Australia may have an election before May

Significance Labor passed a backlog of bills in the final parliamentary sitting of 2024, with help from the Greens, as it prepares for an election that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese may call as early as March. The Greens will seek a power-sharing deal with Labor if a hung parliament results. Impacts Minor parties could decide the make-up of the next government if the election result is inconclusive. Labor will pay a heavy price in terms of support if it allows the conservative coalition to continue setting the policy agenda. Albanese may become a liability for Labor as his popularity declines, but he appears to be safe as leader for now. This week, Albanese warned Elon Musk not to interfere in the election; Musk has been highly critical of Labor’s policies on social media.