Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has again quashed rumours of an early election, as he attacked the opposition’s nuclear and supermarket divestiture policies.
There have been suggestions Australians could head back to the polls this year, after the Labor leader cancelled a trip to the NATO summit held in the United States last week.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton then warned Coalition MPs it was a sign that Mr Albanese was focusing on domestic issues and that an election in 2024 was likely.
The Prime Minister arrived into Queensland this week where he has announced candidates of the seats that Labor will target at the next federal election.
Speaking from the Botanical Gardens in Brisbane, Mr Albanese was quizzed again by a reporter if the country will head to polls earlier than expected.
“Well, if you follow me around, there’s a little car there’s a flag on the front. One of these days it will drive off to Yarralumla and we’ll be off and running,” he said, in similar remarks to what the Labor leader said on Friday when asked a similar question.
“But I’ve said, constantly, I don’t know how many times I’ve got to say it to the same question. I think governments… three years is too short.”
The PM, who moments earlier introduced Madonna Jarrett as the Labor candidate for the seat of Brisbane, also rubbished August 31 as the date of his announcement.
Mr Albanese then quickly turned his attention to Mr Dutton, claiming the Liberal leader is trying to “keep the troops in line”, in reference to his party members, by telling them the Labor leader will call an election “next week”.
He pointed to the Opposition Leader’s nuclear power policy announcement in June, with seven nuclear plants to be built on existing sites of aging coal-fired power stations in regional Australia, which are heading into retirement, if he is elected into office.
The locations include Liddell and Mount Piper in NSW, Loy Yang in Victoria, Tarong and Callide in Queensland, Port Augusta in South Australia and Collie in Western Australia.’
“I reckon that Peter Dutton is so worried about disunity in his ranks. About the chaos that’s there over his nuclear thought bubble that’s unfunded, uncosted and people don’t want,” Mr Albanese said on Saturday.
“All these members, frontbenchers Dan Tehan and these people putting their hand up and saying ‘yeah we want nuclear but nowhere near me’.”
This month, Mr Dutton also revealed a plan that would force supermarket giants to sell stores if they are found to be repeatedly price-gouging amid cost of living pressures.
It would be a “last resort” if supermarkets are busted marking up items.
The policy is understood to have divided the Liberals, with some reportedly fearing “red tape” while other members supported the move and believed it would spark action.
“Between that (nuclear) and his policy to nationalise supermarkets… this bizarre thing. He’s gone from saying ‘everyone should boycott Woolworths’, which employs 200,000 Australians, to saying that Woolworths should be sold off or Coles,” Mr Albanese said.
“Who does he think he’s going to buy it if they’re forced to sell? There’s so much chaos.”
“It’s a classic tactic from a leader that’s failed to lead. David Littleproud (Nationals leader) is having more influence on the LNP than this bloke is. The way he keeps the troops in line is to tell them there’s going to be an election called next week.
“I’ll give you the big tip, it won’t be.”
The PM has until May 2025 to call the election.