Australian PM surprises with early election date
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard surprised voters by setting a national election for September 14, in her first major political speech for 2013.
Elections must be held in Australia by the end of the year, but Gillard said she wanted to end political uncertainty by setting the date now.
"Today I announce that I will advise the Governor-General to dissolve the House of Representatives and to issue writs on Monday the 12th of August for an election for the House and half the Senate to be held on Saturday the 14th of September. I do so not to start the nation's longest election campaign or to cause anxiety and health reactions amongst journalists I can assure you of that. I do so not to start the nation's longest election campaign, quite the opposite. It should be clear to all which are the days of governing and which are the days of campaigning. Announcing the election date now enables individuals and business, investors and consumers to plan their year but the benefit of fixing the date now is not just the end of speculation about election timing. It gives shape and order to the year and it enables it to be one not of fevered campaigning but of cool and reasoned deliberation," she said to the National Press Club.
Gillard's minority Labour government holds a one seat majority with support from a group of independents and the Greens, and polls suggest the Liberal opposition would easily win office if an election were held now.
The election will decide whether Australia keeps its controversial carbon tax, and a 30 percent tax on coal and iron ore mining profits, which the conservative opposition has promised to scrap it if wins power.
But apart from these two policy differences, the government and opposition differ little on domestic issues, and both firmly support greater involvement with China, the country's biggest trade partner.
Gillard said the governor-general would dissolve the current parliament on August 12, giving the government two more sessions of parliament to pass laws and deliver its May budget.
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Mr mario aquilina
Jan 30th, 15:39
Gonzi could do with a leaf out of her book.
Not on this island. You must be out of your mind.
Albert Borg
Jan 30th, 15:01
But for Gonzi, the best thing was that his government lasted for FIVE YEARS AND ONE DAY. Ha ha ha ha. Where's accountability in this country.
Hope this time you post my comment please.
Michael Seychell
Jan 30th, 14:10
For those who are compairing Gillard to Gonzi one must read Gil Falzon's 2 comments further down, which if reproduced would exceed my word limit, and that of Frances Makarova, which states "Hmmm how very peculiar, I wonder what Julia has up her sleeve this time?"
Michael Seychell Tal Pieta
Alex Ellul
Jan 30th, 14:06
She may be just telling pork pies. The elections ca be held anytime especially if one of the independents MP's currently blackmailing her, I mean supporting her, pulls the rug from under her feet. Same as the now-irrelvant did to Gonzi.
joe sant
Jan 31st, 07:09
I agree with you Alex She also got support from the Greens. But listen to this you in Malta One of her Labour MP Craig Thompson now Independent but supports the Government got arrested for fraud charges and he is charged with 150 charges of defrauding the Health Services Union. Julia Gillard must have known whats coming so She announced the election.
Alex Ellul
Jan 30th, 14:03
This lady based her political life on lies. She has become known as Juliar after promising not to introduce carbon taxes but then just did that as soon as she got elected. Her party has a one seat majority in parliament with two or three of them being independents with their own agenda. Julia Gillard's government then appeases these independents just to keep on hanging to the seat of power,
C. Bartoli
Jan 30th, 15:40
just like Alfred Sant did in 1996 to cover up the Vat removal fiasco! His campaign was build on lies...hope that today's MLP campaign will not be a the same as the one of 1996!
Peter Simpson
Jan 30th, 13:18
This is a perfect example of a serious government where the interests of the nation come before personal interest of politicians.
gil falzon
Jan 30th, 13:04
Actually, Gillard has held on to government by the skin of her teeth and has sold the country down the river making pacts with extremists, gaining the support of fraudsters in parliament and being a turncoat on so many issues during her mandate. She makes PN look like a utopian government in comparison. Don't be fooled.
p zammit
Jan 30th, 12:49
X' differeza fil- gvernijjiet. Dik serjeta kif jitmexxa pajjiz u min vera jkun irid il- gid ta pajjizu. Ezempju car li l pajjiz jigi qabel il- partit. Possibli ma ghandomx strategisti fil- partiti taghhom dawn bhal ma andna ahna il- bravi. Imma hawn l- ewwel il- partit u l- poter x jimpurtahom mill- istabilita. High points for the aussy priminister.. good luck.
Frances Makarova
Jan 30th, 12:25
Hmmm how very peculiar, I wonder what Julia has up her sleeve this time?
joe sant
Jan 30th, 11:35
Australia had $20 Billion when this Goverment won office at the time this goverment goes to the election in September Australia will be in debt of $250 Billion. At present this government is borrowing about $100 Million every day. In six years of labour this is what we have a Carbon Tax 32000 illegal migrants waste of money every where she done nothing to help business. I know whats going on here
DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,
Jan 30th, 10:47
This is a classical example of GOOD GOVERNANCE.
gil falzon
Jan 30th, 13:04
I wouldn't be too sure doctor.
Hans-Jorgen Gotsche
Jan 30th, 13:58
Yes, Dr. Bezzina - and in fact she is one of the very few christian Prime-ministers, that has the guts and courage to tell immigrants and muslims how to behave in their new home-countries.
Victor Calleja
Jan 30th, 09:14
Gonzi please note. You kept dragging on to boast that you did the whole legislature but could'nt care less for the country's stability.
Isthi jekk taf.
carmel vella
Jan 30th, 09:00
Dik hija is-serjeta! Mhux bhal ma gara f'dan il-pajjiz fejn kellna Prim Ministru li baqa jkaxkar saqajh sal-ahhar sabiex jghajjat elezzjoni ghad-detriment tal-pajjiz ghax hekk kien fl-interess tal-Partit Nazzjonalista biss! Apparti minn dan kollu, il-Prim Ministru ghogbu ukoll jaghmel kampanja elettorali mill-itwal li qatt kellna f'dan il-pajjiz. Din mhux serjeta minn naha ta Lawrence Gonzi.
Luke Duncan
Jan 30th, 13:59
Skantajt kif iddeskrivejthom bhala il-partit nazzjonalista u mhux GonziPN
C. Bartoli
Jan 30th, 15:42
Kampanja elettorali ta 9 xhur! Int qrajtu l-artiklu jew?
Please choose the reason of your report below: