Who decides we are going to have a federal general election?
We have general elections when Parliament is dissolved. The Governor General can dissolve Parliament, at any time, on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Government must ask the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and call a general election when the Government is defeated on a supply bill (one that concerns the spending of money) or on a vote or motion of confidence. The Constitution provides that no more than five years may pass between general elections, except in exceptional circumstances. In May 2007, Parliament passed a law to establish fixed dates for federal general elections providing that a general election must be held on the third Monday in October in the fourth calendar year following the previous general election. Under the new law, if Parliament is not dissolved earlier, the next general election will be held on Monday, October 19, 2009. The Chief Electoral Officer may recommend a different day if the day set for polling is not suitable.
