Leaked memo forces Anthony Albanese to quash election speculation

Anthony Albanese has played down speculation about an early election sparked by a leaked memo from his chief of staff labelling this an “election year”.

The Prime Minister dismissed the stories as a beat-up and reiterated his belief that three-year terms are too short in any case.

A leaked message from Mr Albanese’s chief of staff Tim Gartell to colleagues reportedly announced veteran staff David Epstein would be joining the Prime Minister’s office next month as principal private secretary.

“This is an important role as we enter the election year,” the message said.

Mr Albanese said on Wednesday morning he was “absolutely” committed to serving a full term.

“Effectively, once we get through the May budget, we expect to have a budget next year in March as well. And the term ends in May next year,” he told ABC radio.

“And to talk about an election year, essentially post-budget, we will be in the year leading up to an election.

“That’s part of the problem in this country, I think is that you have the first year after an election and then you have that middle year and then you’re in election year, which is what we will be in.”

The Commonwealth is the only jurisdiction in the country that doesn’t have fixed four-year terms of parliament.

But moving away from three-year terms with the election date at the discretion of the prime minister of the day would require constitutional change.

The earliest date a regular federal election can be called is August 3 this year.

It must be held by May 17, 2025.

Scott Morrison twice shifted the budget earlier than its traditional timing on the second Tuesday in May in order to call a May election, in 2019 and 2022.

Last week, Peter Dutton told Coalition colleagues meeting in Canberra they needed to make sure they were “campaign ready” in case a surprise election was called for later this year.