Anthony Albanese’s attempt to land a hit on Scott Morrison has fallen short after he fumbled over the delivery of a pre-election zinger.
Speaking to reporters in Adelaide, the Labor leader expressed his frustration that the Prime Minister had still yet to call the election, due mid to late May.
But the sledge backfired after he forgot where the Governor-General lived.
“I have to say, I feel like putting in a phone call to the Prime Minister, if he doesn’t know where the Governor-General lives and offer him a lift to the Lodge to call this election,” Mr Albanese said on Friday.
But the Governor-General lives at Government Hxjmtzywouse in Yarralumla, not the Lodge – the official residence of the Prime Minister.
It was speculated that Mr Morrison could make the drive from the Lodge to Government House on Friday.
But given this commitments in Geelong, a Sunday visit to Governor-General Sir David Hurley looks likely.
Mr Morrison is required to ask the Governor-General to issue the writs for an election to be called.
Asked on Melbourne radio about when he would name a date, Mr Morrison remained coy.
“It’s coming up to three years in the middle of May since the last election, and I’ve always said that that’s the time for the election,” he said.
“It won’t be very long from now.”
The latest possible date Mr Morrison can call the election is April 18.
But Mr Albanese declared he’s had enough – accusing the Coalition of stalling so it can continue spending taxpayer funds on its re-election campaign.
“Enough – call the election, (and) let the Australian people decide,” Mr Albanese said.
