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Wednesday May 22, 2013

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PM calls election on September 14th

Posted by: 2UE | 30 January, 2013 - 1:12 PM
Prime Minister Gillard announces September 14th election day

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the federal election will be held on September 14. The PM said she wanted to avoid the "carry on" that usually arises from constant speculation of the date of the poll.

 


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Jason Morrison says one of the most important elections of our time and we have months of election campaigning to take us there. Why has the Prime Minister announced the date today.

How do we know what are governing days and campaigning days? Does it have more to do with making sure her leadership is stable?

PM Gillard's decision means Australia is in for a long-running unofficial election campaign ahead of the governor-general issuing writs on Monday, August 12 - which will mark the start of the official campaign.

 

The decision is believed to be unprecedented in modern Australian politics.

Prime ministers usually ask for the writs to be issued six to 12 weeks before a poll.

The electoral act allows for 58 days between the issue of the writs and polling day.

The surprise announcement about the date for the Federal Election has been welcomed by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, who is half-way through his mini-election campaign. He was caught by surprise from today's announcement, but he says the Coalition are ready for anything.

 

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Mr Abbott, who raced back to the capital from Melbourne as the news circulated, says Australians will have have a clear choice between more tax or less, more regulation or less, and less competence or more and between less freedom or more.

Independent MP Tony Windsor is welcoming the September 14 election date - but maintains the parliament still has alot of work to do before we go to the poll.

Mr Windsor says the Prime Minister called him last night - to get his thoughts on the date.

 

Coalition Senator Barnaby Joyce has mocked Prime Minister Julia Gillard's announcement of a September 14 Federal Election, saying it is premature.

Senator Joyce has told Jason Morrison the Prime Minister is obviously trying to stave off a leadership challenge, but the date announced is strangely early.

 

Our political leaders, and the public face a grueling eight month election campaign, as the date is unveiled for Australians to go to the polls. Jason Morrison with Joe Hockey on the campaign ahead.

 

KEY DATES LEADING TO 2013 POLL:

JANUARY

30 - Prime Minster Julia Gillard names September 14 election date

31 - Opposition Leader Tony Abbott National Press Club speech

FEBRUARY

1 - Melbourne Federal Court directions hearing for Fair Work Australia civil case against Labor-turned Independent MP Craig Thomson

5 - First sitting week of the parliamentary year begins

8 - Gillard attends NZ-Australian Leaders talks, Queenstown

11 - House sits, additional Senate estimates hearings

15 - Former Speaker Peter Slipper due to face Canberra Magistrates Court over travel entitlement misuse allegations

18 - Gillard addresses Australian Workers Union national conference, Gold Coast

22 - Reserve Bank Governor half yearly testimony

25 - New year Senate estimates hearings begin

- Council of Australian Governments meeting due mid-February

MARCH

9 - WA state election

12 - Parliament sits

18 - Parliament sits

21 - Gillard gives official apology to Mothers and Children of Forced Adoption

MAY

14 - 2013/14 federal budget released

27 - House sits, budget estimates hearings

JUNE

3 - House sits, budget estimates hearings

17 - Parliament sits

24 - Parliament sits

27 - Last sitting day before election

JULY

1 - Stage one of National Disability Insurance Scheme due to begin

AUGUST

12 - Governor-General issues writs for the house and half Senate election

19 - Electoral rolls due to close

SEPTEMBER

14 - Polling day

(Source: government, AAP)

Blog comments Your Say

  • Thank you Terrence; Q.E.D.

    David T. Tuesday 5 February, 2013 - 9:34 AM

  • @David T., well I put forward specific points. You di not respond to any of those and are relying only on disjointed personal attacks to try to shut me up. That never works.

    Well you are doing a good job of making a complete fool of yourself so focus on yourself before you advise others. Now off to work and earn your bread as a self-admitted Lieberal party stooge!

    Terrence Tuesday 5 February, 2013 - 12:02 AM

  • Terrence, I suggest that for your own benefit, it is time for you to go back to school and learn a little more of the English language and its' usage. You may then be clearer in both your postings and your understanding of those of others. In the meantime, try not to appear to be a fool.

    David T. Monday 4 February, 2013 - 2:22 PM

  • @David T., can't make up your mind eh, just like your leader Abbott? First you admit you are Lieberal stooge then you say in the next post "not that I am one".

    Terrence Friday 1 February, 2013 - 7:30 PM

  • Angela, given your newspaper knowledge, I guess your profession, from which you have so kindly provided your 'professional view' (free of charge, might I add) must be bundling the local Quest community papers in readiness for delivery.

    James W Friday 1 February, 2013 - 2:07 PM

  • Carmen and LIARRR - you got your election, but how long will it take Abutt to get ready? Waving books at people will not do. People are asking what Abutt gonnna do and how he'll pay for it.

    Franco Friday 1 February, 2013 - 12:05 PM

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