Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called a federal election for May 3, launching a five-week contest that will be bitterly fought over economic management and the high cost of living.
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The decision breaks months of speculation over the poll date, which was previously delayed due to ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The upcoming vote will pit Mr Albanese and the Australian Labor Party against the Liberal-National Coalition and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who will attempt to defeat a first-term government for the first time in nearly 100 years.
Mr Albanese's announcement aimed to draw eyes away from Mr Dutton's budget reply speech on Thursday night, where he outlined the Coalition's policies on housing and migration.
The Coalition has matched several of Labor's spending commitments in the pre-election period, including its $8.5 billion boost to Medicare and a $573 million women's health package.
Both parties have also agreed to extend Labor's $150 energy bill rebates for Australian households and small businesses.
Labor won a majority government at the 2022 election, claiming 77 seats and ending nine consecutive years of Coalition rule.
With 150 seats in Parliament, a party must win at least 76 seats to secure a majority. The Coalition will need to add about 20 seats to win majority government.
The government has entered caretaker mode from now until election day.
Brittney Levinson
Eleanor Campbell
Eleanor Campbell covers federal politics and the public service. Reach her securely on Signal @eleanorcampbell.25.
