Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed he will "imminently" call a national election, likely in May, as his center-left Labor government pushes new tax relief measures to regain voter support. With the country constitutionally required to hold elections by May 17, the race is heating up, with polls showing the opposition Liberal-National coalition narrowly ahead.
Speaking to Triple M radio, Albanese said, “I’m not calling it today, but I will call it soon. I think Australians want to get on with it.” The move follows a surprise announcement in Tuesday’s federal budget of A$17.1 billion in new tax cuts aimed at easing the cost-of-living crisis.
Under the revised tax plan, workers earning an average income would receive an additional A$268 in the 2026–27 fiscal year and A$536 the year after. However, this is lower than the current year’s A$1,654 tax relief. The bill passed the Senate late Wednesday with support from the Greens and independents, despite Labor lacking a majority.
The opposition, led by Peter Dutton, criticized the plan, promising to repeal it if elected and instead cut the fuel excise in half for a year—estimated to save families around A$750 annually. Dutton labeled it “real, immediate relief,” while Treasurer Jim Chalmers argued the opposition’s plan offers limited benefits and would leave Australians worse off.
“This decision will haunt them every single day of the election campaign,” Chalmers warned, highlighting the high-stakes battle as both sides fight to win over voters burdened by rising costs.
As election season looms, economic relief remains a key battleground, with tax cuts and cost-of-living measures taking center stage.