BREAKING: Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirms federal election date
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed the date for the upcoming federal election.
Speaking from Parliament House this morning, Morrison ended speculation over the date, announcing that the election will be held on May 18.
“Earlier this morning, I visited the Governor-General here in Canberra and he accepted my advice for an election to be held on 18 May,” he said.
And the proposed timing is no coincidence, as the PM carefully planned out his schedule before making the decision. Morrison tactfully chose to appear on breakfast TV and radio shows to promote his party’s agenda as the nation watched on to hear the announcement.
The highly anticipated revelation was aired on every free-to-air TV channel this morning along with the Prime Minister’s every move.
Despite elections traditionally being called on a Sunday, the politician – who has a background in marketing – chose a weekday to gain further exposure with voters.
“We live in the best country in the world,” said Morrison. “But to secure your future, the road ahead depends on a strong economy. And that’s why there is so much at stake at this election.”
He praised his government for delivering the “first budget surplus in more than a decade”, promising that the Liberal Party would help keep unemployment down, secure borders and issue funding for schools, hospitals and infrastructure.
He then used the opportunity to take a dig at the Opposition, implying that the Labor leader was not to be trusted.
“You will have the choice between a government that is delivering a strong economy and will continue to do so, or Bill Shorten’s Labor Party, whose policies would weaken our economy,” he said.
“It’s taken us more than five years to turn around Labor’s mess. Now is not the time to turn back. Keeping our economy strong is how we secure your future, and your family’s future.”
As he answered questions, the leader of the Liberal Party avoided responding to the suggestion that his government was unstable.
Instead, he highlighted their achievements, saying they are responsible for bringing unemployment down, building a stronger economy and increasing funding for the education and health sector.
“The choice that is going to be made by Australians on May 18 is like it always is at every election. Who do you trust to deliver the strong economy which your essential services rely on? Who do you trust to deliver the strong economy and the budget management that these services can be funded?” he said.
And when asked to address the Liberal Party’s six-year history of changing leaders, the PM said: “That’s why after I became Prime Minister we changed the rules in the Liberal Party … and those rules say that if I’m re-elected as PM, then I will serve as your PM because the rules have been changed to prevent the things that have happened in the past.”
Starting from today, each party will run a five-week election campaign as voters prepare to head to the polls. A minimum of 33 days is required, which will see leaders of each party hit the streets and attempt to win over the people who count the most – you.