The federal election has been called. Photo: AAP/Lukas Coch,
Australians will head to the polls on Saturday, May 3, for the federal election.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the election on Friday, after months of speculation.
In a statement on Friday morning, Mr Albanese made his pitch to voters for a second-term in office, citing his track record on cost-of-living issues.
“The world today is an uncertain place, but I am absolutely certain of this: now is not the time for cutting and wrecking, for aiming low, punching down or looking back,” he said.
“This is a time for building — building on our nation's strengths, building our security and prosperity for ourselves, building an Australia where no-one is held back and no-one is left behind.”
In response to the announcement, Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley said this election is “your chance to change the country for the better, and to get you and your family ahead”.
“I am excited this election has finally been called. Excited because it gives the people of Farrer – all Australians for that matter – a chance to change the direction of this nation,” Ms Ley said.
“As Peter Dutton said, we live in the best country in the world, but only if we’re governed well.
“From Albury to Griffith and across the electorate, I’ve spoken to so many people over the last three years; mums and dads, small and large families, business owners and manufacturers, all who say, ‘they are just not getting ahead’.
“What the Coalition is offering is a government which will better manage the economy, curb unnecessary spending, wind in inflation and reduce the cost of energy.
Sussan Ley.
“I have already made – and will make – a number of local election commitments across Farrer.
“More broadly, our pledge to halve the fuel excise, get affordable gas supply back as part of the nation’s energy mix, support small business and target train your workers for tomorrow are really important to this region.
“We cannot afford three more years of this bad government, and we certainly don’t need the mess of a hung parliament with Climate 200 Teal independents backing Labor-Greens policies and being parliament’s ‘rubber stamp’ for Anthony Albanese.”
Ms Ley has held the seat of Farrer for the Liberals since 2001.
To date, she has three challengers for the seat at this election.
They are independent Michelle Milthorpe, Labor candidate Glen Hyde and Rebecca Scriven from Family First - a party which exists to “restore Australia by restoring the primacy of the family in public policy”.
Candidate nominations close on April 10.
Australian Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope is calling this “Australia’s largest ever federal election” due to electoral enrolments.
“There are more voters on the electoral roll than ever before, there’ll be more voting venues than ever - both within Australia and overseas, there’ll be greater accessibility options than we’ve ever had, and we again need around 100,000 staff to deliver it,” Mr Pope said.
The AEC said by the end of 2024, there were 710,000 more people on the electoral roll than were registered at the 2022 federal election.
The AEC anticipates there will be 570 early voting centres, 7000 polling places and more than 100 overseas voting centres, and the AEC will need at least 100,000 staff.
“We’re ready to go,” Mr Pope said.
“You also need to be ready as well – check your enrolment now and please consider putting up your hand for paid election work. aec.gov.au allows you to do those things in just minutes.”
Those not yet registered to vote have until 8pm on Monday, April 7. The deadline is the same for voters who need to change their details.
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