Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has scheduled a cabinet meeting for next Monday, ahead of the federal election, to be held on or before May 17.
Sky News revealed the planning after sources confirmed this particular meeting was scheduled on Monday, only a week’s notice.
Cabinet meetings are typically arranged weeks in advance, fuelling speculation about Mr Albanese’s plans to call an election.
Political observers had been eyeing the April 5 date as a potential election day, however the likelihood of this becomes slim given the cabinet meeting.
The remaining options for the election date include April 12, May 3, May 10, and May 17.
There has also been growing debate over whether Mr Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers will opt to deliver a budget before calling the election.
The portfolio budget statements were reportedly reviewed by Cabinet last week, in preparation for a potential budget if needed.
This plan suggests that a budget may still be on the table, despite previous assumptions that one would not be delivered.
According to sources on both sides of the aisle, if the election were held now, internal polling shows Opposition Leader Peter Dutton could potentially win.
Despite this, it remains a tight race, with much of the outcome depending on the campaign itself.
Adding to the speculation, Senate President Sue Lines recently deleted her social media post bidding farewell to Canberra.
“I’m flying home back to Perth after estimates, but I wanted to say my farewells in preparation for the upcoming election,” she said.
The deleted post appeared to indicate the government will not return to Parliament House before the election.
Ms Lines has since issued a statement which said, “The only person who knows when the election will be held is the Prime Minister”.
