Anthony Albanese answers the election question on everyone’s mind – as his insane spending on advertising emerges

Anthony Albanese has dismissed speculation that he will call a snap election as his government is accused of spending millions of dollars on advertising.

The Prime Minister continues to dismiss rumors that he will go to the polls early as speculation mounts over the timing of the next federal election.

Albanese has pledged to tackle Australia’s cost of living crisis head on before he runs for a second term, with inflation high on Labor’s agenda.

‘We have elections in 2025, but that is still far away. Now we are two-thirds of the way,” he told the newspaper Daily telegram.

“We’ll focus on that re-election campaign next year, when we’re ready, but our immediate task is to get the job done and reduce inflation.”

Mr Albanese has continued to dismiss rumors he will go to the polls early as speculation mounts over the timing of the next federal election (pictured, a Sydney traffic controller)

Mr Albanese admitted it had been “difficult” to deliver a budget that would provide immediate relief to Australians without exacerbating high inflation.

“It is difficult to pass a budget in the current economic conditions,” he said.

“We had to make sure we produced a second surplus, we were determined to do that, so that we put that downward pressure on inflation.

‘So there are a number of targeted measures, such as increased rental subsidies, but that was the focus we had: that focus on inflation.’

If Mr Albanese seeks a full term in office, the next elections are scheduled for a year from now.

In October this year, Queenslanders will contest the state election, while Western Australians will go to the polls in February 2025.

In January, after the defeat of the Voice referendum, Albanese distanced himself from holding a republic referendum for a second term, if re-elected.

‘I have committed to one referendum. We held it. It wasn’t successful, and I think that was disappointing,” Albanese said.

Up to $10 million will be spent to improve Labor’s new vehicle efficiency standards (pictured)

It comes as the Albanian government is accused of spending hundreds of millions of dollars on taxpayer-funded advertising campaigns.

A total of $172 million will be spent peddling a range of government initiatives across a range of portfolios as Australians battle the cost of living.

The government will spend $45 million on implementing its Future Made in Australia policy, while $40 million will be spent on advancing the third phase of tax cuts.

Up to $10 million will be spent on improving Labour’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standards, while a further $10 million will raise awareness of the transition to net zero.

A further $15 million will be spent over three years to provide migrants with information on workplace protections, safeguards and compliance.

Advertisements for the new vehicle efficiency standards are already airing on TV and radio and have been translated into Cantonese, Mandarin, Arabic and Vietnamese.

Coalition spokesman for government waste reduction, James Stevens, accused the Albanian government of a “million-dollar spending spree.”

He said Labor was focusing on the ‘wrong priorities’.

“If Australian families are struggling, their budgets show they are currently spending millions of dollars on government advertising,” he said.

“Australian families remember the Prime Minister railing against government advertising when he was in opposition.”

Albanese has pledged to tackle Australia’s cost of living crisis head on before he runs for a second term, with inflation high on Labor’s agenda.

Labor to spend $40 million on advertising to promote third tax cut (pictured)

Albanese previously accused then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison of being “addicted to spending taxpayers’ money as if it were Liberal Party money.”

He added: “The ads you see on TV from the government, promoting the Liberal and National parties, are paid for by taxpayers.”

Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers defended the spending on advertising and said it was important the public was informed of upcoming changes.

“Some of these changes we are considering are big, sweeping changes,” he previously told The Guardian.

“It is, I think, not unreasonable or unusual to make provision in a responsible way to convey that to people.”