Anthony Albanese spent this week batting away questions about when he would call an election, insisting the government is “not focused on politics” as millions of Australians in Queensland and northern New South Wales brace for Cyclone Alfred.
The prime minister has scrapped plans to campaign alongside West Australian Premier Roger Cook ahead of Saturday's state election. That may actually prove a blessing for Cook, given Albanese is on the nose in the west.
But it would be foolish to believe that preparations are not underway for the federal election to be announced, even with Alfred due to hit within the next 24 hours.
WA’s vote has loomed large over Albanese’s calculations on timing. Leaving it until after this Saturday gives him an opening of just three days to call the election if he wants to avoid delivering a federal budget.
