Australian prime minister announces May 18 election

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Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday called a national election for May 18, firing the starting gun on a campaign set to focus heavily on climate and the economy.

The vote will decide whether the conservative government gets a rare third term in office and whether Morrison can beat the odds and hang on to power.

Polls have consistently shown his opponents in the center-left Labor party hold a commanding lead, pointing to a new government led by former union leader Bill Shorten.

Bill Shorten (C), leader of the Labor Party of Australia, at the end of a budget reply speech in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, April 4, 2019. /VCG Photo

But Australian elections are often tight affairs, with a couple of dozen marginal seats deciding the outcome. And both party leaders have low approval ratings.

"We live in the best country in the world," Morrison said making his announcement, arguing "our future depends on a strong economy."

"Who do you trust to deliver that strong economy?" he asked.

On the eve of the election announcement, Morrison posted a slickly produced video of him and his family, urging voters to keep on the current track.

"The real question is what country do you want to live in for the next 10 years," he said.

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks at a press conference at the Parliament House in Canberra, April 11, 2019. /VCG Photo

For all purposes, campaigning is already well underway and has already been deeply acrimonious.

Election ads have been running for weeks, and – like the United States – Australian politics has taken on the air of a permanent campaign with the focus on how policies will play with voters as much as how well they work.

Source(s): AFP