Council
2 April, 2025
Federal election date finally set
THE 2025 federal election has been announced for Saturday, May 3.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ended months-long speculation ` as to when the election would be called last week when he visited Governor-General Samantha Mostyn to formally request an election.
Wannon is tipped to be one of the most heavily contested seats in the nation this year, with incumbent Liberal Dan Tehan hoping to fend off Independent candidate Alex Dyson – who has inched closer over the previous two election cycles.
Mr Tehan said this year’s election was important as “Australia can’t afford to continue on its current path”.
“Under Labor, inflation has been consistently higher than comparable economies,” he said.
“This increases the cost of everyday essential items like groceries and insurance.
“The Liberals will strengthen our economy and get our country back on track.
“Our local roads have been neglected by state Labor and funding has been cut by federal Labor.
“I will fight for our fair share of local road and infrastructure funding.”
Mr Dyson said he was ready for a “final sprint”.
“From Ararat to Anglesea and Camperdown to Casterton, people tell me they’re sick of the neglect from the major parties,” he said.
“We’ve been a ‘safe seat’ for 70 years – ignored by the Labor Party and taken for granted by the Liberal Party.
“Just look at the neglect of our roads.
“I’m offering a clear alternative as a community Independent – I answer to locals, not a party or corporate lobbyists.
“No matter who is in government, I will fight for a better deal for Wannon: for better roads, healthcare, aged care and childcare, on cost of living pressures.”
Australian Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope said this would serve as Australia’s biggest election – with 710,000 more people on the electoral roll than 2022, requiring 7000 polling places, 100,000 staff, 250,000 pencils and 80,000 ballot boxes.
“There are more voters on the electoral roll than ever before, there’ll be more voting venues than ever - both within Australia and overseas, there’ll be greater accessibility options than we’ve ever had, and we again need around 100,000 staff to deliver it,” he said.
“We’re ready to go. You also need to be ready as well.
“Check your enrolment now and please consider putting up your hand for paid election work.
“You can visit aec.gov.au to do those things in just minutes.”
Enrolment for voting closes at 8pm on Monday, April 7.
To enrol to vote or update your details visit https://www.aec.gov.au/enrol.
“A federal election is Australia’s great festival of democracy, and no matter what your circumstances are the Australian Electoral Commission has voting options available,” Mr Pope said.
“The election being called is an important reminder to all Australians who are eligible to vote to visit the AEC’s website, check your enrolment and make sure it is up to date.
“Australia’s electoral roll is already sitting at an incredible 97.8 per cent of eligible voters enrolled, but we know the announcement of an election will be an incentive for new voters in particular to get enrolled.
“Enrolling takes less than five minutes and can be done online.
“For the first time at a federal election, you can now use your Medicare card to enrol – it’s never been easier.”
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