Labor leader Anthony Albanese has been making strategic moves to get his party ready for a federal election campaign that could begin as soon as January. During a recent visit to Tasmania, Albanese announced the candidacy of Senator Anne Urquhart for the seat of Braddon, currently held by the Liberals with an 8 percent margin, and former state Labor leader Rebecca White for Lyons, a seat held by Labor with a narrow margin of 0.3 percent.
There is speculation that the government may be hesitant to return to parliament after the summer break, possibly making the next two weeks the final sitting period of the term. The potential for an early election, which must be held by May 17, raises the likelihood of a concurrent campaign with the West Australian state election on March 8, prompting discussions between Albanese and West Australian Premier Roger Cook on election timing and potential clashes.
Albanese has reassured that the election will be held in 2025, despite speculations about earlier dates. However, political opponents, such as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, have raised concerns about the timing and transparency of election plans, especially if an early election requires changes to accommodate the West Australian state poll. Both major parties are on their toes, ready for an election at any moment, with considerations around important events like interest rate meetings and school holidays that may impact the timing of the campaign.
In addition to election timing, Albanese is pushing for electoral reforms to reduce the influence of wealthy individuals on elections, citing concerns about individuals spending large sums of money to sway election outcomes. This push for reform comes in light of figures like Clive Palmer, who spent millions on election campaigns, and concerns about the impact of unrestricted funding on the democratic process. Labor is actively seeking to address these issues and push for changes to ensure a fairer electoral system for future elections.