Timetable for Next Australian Elections

Timetable for Next Australian Elections

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The Federal Parliamentary Library has produced a useful paper on the timetable for the next Australian elections. It details the likely and fixed dates for the next Federal, State and Territory elections.

It takes on added significance with the latest maneuvering for the Federal Leadership of the Liberal Party and the Prime Ministership between John Howard and Peter Costello.

In addition to the internal tensions within the Liberal Party over the next or so, 2006 and 2007 are going to be busy years for Federal, State and Territory politicians seeking election and for interest groups seeking to influence the public policy agenda.

The Next Federal Election

The Howard Federal Government is likely to face voters in 2007 seeking an historic fifth term.

With the Federal Coalition controlling both the House of Representatives and the Senate from 1 July 2005, speculation of election dates becomes easier as the condition for calling a Double Dissolution election (where there is a legislative deadlock between the House of Representatives and the Senate) is extremely unlikely to occur.

That said, the latest possible date for a House of Representatives election is Saturday, 19 January 2008.

However, as this would involve calling an election and campaigning over the Christmas/New Year period, this date can be ruled out. No Federal election has never been held in January.

Therefore, the latest practical date for the next Federal election is Saturday 15, December 2007.

Given Prime Minister Howard's stated preference to take the Government to its full term, it can be expected that the next Federal election is likely to be held some time between October 2007 and December 2007.

Two other major events may influence the timing of the next Federal elections. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting is to be held in Sydney in 2007. It would be unprecedented to call an election while so many foreign leaders are visiting. And of course, the Prime Minister's own future and any possible decisions on his retirement will have a significant impact on likely election dates.

The Federal Coalition's strong performance at the last Federal election in October 2004, where it received 52.8 percent of the two-party preferred vote, will make the next election difficult for Labor. The latest Newspoll taken in mid-April 2005 does indicate a slight improvement in their position, but with still significant ground to be made up.

Northern Territory Election

The next Australian election will be held later this year in the Northern Territory, where the Martin Labor Government will seek re-election on or before, Saturday 15 October 2005.

South Australian Election

South Australia has a fixed election date of Saturday, 18 March 2006. The latest Newspoll results has the Labor's Mike Rann Government in an improved position from the their election result in February 2002. Polling undertaken in the first quarter of 2005 has the Labor Government two-party preferred vote at 53 percent while the Opposition has support form just 47 percent of voters.

Victorian Election

Victoria also has a fixed election date with voters to go to the polls on Saturday, 25 November 2006. After a very strong result in the November 2002 election, where the Bracks Labor Government received 57.8 percent of the two-party preferred voted, the Liberal Opposition has made up strong ground in the latest Newspoll putting them in front of the Government on 51 percent.

Tasmanian Election

While Tasmania has a four year term, the poll must be held by Saturday 23, September 2006, but as the election date is not fixed it could be held any time up to that date. There has been some speculation that the Lennon Labor Government may call an election as early as this year.

NSW Election

In 2007, both the Beattie Queensland Labor Government and the Carr NSW Labor Government will be seeking their fourth term.

NSW voters will be the first to visit the polling booth in 2007 with the election dated fixed for Saturday 24, March 2007. Like Victoria, the Carr Labor Government had a resounding victory when it last faced voters achieving 56.2 percent of the two-party preferred vote. The John Brogden-led conservative Opposition received just 43.8 percent of the two-party preferred vote in the March 2003 State election.

The ongoing troubles the Carr Government has been having with public transport, particular the rail system, and other issues has been reflected in the latest Newspoll with the Opposition ahead, on 52 percent two-party preferred vote, of the Labor Government on 48 percent.

Queensland Election

The Queensland Legislative Assembly has a three-year term, but the election date is not fixed. Premier Beattie must hold the next Queensland election by Saturday, 5 May 2007.

Peter Beattie's commanding position in Queensland remains. The February 2004 State election saw the Labor Government receive 59 percent of the two-party preferred vote to the conservatives 41 percent. The split between the Liberal and National parties in that State continue to impact on their support with the latest Newspoll, taken in the first quarter of this year showing the Beattie Government still receiving a high 55 percent of the two-party preferred vote. The conservatives are polling just 45 percent.

Full Australian Election Timetable

15 October 2005 — Northern Territory (1)

18 March 2006 — South Australia (2)

23 September 2006 — Tasmania (1)

25 November 2006 — Victoria (2)

24 March 2007 — New South Wales (2)

5 May 2007 — Queensland (1)

October - December 2007 — Federal (3)

18 October 2008 — Australian Capital Territory (2)

28 March 2009— West Australia (2)

(1) Latest possible election date
(2) Fixed election date
(3) Most likely time for the Federal election to be held

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