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With a cyclone looming, Australia’s PM holds off on national elections

"It is our intention to serve full term," Albanese said, while assuring that preparations were underway to present the national budget on March 25.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to the media during a news conference at the National Situation Room in Canberra, Australia. (AP photo)

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ruled out calling a national election for April, citing the need to focus on the approaching Cyclone Alfred in Queensland that has prompted emergency evacuations and disrupted daily life in the region, news agency Reuters reported.

A national election must be held by mid-May, and an April poll was widely anticipated so that the government to avoid delivering a national budget, expected to forecast a deficit. However, Albanese confirmed that his government intends to complete its full term in office.

“It is our intention to serve full term,” Albanese said in a television interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Friday evening, according to Reuters. He also assured that preparations were already in place to present the national budget on March 25.

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What are the latest updates of the cyclone?

Australia has ordered thousands of residents in its eastern regions to evacuate as Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches. The storm, expected to make landfall on Saturday, has already brought heavy rain, massive waves and strong winds, leading to widespread power outages, flooding on beaches, and the shutdown of several airports in the region.

Also Read: | Cyclone Alfred in Australia: What makes it rare and potentially more dangerous

Authorities have warned that the cyclone could intensify further, and emergency response teams have been mobilized to mitigate the impact of the severe weather. Albanese said that the government’s immediate priority is ensuring public safety rather than political considerations, as per Reuters. “I have no intention of doing anything that distracts from what we need to do. And what we need to do is to look after each other at this difficult time,” the Australian PM said.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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