Election date odds firming

The earliest date a full term federal election can be held under section 13 of the constitution is August 7 with the latest being April 16 next year.

Government letters linked to the controversial mining advertising campaign showed that it would run until August and so a date soon after this is firming.

In any case, with Christmas and fixed term elections in NSW (March 2011)and Victoria (November 2010), a date before the end of October is almost certain - which means an announcement should come as soon as some of the current political 'dust' settles.