Queensland Major Events Minister Kate Jones has put forward January 2018 as the earliest possible state election date, trying to downplay comments from US boxing promoter Bob Arum that voters will go to the polls in November.
The veteran Las Vegas-based promoter, who was involved in Sunday's showdown between Jeff Horn and Manny Pacquiao, said he was already in talks with Ms Jones after the schoolteacher's epic win.
"We have provisions about a rematch and so forth but Kate tells me she's running for office again in, when, November?" he said on Sunday after the fight.
Asked about the comments on Monday, Ms Jones seemed to give her own opinion about the possible poll date.
"I think (Mr Arum) is just very keen to see me re-elected, I had to explain to him that it's January at the earliest," she told reporters.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Realising what she had said, the minister then clarified she had "no idea" when the election would be.
"Look, I don't think anyone's thinking of an election today," she said.
The state election is due by early May 2018, but has been widely tipped to be held by early November.
