Why has Gillard picked September 14?

30 Jan 2013, 3:00 pm   -   Source: Andy Park, SBS

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Few could have predicted the next election date, together with such a long election campaign to come - political blogger Malcolm Farnsworth did, and explains why to SBS reporter Andy Park.

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September 14 is the date now on everybody’s lips.

The date of the next Australian federal election, it’s a date that everyone wanted to know, but no one was bold enough to predict. Well almost no one.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard called the election today, with a seven-and-a-half month election campaign ahead.

But one political columnist not only predicted the date down to one in three possible dates, but also called the possibility of a long lead time.

Blogger Malcolm Farnsworth from australianpolitics.com said that there are two schools of thought as to why Prime Minister Julia Gillard has chosen to take Australians to the polls in September.

"One is that this is an act of leadership by Gillard following on from the selection of Nova Peris last week. The other view is that it's also akin to an act of desperation from a government that really is on the ropes," Mr Farnsworth said.

He said it's one of the longest lead times before and election on record in Australian politics, trumping even the Victorian poll of 1979.

"Rupert Hamer, the Liberal premier of Victoria announced the election in February; the election was held in May, and compared to Gillard that's not much lead time at all."

Mr Farnsworth drew comparisons to John Key, the incumbent Prime Minister of New Zealand in 2011, announcing a November election date in February of that year.

But Mr Farnsworth said the underlying reason why Australia will vote on the next federal government in September can be summed up in two words.

“Tony Abbott. The government sees a sliver light in it’s attitude to Tony Abbott, they hope they can turn the pressure on him to stop the so-called ‘relentless negativity’, they want to get him focused on policy [and] potential budget cuts,” he said.

“By getting the election date out in the air, it allows to them to focus on those political  issues.”

LISTEN to more analysis from Malcolm Farnsworth:

Australian Elections , Federal Election 2013 , Andy Park SBS

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election

oncewas - from bribie island, 4 months ago

the main thing we have to know if considering the john howard trained leader of the opposition is, when he finally starts talking policy instead of negativity, how many of his promises will be core and non-core promises. it is amazing to read the amount of vitriol against j gillard. are we forgetting the broken promises of all former governments of all colours?

14 SEPTEMBER 2013

R Davis - from Melb Vic..., 4 months ago

I SUSPECT THAT GILLARD WILL BE GLAD TO GO THE POISON CHALICE IS AN UGLY FRAME OF MIND FROM ALL VIEWS DOING THE MEN'S BIDDING DOING THE DIRTY WORK THAT THE MEN HAD NO STOMACH FOR WHILE THEIR HANDS REMAIN CLEAN WHAT EXACTLY HAS CHANGED FOR WOMEN I WONDER WHAT'S MORE ABBOTT LOOKS LIKE HE IS NOT INTERESTED IN THE JOB EITHER IT SEEMS THAT HE HAS GONE OUT OF HIS WAY TO BE UNDESIRABLE WE HAVE NO ONE TO VOTE FOR WHERE ARE THE ALTERNATIVE PARTIES WHERE ARE THE OPPOSITION WE HAVE NO ONE TO VOTE FOR

Not enough choices to vote for

Grant - from Wollongong, 4 months ago

On many of the big issues neither party are really prepared to make the necessary changes. Who to vote for when I do not like either party?

promises broken last election - so what do we believe for this one

Paul - from Caulfield, 4 months ago

The problem with Gillard not keeping her election promises, and having no qualms about not doing so, means that whatever labor says for the 2013 campaign will not be able to be believed. So how do we vote her back in if she cant be trusted to do what she says she will 9or wont). I wont believe anything she says - so cant possibly vote for labor

Who to vote for?

bravotwo - from Melbourne, 4 months ago

I really don't know who to vote for. Gillard has broke all promises she made, and tony Abbott's wants to cut back on so much cost, education is the major concern

All this stoping is anything going to be started.Answer not by abbott

mark - from moonta, 4 months ago

The gov goes into caretaker mode in august.This is a fact.The p.m. had a aggrement with mr windsor and mr oakshott to set a election date early and she honured that deal.In my opinion it was a good idea as it lets gov implement policy currently on the table without the media trying to create its own news by guessing election dates.Abbotts policy list.Stop the boats.Stop the carbon tax.Stop the mining tax.Stop education for public schools.Stop public servants going to work.Tony stop it abbott.

Hipster PM

Japangardi - from Darwin, 4 months ago

Dig the hipster glasses Jules

Enough is enough

Yousif - from Sydney, 4 months ago

There was a time when I said i'd never vote liberal & I still find Mr Abbott obnoxious but cannot possibly vote labour (or a would be labour vote - greens). Labour, there is a ruge roll of red tape up my you know & the lies & broken promises has really done you no favours

Darkie

Darkie McMillan - from Qingdao China, 4 months ago

So we still have to wait till September to see the back of the dragon lady.God help us.

Self Interest

Tony - from Sydney, 4 months ago

Ms. Gillard is all about Gillard, this early call works against Labor's electoral chances, but does lock in her leadership until the election.

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