Albanese Delays Election, Prioritizes Budget Amid Cyclone Disruption

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that the federal election will not be held in April, as Cyclone Alfred bears down on the east coast. Instead, the government will focus on preparing for the budget, which is scheduled for March 25.

The prime minister's decision to delay the election comes after the ABC revealed that the cyclone had thrown his plans into disarray. Senior sources had all but ruled out an election being called in the coming days for April 12.

"I have no intention of doing anything that distracts from what we need to do," Mr Albanese said. "This is not a time for looking at politics."

An April election would have allowed Mr Albanese to avoid a budget and the disruption of campaigning during Easter, Anzac Day, and school holidays. However, with electoral laws dictating a minimum 33-day campaign, Mr Albanese would have had to call the election before the close of business on Monday for it to be held on April 12.

Having ruled that out, the scheduled budget on March 25 is now on track to proceed, followed by an election by May 17—the latest date it can be held.

"I have very clearly said … that we'd produce a budget on March 25 and that certainly is my clear intention, and it has been," Mr Albanese said.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has consistently said the government was working towards a budget on March 25, but in anticipation of an April election, preparations had also been made for an economic statement—or mini budget—to be released during the election campaign.

The ABC has been told that work will now be diverted towards a full budget.

Few within the government had expected this late change. Both major parties were ready to go with campaign headquarters up and running, Labor's in the Sydney suburb of Surry Hills and the Coalition's in Parramatta.