parliament, the reasons against returning

01:38to Canberra next year are mounting up.

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