The National Times - Australian PM calls general election for May 3

Albanese's centre-left Labor party took office in May 2022, turfing out a conservative government deeply unpopular after almost a decade in charge.

But initial enthusiasm for Albanese, 62, has evaporated in recent months as the government nears the end of its three-year term.

Polls show him neck-and-neck with right-leaning Peter Dutton, 54, a hard-nosed former detective who wants to cut back on immigration and reverse a ban on nuclear power.

"Over the last few years, the world has thrown a lot at Australia in uncertain times," the prime minister told reporters.

"Because of the strength and resilience that our people have shown, Australia is turning the corner. Now, on May 3, you choose the way forward."

Albanese declared he was "born ready" to deal with climate challenges, tariff turmoil and the long tail of inflation.

And he warned any foreign foes intent on meddling in the election campaign to "back off".

Coal mining-superpower Australia will choose between two candidates with sharply contrasting ideas on climate change and emissions reduction.

Albanese's government has embraced the global push towards decarbonisation, warning of a future in which iron ore and polluting coal exports no longer prop up the economy.

His election catchcry is "building Australia's future" -- an agenda that includes big subsidies for renewable energy and green manufacturing.

The government used an annual government budget earlier this week to unveil surprise tax cuts while pouring money into traditional Labor priorities such as education and healthcare.

"Getting Australia back on track," is the contrasting slogan of Dutton.

Dutton's signature policy is a US$200 billion scheme to construct seven industrial-scale nuclear reactors, doing away with the need to ramp up renewables.

He has committed to slashing immigration by 25 percent and setting "stricter caps" on foreign students allowed to study in Australia.

Polling shows economic concerns such as the high cost of housing will dominate the contest.

Although inflation has eased under Albanese -- from 7.8 percent in 2022 to 2.4 percent in December -- many households are still struggling with high food, fuel, and power prices.

Both sides have vowed to tackle an overheated housing market.

Major cities Sydney and Melbourne now rank among the 10 least-affordable housing markets in the world, according to the annual Demographia affordability index.

- 'Not a monster' -

Albanese has spent most of his adult life in politics, rising through the Labor Party ranks from humble working-class beginnings.

He touts his love of indie music and his shaggy cavoodle Toto -- and once famously declared that "fighting Tories" was his purpose.

Dutton is a former drug squad detective widely seen as a no-nonsense political "hardman".

His success will hinge, in part, on efforts to soften this image and broaden his appeal.

Dutton's wife once told a tabloid newspaper that her misunderstood husband was "not a monster".

An accomplished minister in the previous conservative government, Dutton has held weighty portfolios such as defence and home affairs.

But he faced heavy criticism for his unyielding treatment of asylum seekers as Australia's immigration minister.

- Independents day -

Australian politics has long been dominated by Albanese's left-leaning Labor Party and Dutton's right-leaning Liberals.

But growing disenchantment among voters has emboldened independents pushing for greater transparency and climate progress.

Polls suggest 10 or more unaligned crossbenchers could hold the balance of power -- making a rare minority government a distinct possibility.

The two major parties largely agree on defence and national security, committing Australia to an increasingly close military alliance with the United States.

But they have differed over China in the past.

Albanese has upped engagement with key trading partner China and made a breakthrough trip to Beijing in 2023, the first Australian leader to visit in seven years.

The previous conservative government was highly critical of China, igniting a trade war that cost Australia billions of dollars until subsiding late last year.

Lewis--TNT