The Prime Minister on Wed 30.1.2013, announced that the Federal Election will be held on Saturday, 14 September 2013. In her address to the National Press Club, the PM said that “announcing the election date now enables individuals and business, investors and consumers, to plan their year”. The PM said that later this year, she will advise the Governor-General to dissolve the House of Representatives, with writs to be issued on Monday 12 August 2013 for an election for the House and half of the Senate, to be held on Saturday, 14 September 2013.
While referencing savings changes already announced and implemented, such as tax changes concerning golden handshakes, superannuation for high income earners, FBT and LAFHAs, and means testing the private health insurance rebate, the PM said that in the lead up to and in the Federal Budget, the Government would “announce substantial new structural savings that will maintain the sustainability of the Budget and make room for key Labor priorities”. Ms Gillard said that this year, the Government would “make the tough, necessary decisions to ensure our medium-term fiscal strategy is delivered, and our centrepiece plans for Australian children and Australians with disability are funded, in this new low-revenue environment”.
[LTN 19, 30/1/13]