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.