CANBERRA, Feb 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has inclined to rule out a 2021 election, telling his colleagues to prepare for a 2022 poll.
According to Nine Entertainment newspapers, Morrison told a weekly meeting of government Members of Parliament (MPs), yesterday that, he and Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, would hand down two federal budgets before the next election.
“Elections are too hard to win. I cherish every day, we will do it for the time we said we will,” Morrison told yesterday’s meeting.
The federal budget is traditionally delivered by the government in May, but the latest date, a 2022 election can be called for is May 21, meaning the budget will be brought forward to at least in April.
Doing so would give Morrison and Frydenberg two budgets to continue charting Australia’s recovery from the COVID-19 economic crisis.
It would also guarantee that Australia’s rollout of COVID-19 vaccines is complete prior to the election.
On Sunday, Morrison said Australians were “relying on me and my team to protect their livelihoods, to protect their lives, to maintain the health of the country, to make sure we roll out this vaccination programme.”
“We remain very focused on the things that are impacting them every single day of their lives, where they are,” he said, after receiving one of Australia’s first COVID-19 vaccines.
Morrison could call an election for any Saturday between Aug, 2021 and May, 2022, as long as he gives at least 33 days’ notice.
Anthony Albanese, leader of the opposition Labour Party, previously said he expects – and is ready for – a 2021 election.– NNN-AGENCIES
