Anthony Albanese speaking at a podium during a press conference at Parliament House

Anthony Albanese officially announced the 2025 federal election will be held on 3 May. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

This blog has now ended

Anthony Albanese calls the 2025 federal election — as it happened

Peter Dutton's choice of location for this first speech of the federal election campaign sends voters a message.

Anthony Albanese officially announced the 2025 federal election will be held on 3 May. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

Published 28 March 2025 6:30am

Updated 28 March 2025 5:57pm

Source: SBS News

Thanks for joining us. Here's what happened on day one of the campaign

We're about to close our live coverage for today. Here's a recap of the key events of the campaign so far and what you need to know ahead of the election:

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has officially announced that
the 2025 federal election will be held on Saturday, 3 May.
He described the election as "a choice between Labor's plan to keep building, or Peter Dutton's promise to cut".
Labor go into the election with 77 of the 151 seats in the House of Representatives. The Opposition has 53 and crossbench MPs 19.
Early polling indicates it's neck and neck between the two major parties.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton delivered his first speech of the campaign from Brisbane. He said the Coalition had an "achievable plan" to get the country "back on track".

True or false? Five fact-checked claims as Dutton, Albanese and Bandt hit campaign trail

Greens Leader Adam Bandt is embracing the prospect of a minority government, saying
the major parties' offerings were "about as attractive as a dead fish."
Now that the election has been called, the government has entered caretaker mode. This means it must avoid entering into major contracts, making significant appointments, or making major policy decisions.
All Australian citizens aged 18 and older must enrol to vote and
update their details before the electoral role closes on Monday, 7 April.
Early voting will open from 22 April.

Thank you for joining our live blog. We'll be back tomorrow.

— Jessica Bahr

6 days ago28 Mar 10:16am

Ministerial position 'not a priority' for Greens, says Bandt

Adam Bandt has been asked whether the Greens would seek ministerial positions if they were part of a minority government.

"The answer is no and no. Ministerial position is not our priority," he said.

"What the Greens want at this election is to keep Peter Dutton out and get Labor to act. This is a real chance … to get some real outcomes for people. Like enough of the tinkering around the edges."

He said the party's priority is to "deliver real change for people".

"Last time there was a minority parliament, we got dental into Medicare for kids. That's meant over three million families around the country have been able to use their Medicare card at the dentist thanks to the Greens," he said.

"That's the kind of change we're pushing for."

— Jessica Bahr

6 days ago28 Mar 10:06am

Adam Bandt says major parties 'as attractive as a dead fish'

Greens leader Adam Bandt is addressing the media.

"The election is on. Minority government is coming," he said.

"And with the major parties offering about as attractive as a dead fish, you can see why."

A close-up of a man wearing a suit and glasses is speaking.

Greens leader Adam Bandt addressed media on Friday morning. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

Bandt described the election as a "once in a generation" opportunity.

"Now, it is crystal clear after this week, where the major parties found time to get together to gut our environment and climate laws, but they couldn't manage to pass laws to wipe student debt or make it free to see the GP, that we can't keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result," he said.

"Nothing changes if nothing changes. And with a minority government on the cards this election, this is a once-in-a-generation chance to keep Peter Dutton out and get Labor to act on the housing crisis, the cost-of-living crisis and the climate and environment crisis."

— Jessica Bahr

6 days ago28 Mar 9:57am

Australia at a 'turning point', Peter Dutton says

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has not addressed the media yet today, but the Liberal Party posted a campaign video on social media this morning.

In the video, Dutton said Australia was at a "turning point".

"Too many are having to make sacrifices just to afford the weekly shop and pay their bills," he said.

"This election is a choice about who can help Australians get ahead by managing our economy better."

Dutton said Australia has had the “biggest fall in living standards in the developed world” in the last two years.

"We must do better. And I’m determined that we will do better," he said.

Dutton said a Coalition government would strengthen Australia’s economy by reining in "wasteful spending" and supporting small businesses. He vowed to make housing more affordable, enhance community safety and national security, and ensure quality healthcare.

"Australia can’t afford to continue on its current path. Let’s get our country back on track so you can get ahead."

— Jessica Bahr

6 days ago28 Mar 9:34am

Coffee, then campaign trail: The view from Canberra

Naveen Razik is one of SBS' Canberra team and gave a picture of what it's like on the ground:

"Friday tends to be a quiet day at Parliament House, instead it's a hive of activity, with journalists, advisers and the odd politician still stuck in Canberra, crowding the coffee cart for a sorely needed caffeine hit after the PM's dawn excursion to Yarralumla.

"In the gallery, camera operators spill into the corridor, frantically but carefully packing invaluable camera gear for five weeks of gruelling travel.

"The famous Aussies cafe, a rendezvous point for journalists, ministers and lobbyists, is doing a roaring trade.

"Many journalists, including me, are backing up after Peter Dutton's budget reply speech last night, which wrapped up around 8pm.

"And in the marble hall, there's a school group of young minds, clad in green uniform, for whom the traditional road trip to Canberra has hopefully been livened up by cannon fire.

"As the politicians and advisers fan out onto the campaign trail in the coming hours, this place will more than ever be the people's house."

6 days ago28 Mar 9:29am

What's happening now?

We're waiting to hear from Peter Dutton and any other party leaders following the beginning of the campaign, and we'll cover what they say when we hear from them.

While we wait ... can you believe the last election was only three years ago? Why does Australia vote so frequently? Cameron Carr has the answers:

Why Australia holds federal elections every three years

6 days ago28 Mar 8:55am

Who's ahead in the polls?

Well, it's not clear.

There are multiple organisations that conduct election opinion polls, each with slightly different findings.

But polling indicates it's neck and neck between the two major parties.

Roy Morgan polling

from 25 March predicted the Australian Labor Party would win the federal election, with a majority of 53 per cent (down 1.5 per cent from the week prior) compared to the Coalition's 47 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.

Support for the Greens was estimated to be 12.5 per cent, One Nation with 4 per cent, and independents with 10 per cent.

But

YouGov polling

from 20 March predicted a 50-50 tie for a two-party preferred vote. Anthony Albanese sat slightly ahead (45 per cent) as preferred prime minister compared to Peter Dutton's 40 per cent. The Coalition sat ahead in primary polling, with 37 per cent compared to Labor's 31 per cent.

The same polling found 13 per cent would vote for the Greens, 7 per cent for One Nation, 8 per cent for independents, and 1 per cent for the Trumpet of Patriots party.

A national

Essential poll

, conducted 12-16 March, had a 47-47 tie in a two-party preferred system.

Primary votes were 35 per cent Coalition, 29 per cent Labor, 12 per cent Greens, 8 per cent One Nation, 1 per cent Trumpet of Patriots, and 9 per cent for all others.

— Alexandra Koster

6 days ago28 Mar 8:51am

Government enters caretaker mode — what is that?

The government is now in caretaker mode.

"The prime minister is no longer in complete control," said Professor Graeme Orr, an electoral law expert from The University of Queensland.

"If there were important decisions to be made suddenly, like with a pandemic or a war, they have to consult with the Opposition leader."

During caretaker mode, the government must avoid entering into major contracts, making significant appointments, or making major policy decisions.

Your local member can still help with administrative concerns, like visas or social security issues.

"They will still have their staffers, but they are still there to handle what we call constituency or like ombudsman-style complaints and requests," Orr said.

"But they are what we call administrative issues; they are small issues involving individuals or companies."

— Rania Yallop

6 days ago28 Mar 8:46am

Analysis from our chief political correspondent

Anna Henderson writes:

We've just heard the cannons ringing out. That means that this government is now moving into caretaker mode.

We just heard the prime minister here giving his first pitch to the nation of this election campaign.

It was about what he says is hope and optimism and those lines he's using to try and counter the Opposition's argument that things have gone backwards under this government and it's time for a change.

There are two big issues hanging over this press conference and the week ahead, the first week of the election campaign.

One is what Donald Trump will do with tariffs. The other is how the Reserve Bank will move, if it does it all, on interest rates.

So the prime minister is trying to send that key message to voters who feel disenfranchised, who feel left behind, who, economically, feel like they're in a slump, at the same time as knowing there are factors beyond his control looming over the first week of this campaign.

6 days ago28 Mar 8:43am

Listen: What happens now?

For those who prefer listening to the news, Rania Yallop has put together a podcast on what happens now:

LISTEN TO

Australia's federal election has been called. Now what?

SBS News

27/03/202503:13

6 days ago28 Mar 8:38am

Will 'global uncertainty' impact the election?

A reporter has questioned Albanese about whether global uncertainty is working against incumbent leaders. Around the world, many leaders have not been re-elected in recent elections.

"Global conditions are real. That's why we've responded to them," he said.

Albanese said his government had responded by reducing inflation, raising real wages, and creating strong employment. He described it as "like landing a 747 on a helicopter pad".

"Now, I acknowledge that our predecessors with COVID-19 had international impacts and that's one of the things we're dealing with — the impact of COVID, the long tail that occurred because of supply chain challenges and the Russian invasion of Ukraine adding to global energy pressure which was there," he said.

"I acknowledge that."

He then pointed to the Coalition's three terms in government, saying Labor had delivered better unemployment rates and budget outcomes.

— Jessica Bahr

6 days ago28 Mar 8:34am

Albanese appears to make a dig at Opposition leader Dutton

In earlier remarks, Albanese appeared to take a dig at Liberal leader Peter Dutton.

"My fellow Australians, we live in the greatest country on Earth, and we do not need to copy from any other nation to make Australia even better and stronger," Albanese said.

"We only need to trust in our values and back our people."

A journalist asked if Albanese was suggesting that Dutton was copying ideas from US President Donald Trump.

Albanese responded: "People will make their own judgements of course but people will have a look at the mass sackings of public servants."

6 days ago28 Mar 8:32am

Albanese says he will 'fight for Australian values'

Albanese sought to highlight the difference between US and Australian values, using the experience of his mum — an invalid pensioner — in Australia's hospital system as an example.

"The Australian way is that we look after each other," he said.

He said his mother went to the same hospital — the Royal Prince Alfred in Sydney — that he went to when he was in a car accident in 2020, and that media tycoon Kerry Packer went when he had a heart attack.

"She got the same care as Kerry Parker got," he said.

"They're the Australian values. That's what I'll fight for."

— Charis Chang

6 days ago28 Mar 8:30am

'Hope and optimism' will be the focus, says PM

The Prime Minister has repeatedly been asked to respond to the key message the Coalition plans to hammer home during the campaign, about whether people feel better off than they did three years ago.

Albanese says the Coalition is all about "fear" and he will focus on "hope and optimism".

Pollsters are united in seeing a soft rump of voters who feel left behind economically. The way the campaigns approach this is likely to have the biggest impact on polling day.

— Anna Henderson

6 days ago28 Mar 8:30am

Gun salute as parliament dissolved

Governor-General Sam Mostyn has dissolved the parliament.

The official secretary to the governor-general, alongside the clerk and deputy clerk of the House of Representatives and the serjeant-at-arms, read the proclamation at the entrance to Parliament House.

A 19-gun salute by the federation guard will soon follow.

This ends the 47th parliament of Australia, which needs to happen before the writs are issued for the election to take place on 3 May.

— Rania Yallop

6 days ago28 Mar 8:26am

The view of the press pack

Dozens of journalists are assembled as the Prime Minister announces his pitch.

Here's the view from one of our reporters Naveen Razik:

The view of the press conference.

6 days ago28 Mar 8:23am

Anthony Albanese says Australians would be 'worse off' under Peter Dutton

When asked why his government deserved another three years in power, Albanese pointed to cost of living measures.

"We've been in turbulent seas but if Peter Dutton had had his way and his opposition to our cost of living measures had been put in place, Australians today would be $7,200 worse off on average," he said.

"He has no plans for cost of living relief going forward. Last night, all we saw was a very dark speech, a negative speech, we had no plans except for jacking up taxes for all 14 million Australians."

The Coalition revealed its vision ahead of the election. Here's what was in the budget reply

In response to a follow-up question, Albanese said Dutton had opposed "every single one" of Labor's cost of living measures.

"There wouldn't have been cheaper medicines, no cheaper childcare, no energy bill relief, no tax cuts for people on low incomes and middle Australia would not have been the great beneficiaries of tax cuts," he said.

"Real wages would not have been growing. We want people to earn more and keep more of what they earn."

— Jessica Bahr

6 days ago28 Mar 8:19am

In pictures: PM announces the election date

Anthony Albanese has called a 3 May federal election. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the federal election for 3 May. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

6 days ago28 Mar 8:18am

PM: 'Not the time for cutting and wrecking'

Albanese concluded his statement by saying "now is not the time for cutting and wrecking, for aiming low, punching down or looking back.

"I'm asking you to vote Labor so we can keep building Australia's future together."

— Charis Chang

6 days ago28 Mar 8:17am

Inflation down, real wages up, says Albanese

Albanese reminded voters of the "chaotic and dysfunctional Morrison government" that left bulk billing in freefall, aged care in crisis and the NDIS at breaking point.

He said the Liberals had kept wages low.

"It was always going to take more than three years to clean up 10 years of mess.

"Today because of all the hard work that Australians have done, inflation is down, real wages are up, unemployment is low, interest rates are falling and we're cutting taxes for every taxpayer again."

— Charis Chang

6 days ago28 Mar 8:16am

The election is a 'choice', PM says

Albanese says only Labor is acting on the cost of living, pointing to its plans to wipe 20 per cent off student debt and to cut tax.

"This election, it's a choice between Labor's plan to keep building, or Peter Dutton's promise to cut," he said.

"The biggest risk to all of this is not what's happening elsewhere in the world.

"The biggest risk to Australia's future going back to the failures of the past, the tax increases, and cuts to services that Peter Dutton and the Liberal Party want to lock in."

— Charis Chang

Anthony Albanese calls the 2025 federal election — as it happened