Australia brings forward budget by two months, signalling election

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks at the UN Climate Change Conference COP 26 in Glasgow, Scotland, Britain on November 1, 2021, as National Statements are delivered. SYDNEY, November 29, Reuters -- Australia's ruling coalition, trailing in the opinion polls, brought forward its annual budget by two months, according to a parliamentary timetable released on Monday, signalling it will call an election at the latest possible time.

The budget will be delivered on March 29th, instead of the usual date of the second Tuesday in May by the conservative government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

The earliest likely polling date would be May 7, 2022, because Australian national elections are typically called five weeks in advance and take place on Saturdays.

They must take place at least every three years. The government plans to run close to a full term because of the country's last election in May 2019.

Morrison's approval rating is near its lowest level in 18 months as a result of a slow COVID-19 vaccine program and prolonged lockdowns and border closures. His Liberal-National Party coalition is trailing the opposition centre-left Labor party, according to polls.