Abbott can hear election drums beating

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott expects the government to call an election as soon as it possibly can.

Tony Abbott says federal government moves to change the UN Refugee Convention are a "red herring".

The drums are beating for an election that Opposition Leader Tony Abbott thinks will be held as soon as possible.

Asked on Monday if he was ready for an election, Mr Abbott told reporters in Melbourne: "I can certainly hear the drums beating."

An August 24 poll has been ruled out, with Deputy Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has no plans to visit the governor-general on Monday.

That leaves the following Saturday, August 31, as the earliest possible election date and the firm favourite.

"I expect Mr Rudd to go to the polls as soon as he possibly can because plainly the things that Mr Rudd has been doing over the last few weeks have no real substance," Mr Abbott said.