A coalition win in the NSW state election has reassured Scott Morrison's federal government that it can woo voters by playing up its economic management credentials.
in the bush when the federal budget is handed down on April 2 to shore up support from rural and regional voters.
Scott Morrison's government has received a confidence boost from the coalition's re-election in NSW. Source: AAP
NSW Liberal Premier Gladys Berejiklian's government was returned on Saturday, winning 46 seats out of 93, despite polls in the lead-up to the vote pointing to a hung parliament or a narrow loss to Labor for her coalition.
Federal Attorney-General Christian Porter said the outcome had reassured the Morrison government it can win the federal poll, expected in May, despite opinion polls pointing towards a Labor victory.
The Australian is reporting Liberal strategists are gearing up for a May 11 federal election - to be called on the Sunday following the April 2 budget.
Infrastructure funding for rural and regional areas is expected to form the centerpiece of the Morrison campaign.
Like the Berejiklian government, the federal government is focused on delivering a strong economy and budget position and reinvesting the benefits into services and infrastructure, he said.
Newly re-elected NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Source: AAP
"That is precisely the model that we have been working on for six years," Mr Porter told reporters in Perth on Sunday.
"This proves, if you like, the underlying confidence we've had. We believe this shows that the next election is absolutely winnable."
And despite the NSW Nationals lost ground in the weekend election, their federal counterparts are still hopeful.
"The message out of NSW was, for the federal government in particular ... don't write us off," federal Nationals MP Darren Chester said.
Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten doesn't believe the NSW election results has many implications for Labor's campaign to win government, but he's not taking anything for granted.
Veterans' Affairs Minister Darren Chester. Source: AAP
"People are hungry for vision," Mr Shorten said in Melbourne.
Meanwhile, The Australian on Monday cited a senior cabinet minister as saying the federal budget it will feature a "significant" regional economic package for the bush.
