Election clue in MP speeches

Senior Labor MPs confirmed that, while no official edict had been issued, several retiring MPs had been told to prepare for possible valedictory speeches before the end of June when Parliament rises for winter recess.

The move raised speculation the Government may seek to go to the polls as early as August.

In NSW, several MPs will not be contesting the next federal election. Roger Price (Chifley), Jennie George (Throsby) and Bob Debus (Macquarie) will not be recontesting.

Belinda Neal will also not be running as the Labor candidate for Robertson after losing preselection.

“MPs that aren’t going around again have been told they should be preparing for valedictory speeches in the second week of the current session,” a senior Labor source said.

A spokesman for Infrastructure Minister and the leader of government business Anthony Albanese, who is responsible for scheduling the Government’s parliamentary agenda, denied any official notice had been sent to MPs about valedictory speeches.

“That is news to us, nothing has been scheduled as yet,” his spokesman said.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has maintained he will not call an early election and intends the Government to run full term, which would mean an election later in the year.

However, with Parliament due to rise at the end of June and not return until the end of August, the possible scheduling of valedictory speeches for the current parliamentary sitting period would indicate Labor strategists want to keep their options open for an earlier election, if Labor can manufacture a bounce in the polls.

 

With no good news on the horizon and inquiries to report into the home insulation scheme and the Building the Education Revolution, there is a view Mr Rudd may opt to call an early poll following US President Barack Obama’s visit in late June.

It has been reported that Mr Rudd’s own department had recently issued new caretaker rules for public servants governing their conduct during federal election campaigns.