Anthony Albanese drops big election date hint’

Anthony Albanese has given a hint on when Australians can expect to cast their ballots next year in an apparent slip up during an interview.

The Prime Minister was commenting on election date speculation after Western Australian Premier Roger Cook said earlier this week he sought advice on how to move his state’s fixed election date next year from March 8 to dodge a possible clash with a federal vote.

In his interview which aired on Sunday, Mr Albanese denied speaking to Mr Cook about holding the federal election in March.

“I have not spoken to Roger Cook about a possible March election,” Mr Albanese told Sky News.

“No, he has said that his election is on March 8th and I talk to state leaders sometimes about the dates in which they have elections set. It’s as simple as that.”

He went on to say Australia would “go to an election sometime between May”, but cut himself off.

“And I don’t talk with any state premiers or journalists about when those options might be,” he said.

“But we have a budget scheduled for March and the election will be in May.”

Mr Albanese appeared to play down the significance of naming May, which is when most analysts predict.

“Well that’s when it’s due,” he said.

“It could be beforehand, but that will be a matter for me to make in conjunction with my Cabinet colleagues.”

He also said he thought “there should be four year fixed terms”.

The federal election needs to be held by May next year.

With polls pointing to a federal Labor government returned in minority, the national outcome could sway Western Australia’s outcome.

Meanwhile, what happens at a state level could be seen as an indicator of what to expect federally, as has been suggested by the Queensland election.