Has Anthony Albanese’s time as Prime Minister come to an end? According to outspoken independent senator Jacqui Lambie, it’s time for the PM to call an election sooner rather than later.
And she’s got some compelling reasons why.
Albanese’s Performance in the Polls: A Cause for Concern
A recent Newspoll has found Anthony Albanese to be Australia’s weakest Prime Minister in decades. Ouch! The poll showed his rating as a strong and decisive leader slipping five points to 44 per cent – the lowest score since the metric was introduced in 2008. Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has maintained his standing at 60 per cent.
Lambie’s Advice: Don’t Wait Any Longer, Mr. Albanese
Senator Lambie is urging the PM to call an election before the situation gets any worse. In an interview with Nine, she said, “I don’t think he can afford to go for much longer and hold out. I would have called it for the 7th of December if I was him, waiting for his Christmas cheer and hoping, hoping the very best of my fingers crossed.”
The Coming Storm: Bills, Bills, and More Bills
So, what’s driving Lambie’s advice? The senator is concerned about the upcoming bills that Australians will have to face in the first quarter of 2025. “People are going to have all their rates coming in March, they’re going to have their Christmas bills coming in, they’ve got all the kids’ school stuff coming in, they’ve got their energy costs coming, their energy bills coming in,” she explained.
Lambie believes that the longer the PM waits, the more people will be crippled by these bills, and their patience will wear thin. She warned against pinning hopes on an interest rate cut, saying, “I don’t see an interest rate cut coming before he goes to an election, and if that’s what he’s holding his head on, I tell you what, he’s got it very, very wrong this time.”
A Glimmer of Hope for Labor
While the poll may have been devastating for Albanese, it’s not all bad news for Labor. The party has maintained its likability, and the latest poll shows Labor and the Coalition are now at a 50/50 split on a two-party preferred basis. However, this slight advantage may not be enough to save Albanese’s leadership.
The Verdict: Will Albanese Take Lambie’s Advice?
As the pressure builds, it remains to be seen whether Anthony Albanese will take Jacqui Lambie’s advice and call an election sooner rather than later. One thing is certain – Australians are watching closely, and the fate of the government hangs in the balance.
Will the PM take a bold step and call an election before it’s too late, or will he hold on to power, hoping for a miraculous turnaround in the polls? Only time will tell. What do you think? Should Albanese call an election now or wait it out? Let us know in the comments!