National
Gillard poised to call election
Prime Minister Julia Gillard is likely to call an election tomorrow, the ABC understands.
Labor sources have told the ABC Ms Gillard is expected to visit Governor General Quentin Bryce in Canberra tomorrow morning to set an August 28 election date.
But it is believed that the issuing of the writs will be delayed until next Wednesday to allow more time for people to enrol to vote.
The election campaign will be six weeks long.
Ms Gillard will travel to Brisbane, where there are particular concerns among Labor of a lag in youth enrolment in Queensland, after her visit to Yarralumla.
Today Ms Gillard is travelling through Tasmania on a whistlestop tour before the election campaign proper begins.
She has been forced to fend off questions over whether she reneged on a handover deal made with Kevin Rudd the night before he was toppled as Labor leader.
Speaking in Tasmania today, Ms Gillard reaffirmed her earlier statements that there would be a role in Cabinet for Mr Rudd if Labor were re-elected.