Liberals believe early election more likely after well-received federal budget – Sydney Morning Herald

Liberal MPs believe an early election is increasingly likely after Josh Frydenbergs well-received third federal budget, but much will depend on Australias COVID-19 vaccination rollout.

Mr Frydenbergs big-spending, big-deficit pandemic-response budget included $17.7 billion for aged care, up to $1080 in tax relief for low and middle income earners, and billions for more childcare, mental health services, and prevention of domestic violence.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg poses for photos with budget papers before delivering his post-budget address to the National Press Club.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

While some Liberal MPs The Sun-Herald and The Sunday Age spoke to expressed disquiet about the budget they called Labor-lite for its spending on social programs, there was broad acknowledgment that such spending could be justified during a pandemic.

The 12 Liberal MPs who agreed to speak anonymously - so they could offer a candid assessment of last weeks budget - broadly agreed the Morrison government would not need a third budget this term to put it on an election war footing.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said that he is a full-termer which would mean a poll held as late as May 2022. Early in the year, when the Labor Opposition was in the doldrums, there was a growing expectation in Liberal ranks that the Coalition could go to an early election. However the Brittany Higgins rape allegations and other scandals put paid to that thinking, at least temporarily.

But with the budget designed to cauterise political wounds and put the government back on the front foot, there is growing optimism a poll could be called to capitalise on the governments waxing political fortunes.

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It was a very good week. Labor didnt lay a glove on us, theyve got nothing to latch on to. You could see it on their faces [in the Parliament], a senior member of the ministry said.

Opinion has now pulled back on us needing another one [budget]. The thinking was it would be May 2022, now its February-March or maybe even October-November. But vaccination is the other big part of it - we have to get the roll out right and that will be the focus from July until the end of the year.

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Liberals believe early election more likely after well-received federal budget - Sydney Morning Herald