by MONICA O’SHEA – PRIME Minister Anthony Albanese has called for four-year fixed election terms in Australia, a move that would keep incumbents in power longer.
His comments come as speculation grows over when the next federal election will be called, with the PM dodging questions on the matter during an interview on March 6. Instead, he used the opportunity to push for longer terms of government.
- Anthony Albanese is focused on himself and how he can stay in power for longer.
- The PM knows he can only govern after the election with the support of Greens Leader Adam Bandt.
- Polling shows Labor with a primary vote of 28 per cent compared to 37 for the Coalition.
Albanese lamented that a set term would make more sense for the Australian people when questioned on whether he would go to the Governor-General to call an election in the middle of a natural disaster.
“This is a reason why we need four-year fixed terms to provide certainty. You know what I’ve been focused on is governing. We have a budget that we’re prepared for and we put out the time,” he said on Sky News.
FOCUSED
Australians currently head to the polls every three years at the federal level, despite States and territories holding elections every four years.
Albanese said he was not focussed on votes, but on lives amid the cyclone threatening Queensland and NSW.
“I’m focused on Australians and Australians showing our character at this difficult time. That’s my focus,” he said.
Albanese expressed support for four-year terms in January last year, but at the time said he did not anticipate this happening any time soon.
For the House of Representatives and Senate elections to be held on the same day, the next Federal election would need to be held by May 17, 2025.
However, Albanese could still technically delay the House election until September 2025 so long as he holds a Senate election by May 17.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton said that he did not believe the public would support a referendum to implement four-year terms.
“Australian families who are struggling to pay their bills at the moment want a PM who is focused on them – not one focused on himself and how he can stay in power for longer,” he told The Australian Financial Review last year.
“If the PM is asking for politicians to have greater job security, then why doesn’t he stop the games and just call an election and let the Australian people have their say?”
Dutton also pointed to recent polling that suggests Labor is losing support in key electorates.
“Prices, particularly for energy would skyrocket, and I just don’t think people can afford a Labor-Greens government after the election,” He said.
GREENS
“The fact is that, as most commentators point out now, or in fact all political commentators, Anthony Albanese can only govern after the election with the support of Greens Leader Adam Bandt in a power-sharing arrangement, and that would be a disaster for the economy.”
The Coalition has been leading Labor 50.5 to 49.5 on a two-Party preferred basis, according to a recent poll shared by polling expert Kos Samaras.
He noted that Labor is facing difficulties in Victoria, where it is at risk of losing up to eight seats – a major concern for Albanese’s re-election strategy.
A YouGov poll released on February 28 showed the Coalition leading Labor 51 to 49. The poll showed Labor had a primary vote of only 28 per cent compared to 37 for the Coalition.
While Samaras lamented the implications of the result on the federal election, he is confident Labor will win this week’s Western Australian State election.
“Labor is headed for a win in the WA State election, but the details will be important, particularly in how the results shape the broader political landscape, including potential implications for the federal election,” he said.
“A Liberal Party correction is expected, particularly in Perth’s outer suburbs, with seats like Wanneroo likely to show some above-average movement. However, the margins remain too large for the Liberals to reclaim these areas just yet.”
Labor currently holds a major majority of 53 out of 59 seats, which represents a major barrier for the Liberal Party and Nationals to overcome.
While polls show a swing against Labor compared to the previous election, Labor remains on track for a victory.
The Coalition recently announced it would bring Canberra public servants back to the office five days a week, rather than working from home.
Dutton said in Canberra, about 61 per cent of public servants were still working from home, up from 20 per cent before COVID.
“We’ve got a great public service who work hard, but I’m not having a situation where Australians are working harder than ever, and they’re seeing public servants in Canberra turn up to work when they want to, or refusing, in some cases, in many cases, to go back to work when they’re directed to do so,” Dutton said.PC
No way! If the government is doing good job we will elected it again.
The issue is, is albo a commie.
When he was at uni the Tribune selected him as young socialist of the month. Commies call themselves socialists when they’re not in power because it sounds nicer. Albo did economics at uni as taught by his commie lecturers. When he was at uni he was a member of the young bolshies. When he left uni he worked for Tom Urine, a well known commie.
Commies are defined as people who think they’re better than other people and therefore should be in charge. Albo satisfies this.
Commies also invent big imaginary issues like global boiling and The Voice that only they can solve. Albo does this.
Commies also think their rules should only apply to other people, not them, and therefore they can have multi million mansions by the coast. Albo again.
Finally commies are useless. Albo.
Ergo albo is a commie.
Yep, he is a hard core communist. Always was. Living off taxpayers money since he was born.
Imo Albanese does not have thd gumption to be a socialist or any of the derivatives thereof. He is at best a fellow traveller, ‘go along to get along’ person. Last man picked in team gor a hard game.
Fixed 4-year terms raises its ugly head again. If an Opposition Party doesn’t get its act together and formulate policies and fire them out into the electorate within the current 3 year term, then they have no right to govern for the NEXT 3 years. Oppositions regularly weep and wail that they can’t influence events and have a lot of time on their hands for 3 opposition years. Ok, well, get down to some serious policy formulation and do your homework!! Is Britain any better off with 5-year terms, irrespective of Conservative or Labour governments? Any State in Australia better governed with 4-year fixed terms? NO!. As the recent WA election shows, if 3 years isn’t enough time for a (Liberal) Opposition to create a credible alternative, then they do not deserve the Treasury Benches. Mr Dutton, please take note…as you soon will have 3 more years to work out what you stand for…..and then let US know!
Longer terms is only acceptable if it is coupled with the right of any electorate to recall their Representative to face the electorate after three years in office.
That will not happen!
Imo Albanese does not have the gumption to be a socialist or any of the derivatives thereof. He is at best a fellow traveller, ‘go along to get along’ person. Last man picked in team for a hard game.
Rubbish PM wants more time to be rubbish. Yeah, nah.