Australia’s federal parliamentary elections will be held on May 3, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Friday.
“My fellow Australians, this morning I visited the Governor-General [Sam Mostyn], and Her Excellency has accepted my advice that an election be held on Saturday, third of May, 2025,” Albanese said in a press conference in Canberra.
Albanese and the opposition coalition leader Peter Dutton, of the Liberal Party, now face a five-week campaign to convince voters they are the right person to lead the country.
According to Australian media, Dutton is ahead in the polls.
The cost of living has emerged as a key election issue, with both Albanese and Dutton pledging to ease financial pressure on voters.
Albanese said over the past few years, the world “has thrown a lot” at Australia.
“In uncertain times, we cannot decide the challenges that we will face, but we can determine how we respond.”
Australia was “turning the corner,” Albanese said.
“This election is a choice between Labor’s plan to keep building or Peter Dutton’s promise to cut. That is the choice. That is your choice.”
“Only Labor is acting on the cost of living. Only a vote for Labor will keep your wages growing, take 20% off your student debt and cut taxes again and again for every taxpayer next year and the year after.”
Albanese pledged stronger healthcare, cheaper childcare, and lower power bills.
Speaking to media after the election date was announced, Dutton said Australia could not afford “three more years” of Albanese’s Labor.
“Right now Australia is going backwards,” he said.
“Australian families need relief now. And we must do better and there is a better way. And the coalition has an achievable plan to get our country back on track.”
Dutton pledged to reduce taxes, red tape and migration and “take control again” of building sites to lower costs. Dutton also pledged to boost spending on the country’s defence force and saying he would focus on border security.
Australians will vote for the House of Representatives and 40 of the 76 Senate seats.
Albanese has been prime minister since 2022, when he replaced Scott Morrison and the Liberal Party-led coalition.
A sitting prime minister hasn’t been re-elected in Australia since John Howard in 2004.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House. Mick Tsikas/AAP/dpa
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