Federal Election 2025: What happens when an Australian Prime Minister calls a Federal election
On Friday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called an election following a well-worn path of his predecessors in going to the voters. These are the fascinating traditions playing out today.
Elections for the House must be called every three years, based on the date of when Parliament first returned after the last poll.
How does a Prime Minister call an election?
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The first task the Prime Minister will need to do is visit Governor-General Sam Mostyn at Government House in Canberra, which occurred at around 7am.
There, Mr Albanese formally requested she prorogue the Parliament, and issue the writs for a general election of the House of Representatives as well as half the Senate.
That request shuts down Parliament and places the Government into caretaker mode.
The Prime Minister typically then holds a press conference announcing the date, and making his pitch to Australians, which Mr Albanese did at 8am.
What are the writs?
A writ is a legal document ordering the holding of an election, and includes dates for the close of electoral rolls, how long nominations will be open for the polling day and the return of the writ.
While the Governor-General issues the writs for the House of Representatives, the State Governors issue writs for their States’ Senate elections.
When will the Australian election be held?
Mr Albanese originally planned to hold an election on April 12, but the call was delayed with the threat of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The election must be held before May 17, and must be held on a Saturday.
The Prime Minister called the election for May 3, with a campaign running over April for a 36 day campaign.
The period will include school holidays across the country, as well as the Easter and Anzac Day long weekends, where campaigning traditionally slows.
Under that time frame, early voting would start on April 14 — the week leading into Easter.
What do the polls say?
Polling over the past year has shown both Labor and the Coalition in a close fight for control, with projections voters will deliver a hung parliament.
If that result eventuates, both Mr Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton would have to negotiate with crossbenchers in the House to support their parties in government.
