Australians could be sent to the polls for a federal election any time from August 2021 to May 2022. What's the state of play?
THE FEDERAL ELECTION BALLPARK
House of Representatives (151 members)
* 23 Liberal National Party of Queensland
* 43 Liberal Party of Australia
* 10 The Nationals
(* 76 in total for Coalition government)
* 68 Australian Labor Party
* 1 Australian Greens
* 1 Centre Alliance
* 4 Independent
* 1 Katter's Australian Party
WHAT WILL BE DIFFERENT?
* Due to a redistribution, Western Australia will lose a seat (Stirling, held by the Liberals) and Victoria will gain one (Hawke, nominally safe Labor)
* Retirees so far include: Andrew Laming (LNP, Bowman), Chris Hayes (Labor, Werriwa), Warren Snowdon (Labor, Lingiari), Nicolle Flint (Liberal, Boothby), Kevin Andrews (Liberal, Menzies)
* Since the last election, Anthony Albanese has taken over as Labor leader
* By-elections have been held in Groom (LNP retain) and Eden-Monaro (Labor retain).
WHAT DO THE POLLS SAY?
* The latest Newspoll gave Labor a 52 to 48 two-party preferred lead. Primary vote was 40 per cent for coalition, 38 per cent for Labor, 11 per cent for Greens
* The two-party figure for the 2019 election was 51.53 to 48.47 to the coalition
* Labor would need to gain a net eight seats on a uniform swing of 3.2 per cent for a majority.
Australian Associated Press
